Among the most recent VGCC retirees were, seated from left, Jenny Johnson of Mebane, Blanche Haning of Raleigh, Diane Finch of Henderson and Francine Davis of Butner; standing, from left, Garland Elliott of Henderson, Ray Allen of Oxford and Ken Ferruccio of Norlina. Not pictured: retirees Yvonne Alston, Sue Wooten Grissom, Gloria Freeman, Helen Holt, Laura McCullough, Bill Tucci, David Baird, Morris Casper, Sue Zimmerman and Theresa Brown. (VGCC photo)
Vance-Granville Community College celebrated employees who had retired from the college — and particularly the most recent retirees — during the holiday social for faculty and staff, held on Dec. 17 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.
Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, thanked all employees, past and present, for their dedication to students and the community. “We have decided today, at a time of both joy and reflection, to recognize the remarkable work of our retirees,” President Williams said. “Their contributions have helped to shape our college.” She then called upon various supervisors to make presentations to their newest retirees.
Vice President of Community and Economic Development Vanessa Jones paid tribute to Ray Allen, who retired as coordinator of industry services after seven years (not counting years of part-time service); Yvonne Alston, who retired after 22 years in the Adult Basic Skills department; Garland Elliott, who had served first as an instructor and retired as Director of Economic and Workforce Development, with 26 years of service; Diane Finch, who was director of the Small Business Center for approximately 18 years until her retirement; and Sue Wooten Grissom, who retired as Director of Basic Skills after more than 20 years at VGCC.
Dean of Arts and Sciences Maria Bailey saluted several retired educators, including English instructor Ken Ferruccio (who retired after 13 years of service); Psychology instructor Gloria Freeman (20 years); Biology instructor Dr. Blanche Haning (6.5 years); English instructor Helen Holt (13 years); English instructor Laura McCullough (12 years); and Physics instructor Bill Tucci (two years). Dean of Student Learning and Success Jennifer M. Johnson praised three other instructors who had retired: Developmental English/Reading instructor David Baird (22 years); Religion/Developmental Reading instructor Morris Casper (23 years); and Developmental Mathematics instructor Sue Zimmerman (eight years). Director of Nursing Erica Jastrow honored Francine Davis, a Nursing instructor and one-time head of the college’s Practical Nursing program, who retired after 11 years. Cecilia Wheeler, the dean of VGCC’s South Campus, lauded Jennifer B. “Jenny” Johnson, who retired after almost 18 years as an instructor for the Radiography program. Finally, George A. Henderson, the dean of the Warren County Campus, recognized Theresa Brown, who served as an instructor and coordinator of the Cosmetology program at his campus for 20 years.
Deborah F. Brown, the chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, thanked and congratulated the retirees on behalf of the Board to conclude the program.