The best advertising for Paul D. Camp Community College is the success of our students, who hold a broad array of positions in diverse professions across the college’s service region and beyond. Getting their start at the community college, they became become nurses, correctional officers, computer technicians, teachers, welders, industrial electricians, childcare providers, executive secretaries, business managers, bookkeepers, data entry clerks, maintenance mechanics and medical office assistants — to name a few. And you would be surprised at how many former students are well-placed right here in our community.

As we recount more than 37 years of providing access to higher education for citizens in Franklin, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Suffolk, we are collecting student success stories. Thus, we ask that you share with us the stories you know. If you are a former student, we would like to learn where you are now and what you are doing. If you have friends, family or acquaintances who have gone on to do well after beginning their educational quest at PDCCC, we want to hear from you.

Call for Alumni Involvement

To keep connected with us, we also invite former students who have completed a course, certificate or degree at the college to join the PDCCC Alumni Society. Established six years ago, the Alumni Society now has more than 275 members. A one-time membership fee is just $10. Membership benefits include opportunities to network with faculty, staff and members of the community; participation in the life of the college through meaningful interactions with students and involvement with college activities; leadership roles in advancing the college; and recognition for alumni accomplishments.

PDCCC alumni can provide a positive influence on current students, faculty, and educational programs–and a direct impact on the future direction of the College and its image. Following are a few examples of opportunities for alumni participation:

Student Recruiters

As advocates for the community college experience, alumni can encourage friends and co-workers to consider taking advantage of what Paul D. Camp offers. They can also help with the College’s student newsletter and Web page and serve as mentors, helpers during registration, classroom speakers, and subjects for feature story articles in the news media.

Advisory Committee Members

Well-placed alumni who provide great links to the real world are great candidates for advisory committee membership. Each PDCCC program is supported by an advisory committee composed of individuals who are specialists in particular fields. The committees usually meet one time annually, but maintain continuous communication with faculty throughout the year. Advisory committee members provide guidance for the creation of new courses, revision of existing courses, purchase of equipment, and employment of graduates.

Special Events Volunteers

Alumni volunteers can help facilitate and enhance college activities, which include career nights, graduations, fundraising golf tournaments and other special events.

Donors

Many former students at PDCCC benefited from scholarships provided by local organizations and individuals. Becoming a donor is a great way for alumni to say thank you and to help current students needing financial assistance through scholarship contributions.

Alumni Society Update

Recent alumni-sponsored activities include a cookout for graduates held May 14 in conjunction with commencement rehearsal the night before graduation where PDCCC Alumni President Frank Brown, Treasurer JoAnne Russell, and other alumni members served over 100 students.

Twenty-four members of the 2009 graduating class joined the Alumni Society, received an alumni pin, and were recognized during the May 15 commencement ceremony.

On Aug. 14, alumni members will help with the College’s annual Golf Tournament at Sleepy Hole Golf Club in Franklin.

For more details on sharing success stories or joining the PDCCC Alumni Society, call Wendy Harrison, Public Relations Specialist in the Office of Institutional Advancement, at 569-6792. For information on other programs and options available at PDCCC, call 569-6700, or visit our Web site at www.pdc.edu.