by Patsy Joyner

The best advertising for Paul D. Camp Community Colleges 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 went on to 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 almost four decades of providing access to higher education for residents 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 to join the

PDCCC Alumni Society. A one-time membership fee is $10.

Membership benefits include opportunities to network with faculty, staff and residents, participation in the life of the college through 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 students, faculty and educational programs —and a direct impact on the future direction of the college and its image.

A few opportunities for alumni participation include student recruiters and mentors, advisory committee members, special events volunteers, student newsletter and Web page assistants, and scholarship facilitators and donors.

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.

Upcoming Partnership Programs

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is partnering with the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce and PDCCC to bring programs to the community on Wednesday, May 25, at the Regional Workforce Development Center on the Franklin Campus.

High School Program

From 10 to 11:15 a.m., a session targeted for high school students from Franklin, Southampton County and Southampton Academy will be conducted by Professor Gregory Fairchild. He will speak on entrepreneurship and share stories illustrating the important role of creative ideas, which will benefit high school students in their consideration of future careers.

Business Luncheon

From noon to 1:30 p.m., this session will also be presented by Fairchild, who will speak on entrepreneurship and how Franklin, Southampton and Isle of Wight can promote their communities. Participants will learn how entrepreneurship plays a critical role in business growth and success for new and existing businesses — and ways to promote a healthy climate for entrepreneurship to help support the overall success of the region.

As part of this discussion, those in attendance will also learn more about local resources to help support entrepreneurs and businesses professionals. The cost for the luncheon is $10, and reservations are required. Call the Chamber at 562-4900.

For information on options at PDCCC, call 569-6700; or visit the website at www.pdc.edu.

DR. PATSY JOYNER is the vice president for institutional advancement at Paul D. Camp Community College. Her email address is pjoyner@pc.vccs.edu.