The leadership of the Richmond Community College Foundation was turned over to a Scotland County resident this week.

Wade Dunbar of Laurinburg took the reins from Board President G.R. Kindley of Rockingham at the Foundation’s Annual Recognition Banquet Thursday night.

The annual event is an opportunity to recognize donors, faculty, staff, and a resident who has contributed much to our community and college.

Richmond County Commissioner Thad Ussery was selected as this year’s recipient of the RCC Foundation Citizen of the Year Award. He has long been associated with the college as a member of advisory committees, a member of the RCC Foundation Board of Directors, and an employer of RCC graduates. He endowed the Thad L. and Mary Jane Ussery Scholarship to be awarded to a student in welding or another industrial program.

Kindley said he was proud of what the Foundation has accomplished during poor economic times and was proud to note the first scholarship for continuing education students is in the works.

Even during these tough economic times, the Richmond Community College Foundation has over $90,000 in scholarship funds and offered nearly 100 scholarships this fall.

The Harry T. and George W. Brown Craftmen’s Continuing Education Endowed Scholarship, when finalized, will be awarded to a recipient wishing to develop skills in the various construction trades as a hobby or in preparation for a career.

RCC President Dr. Sharon Morrissey provided a brief overview of the year, which included the groundbreaking of the F. Diane Honeycutt Center in Laurinburg. The building should be ready for occupancy next summer and will house curriculum and continuing education programs, plus customized training for new and existing industries.

“We experienced an unprecedented enrollment growth of 10 percent this fall during a period when budgets were cut. We’re seeing more students enroll in our college transfer programs instead of heading off to a university for their freshman and sophomore years. We’re serving more displaced workers than ever. Your support is needed now more than ever,” she said.

Morrissey noted the college added Entrepreneurship and Welding to the curriculum lineup and received nearly $1.5 million in combined funds from a GoldenLeaf Foundation grant, a Department of Education grant, and federal appropriations to improve technology in the classroom and services to displaced workers.

April Chavis-Johnson, chair of the Early Childhood Education program, was selected as Faculty of the Year. Danny Thames, groundskeeper, was selected as Staff of the Year.