For the thirty-seventh year in a row, Sampson Community College (SCC) obtained a 100% participation rate by all full-time faculty and staff during its annual Campus Drive, a fundraising event commencing the SCC Foundation’s new giving year.
On October 25, employees dressed to a sports theme, coming together to donate and pledge support for student scholarships, faculty and staff development, and other campus programs.
The primary purpose of the Foundation is to cultivate a broad base of community support for the college and seek external funds through the private sector to support the College’s mission. Gifts to the Foundation fund student scholarships and support staff and student programs.
“I am so proud of the support the staff and faculty show for the Campus Drive each year,” Lisa Turlington, Dean of Advancement & Executive Director of the Foundation, shared. “The campaign kicks off Foundation fundraising for the fiscal year and sets the bar high for all other initiatives. Sampson is known across the state for the level of participation, and it sends a message to all our donors that our people believe in the mission of the College.”
During the event, the SCC Foundation also held its annual EXCEL award presentation. Each year, SCC faculty and staff are nominated by their fellow colleagues and two are selected by an anonymous EXCEL Selection Committee as winners. The purpose of this honor is to recognize employees who go above and beyond in their work at the College.
Receiving high praise from their coworkers, this year’s EXCEL award winners were: Britt Honeycutt, Department Chair of English & Communications and QEP Co-Chair, representing faculty; and Bill Kemmer, Computer Support Administrator, representing staff.
“I am humbled and honored to be nominated for this award by my colleagues” remarked Honeycutt. “It’s been a challenging semester, but feeling appreciated by the people I work so closely with makes it worth it!”
Susan Jernigan, Arts & Sciences instructor, praised Honeycutt in her nomination, “Britt wears many hats at SCC. I have worked with Britt since 2012, and through those years have seen her grow into an excellent leader in the Arts & Sciences division. She has also done an outstanding job with this year’s QEP as co-director and leading the ‘Viking CREW’ into our SACS evaluation. Everything that Britt does for SCC she does with excitement and enthusiasm, and she is always willing to accept new challenges tossed her way. I am very proud to work alongside her.”
Similarly, Michael Blankenship, Director of Information Technology & Chief Information Officer, voiced of Kemmer in his nomination, “If you were to ask Bill why he deserves to win the EXCEL award, he would say, ‘Because I’m Bill, that’s why!’ Bill has served as dedicated member of IT for over twenty years. He always is quick to help, and his friendly demeanor breaks the stigma of the typical recluse ‘IT guy.’ Bill is an asset to the College and he will be greatly missed as he segues into his well-deserved retirement.”
“I’ve been working here for almost two years and one person I can always rely on is Bill Kemmer,” echoed Tristan Millen, Network Administrator. “Bill is a fountain of knowledge and one of the nicest meeting I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with. With over twenty years of experience under his belt, you can’t help but admire that level of dedication.”
Sampson CC extends its immense gratitude to all the employees who continuously show their commitment to student success and development through the Foundation’s annual Campus Drive campaign. Their dedication speaks to the College’s mission to “provide accessible and affordable education, workforce training, and lifelong enrichment” to all students, local and abroad, and assist them in truly beginning at SCC, then going anywhere.
The College also congratulates its 2023 EXCEL Award recipients, and thanks them for all they continue to do to help SCC, its students, faculty, and staff succeed.
For more information about the SCC Foundation or how to contribute to student success at SCC, visit www.sampsoncc.edu/foundation
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options and early college education. SCC is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities for all.
