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WINTERVILLE – Pitt Community College will be holding its first-ever fall graduation ceremony this month with former Vice President of Institutional Advancement Susan Nobles as the keynote speaker.
After hosting virtual graduation ceremonies in each of the past two years due to the pandemic, Dr. Thomas Gould, CCP executive vice president of academic affairs and student services, said administrators, Pitt teachers and staff were eager to host an in-person event to recognize student achievement. The ceremony will take place Friday at 7 p.m. at the Greenville Convention Center.
“The CPC is proud to be able to celebrate the fall 2021 graduates at our first-ever fall graduation ceremony,†said Gould. “With all the challenges our students have faced in this time of a pandemic, we believe it is more important than ever to recognize their resilience and achievements.”
Of the 248 students who graduated this fall, 127 are expected to attend the ceremony. Together they have obtained 395 degrees, diplomas and / or certificates.
Nobles, who concluded a remarkable 32-year career with Pitt in 2019, will deliver the keynote address. She joined the college in 1987 as Director of Marketing and Public Relations before being appointed Vice President in 2000 to oversee staff responsible for alumni relations, marketing, media relations and the program. for career development and VISIONS scholarships.
Nobles was also executive director of the PCC Foundation. In this capacity, she led the effort to secure gifts and donations for scholarships, capital projects and many other initiatives to support students and the college.
“You won’t find anyone with more heart, determination, loyalty and passion than Susan Nobles,†said former PCC Foundation board chair Miles Minges. “She loves Pitt Community College and seeing our students succeed.”
Prior to receiving the Order of the Longleaf Pine of North Carolina award upon retirement, Nobles won several prestigious awards including the PCC Woman of Substance Award in 2014, the NC Community College System Staff Person of the Year in 2017 and a Distinguished Service Award for PCC Administrators.
The CCP, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in March, has only had five presidents in its history. Nobles worked with three of them: Dr. Charles E. Russell, Dr. G. Dennis Massey, and Dr. Lawrence L. Rouse.
Just over a year after starting her term as president, Rouse spoke at the Nobles’ retirement celebration and called her a “cornerstone” of the CCP.
“Susan Nobles is an icon of the North Carolina community college system,†he said. “I have only had the privilege of working with her in the CCP for a year, but I have known her for 20 years. I have always been amazed at the work she has done from afar for Pitt Community College, but found that she is even more so when I started working closely with her as President of the PCC. His efforts made the CCP what it is today.
Each person who plans to attend the graduation ceremony must present a ticket at the door to enter the convention center. Face masks will be required for all participants.
Employees break away from traditional celebration to help students in need
Professors and staff in the CCP’s Development Education and Academic Support department put the needs of others before their own to make a special delivery to the campus pantry this month.
Rather than spending their money on an inter-departmental gift swap to celebrate the holiday season, CCP Developmental English teacher Sallie Stone suggested members of the department collect cash and non-perishable food for help students in need. They ended up donating $ 145 and two large boxes of food to the pantry, located in the Craig F. Goess Student Center.
Katrina Arnold, senior director of development education and tutoring at the CCP, said the department coordinated with Pitt’s advisers Olivia Sutton and Mecca Moore to purchase the items most needed. They presented their donations to the council staff on December 7th.
“They were so happy, and maybe even a little overwhelmed, with everything our department could do for the pantry,†Arnold said.
Sutton says the on-campus pantry is part of the CCP’s efforts to help students stay in school and overcome obstacles to their academic goals. Over the past few years, he has proven to be a valuable resource and has even helped meet the needs of students affected by hurricanes and COVID-19.
“Many students face academic pressures, financial hardships, family struggles, and mental health issues,†she said. “A number of them need support options outside of the classroom to be successful in higher education. “
Moore says pantry donations are accepted year round. In addition to canned goods and non-perishable items, the advisory service is looking for toiletries, diapers, wipes and gift cards, she said, adding that cash donations can be made at the exchange. studies from the college’s student aid program by calling the PCC Foundation at 493-7287. .
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