All College Day One of Celebration
Virginia Peninsula Community College's annual All College Day highlights the previous year's successes while welcoming the start of another academic term.
"Today is about celebration," Jonalyn Gore of Workforce Development said in opening remarks as the event's host.
From the start, there was a lot to celebrate at the institution's first All College Day since 2019. Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, the College president, and Steve Carpenter, the vice president of finance and administration, saved the best news for last, though.
They announced all employees of the College, including part-time staff, will receive a $350 bonus in appreciation and gratitude for a successful 2021-22 academic year. That is in addition to the previously announced December bonus ($1,000 for full-time faculty and staff, and prorated portions for part-timers) for employees.
Afterward, Carpenter said the goal is to have the latest bonuses included in September paychecks.
The Aug. 16 event took place at Hampton's Liberty Live Church and lasted nearly three hours. After opening remarks, the College's ballroom dance team kicked off the day with themes of celebration and finances. Adviser Pam Roberts (business office) recapped the team's successful spring season, and five team members followed with an exhibition, which received loud applause. Following the performance, Brannon made a plea to the nearly 125 in attendance to donate to the team and announced she would match any donations through the end of the day Tuesday. A final total will be announced, and Brannon will present the team with a check soon.
Several event dates were confirmed, including the President's Leadership Series called "Tea with Dr. B." The series is as follows: "Critical Race Theory" Oct. 12; "Giving it all Away" Nov. 30; and "Journey to Entrepreneurship" Feb. 15, 2023.
Other key dates and events: Oct. 1 (Community Day 5K); Oct. 15 (Track-n-Treat at Langley Speedway); Nov. 17 (a charcuterie and wine class fundraising event); Jan. 4, 2023 (faculty colloquium); March 24 (presidential installation); March 25 (black tie fundraising event); May 12 (commencement at Liberty Live Church).
Carpenter also gave a facilities update. The anticipated completion date for Hastings and its annex roof repairs is June 2023.
Construction on the new Templin auditorium is expected to begin next year in January and February.
"Then we're looking at a couple of years beyond that to finish that project," he said.
Hampton IV should be ready to hold classes beginning in January.
The College was close to receiving final approval on the replacement building for Diggs, Moore and Harrison halls a few years ago, but then the pandemic struck.
"We're still moving forward," Carpenter said, adding the new building is in the state budget. "We're waiting for funding to be released."
Once the College receives the funding, it can work on selecting a construction firm, but doesn't have any firm dates.
"It's hard to give a timeframe on that because it's really up in the air with the state funding and when they're going to release those funds to us," he said.
On the financial side, he noted the College is coming off a successful year, which led to the one-time $350 bonuses. There's optimism for the 2022-23 fiscal year, also.
"We were able to create a budget that is a balanced budget, which is always what you want to do, but not what we've always been able to do in the past," he said. "We're putting ourselves in a really good place to be financially sustainable. I know it's been a tough few years."
Near the end of the program, Brannon discussed celebrating potential and challenged faculty and staff to help make the College a great place for students and staff. She called to mind the words of former professional football player Ray Lewis, who said, "Greatness is a lot of small things done well. Day after day."