Dr. Thomas A. Walker Jr. has been approved as the next president of Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, N.C. by the State Board of Community Colleges.
The WCC Board of Trustees selected Dr. Walker as its candidate on June 17 and submitted his name to the state board as required. The trustees will officially elect Walker the college’s sixth president at its regular meeting on July 26.
Dr. Walker currently serves as campus president of the Grand Island campus of Central Community College in Nebraska, a position he has held since 2014. Prior to that, he was the vice-president for student and enrollment services for all locations of the college, which serves 25 counties. He has also worked in higher education in Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
He is originally from Lumberton, N.C. and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Dr. Walker has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His graduate degrees include a master of public administration and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Memphis.
He will take the reins at Wayne Community College on Sept. 1, replacing Dr. Kay H. Albertson who will retire July 30. She served in the N.C. Community College System for 33 years, including 19 at WCC and nine of that as the college’s president.
Dr. Gene Smith, WCC’s vice-president for academic and student services, is expected to be elected to be the interim president of the college for the month of August.
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, it serves 14,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves. More information about the college can be found at www.waynecc.edu.
Thomas A. Walker Jr.’s Biography
Thomas A. Walker Jr. currently serves as campus president of the Grand Island campus of Central Community College, a position he has held since 2014. Prior to that, he was the vice-president for student and enrollment services for all locations of Central Community College in Nebraska.
He has served in many roles in education throughout his career including vice-president for student affairs at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, Mo., founding executive director of K.I.P.P. (Knowledge is Power Program) St. Louis, dean of administrative services at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Mo., dean of student services and enrollment management at Davidson County Community College in Davidson and Davie counties of North Carolina and Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tenn., as well as having served as a full-time faculty member and an academic dean.
Walker has been involved in several executive development programs including Harvard University’s Institute for the Management of Lifelong Education, the League of Innovation’s Executive Leadership Program, and the Lakin Institute of the President’ s Roundtable of the American Association of Community Colleges. He has also been a Fellow with the National Center for Education Statistics and Harvard University’s New President Seminar.
Walker hails originally from Lumberton, N.C. and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His graduate degrees include a master of public administration and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Memphis.
In Nebraska, he has been a member of Grand Island Noon Rotary and serves on the boards of Heartland United Way, Spirit of Nebraska Girl Scouts, and the Multicultural Coalition.
In his leisure time, Walker enjoys fishing, hunting and “just about all outdoor activities.” Additionally he enjoys antiquarian book collecting.
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Wayne Community College Continuing Education Services is currently accepting applications for scholarships for job-related training.
The college will award up to $750 for short-term occupational training courses that lead to a state or nationally recognized credential. The scholarships are provided by the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation.
The target groups for the program are unemployed and underemployed adults, members of the N.C. National Guard, and military veterans and spouses.
The scholarships are need-based but do not require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The scholarships may be used for registration fees, books, certification fees, and course supplies.
Application deadline is Aug. 1 for fall 2016 and Dec. 2 for spring 2017.
For more details and an application, visit www.waynecc.edu/continuing-ed/scholarships/, contact program coordinator Maxine Cooper at (919) 739-6938 or mcooper@waynecc.edu, or go to the WCC Continuing Education Services Customer Service Desk in the Walnut Building, first floor east entrance.
Since 2004, SECU Foundation has supplied scholarships to each of the 58 North Carolina community colleges, with an annual commitment of more than $1,000,000.
About SECU and the SECU Foundation
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for nearly 79 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves 2 million members through 255 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.
The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.
About WCC
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As the college works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, it serves 14,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves. More information about the college can be found at www.waynecc.edu.
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With $2.4 million awarded in 2016, Duke Energy’s investment in North Carolina Community Colleges has hit the $30 million mark. This investment came to life through grants to Wayne Community College and 48 other community colleges that have equipped students with industry-specific training.
The grant initiative has developed programs such as robotics, welding and mechatronics, as well as other high-skilled areas that are in demand in North Carolina.
In 2004, Duke Energy created its Community College Grant Program to partner with local industry by strengthening programs that address regional skills gaps, expand economic opportunities and improve workforce development.
