(February 25, 2005)

Noel, Wolf named EXCEL winners
 

CLINTON - Hugh Cameron urged foundation members, school employees and officials at the Sampson Community College Foundation's Annual Appreciation Dinner on Thursday night to continue to make good things happen and give others hope.  Quoting philosopher Aristotle and using the show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" as an example, Cameron, a retired minister, said that it is the responsibility for those with SCC to give people of all ages hope for the rest of their lives. It is a job that they have done and a job that they need to strive to continue to do, he said.  "It's our responsibility for helping that to happen," Cameron said. "You are the dream catchers for many, many students."

Cameron offered an acronym that encompassed the role of SCC is the lives of students and others. He said that "helping" was giving hope, enabling, liberating, pursuing, inspiring and nudging - all to achieve the ultimate goal.  "Hope is a working person's dream," said Cameron, quoting Aristotle.  He said that, he was reminded of an episode of Extreme Makeover, where a football star who had been paralyzed was helped out with a new home complete with an area that he could perform his physical rehabilitation.  Cameron said that the episode was especially tear-jerking and, at the end, the football player stated to those that worked on his home that he was given a purpose and renewed hope.  "That's what the foundation is doing," Cameron said. "You're giving people hope. You're in the business of giving people hope."

The Foundation also awarded two recipients - one instructor and one non-instructor - with the EXCEL Award, given by the EXCEL Award Committee. The award recognizes outstanding staff members who "give the little extra to make the ordinary, extraordinary," said Mayor Lew Starling.   Recipients receive $1,000 each and finalists are recognized with a $100 gift. There were three finalists in each category. 

Amy Noel, distance learning coordinator, academic affairs, received the EXCEL Award in the non-instructional category. The others nominated were Charylene Honeycutt, computer lab coordinator, academic affairs, and Billy Langston, plant supervisor, administrative division.  Ann Thornton, chairwoman for the award committee, said that Amy spearheaded the distance learning program and has led SCC through "great growth." She has also helped to keep other instructors abreast of what is happening not only at the college, but at the state level.  "As our school expands in this area, so does Amy's workload," said Thornton. "She looks at this growth as a positive, and doesn't complain, but rejoices at our growth and development."

Noel, after the ceremony, said that she started the distance learning program in 2000 with two instructors. Since then, it has "grown exponentially" and now has 25 instructors, said Noel, who also serves as an adviser for the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at the college.  Noel said that she was surprised to receive the award and "honored that the outstanding people in Sampson Community College" believe that she is worthy enough of being in their class.  Just to be nominated was an honor, she said, and being the recipient was "icing on the cake."

Paul Wolf was the recipient in the instructional category. The other nominees were Susan Baxter, early childhood education instructor, and Lisa Smith, nursing instructor.  Thornton offered a few remarks from Wolf's nominators, who praised his dedication as a career psychology instructor in the College Transfer Department.  "He is a very humble person who often goes unnoticed," Thornton read. "Paul demonstrates professionalism and enthusiasm in all his teaching responsibilities. Mr. Wolf is one of SCC's instructors who touches the lives of the most students."  Wolf said that he was very surprised and humbled as the recipient.   He praised Baxter and Smith, and called them "major heavyweights" and just as deserving of the award.  Wolf has served as a psychology instructor at the college since 1980. "I've seen the college grow quite a bit over that time," Wolf said.  He said that his class started out with a handful of students and now has about 170 to 180 students.
"Growth is a wonderful thing," Wolf said.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 21 or by email at sicrime@intrstar.net.