“HCC Alumni: Where They Are Now”
Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr.
President, Halifax Community College

As I travel around the community, I frequently meet people who have attended Halifax Community College (HCC), whether to earn a degree or just to take a class. In this column, I want to showcase some of our graduates who are out there in the community, serving as representatives of the college wherever they go. We value the contributions that they have made and are making in their communities.

The Mayor of Garysburg, Roy Bell enrolled in the Industrial Maintenance Program at HCC in 1982. Although he didn't complete the program, it gave him the advantage over other candidates in getting hired by Champion Paper. After being hired at Champion, he again found himself at HCC, enrolled in the paper company's apprentice program offered through the college, which he finished in 1990. Although he had to attend school at night, he was committed to the program.

Today, Roy is a vibration analyst with KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation. He says, “I wouldn't be where I am today without attending HCC. The Industrial Maintenance Program led me to the job at Champion. The faculty recommendations, my grades and the college were all instrumental in me getting the job I have today. The college has been very vital.” HCC has touched Roy's life in another way. His wife, Sarah, graduated from the Office Systems Technology Program at HCC in 2005. She now works with Northampton County Schools.

Another high-profile individual who has benefited from training at HCC is Weldon's Chief of Police Mark T. Macon, who believes that the college has been a very important part of his college educational foundation. He transferred college credit hours from Chowan College, now Chowan University, to HCC in 1995 and graduated from HCC in 1997 with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Criminal Justice.

The A.A degree allowed him to transfer to Western Carolina University (WCU) and he was able to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from WCU in 2004. Chief Macon is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke. He graduated from HCC's Basic Law Enforcement Training program in 1991 and has served as an instructor for the program at the college since 1997.

“HCC has immensely enhanced my career opportunities and assisted in building a sound educational foundation. The staff and faculty have always been polite and helpful during my time spent on campus. My experience at HCC has been a rewarding one. Thanks Dr. Griffin and HCC for your community support,” says Chief Macon.

Another HCC alum, Mari-Lee Corwin, entered the college's Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Instrumentation Technology in 1979 and graduated in 1981. After graduating, she went on to Nash Tech from 1981-82 and earned her A.A.S. degree in Electronics. Although Mari-Lee was in a nontraditional industry for a woman, she began her career with Virginia Electric and Power Company, known as VEPCO, in Roanoke Rapids in 1983 as an Associate Relay Technician. Since then, she has climbed the ladder and moved through the ranks.

While in Roanoke Rapids, Mari-Lee progressed from Associate Relay Tech to Relay Technician then to Lead Relay Technician. After moving to Richmond in 1997, she was promoted from Associate System Operator to her current position as Supervisor of Electric Transmission Operations with Dominion Virginia Power.

Her advice: “Go to school and take care of yourself. Don't be dependent on another person.”

From the President's Perspective, HCC has produced some talented graduates who are making their mark in the Roanoke Valley. I know there are more of you in the Roanoke Valley and we will feature more of our graduates in future columns. HCC has an open door policy and serves a diverse population of students. Your community college offers 34 unique curriculum programs for those interested in becoming our future graduates. To find out more about our programs, contact HCC at (252) 536-HCC1 or visit us on the web at www.halifaxcc.edu. I would also encourage all of the graduates to let us know what you are doing and send your comments or ideas about HCC to me via email at president@halifaxcc.edu.