Dr. F. David WilkinPresident

1995-Present

Dr. E. Jean WalkerVHCC President

1974-1984

Dr. N. DeWitt Moore, Jr.VHCC President

1984-1994

Dr. Donald E. PuyearVHCC President

1969-1973

When Virginia Highlands Community College began operation in 1969, 232 students enrolled in the popular programs of the day. In the four decades since, we have established a strong reputation for excellence by continually revising our program offerings to meet the needs of the emerging workforce. Today, we proudly celebrate our 40th anniversary and our well-earned designation as the college of choice in our region. Our enrollment climbed to 3,585 students during the 2008-2009 academic year, and we distributed more than $5 million in financial aid to ensure a college education was within reach of those we serve. We joined forces with the University of Virginia to offer an engineering program that provides a variety of career options, and created a specialization in information technology for business students interested in working in the highly technical computer industry. We made a concerted effort this year to connect with students and community members through activities like Campus Craze Dayz, which welcomed new students to campus, and an alumni event at the Saltville Wave Pool. The inspiring words of Dr. Aris Winger helped us to recognize and celebrate diversity, and the generosity of our local legislators allowed visiting students to better understand the political process. And, the Center for Business and Industry congratulated Bristol Compressors for its commitment to training by presenting the company with the 2008 Training Partner of the Year Award. No one could have imagined the Internet or its vast impact on our daily lives 40 years ago, yet it became a vital communication tool on our campus this year. Not only did we unveil a new website, but we added a link to the Virginia Educational Wizard to ensure students have easy access to college and career information. We tightened our financial belts (again!) to balance our budget and began work on a strategic plan that will ensure we stay on track in the coming years. We took time to celebrate, too, recognizing retired faculty members Kenneth Shoun and Dr. Michael Rush with professor emeritus designation and naming the campus theater for Van Keyser and Gary Aday, both of whom were instrumental in building our Theatre Arts program. Students joined the celebration on graduation night as we awarded 414 certificates, diplomas and degrees to the Class of 2009. The achievements of the past have provided a strong foundation for many years of continued success. We look forward to the next chapter in our campus history with excitement and deep gratitude for all those who have helped make the past 40 years so extraordinary.

February1969

Dr. Donald Puyear is named first

president of Virginia Highlands Community

College

September1969

VHCC holds its first orientation and begins admitting students to

evening classes held at the Washington County Technical School. Total

enrollment is 232.

June1970

The move begins to the permanent 100-acre campus and the first

classes are offered during summer session.

Campus Craze DayzFall semester 2008 began with a week full of activities designed to welcome students and introduce them to the VHCC experience. Featured events included a live radio broadcast, a student/advisor reception, a cookout on the campus lawn, and an sGa luau featuring live music and a pig roast. students not only made new friends, but had the opportunity to meet those who work behind the scenes each day to keep the College running smoothly.

Oct. 241970

The campus is dedicated during a community

ceremony attended by Gov. Mills Godwin, Jr. and

VCCS Chancellor Dana Hamel.

1972 1972

VHCC receives preliminary

accreditation from the Southern Association

of Colleges and Schools.

VHCC begins offering an Applied Science Degree in Nursing.

To show his gratitude for the support he received while on active duty in Iraq, Sgt. Eric Hoffman on Aug. 18 presented the College with a flag that was commissioned by the 1st Battalion of the 214th Aviation Regiment of the U.S. military. The flag presented to VHCC was present on a MEDEVAC helicopter that flew missions in Baghdad, Balad, Ramadi, Fallujah, Al Taqaddum, and Al Asad. While on active duty with his unit of the Tennessee Army National Guard, Sgt. Hoffman completed two online courses 6,000 miles from campus. He returned in June and immediately enrolled in summer classes.

Musical talents and campaign supporters gathered on the VHCC campus on Sept. 23 to generate excitement for the November election and encourage young people to participate in the political process. Rock the Vote, a national effort that uses music,popular culture and the latest technology to encourage young people to take an active interest in politics, has registered more than 1.6 million voters this election season. VHCC organizers used the national organization as a model for its own event, which included performances by a handful of local artists, opportunities to register to vote and a mock election. While on campus, students had an opportunityto learn more about Presidential Candidates BarackObama and John McCain, as well as those vying for several state and federal offices.

