October was a busy, exciting month full of collaboration and partnership at Danville Community College (DCC). I am continually reminded of the profound impact that collaboration and community engagement can have on our institution and the local community.
Our month began with a heartwarming visit to the Early College Program classrooms on October 3. It was a pleasure to distribute DCC Early College Program swag bags to each student. This small token of appreciation was accompanied by words of thanks and encouragement, reminding our students to work hard and persist through their academic journey. The early college program is a testament to our commitment to fostering academic success at an early stage, and we are proud to partner with Danville Public Schools on this important initiative.
Also on October 3, we were honored to participate in the Southside National Night Out, hosted by the Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation. I had the privilege of giving a welcome speech, and I was touched by the warm reception we received. This event allowed us to connect with our non-profit partners and engage with our local citizens. Our campus was filled with food, music, fun, and fellowship – a true celebration of our strong community ties.
On October 4, we held our Fall Semester Retiree Breakfast, a cherished tradition at DCC. Welcoming our retirees back to campus allows us to provide updates, introduce new employees to our unique DCC culture, and celebrate our shared history. New DCC retiree t-shirts, designed by our PR & Marketing team in collaboration with our retirees, added a special touch to the event. We believe that by staying connected to our past, embracing the present, and planning for the future, we can continue to provide excellent service to our community.
An exciting meeting took place on October 4, where DCC and Averett University leaders came together to explore opportunities for collaboration. President Tiffany Franks and I discussed how we can eliminate barriers to student success and expand transfer options. Together, we aim to strengthen our impact on the communities we serve, and you can expect to hear more about this exciting partnership in the near future.
On October 5, I was able to attend Riverview Rotary’s meeting where many upcoming events were discussed. DCC is an official sponsor of the Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade and will be participating in the festivities! Be on the lookout for our new mascot in the line-up, and maybe Ace will even join in on the fun!
The Cyberknight Showdown, DCC’s annual cybersecurity competition held on October 6, was an engaging event where local high school students displayed their cutting-edge cybersecurity skills. Our winners are:
1st Place – Jordan Elliot, Bralynn Patterson
2nd Place - Conner Murray, Jaime Navaro-Sarmiento
3rd Place -Connor Brumfield, Aiden Rose
This event demonstrates the incredible talent of our students and their commitment to staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology.
I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the Association of Community College Trustees Leadership Congress conference from October 9 – 12. This was a platform to share the amazing work that DCC is doing, both on social media and in our community. The conference was not only engaging but also a reminder of the positive impact that community colleges can have. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in panel discussions and networking with my peers from across the country.
On October 16, DCC leaders hosted P&HCC leaders on the DCC campus to share our new initiatives and updates. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and we believe in the importance of working together to improve services in our localities. This is the third leadership cabinet DCC has collaborated with in education. Last year we did similar meetings with our partners at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. DCC leaders will, in turn, visit P&HCC to learn about the great things they are doing in their service region.
In celebration of Cybersecurity Month, Ace the Prez Pup; Dr. Mark Funkey, Vice President of Workforce Services; Katherine Jones, Marketing Specialist; and I visited the 16-week Cybersecurity Class on October 16. Students had the chance to win prizes and meet Ace, making the event both informative and entertaining.
On October 17, we welcomed United Way CEO Cathy Gore who presented at our All College Meeting to bring awareness to the programs and services available through United Way. DCC recognizes the importance of connecting with organizations that share our commitment to community improvement.
The naming competition for our new mascot concluded on October 17 as faculty, staff, and students cast their votes and one finalist name became the winner! DCC is proud to introduce ‘Knighty the Mighty’ - a symbol of strength and unity.
On October 21, Allyson, Ace, and I attended the ‘Cruzin for Humanity Car Show’ in our 76’ Thunderbird. We had the opportunity to see many amazing classic cars on display and, with the beautiful weather here in Virginia, I am fighting the urge to begin building another classic car to add to our collection.
Our commitment to education and early literacy was evident as we embarked on the Danville Public Schools Book Tour from October 23 - 26, promoting "Ace the Mighty Conquers Knight School." Engaging with our local schools and students is always a rewarding experience and we want to thank Danville Public Schools for the warm welcome we received.
On October 25, I had the unique opportunity to attend ‘Legendary Conversations featuring Richard Petty’, which was a significant event that shed light on the history and excitement surrounding the Martinsville Speedway. We learned about Wendell Scott's remarkable journey in racing and his leadership as a father. I was particularly moved as a new NASCAR fan and was delighted to see the impact of the Wendell Scott Foundation.
I had the pleasure of traveling to Charlottesville on October 27 to celebrate the investiture of Dr. Jean Runyon, the President of Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). Our shared experiences as the class of 2022 Presidents created a strong connection. The PVCC campus was gorgeous and I enjoyed spending time with the other VCCS Presidents at the celebration.
The month concluded with our annual student and employee Halloween Costume Contest. We celebrated creativity and community spirit with categories like Best Costume, Best Group Costume, Most Creative Costume, and the President's Pick.
As we move forward, these experiences serve as a reminder of the impact we can have when we come together as a community and collaborate with others. Danville Community College is committed to being an active and engaged member of our community, and we look forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of our students and the region as a whole. As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Contacts
