Before we become preoccupied with new year’s resolutions and the schedule that awaits us in 2012, I want to take a look back at 2011. Many organizations’ 2011 annual reports will reflect decreases in revenue, declining support and other negative trends resulting from the current economic crisis. I am pleased to report that our campus continues to increase its community support each year.

Many Nash Community College students are raising families and working while attending school, some barely making ends meet, yet they continually invest in others. In 2011, our students responded to community needs all year long and especially during the holiday season. With Community being our middle name, it is no surprise our campus is encouraged to dedicate time outside of the classroom to support our community. We, like all N.C. Community Colleges, like to give back as much as we ask for.

Throughout each year, the Nash Community College Student Government Association, student clubs, student body, faculty and staff support many local causes and rally behind those in need. Members of our honor and service organization, Gamma Beta Phi, participate regularly in a variety of programs like Adopt-a-Grandparent at Trinity Retirement Villas in Nashville where students invest their time assisting residents. Students spend countless hours collecting personal items for My Sister’s House, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and raising funds for the United Way Tar River Region and Relay for Life of Nash County. Students also have donated books and other items to the Bassett Center and volunteered with Communities In Schools and local literacy efforts.

During the recent holidays, our Student Government Association fulfilled a campus-wide goal to provide Christmas morning memories for 40 children residing at the Bassett Center, a residential center in Rocky Mount dedicated to supporting homeless families as they transition into self-sufficiency.

In 2011, the Nash Community College Bookstore donated 289 backpacks to support Communities in Schools in assisting local elementary and middle school children. Our campus donates on average 132 pints of blood annually during American Red Cross blood drives totaling nearly 500 pints over the last few years.

In 2011, the United Way Tar River Region recognized Nash Community College with the Bronze award for its 2010 United Way campaign in which faculty and staff contributed more than $12,000, a 15 percent increase from 2009. Since 2005, our faculty and staff have given more than $60,000 to United Way.

Nash Community College employees support student scholarships by giving on average $25,360 annually to the Nash Community College Foundation. The campus and community support combined, provided 186 students 188 scholarships for a total of more than $175,000 in scholarships in 2011.

During the 2010-11 fiscal year, the NCC customized industry training program provided job training to 531 individuals at 10 companies. Nash Community College’s Small Business Center served 961 students in 74 Small Business Center funded seminars. Counseling and information services were provided to 59 individuals who needed guidance and expertise in business planning, sources of capital and marketing and legal issues. As a result of the NCC Small Business Center’s assistance, four new local businesses were formed, 11 new jobs were created or retained and $70,000 in new capital was formed.

While the numbers and impact alone are impressive, what is more impressive is to consider that despite the economic climate, our campus will always take time to remember the community that supports us. In 2012, may we all, collectively and individually, continue to do our part in reaching out to help those in need in this great community.