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) made quite an impression on campus during its first semester, sponsoring a number of activities that were designed to serve the community and cultivate leadership skills in students from a variety of academic disciplines. Students Daniel Jones and Michael Doss served as team president and vice president, respectively, leading a variety of projects that included a budgeting workshop for foster kids, a sale of reusable shopping bags that were decorated by middle school students, a home buyers/sellers workshop presented in cooperation with Century 21, and an advertising project to raise awareness of Healthy Families-Family Farms, an organization that buys produce from local farmers at a discounted price and distributes it to needy families in the community.

The Job Preparedness Center project is completed in

Saltville. The center helps retrain 350, including many who lost their jobs when the Olin Mathieson Plant closed.

The College partners with Southwest and Mountain

Empire community colleges to create the Virginia

Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program.

1973 1976 1978

VHCC begins installing computers in the Learning

Lab and begins offering computer-assisted

instruction.

Old FriendsGrammy Award winner Richard Leigh returned to the VHCC campus in April to celebrate the success of the Keyser-Aday Theatre Campaign, a $90,000 fund-raising effort to provide support for the arts on campus and honor the two faculty members who have led the VHCC Theatre Arts Program since its early days. Richard performed a concert that included many of his top hits, including the Grammy winner “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” as he recalled his days as a VHCC student in the early 1970s. Proceeds from the concert and the Keyser-Aday campaign will provide scholarships for students pursing careers in the arts, provide an exhibit of regional artwork on campus, and support arts programs.

The VHCC Educational Foundation and Alumni Association teamed up for a number of activities throughout the year to reach out to community members and former students. Dogs With David, a tailgate party at local high school football games, and Donuts with David, an early morning event at Johnston Memorial Hospital, gave VHCC President David Wilkin and Vice President David Matlock opportunities to offer a snack and a College update to past and future students who attended. More than 5,000 former students received an alumni update in February via The Hilltopper, the alumni newsletter that takes its name from the campus newspaper of the 1970s. One event advertised in the newsletter was VHCC Night at the Saltville Wave Pool, a successful event attended by more than 200 former students and their family members. The Foundations 2nd Annual VHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament at Glenrochie Country Club was another fun event that generated support for the College. The tournament was sponsored by Alpha Natural Resources and earned a championship trophy for the team from First Bank of Virginia. About $20,000 was raised during this year’s tournament.

1978

VHCC celebrates its 10th anniversary

with the theme “Unity in Community” and

announces that total enrollment is now 2,068.

1979

The College builds tennis courts on

campus to expand athletic opportunities

for students.

Donations to the VHCC Educational Foundation during 2008-2009 almost doubled over the previous year and were designated for a wide variety of programs that will directly impact student learning. Contributions came from community members and campus employees and helped support such programs as the Presidential Scholarship Fund, Campus Professional Growth and Development, Keyser-Aday Theatre Fund, Veterans Emergency Fund, Coastal Ecology Fund, the Percussion Ensemble Fund, and a fund dedicated to the greatest needs. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation this year provided more than $135,000 in scholarships to VHCC students, an increase of about $50,000 over the previous year. Total Foundation assets also increased dramatically, up more than $200,000 over the previous year to a record-setting $942,000.

Assets

Donations

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1980

The VHCC Educational Foundation is established

“to foster the growth, progress and general

welfare of the college ...”

1982

The VHCC Alumni Association is formed, adopts a constitution,

and elects its first Board of Governors.

1983

A policy is adopted to require developmental

courses for students who need help preparing for

college-level work.

Teamwork was the name of the game in February as VHCC faculty and staff participated in exercises to recognize and appreciate diversity, while also contemplating ways to further diversify the campus. The in-service activities were led by Beth Duffield, Workforce Development Coordinator for the Center for Business & Industry, and began with a personality assessment using DISC®. Participants were given a symbol representing their attributes, then divided into teams to work with those with different personality traits. Working together, they attempted to construct strong models from sticks, paper, tape and string.

