The Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees met on Thursday, October 8, at the Alleghany Center located in Sparta, N.C.
Prior to the start of the business session, Susan Nilo, Director of the Alleghany Center presented an update on the Alleghany Center and hosted a tour of the new welding lab.
The business session began with the approval of the minutes from the August 6, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting.
The board endorsed and passed a resolution to support the myFutureNC Attainment Goal as presented by the WCC Administration.
College President’s Report
Dr. Cox gave an overview of the 2020-2021 Annual Strategic Implementation Plan.
Trustees approved the following meeting schedule for 2021:
- Thursday, January 7, 2021, Walker Center
- Thursday, April 8, 2021, Walker Center
- Friday, May 13, 2021, Walker Center, Orchestra Room
- Thursday, August 12, 2021, Ashe Campus
- Thursday, October 14, 2021, Alleghany Center
- Friday, December 10, 2021 (lunch meeting/Christmas event for trustees) Walker Center
Chairperson’s Report
Terry Bumgarner, chair of the WCC Board of Trustees, announced the membership of the 2020-2021 Standing Committees. Terry Bumgarner will serve as the ex-officio member of each committee. The Buildings and Grounds Committee is comprised of Arnold Lakey, Chair, Bill Davis, Kelly Vannoy, and Josh Roten. The Finance Committee is comprised of Ricky Brown, Chair, Keith Elmore, Josh Roten, and Larry Stone. The Personnel Committee is comprised of Bert Hall, Chair, Susan Murphy, Kim Walker, and Jay Vannoy. The Program and Planning Committee is comprised of Dr. Pam Scott, Chair, Evan Handy, Connie Cox, and Dr. Erwin. The Investment Committee is comprised of Ricky Brown, Chair, William Watts, Susan Whittington, and Jim Smoak.
Mr. Bumgarner, chair of the Board of Trustees, announced the next trustee orientation/education session, scheduled for April 21-23, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C.
Program and Planning Committee
The board approved the Curriculum Faculty Credentials Policy and Procedures as presented by WCC Administration.
The board endorsed the Appalachian State University Co-Admission Program called Aspire Appalachian as presented by WCC Administration.
The board of trustees approved the amendment to the Withdrawal form Courses Policy as presented by WCC Administration.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Trustees reviewed the Annual Security Report (ASR), which provides three calendar years of select crime statistics for all campus locations and facilities. Additionally, it includes safety and security programs and procedures as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. Colleges and universities are required to collect and publish the ASR by October 1 of each year.
The Ashe Campus project continues to progress. As of late September, the overall project was 66% complete with completion scheduled for April 2021.
Trustees were informed that the Alleghany Welding Lab is now complete except for minor punch list items and equipment installation.
The Pardue Library renovation is complete except for minor touch-ups and carpet installation. This project will relocate the Academic Support Center to the library to create the Learning Commons that will include a computer lab, tutoring, and study spaces. Also included in this area will be a rare new book room to house the collection recently donated by Dr. Tom Bowman. Completion is expected by early November.
Finance Committee
The 2020-2021 Annual Fund Drive began July 1, 2020, with the WCC faculty and staff and the foundation members. This year’s goal is $63,000.00. The administrative council and WCC Foundation have set the following priorities for this year’s annual fund: WCC SkillsUSA Club, Prowler Food Pantry, Doc Watson Student Emergency Fund, GED & HiSET Testing Scholarship, and Study Abroad. Each trustee is asked to consider a gift, in any amount, to the annual fund.
The MerleFest 2020 Report is accessible online at www.wilkescc.edu/giving. Paper copies are available upon request from the Office of Institutional Advancement by contacting
Allison Phillips at alphillipe068@wilkescc.edu or 336-838-6491. As a reminder MerleFest 2021 is scheduled for September 16-19, 2021.
It was announced that the Walker Center has a new program called Chef Inspired Dinners-to-Go at the Walker Center prepared by Chef Nicole Burrell. This program started on Thursday, September 17, and sold a total of 83 meals. It is hoped that this program will continue to grow each week. This is a wonderful opportunity to keep Wilkes Community College connected to the community during the pandemic. It is also a great way to support Walker Center family and friends, and in return, it shows how much the community still cares for the Walker Center!
The 37th Annual Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic powered by Wilkes Communications Inc. will be held Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Oakwoods Country Club. Over one hundred players are anticipated to play in the event with a goal of $50,000 in net profit. Net proceeds from the tournament will support the Step-Up Leadership Scholarship program.
Personnel Committee
The trustees received biographical narratives on the following new employees; Darin Bauguess, Instructor, Math/Statistics; Martha Combs, Instructor, Accounting; Erin Collier, Instructor, Math, Ashe Campus; Andrew Nicholson, Instructor, Math, Ashe Campus; Heather Brooks, Administrative Assistant, Workforce Development and Community Education.
One employee assumed a new role at WCC – Marina Brannock, Coordinator of Occupational, Business, and Specialty Careers.
Resignations received, Robin Keller, Instructor, Nursing and Matt York, Network and Security Administrator.
The following retirement was announced; Jennifer “Ginger” Coats, SAGE Coordinator, effective September 30, 2020.
The WCC Board of Trustees will meet again on December 12, 2020, at the John A. Walker Center Lakey Ballroom.