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HCC INAUGURATES GRIFFIN AS
FOURTH PRESIDENT
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Investiture Photos
Halifax Community College (HCC) held an
Inaugural Convocation and Investiture of its fourth
president, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. Oct. 19 in The Centre.
Community college representatives, government officials,
community leaders, university and college delegates, and
other distinguished guests were in attendance.
The event was described as a monumental and historic
occasion, since Griffin is the first African-American
president to serve at HCC. Speakers pledged unanimous
support for Griffin during the proceedings. “It is a great
day because we have all come together here with a common
goal—the celebration of education. That’s what this is
really about,” said Representative Angela Bryant.
Speakers also offered nuggets of advice to Griffin in his
role as president. These included not trying to please
everyone, making time for self, walking away and taking a
breath of fresh air, and having a sense of humor. According
to Dr. Patricia Skinner, president of the N.C. Association
of Community College Presidents, “Keep your words soft and
sweet just in case you have to eat them.” She added that
being a college president is a “daunting responsibility.”
Griffin was referred to as a man of vision and purpose and
many have noticed that he “hit the ground running.”
Currently, he is extremely active in the community, serving
on the Halifax Horizons Workforce Development Board of
Directors, Halifax-Warren Smart Start Partnership for
Children Board, Halifax County Economic Development
Commission Board (ex officio), Halifax County Educational
Facilities Capital Improvement Planning Committee, The
Commission on Marketing and Communication – American
Association for Community Colleges (AACC), Area Health
Educational Center Regional Advisory Board (AHEC), National
Advisory Council of the American Student Association of
Community Colleges, Roanoke Rapids Mill Community Advisory
Council, and Roanoke Rapids Rotary Club.
“This is truly a celebration,” said N.C. Community College
System President, H. Martin Lancaster. “Halifax Community
College is a source of great pride to this service area, but
it is also a source of important learning for the people of
this area if they are to become a part of the economy of the
future in North Carolina.”
Many program participants also said that Griffin had arrived
in just the right place at the right time.
“It is really comforting to know that you’re in the right
place at the right time fulfilling the mission for Halifax
Community College,” said Griffin. “As I said at our recent
Founder’s Day program, I owe a great deal to the presidents
of Halifax Community College who… nurtured the vision of the
college we see today.” Griffin also spotlighted HCC
achievements of the past year and partnerships that have
developed since his arrival last December. He added that he
has found Roanoke Valley citizens to be warm and genuine and
that he appreciated all of the support he has received. “I
am living my dream,” concluded Griffin.
Program participants included HCC Instructor Chris Wright,
the Southeast Halifax High School ROTC Color Guard, student
Chris Tkacik, trustees Rev. Robert Knight, Rachel Hux and
Lille Solomon, student Qiana Mann, Instructor Natalie
Watson, Vice President Deborah Armstrong, Foundation Chair
Charles McElheney, commissioners James Pierce and Virginia
Spruill, Shannon and Michael Hawkins, Senator Ed Jones,
representatives Angela Bryant, Michael Wray and Lucy Allen,
and mayors Johnny Draper and Drewery Beale.
Also, N.C. State Board of Community Colleges Chair Hilda
Pinnix-Ragland, Dr. Patricia Skinner, N.C. Association of
Community College Trustees Director Dr. Donnie Hunter,
Roanoke Valley Chamber President Allen Purser,
Superintendent of Weldon City Schools Dr. Eli Bracy,
President of Eastern Carolina Christian College Dr. Charles
McCollum Sr., Rev. Sue Owens, Rev. Quientrell Burrell Jr.,
H. Martin Lancaster, Trustee William Jackson Boseman, III,
HCC Trustee Chair Dr. Stanley Edwards, and Vice President
Dr. Joy Cooley.
A reception honoring Griffin was held that evening in The
Centre, followed by a concert by The Manhattans.
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