Students who logged on to the VHCC website to check their grades at the end of the fall semester got their first look at the new VHCC website, a project that was in the works for more than a year. VHCC Webmaster Nikelle Hagy worked closely with Vision Internet, a design firm based in Los Angeles, to capture a new look for the site and to create a new navigation system that better organizes important information. The new site was proposed as part of the Quality Enhancement Plan, a component of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, as a means to improve communication with students. Information is organized under key categories that allow users to follow links created for current students, future students, faculty & staff, visitors & friends, or business & industry. Since the new site was launched in December 2008, more than 100,000 people have visited the site and viewed 1.2 million pages. The VHCC website address is www.vhcc.edu.

Students enrolled in this year’s Upward Bound summer program learned to make music - first by building their own electric guitars and then learning to write songs and play their customized instruments. Musician Gil Braswell was the instructor for the summer program, which began with students painting their guitars then learning to wire them for sound. Lessons on creative writing, song writing, and the history of electric instruments also were included before students learned to play a few chords on the guitars they had created.

1986

Construction of LRC is completed and a dedication ceremony is set

for Oct. 30.

1986

Accreditation by the Southern Association

of Colleges & Schools is reaffirmed.

1984

Computers are widely used throughout campus and

the college begins planning for a new online student

information system.

EmbraCinG DiVersitydr. aris Winger, a mathematics professor at emory & Henry College, served as guest speaker for VHCC’s tribute to the rev. martin luther King Jr. in January and returned during a faculty/staff in-service the following month to provide his views and perspectives on diversity. dr. Winger shared his own experiences as a black man in america and urged the VHCC campus community to continue working to fulfill dr. King’s dream.

1988

VHCC switches from academic quarters to the semester system.

1989

A $250,000 grant is awarded to VHCC, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and Clinch Valley College (now called UVA-Wise) to plan a

higher education center on the VHCC campus.

1990

Student enrollment reaches a record

level, with 3,583 total students and 1,466

FTEs enrolled on campus.

RaCe to tHe WizardNASCAR Driver Eric McClure joined VHCC officials at Virginia High School in March to unveil the Virginia Educational Wizard, a web-based tool developed by Virginia’s Community Colleges. The Wizard provides detailed information about college offerings, career outlooks, salary expectations, scholarships and financial aid, as well as a host of other information students need to reach the finish line.

1993

VHCC celebrates its 25th anniversary

as a comprehensive community college.

1994

Following an official ribbon

cutting, the Occupational

Technical Center (OTC) opens on the

VHCC campus.

Ongoing efforts to increase the skills and knowledge of its workforce earned Bristol Compressors recognition as the 2008 Training Partner of the Year by the Center for Business and Industry at VHCC this year. The Bristol-based manufacturer of air conditioning and heat pump compressors received the award for recent efforts to provide leadership development programs for the newest members of its management team. The training program was administered to 15 management level employees and included segments in delegation, principles and qualities of leadership, communication, coaching, planning for performance discussions, correcting performance problems, and documentation and legal issues. CBI created the Training Partner of the Year Award in 2005 to recognize companies that invest in training incumbent workers.

Students completing non-credit customized

courses43%

Students completing non-credit open

enrollment courses28%

Students completing open enrollment courses for credit

29%

The Center for Business & Industry served 2,865 students through a variety of programs delivered on campus and in the workplace. Customized training programs were provided for employees of 27 companies throughout the region, and 64 businesses sent their workers to open-enrollment courses on campus. CBI also awarded 47 Career Readiness Certificates (CRCs) throughout the year.

Because American Sign Language is quickly becoming accepted as a foreign language by many colleges and universities, CBI opened a classroom to high school students in June for a brief course to introduce them to the basics. Instructor Kim Owens, who teaches adult courses at VHCC, led the week-long course that included word games, fingerspelling, and the proper expressions to communicate a message.

CBI’s 4th annual Administrative Professionals Conference was entitled “Your Life: The Amazing Race.” Patterned after the popular television show, the event taught participants to relax, learn how to avoid the sudden u-turns, and survive the roadblocks of life. About 60 participants made it to the finish line.