“Duke Energy’s investment in our community colleges continues to have a tremendous impact on their ability to respond to talent demands from businesses, both locally and statewide,” said George Fouts, interim president of the NC Community College System. “The Duke program has supported equipment and programmatic needs and has resulted in more North Carolinians receiving the high-quality training necessary to successfully enter the workforce.”
“Our state’s community colleges are key to creating a skilled workforce and thriving business climate in North Carolina,” said David Fountain, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Economic development is critical to our state’s future and, at Duke Energy, we’re committed to developing a workforce that attracts new employers, while expanding the capabilities of existing businesses.”
A committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce reviewed applications for more than 100 individual grants to community colleges in Duke Energy’s North Carolina service territory.
Wayne Community College has been the recipient of $750,000 in grants from the foundation for state-of-the-practice equipment for the Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Industrial Systems Technology, Computer-Integrated Machining, and Welding programs. The equipment will provide students the opportunity to train at a reduced machine-to-student ratio and earn industry-recognized credentials sought by employers.
Economic and workforce development is one of the Duke Energy Foundation’s investment priorities. Individual community colleges can continue to apply for Duke Energy Foundation grants within the Foundation’s annual Education grant cycle. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
About Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs vital to the health of its communities. Annually, the Foundation funds more than $25 million in charitable grants, with a focus on education, environment, economic and workforce development, and community impact. Duke Energy has long been committed to supporting the communities where its customers and employees live and work, and will continue to build on this legacy. For more information, visit www.dukeenergy.com/foundation.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, it serves 14,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs.
Wayne Community College’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves. More information about the college can be found at www.waynecc.edu.
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Duke Energy and Wayne Community College today announced a $250,000 investment from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will provide state-of-practice equipment for the college’s welding program.
The funds will be used to purchase 10 self-contained welding booths and four welders which will provide students the opportunity to train at a reduced machine-to-student ratio and earn industry-recognized credentials sought by employers.
“The Duke Energy Foundation’s generosity is helping to increase Wayne Community College’s capacity to meet current and future industry demands in the advanced manufacturing field,” said Dr. Kay H. Albertson, president of the college. “The equipment we will purchase with these funds will help students become highly skilled welders. This will translate into lucrative jobs and economic growth in Wayne County and the region.”
“A trained workforce will ensure North Carolina continues to attract and retain a variety of industries,” said Millie Chalk, Duke Energy district manager. “We are pleased to work with Wayne Community College as it provides training to help fuel our state’s economic growth.”
This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $30 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges can apply for funds through the NC Community Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, it serves 14,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs.
Wayne Community College’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves. More information about the college can be found at www.waynecc.edu.
About Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation’s long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation’s dollars and guide the foundation’s giving. In North Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation invests $16 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community.
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While the students are the ultimate winners of the Wayne Community College Foundation Scholarship Invitational, a few players took home bragging rights from this year’s tournament at held June 15 at Walnut Creek Country Club.
The team with the best net score, at 57, was the Woodard Realty team of Mike Woodard, Pat Kennedy, Kathy Woodard, and Michael Woodard. Second place with 58 went to Berkshire Hathaway McMillen Home Services’s team of Frank Smith, David Mercer, Danny Southerland, and Todd Jones. The Southern Bank team of Mark Raynor, Dan Ellis, Scott Newton, and Greg Shackelford placed third with 59.
Coming in first with a gross score of 55 was the team sponsored by BB&T consisting of Hayden Gardner, Julie Daniels, Joe Democko, and Eric Williams. Second was Bryan Corbett, Mark Conway, Warren Jackson, and Jason Pate, as the Wells Fargo Bank team, also with a score of 55. The winner between BB&T and Wells Fargo was determined by scorecard playoff. Third belonged to the Piedmont Natural Gas team of David Bowden, Chuck Fraser, Travis Buckley, Ian Bushman, scoring 56.
The tournament provides scholarship funds for students at the college. The 25th annual event will be held June 2017.
The Foundation of Wayne Community College is a non-profit organization that works to broaden the base of community support for educational opportunities at the college. In addition to providing scholarships, it funds innovative campus projects and employee recognition, and offers cultural programs for the community.
