Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/414441
NOVEMBER 12-18, 2014 UCW 17 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM As we celebrate Veterans Day, there is reason to take pride in the ways we have stepped up to better serve those who have bravely served our country. At Fayetteville Technical Community College, no fewer than 3,000 veterans have enrolled since 2012. That's among the Top 5 veteran enrollments in the country and number one in the state for community colleges. Military Times has ranked FTCC as second highest on its list of Best for Vets for Career and Technical Colleges in 2015. The creation of the All-American Veterans Center (which recently held its grand opening in June of this year) supports veterans as they transition to become success- ful students and employed graduates. The state-of-the-art, 3,500-square-foot All American Veterans Center serves as a role model for other campuses seeking to support our return- ing and retiring military personnel. A significant characteristic of FTCC's veterans center is that it is managed and staffed by veterans. The one-stop-shop concept at the center promotes not only certifying educational benefits but also connecting veterans with other support, whether or not the veteran is an FTCC student. The impact to the community repre- sents an outreach to as many as 10,000 veterans in that FTCC's center offers assistance to all veterans. Physical space within the center is provided to the many daily volunteers who represent the DAV, American Legion, VFW, Patriot Outreach, Cumberland County VA, Fayetteville Workforce Solutions and N.C. National Guard. Partnerships have also been created with the local Wounded Warrior Project office, VAforVets recruiter, Kangaroo Express, Walmart, Home Depot and several other local veteran-friendly businesses that support FTCC's initiatives for veterans. Perhaps the best measure of the center's and FTCC's success with veterans is our graduation rate. Of the 3,000 veterans enrolled since 2012, 987 graduated in 2012-13, and another 872 graduated this past May. Over this summer, FTCC saw a 9 percent increase in veterans' enrollment over last year, prior to the creation of the center. With a current growth of 3 percent projected for the fall, FTCC's All American Veterans Center is making a significant impact within our community by stepping up efforts to serve all veterans. Engagement through networking with various agencies and companies and attending local meetings of other organiza- tions who strive to help veterans helps to increase awareness about the center and promote ways that various organiza- tions can work together to do the most to help our veter- ans. Organizations involved with this networking include Community Blueprint, Veterans All-Call, Military family and child/Living in the New Normal and other active-duty spouse groups. The All-American Veterans Center offers résumé workshops, hiring events from local employers, academic and career counseling and in-house tutoring from faculty. The center is equipped with a lounge with cable, a computer lab, a coffee bar, popcorn and an employment resource center. We invite you to visit the All-American Veterans Center located inside the General Classroom Building (Fayetteville campus, 2817 Fort Bragg Road) to see firsthand the unique extension of care, service and honor that Fayetteville Technical Community College is providing our veterans. The center's director is Matthew Thewes, who can be reached at (910) 678- 8580 or thewesm@fay- techcc.edu. FTCC's All American Veterans Center Offers More Than Educational Advising BY DR. LARRY KEEN Dr. LARRY KEEN, Fayetteville Technical Community College President, Contributing Writer COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910.484.6200. A significant characteristic of FTCC's Veterans Center is that it is managed and staffed by veterans. Thank you Fayetteville for a GREAT weekend! We can't do what we do without the support of our sponsors volunteers, city staff and patrons. Thank you to our board members, their families and staff: Jackie Tuckey, Chairman Mark Wilderman, Vice-Chair Jim Rutherford, Secretary Carla Supples, Treasurer Bryan Moore, Past Chairman Marian Adams Karen Barbour Ben Chambers Joe Coker Lori King Carrie King Mary Beth MacKenzie Ramona Moore Melissa Reid Caroline Robinson Jerome Scott Shirley Stallings Jayson Timberlake Kevin Williamson Entertainment, Live Music, Kids Activities & the ever popular Zombie walk. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com Thursday 6 to I0pm • Friday 6 to IIpm • Saturday, 3 to IIpm in FESTIVAL PARK Oct. 23 thru 25 Sample or indulge in your favorite NC craft beers. Purchase a sampling cup or commit to your favorite by the glass. The outdoor haunted maze is guaranteed to deliver the hair-raising chill those thrill seekers desire. calling all FOODIES!!! Get your eat on at Entertainment, Live Music, Kids Activities & the ever popular Zombie walk. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com Thursday 6 to I0pm • Friday 6 to IIpm • Saturday, 3 to IIpm in FESTIVAL PARK Oct. 23 thru 25 This hour long hayride and walking tour in the dark features ghostly re-enactors and story-tellers who share the spooky side of Fayetteville's history. Tickets $I5 at www.faydogwoodfestival.com Sample or indulge in your favorite NC craft beers. Purchase a sampling cup or commit to your favorite by the glass. The outdoor haunted maze is guaranteed to deliver the hair-raising chill those thrill seekers desire. This event will host numerous food trucks from the Carolinas featuring your culinary favorites of quality food we plan to have comfort foods, fusion inspired favorites and quirky chef created masterpieces! Traditional food vendors will be available Thursday and Friday calling all FOODIES!!! Get your eat on at Fayetteville's 1 st Food Truck Festival Saturday only 3-I0pm Thank you Fayetteville for a GREAT weekend!! We can't do what we do without the support of our sponsors, volunteers, City staff and patrons! Thank you to our Board Members and their families – without their support and understanding this event simply could not happen! 2014 Board of Directors and Staff (TOP DOGS) Jackie Tuckey - Chairman Mark Wilderman - Vice-Chair Jim Rutherford - Secretary Carla Supples - Treasurer Bryan Moore - Past Chairman Marian Adams Karen Barbour Ben Chambers Joe Coker Lori King Carrie King Mary Beth MacKenzie Ramona Moore Melissa Reid Caroline Robinson Jerome Scott Shirley Stallings Jayson Timberlake Kevin Williamson A very special thank you to the Swamp Boys organization and volunteers for their many hours of service building, producing and scaring our community at the LaFayette Insane Asylum! Great JOB and thank you for your continued support! A very special thank you to the Swamp Boys for the LaFayette Insane Asylum! Great job and thank you for your continued support. Thank you Fayetteville for a GREAT weekend!! We can't do what we do without the support of our sponsors, volunteers, City sta and patrons! Thank you to our Board Members and their families – without their support and understanding this event simply could not happen! 2014 Board of Directors and Sta (TOP DOGS) Jackie Tuckey - Chairman Mark Wilderman - Vice -Chair Jim Rutherford - Secretary Carla Supples - Treasurer Bryan Moore - Past Chairman Marian Adams Karen Barbour Ben Chambers Joe Coker Lori King Carrie King Mary Beth MacKenzie Ramona Moore Melissa Reid Caroline Robinson Jerome Scott Shirley Stallings Jayson Timberlake Kevin Williamson A very special thank you to the Swamp Boys organization and volunteers for their many hours of service building, producing and scaring our community at the LaFayette Insane Asylum! Great JOB and thank you for your continued support! Entertainment, Live Music, Kids Activities & the ever popular Zombie walk. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com IIpm 25 Entertainment, Live Music, Kids Activities & the ever popular Zombie walk. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com Thursday 6 to I0pm • Friday 6 to IIpm • Saturday, 3 to IIpm in FESTIVAL PARK Oct. 23 thru 25