Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
May 15, 2008 issue
“It is a true blessing to have the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in this community,” Watauga native Doug Johnson stated the recent luncheon to kick off CCC&TI’s 2008 Fund Drive.
Several volunteers along with foundation board chair Peg Broyhill and CCC&TI Watauga Campus Executive Director Sandra Anderson met at the campus to map out plans for the annual push for funding, which has a goal of $37,000.
Johnson, who serves as CEO of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence, head of the town’s United Community Bank, are serving as co-chairs for this year’s campaign.
Most of the funds raised will go to scholarships, which, according to Anderson, can often be the difference in a person’s success of failure in life.
A large number of students in need financial assistance are in the health profession, many of whom stay in Watauga County to work with local physicians, Appalachian Regional Health Care Systems, or other health-related organizations following graduation. Textbooks and other materials for these classes are very expensive and some students are forced to drop out because of high costs.
CCC&TI also trains local residents in a variety of professions important to the High Country including construction trades, early childhood education, landscape gardening and business. The school also offers basic skills and college transfer, health sciences and technical programs, as well as hundreds of continuing education classes throughout the year.
Dream Scholarships are popular among supporters of the college. The scholarships are awarded to sixth graders who have the potential to succeed in college but do not have the necessary financial resources. The awards are designed to motivate students to succeed during the next six years of elementary and high school by letting them know early that they will have the funds necessary to attend CCC&TI. A gift of $1,000 will fund a Dream Scholarship; smaller gifts can be added together to create a full scholarship.
CCC&TI’s fundraising effort will continue throughout the month of May. For more info about the campaign or to make a gift to the college may call Patty Wheeler, Watauga Campus foundation liaison, at 828-264-8894, ext. 4207. CCC&TI’s Watauga Campus is located off White Oak Road on Highway 105 Bypass.