CFCC News

WILMINGTON - The Cape Fear Community College Continuing Education Department has scheduled a free community program – Gullah-Geechee History and Crafty ‘Tings’ for Saturday, May 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Tabitha’s Courtyard.

The language, culture and history of Gullah people who lived in the Carolinas, Georgia Low Country, and the Sea Islands are the focus of a new Heritage Corridor being developed by the National Park Service. Vermelle Smith Rodrigues, a Georgetown, S.C. native, and founder of the Pawley’s Island Gullah O’oman (Woman) Museum, and her husband Andrew, a Gullah rice culture lecturer will present an entertaining fact-filled program. A traditional Gullah basket-weaver will accompany them and demonstrate the craft. Numerous artifacts including a Gullah Story Quilt will be interpreted and displayed.

Vermelle ‘Bunny’ Rodrigues’ story quilts, grass dolls and other artifacts have been featured in the motion picture, The Patriot, and numerous magazines and newspapers throughout the United States.

Adults and children will enjoy the Gullah-Geechee History and Crafty ‘Tings’ presentation. Please invite others, and encourage tourists to attend also.

(In case of inclement weather, the program will be housed inside the cafeteria area.)

Wilmington–Cape Fear Community College has extended the deadline for applications to its new Surgical Technology Program until July 7, 2008.  This two-year associate degree program prepares individuals to assist in the care of the surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team.  Students will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; prepare patients for surgery; and assist surgeons during operations.

After receiving the Associate Degree in Surgical Technology, students will be eligible to take the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists.  Employment opportunities include hospital surgery departments, ambulatory surgery centers, labor and delivery departments, physician’s offices, and central sterile processing departments.

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the volume of surgery increases.  This program has selective admission requirements and seats are limited.  For more information, call 362-7718 or 362-7704.

CFCC will hold its summer registration on Monday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the main and north campus.  On the main campus, College Transfer students - room A-303; Vocational/Technical students - room A-313; Current and Special Credit students, room A-220.  On the north campus all students register in NA-112. 

For more information, call 362-7018.

CFCC INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS SWEEP AWARDS AT REGIONAL CONFERENCE

WILMINGTON - Three Cape Fear Community College students recently swept the prestigious 2008 Otto Zenke Interior Design Competition, taking first, second and third place. The competition was held as part of the American Society of Interior Design Carolinas Chapter Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach on April 26.

The students competed against colleges from North and South Carolina, defeating students from UNC Greensboro, Meredith College, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University and others.”This is a great honor for a wonderful group of students,” said Cindy Parker, lead instructor of CFCC’s interior design program.

CFCC’s winning students included: Jessie Jeffries, who won first place with $750 and a plaque. Lindsay Medford won second place with $500 and a plaque, and Renee Smith won third place with $250 and a plaque. In addition to the individual prizes, the Interior Design program won $750 and a plaque.

The goal of the project was much more than to design a good-looking room. The project was to create a two-level office and residential space that the students had to research, plan and ultimately design.  Students had to follow specific criteria, much like they would in working with an actual client. The design had to adhere to many specifications like building codes and aesthetic appeal. The students worked on the project for approximately three months in which they developed concepts from the criteria, created space planning in CAD drawings, rendered perspectives and elevations and selected sustainable finishes for the projects. The specific focus was on using sustainable products and ADA guidelines.

This project also utilized sustainable and innovative products while creating a functional, and aesthetic setting for the two spaces involved.  The final work included numerous CAD drawings and hand rendered illustrations to demonstrate their plans, in addition to the selection of products and specifications.

The students worked on the project from January until the end of March as it was an extensive and demanding project. Parker was very proud of the winners, but also was very proud of all the students who entered who also had fabulous entries.  Although it is not a requirement of the contest, the program required that all students send their entries.  

“It was an impressive site to see CFCC projects overshadow the competition,” Parker said.

The class project was completed in Commercial/Contract Design II which was taught by Eliddia Mader. Additional support was given by Ernest Fernandez and Parker who consulted.

CFCC Student Inducted as Regional VP for Phi Theta Kappa

Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) is proud to announce that Erica Spivey, a current CFCC student, has been inducted as the 2008-09 Regional Vice President of North Carolina for the international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa.  As Vice President, Erica will represent North Carolina at regional and national conferences and events.  Along with other officers, she will develop regional goals and organize events and activities for all of the NC chapters of Phi Theta Kappa. 

CFCC’s chapter, Alpha Chi Sigma, won many awards at this year’s regional banquet in Clemmons, North Carolina, where thirty chapters attended from community colleges across the Carolinas.  Along with being elected as Regional Vice President, Erica Spivey won one of the awards given to the most distinguished chapter president.