STuDenTS ServeD By CBI

1997

Accreditation reaffirmed.

Dual enrollment classes are initiated.

1996

The Center for Business & Industry is established and

offers more than 325 classes to 3,500 students during its

first year of operation.

1998

The Southwest Virginia Higher

Education Center opens on the

VHCC Campus.

VisitinG LaWmaKers VHCC students traveled to the state capitol during the legislative session to participate in “Every Day is Community College Day,” a VCCS initiative that allows students to tout the importance of community colleges during face-to-face meetings with their elected leaders. Students met with VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois and staff members, Senators William Wampler and Phillip Puckett, and Delegates Joe Johnson, Bill Carrico and Terry Kilgore. Following their meetings, they attended a session of the Virginia House of Delegates to develop a better understanding of the political process.

1999

The Upward Bound Program

is established on the VHCC

campus.

2000

A mural by D.R. Mullins,

“Appalachian Identity: Myths

and Realities,” is unveiled in the

VHCC Snack Bar.

2001

VHCC begins the strategic

planning process to “create a vision

for the future.”

Brian “Trey” Johnson of Meadowview was honored this year by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education as the Catherine Smith Commonwealth Legacy Scholar for 2008. Trey excelled at Patrick Henry High School, garnering both academic and athletic honors before graduating in May 2008. He was a member of the Student Council Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also was the 2008 Virginia High School state champion in the 300 meter hurdles, captain of his high school football and basketball teams, and earned both district and state honors for his participation in high school sports. In addition to his school achievements, Trey is an active community volunteer who was named a VHCC Presidential Scholar and Washington County Community Scholar. The Catherine Smith Commonwealth Legacy Scholar was named for Abingdon’s first female physician, who was honored earlier this year with the Chancellor’s Philanthropy Leadership Award for her generous support of VHCC programs and services.

Crazy characters made an appearance on campus

in October as part of the Appalachian Fall Festival

and Halloween celebration. Among those spotted

were Upward Bound/Educational Talent

Search employees who masqueraded as the Fruit

of the Loom bunch.

While some students were celebrating Spring Break with a relaxing vacation or mornings spent sleeping in, others were sharpening their job skills through the annual Spring Break Job Shadowing Program sponsored by the Office of Career Development. Student Lindsey Fleming shadowed Vice President of Public Relations Kevin Triplett at Bristol Motor Speedway to learn more about the day-to-day world of public relations professionals. A total of 19 students participated in this year’s shadowing program.

2002

A horticulture degree is established

at VHCC with support from the Virginia Tobacco

Commission.

2003

PeopleSoft, a new online

student information

system, is used for the first time at

VHCC.

2005

Gov. Mark Warner announces plans to build the Southwest

Virginia Artisan Center on the VHCC campus.

2004

A new version of the triangle logo

that has been used for more than 30 years

is adopted and trademarked.

Faculty members Mike Belcher, Ronnie Frye and Jim Kroll this year completed a training program with the National Center of Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and began incorporating the standards into the Electricity and the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating programs. That means students completing the two programs now have the opportunity to earn NCCER certification, a portable credential that is widely recognized throughout the construction industry. Additionally, The Center for Business & Industry at VHCC began working to become an accredited training facility able to record NCCER certification information in a national registry. The registry is often used by those in the construction trades to find skilled employees who meet industry standards.

retired faculty members Ken Shoun and Dr. Michael Rush were honored this year by being named VHCC professors emeriti, the highest honor bestowed upon a retiree.

Shoun was among VHCC’s original faculty members, joining the College in 1969 and leading the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating program until his retirement 28 years later. His leadership allowed VHCC to build an HVAC program that still enjoys an excellent reputation. Rush came to VHCC in 1971 and served in various roles during his tenure, including Assistant to the Learning Lab Coordinator, Coordinator of Academic Support Services, and Coordinator of Student Development and Assessment. He later accepted a position at Southwest Virginia Community College and, upon his retirement, returned to VHCC— first as a member of the Educational Foundation Board and, currently, as a member of the College Board.

