James E. Rogers named the 2011 Richard H. Hagemeyer Award recipient

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) announced today that James E. Rogers, co-founder and senior vice president of Flagship Capital Partners, is the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Richard H. Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award. The award recognizes a former CPCC student who has significantly benefited from experiences at CPCC and whose efforts have helped the community.

Rogers earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from East Tennessee University in the 1960s before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1967. After serving in the armed services, he pursued a real estate career, working for The Ervin Co., as an analyst and area manager. As a consummate lifelong learner, he enrolled at CPCC in 1973 to hone his commercial real estate and investment knowledge, graduating in 1977 with an associate degree in general education.

Since graduating from CPCC, Rogers has garnered the respect of the Charlotte community, not only through his success as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, but also through his service to the community. He has served as president for the Athletic Foundation at UNC, Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors, Leadership Charlotte, American Lung Association and the Charlotte Pops Orchestra of the Charlotte Symphony. In addition, he’s also been an active board of directors member for a variety of non-profit organizations, including the American Heart Association, WTVI, the Arts and Science Council and the Charlotte Repertory Theatre, to name a few.

As a result of his extraordinary leadership abilities and passion for volunteering, he has been awarded Leadership Charlotte’s Schley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence Award, East Tennessee State University’s Outstanding Alumnus Award, the YMCA’s George Williams Lifetime Achievement Award and the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors’ Realtor of the Year Award.

Reflecting on his many accomplishments, Rogers credits CPCC for much of his success. “I have been impressed by the depth of CPCC’s faculty and the broad range and diverse curriculum it offers,” he explains. “Year after year, CPCC prepares students for today’s workforce by helping them reach their goals. Because of this, the College is able to maintain its commitment to student success as it strives to become the national leader in workforce development.”

Rogers will be recognized with the Richard H. Hagemeyer Award at CPCC’s commencement ceremony on May 12, 2011, and a scholarship will be granted to a CPCC student enrolled in the College’s real estate program – the area of study that most closely reflects Rogers’ background.

“Jim is a tremendous asset to the Charlotte community; not only does he volunteer his own skills and abilities, but he also helps others connect with agencies that need help,” said Dr. Tony Zeiss, president of CPCC. “CPCC is proud to honor an individual of Jim’s caliber with the Richard H. Hagemeyer Award - an award that represents the best in community involvement, personal growth and character.”

The award is named after Dr. Richard H. Hagemeyer, CPCC president for 23 years, who led the College from a trade school with 1,200 students to the state’s largest community college. Previous award winners include Elaine Lyerly, Gary Mims, Ronald Caldwell, Sheriff Jim Pendegraph, Dr. Margaret Stanley Hagan, Paul Griffin, James White, Joe Weatherford, Chief Luther Fincher, Dr. Kenny Welch, Frances Queen, Richard Zollinger, Stanley Law, Cindy Castano, Fabi Preslar and James Taylor, Jr.

To learn more about the Richard H. Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award and its requirements, please visit http://www.cpcc.edu/foundation/alumni.

Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering close to 300 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.