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Pictured from left to right: Ashley Norris, Union County EMS/SPCC 2013-14; Walter and Cookie Sprouse, Donors; Olivia Bear, Union County EMS; Ralph Edwards, Union County EMS/SPCC 2017-18
Walter Sprouse and his wife, Cookie, were traveling from their home in Asheboro, NC to Monroe last July when a truck crossed the solid yellow line and hit their vehicle head on. Their vehicle was wrecked and they were grievously wounded. But this story has a happy ending.
Walter and Cookie were able to recover, thanks to the quick thinking of Union County EMS personnel, two of which were trained at SPCC, who provided lifesaving care to the couple. With deep gratitude for the training of these cadets, Sprouse graciously donated $4,000 to the SPCC Foundation to be used to purchase femoral artery training kits for SPCC paramedic programs. At the graduation ceremony for the inaugural class of the Union County EMT Academy on March 4, he shared his remarkable story and a message of encouragement with the graduates to let them know how they can truly make a lifesaving difference.
Doty Hired As New Director of Student Life, Engagement, and Leadership
SPCC welcomes Alen Doty as its new Director of Student Life, Engagement, and Leadership. Joining SPCC from Johnson and Wales University-Charlotte, Doty has a diverse background and extensive experience in student engagement and leadership, student conduct, residential life, as well as admissions.
“My goal is to give SPCC students the full college experience for a fraction of the cost,” said Doty. The catalyst is to create and instill school pride.
Part of building this experience will include collaborating with the SPCC Foundation to re-launch the Alumni Association with a goal of supporting a network of former graduates who will, in turn, help to raise the profile of the college.
The Robert P. Holding Foundation Donation Establishes Endowed Scholarship Fund
Pictured from left to right: Andy Sheen, First Citizens Area Executive; Shelley Jarman, SPCC Foundation Director; Darren Morton, First Citizens Vice President; Dutch Hardison, First Citizens Senior Vice President
The Robert P. Holding Foundation donated $30,000 to the SPCC Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship that will support students seeking to pursue an education at the college that can truly change their lives! To date, the Foundation has 30 endowed scholarships totaling over $3 million. If you are interested in establishing an endowed scholarship fund with the SPCC Foundation, contact Shelley Jarman, Foundation Director, at 704-993-2450, or sjarman@spcc.edu.
Cannon Foundation Grant Funds Garibaldi Renovations
The SPCC Foundation was recently awarded $125,000 from The Cannon Foundation to make necessary renovations to the L.L. Polk Campus’ Garibaldi Building. The uplift will create a more intuitive student-friendly space. These renovations will take place over the next 18 months and, once complete, the Business Office will relocate from the basement to the main floor of the Garibaldi Building and the IT Office will relocate to the basement. This will offer more room for growth as SPCC broadens its technological infrastructure to meet the changing needs of its students and create more student-friendly access to services for each student.
Workforce Development Fills Jobs and Skills Gaps
SPCC continues to build its Economic and Workforce Development team adding Sherry Washington to a new role as the Director of Corporate Education. This new position will provide the expertise needed to expand the Corporate and Customized Training Programs in our service area.
In addition, SPCC’s apprenticeship program added Columbus McKinnon Company as a new partner which resulted in the placement of 10 new apprentices. Each apprentice will work at Columbus McKinnon through the duration of their college program and earn a starting wage of $17 per hour and progressively earn a higher wage as they move through the program. SPCC will provide the specialized job training along with technical production certifications.
Alumni Spotlight - SPCC Cares
Pictured from left to right: RJ, Richard, Matt, Chris, Ulunda
Photo by Holly Morgan, Enquirer Journal
SPCC alumnus, Richard Baker, recently caught the attention of local media for his amazing journey to earning a college degree despite the daunting challenges he faced. Richard, 40, graduated from SPCC’s Associate in a Year Program this past December. While managing the accelerated coursework of the AAY program, he helped his wife start a non-profit, played an active role in caring for his 3 sons, and spent more than 2 weeks in the hospital fighting a life-threatening battle with COVID-19. How did he do it? Richard was not only determined, but he credits the support he received from SPCC, his academic Program Director, Ryan Brown and all the caring professors at the college who went the extra mile to help him make up his coursework and complete the program on time.
SPCC Quick Six