John W. Snodgrass was named the recipient of VHCC’s Distinguished Service Award, the College’s highest non-academic award, for his commitment to the College and to the community. Snodgrass was appointed to the VHCC Board by the City of Bristol in 1998, and during his decade of service, was a valued friend and trusted leader. Among his many contributions, he served the College Board as a representative on the VHCC Educational Foundation Board, providing insight gathered during his 40-year career in the banking industry. Prior to joining the VHCC Board, he was a member of the Bristol Virginia School Board and an active member of the Bristol Kiwanis Club, Bristol Chamber, and Bristol United Way.

Foster care students at VHCC now are receiving the individualized support and assistance of a Great Expectations Coach as they transition into higher education, thanks to a $150,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The gift was earmarked for VHCC and came as a result of the Great Expectations campaign, a statewide effort to raise $10 million to assist foster teens as they pursue a community college education. Virginia has the nation’s highest percentage of teens aging out of the foster care system without a permanent home. Without family support, many of them are unable to obtain meaningful employment or higher education. In fact, research indicates these young people are twice as likely to end up homeless or in prison as in a college classroom. To assist these students, VHCC graduate Tony Fuller was named Great Expectations Coach. In this position, Fuller will help foster care students complete forms and applications, choose a career and a program of study, enroll in classes, register for tutoring and other specialized services, and become successful college students.

2006

VHCC is chosen to participate in the

prestigious Foundations of Excellence project

aimed at improving the college experience for

first-year students.

2008

Accreditation reaffrimed. Peer

ambassadors assist new students as they

arrive on campus.

CelebratinG SuCCessFriends and family members gathered on May 15 to celebrate as 415 certificates, diplomas and degrees were awarded to the VHCC Class of 2009. The College has awarded 10,688 credentials since its first commencement ceremony in 1968.

Dual Enrollment/Concurrent

18%

Diploma &Certificate

8%

Career & TechnicalDegrees

22%

Transfer Degrees

31%

Non-Curricular21%

vHCC remained the college of choice throughout the service region in 2008-2009, boasting enrollment of 3,585 full- and part-time students. Transfer programs, which enable students to complete the first half of a bachelor’s degree at VHCC, attracted about 31% of total enrollment. Those seeking immediate entry into the workplace could choose between career and technical degree programs, which accounted for 22% of all students, or shorter term certificate and diploma programs.

Funding, staffing levels, student success, course offerings and facilities were named the top five strategic priorities this year as faculty and staff began working on the College’s Strategic Plan. Work began in the fall with a brainstorming session that gave faculty and staff an opportunity to provide input about the strengths and weaknesses of the College and to consider opportunities and threats. Participants returned to the table in April to develop mission and vision statements and to establish the five strategic priorities that will impact decision making during the coming years. The new VHCC Strategic Plan is set to be unveiled in March and will closely align with the strategic plan now being developed by the Virginia Community College System.

A special program was developed in cooperation with the University of Virginia this year that allows the region’s students to complete a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science without leaving Southwest Virginia. Students enrolled in the Engineers PRODUCED in Virginia (Providing Undergraduate Connections to Engineering Education in Virginia) program will complete two years of study at VHCC, then transfer to the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to complete the final two years. Students also have the option of transferring to the University of Virginia’s Charlottesville campus after completing the first two years of study at VHCC. Those who complete the VHCC program will be awarded an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Science - Specialization in Engineering.

To help prepare students for careers in the growing IT industry, VHCC developed a transfer program in Business Administration - Specialization in Information

Technology and a Fast Track Help Desk program. The Business Administration program provides graduates with a comprehensive knowledge of business practices, with a strong background in the IT field, making them excellent candidates for jobs in sales, marketing, human resources, finance, accounting, operations, and other business careers. The Help Desk Support program was designed for those interested in providing technical support within the IT industry. Classes focus on help desk support, database software, spreadsheet software, operating systems, hardware and troubleshooting, security, advanced operations in Word, Windows Server 2003, and preparation for employment.

