Progress Energy donation helps PCC students

Pictured from left are Tanya Evans, Progress Energy representative; Will Carver, Chairman, PCC Foundation Board; Dr. Walter Bartlett, PCC President; and GED® students Bertha Marks Gortz, Ronnie Elliott, Keith Duncan, Joseph Hamrick, William Reaves, Iakee Pettiford, Clinton Hughes; and Sarah Phelps, instructor.



Over 160 students graduated from Piedmont Community College’s GED® programs in 2011. Thirty-five of those students chose to continue their studies in curriculum classes at the College and were granted funds to pay for their first three-credit hour classes through the Student Incentive program offered by the PCC Foundation. 

“With most jobs requiring skills that exceed high school completion, it is important that we encourage our graduates to continue their education beyond the high school equivalency diploma. These grants provide an avenue to help GED® graduates begin their access to post-secondary education”, said Debra B. Harlow, Adult Basic Skills Program Director.   The program continues to grow in popularity and has doubled the number of GED® graduates assisted in the last five years.   

“Although it’s exciting to see the numbers increase, double over the last five years, it also reveals the need for additional funding. The Foundation has never turned away a qualified applicant from the Student Incentive program, and we would like to continue that effort,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director, PCC Foundation.  

Progress Energy learned about the need and took the opportunity to support the program with a $50,000 donation which covers half of the budgeted amount for the 2011-2012 academic year.   “

A long-time supporter of Piedmont Community College, Progress Energy has previously supported the scholarship program, building funds and other yearly needs. These efforts demonstrate the company’s tremendous dedication to student, educational and community needs,” said Townsend.  

In addition to supporting the Student Incentive program this year, Progress Energy has also donated an additional $5,000 for student scholarships in the area of Electrical Power Production Technology, Industrial Systems or Electrical Electronics. Since 2002, Progress Energy has donated a total of $28,750 to this specific scholarship fund that continues to help students improve their opportunities of future employment.   

“We are grateful to Progress Energy for recognizing the needs of PCC students and making such a donation at this critical time”, said Will Carver, Chairman of the PCC Foundation Board. “We continue to rely of the support of our community. Without this support, the PCC Foundation would not exist.”  

To learn more about the PCC Foundation or to find out how you can make a difference, please contact Beth Townsend at (336) 599-1181, ext. 204 or townsee@piedmontcc.edu or visit the Community page at www.piedmontcc.edu.  

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