“Erica has been a leader on campus, in the community, and has unlimited potential. She has started a mentor program, promoted recycling on campus, and leads by example in every endeavor she undertakes,” says Jason Earnhardt, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor.

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is two-fold:  1) to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and (2) to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programming.

As Regional Vice President, Erica will focus on the honors topic, “Paradox of Affluence:  Choices, Challenges, and Consequences.”  The honor’s topic is international within Phi Theta Kappa and encourages the study and exploration of the topic through case study and chapter activities.  Erica believes it is important for students to realize both the pros and cons of choices and she dedicates much of her time to mentoring and educating others on this and other important topics.

WILMINGTON - Dr. Peter Lyons, Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, recognized Cape Fear Community College’s Nuclear Maintenance Technician program during a visit to CFCC’s North Campus on May 1, 2008.

The commissioner’s visit celebrated the North Carolina Community College System’s approval of the CFCC Nuclear Maintenance Technician program as an official two-year associate in applied science degree program.   Unique to CFCC, the program prepares students to work as technicians in the nuclear energy industry, including duties inside the reactor containment buildings of commercial nuclear power plants. 

Following a tour of CFCC’s training facilities, Dr. Lyons spoke to an audience of about 100 students, college staff and local business leaders at the BB&T Auditorium at the McKeithan Center. During his remarks, he stressed the importance of partnerships between industry and education to train future generations of nuclear technicians. 

“We must have a solid foundation of highly trained and skilled workers to ensure success for an increased safe and secure utilization of nuclear energy,” Dr. Lyons stated. 

“I believe that augmenting the college’s courses in the sciences and humanities, with practical experience at nuclear facilities and with specialized training at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s facilities in California and in North Carolina, is a very beneficial innovation that will ensure students are well prepared for these careers,” Lyons added. 

Students in the Nuclear Maintenance Technician program receive a stipend and free tuition from Granite Services, International, a wholly owned subsidiary of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

CFCC Architecture Students Win Statewide Competition

WILMINGTON -  Cape Fear Community College’s architectural technology program participated in the 7th annual North Carolina Sustainable Building Design competition in Raleigh on Saturday, April 19 and came home with first place, defeating teams from top universities as well as other community colleges from around the state.

The goal of the competition was to incorporate “green-building” techniques and design plans to build a duplex for upscale retirement couples in the retirement community of Carolina Meadows, located near Chapel Hill, NC.

“The competition this year was the most strenuous and competitive of all I have been involved with.  All of the participating teams presentations were well thought out with outstanding ideas for environmentally friendly living solutions,” said Ron Wilson, lead instructor of CFCC’s architectural technology program.

This year competing teams included Duke University, North Carolina State University School of Design, East Carolina University, Appalachian State and several other community college architectural programs.  

CFCC’s team, “Arbor Creative” was selected as the winner of the 2008 competition.  The five members of the team will receive a prize of $3000 for their efforts. The students include:  Scott Biggs, Keith Burke, Alyssa Halle, Michael Tyler and Alex Dortschy.

Even more importantly, the duplex they designed will be built at Carolina Meadows for its retirees.  There will be approximately 22 duplexes constructed in the new neighborhood of villas.  Each duplex will be constructed using designs and sustainable/alternate energy systems designed and developed at CFCC. 
As the state winner, CFCC is now eligible to participate in the Green Building Council’s National Competition in Boston later this year.    

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CFCC Cosmetology Students Win Top Awards at S.C. Competition

WILMINGTON - Some Cape Fear Community College cosmetology students recently earned top awards at the Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals (ACSP) competition on March 29 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. 

Awards were given for a variety of hair styling, makeup and manicuring categories. CFCC also earned first place in the school team of the year category. This is the first time that the School Team of The Year trophy has been awarded to a school outside of South Carolina.

“We are so proud of our students because of the professionalism and talent that they showed while in Myrtle Beach. We want to thank the Cape Fear Community College Foundation Board of Directors for the grant that allowed the Cosmetology School to attend,” said Mary Brown lead instructor of CFCC’s cosmetology program.

The list of winners are as follows:

Brittany Couch - 1st place in Female Hair Shaping

Brittany Couch - 3rd place in Female Daytime Blow-Dry

Christina Lewis - 3rd place in Fantasy Hair

Tia Howard - 1st place Bridal Gala

Terisha Batson - 2nd place Bridal Gala

Brandy Pearce - 3rd place Bridal Gala

Courtney Dale - 3rd place Fantasy Nails

Katie Lewis - 1st place Ladies Avant Garde

Tasha Gray, Phylicia Lewis, Demetria Butler - 1st place School Team of The Year

Micah Murphy, Elizabeth Hinkle, Brandy Pearce - 3rd place School Team of The Year

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