prOgrAM enrOllMenT

Statement of RevenuesFund Balance from Prior Year (State Funds) ...................................................................................$ 16,977General Fund - State Appropriations .............................................................................................6,493,698Tuition & Fees ....................................................................................................................................4,037,684Community Education & Public Service, non-credit classes .........................................................117,654Grant Expenditure Refunds & Miscellaneous Revenue ...................................................................70,835Localities Appropriations (City of Bristol, Smyth Co., Washington Co.) ....................................153,727Grants For Sponsored Programs .....................................................................................................2,155,834Special State Support to Replace/Upgrade Classroom Equipment/Technology ........................224,346Auxiliary Operations Commissions ..................................................................................................116,215 Total Revenues and Other Additions ...............................................................................$13,386,970

Statement of ExpendituresInstruction ....................................................................................................................................... $5,395,064 Community Services ........................................................................................................................... 190,555 Academic Support ........................................................................................................................... 1,213,213Student Services ............................................................................................................................... 1,011,219Institutional Support ....................................................................................................................... 1,772,184Operation and Maintenance of Plant ............................................................................................... 879,641Fund Balance (Allocated for Ongoing Projects) ................................................................................. 8,374Allocated for Restricted Purposes ................................................................................................. 2,916,720

Total Expenditures and Fund Balance ………………………………………$13,386,970

More than $5.1 million in financial aid was awarded to VHCC students in 2008-2009 to assist with the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses. Federal aid - which provides such things as Pell Grants, Work-Study payments, and assistance for veterans - remained the largest category, providing 71% of all the funds distributed. Local aid is distributed in the form of scholarships and this year accounted for 13% of the total funds awarded. The VHCC Educational Foundation provided over $135,000 in scholarships from private sources, while the Virginia Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission provided more than $540,000 in the form of Tobacco Scholarships for tobacco farmers and their families, AIMS Higher Scholarships for students with a proven record of community service, and Fast Track Scholarships for those training for high tech computer jobs.

vhCC BuDgeT, 2008-2009

Foundation Scholarships

20%AIMS Scholarships

27%

Fast TrackScholarships

3%

Tobacco Scholarships

50%

Local Aid13%

State Aid16%

Federal Aid71%

FInAnCIAl AID

lOCAl SOurCeS OF AID

Mr. William E. ChaffinMs. Kimberly R. Clark

Dr. Jim E. Geiger, Executive CommitteeMs. Susan O. Long

Mr. Ronald R. MorganDr. G. Michael Rush

Mr. J. Gordon Tuell, Jr., Vice ChairMr. Virgil C. Wimmer

Ms. Regina BelcherMs. Stacey BrightMr. James M. ColeDr. Paul W. Conco

Ms. Alyson B. DillowMr. Richard EvansMr. Steve Givens

Mr. Bobby F. GriffinMs. Darlene Hagy

Mr. Thomas M. HicockMs. Carol JonesMr. J.W. Kiser

Ms. Laura L. LeeMr. David MatlockDr. John Roberts, Jr.

Mr. Bill RushMr. Matt Smith

Mr. Brandon SnodgrassMs. Dolly Tarver-McPeek

Dr. F. David Wilkin

virginia highlands Community CollegeDedicated to Students. Committed To excellence.

P.O. Box 828 • Abingdon, VA • 24212 • 276.739.2400 • www.vhcc.eduPara la ayuda en español, llama por favor (276) 739-2436

The VHCC Annual Report 2008 -2009 was prepared by Anne Dunham, Coordinator of Public Relations, Marketing and Alumni Development, with photographic assistance from Jerry Musick and Nikelle Hagy. No state funds were used to print this report. Virginia Highlands Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification) religion, handicap, national origin, or any other non-merit factors in admission, access, treatment, or employment in its programs and activities.

vhCC educational Foundation BoardMs. Roberta Looney, Chair

vhCC BoardMs. Laura L. Lee, Chair

Virginia Highlands Community College believes every student, especially first-year students, can succeed in a welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment. By always putting students first, we cultivate valuable learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. Our dedication to students and commitment to excellence ensure every student is poised for future success.

The vhCC philosophy