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On Jan. 13, the Board of Trustees of Blue Ridge Community College proudly recognized the extraordinary support received from 13 community colleges across North Carolina and the region following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. These colleges provided aid in the storm’s aftermath, providing vital assistance to Blue Ridge students, employees, and their families during the initial weeks and months of recovery. This effort has continued into the new year and harsh winter season.
Surrounded by College leaders, the Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees formally acknowledged this invaluable support during their January meeting with the adoption of a Resolution of Gratitude. The trustees gathered on campus to read the resolution, honoring the generosity, collaboration and compassion demonstrated by these institutions.
“Our community faced and continues to navigate one of its most trying times, and the response from our fellow community colleges has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College. “Their timely and continued assistance provided not only essential resources, but also hope for all those affected. On behalf of our Blue Ridge community and families, I extend our warmest gratitude.”
The resolution was signed by Dr. Leatherwood and Board of Trustees Chairman John B. “Chip” Gould, honoring the following colleges: Alamance Community College, Bladen Community College, Brunswick Community College, Cleveland Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Sampson Community College, Sandhills Community College, Southeastern Community College, Spartanburg Community College and Wayne Community College.
From hosting donation drives, benefit concerts and fundraisers to delivering essential supplies and providing financial contributions, these colleges played a critical role in aiding Blue Ridge’s local resource distribution efforts. The contributions included food, clothing, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, winter weather equipment, children’s toys, holiday gifts and funding – all of which were pivotal in meeting critical and immediate needs.
Through the resolution, the Board of Trustees publicly expressed gratitude to these institutions for exemplifying the strength and unity found among educators and within the North Carolina Community College System.
The College’s Board of Trustees for January 2025 is as follows: Ms. Vivian A. Bolaños; Dr. John Bryant; Mrs. Catherine P. Childress; Ms. Betty A. Gash; Mr. John B. “Chip” Gould, chairman; Mr. Mike Hawkins; Dr. Janice C. King; Mr. Nathan R. Kennedy; Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, Blue Ridge president; Ms. Hannah Lee, ex-officio, non-voting, student government president; Mr. P. Kelly Leonard, vice chairman; Ms. Dina S. Moffitt; Mr. Michael H. Pressley; Mr. Alfred F. Platt, Jr.; Mr. Brian S. Traylor and Dr. Brian I. Weaver.
The full text of the Resolution of Gratitude adopted on January 13, 2025, is as follows:
A Resolution of Gratitude Acknowledging Community College Support Following Hurricane Helene
The Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees expresses its profound gratitude to our state and regional community colleges for their critical support following Western North Carolina’s most significant natural disaster.
WHEREAS, our neighboring community colleges provided immediate and invaluable assistance to our College’s students, employees, and families, exemplifying the strength and resilience of the North Carolina Community College System, as well as the unity among educators in our greater region; and
WHEREAS, our fellow educators organized donation drives and fundraisers, purchased essential supplies, and traveled great distances to provide this aid to our College; and
WHEREAS, these colleges provided essential food, clothing, personal hygiene items, school and cleaning supplies, children’s toys, winter weather equipment, and funding to aid those affected through Blue Ridge’s resource distribution center; and
WHEREAS, these generous acts met physical needs, as well as provided hope and encouragement, for Blue Ridge community members during this difficult and unprecedented season of recovery; and
WHEREAS, we are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of our North Carolina and regional community colleges during this great time of need; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Blue Ridge Community College formally recognizes and extends its heartfelt appreciation to the following community colleges for their timely, generous, and continued response, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration and compassion inherent in our educational community:
Alamance Community College
Bladen Community College
Brunswick Community College
Cleveland Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Richmond Community College
Robeson Community College
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Sampson Community College
Sandhills Community College
Southeastern Community College
Spartanburg Community College
Wayne Community College
Adopted this 13th day of January 2025 by the Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees.
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