Employee Recognition Awards - Spring 2009
Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2009
Plaque and $1000
This award was established by CPCC to 
recognize those individuals who implement entrepreneurial activities at the College. As selected by the CPCC Employee Recognition committee, this year’s entrepreneur is Geoff Blount, CPCC’s Baking and Pastry Arts instructor.
Geoff began the Baking and Pastry Arts (BPA) --Baking and Bistro Deli initiative. Geoff is an entrepreneur who brought his passion to the classroom, and brought out the best in his students. This initiative has demonstrated achievement in all of the CPCC Core Competencies: communication, critical thinking, personal growth and responsibility, and quantitative literacy.
This project is the first of its kind in the NC Community College System and allows students to plan and run a live retail pastry operation within a controlled school environment. Not only is the concept unique, but Geoff was innovative in attaining ownership of a $6000 retail case that was donated to the college. 70% of those students are considering running their own facility, and this concept lets students learn and risk only a grade, not their life savings. Proceeds from this project go toward further learning and scholarship initiatives within the BPA Club of CPCC. This club has given the students the opportunity to learn what “Helping Students Help Themselves” really means. Geoff has created an environment both conducive to learning and the entrepreneurial spirit.
CPCC 2009 Innovation of the Year Award
Plaque and $1000 to department
Each year, the League for Innovation sponsors 
the Innovation of the Year to recognize best practices among the League colleges. CPCC’s Employee Recognition Committee selects our local winner, and the CPCC Foundation contributes $1000 to support the winning program or department.
This year, the CPCC Employee Recognition Committee was most impressed with the work of Dr. Debbie Bouton, Associate Dean in Professional Development. Her innovative project was designed to provide additional resources and support to part-time faculty who want to improve how they communicate their discipline expertise with their students. Debbie and her team developed a 25-hour part-time faculty certification program, a supportive website, revised the part-time faculty orientation, and offered Saturday professional development opportunities to meet the specific needs of part-time faculty. Their outreach efforts have helped the part-time faculty feel more confident and better prepared to meet the needs of adult learners. This project is now featured on the League for Innovation’s website and is a valuable addition to our Learning College efforts.
Employee Recognition Awards for Spring 2009
Plaque and $1000
2009 Spring Part-time Employee
Recognition Award Winner
This part-time employee has worked at CPCC for
about 33 years, with a dedication to the college matched by very few. He takes the lead on improving student learning by incorporating technology into his classes. This winner is flexible and dependable, making the needs of the college and its students his priority. He rarely misses a class and his positive student ratings reflect how much he cares for them. Bringing over 40 years of industry experience to the College, Bob Eldridge is a key contributor to the Machining Technology Program.
2009 Spring Employee Recognition Award Winner
Classified Staff
This classified staff award winner has mastered her job. She doesn’t mind working long hours because she is devoted to the students she helps. Her commitment to the college and its student sis beyond question, and she is a true professional in her field. Her enthusiasm and willingness to help and assist extends to co-workers and students. Her goal is to see that all financial aid students, especially the veterans, move through the financial aid process so that they are able to meet their goals. Although Sandee Patton never asks for or seeks recognition, she surely deserves it.
The Instructor Employee Recognition Award Winner
For Spring 2009
The faculty winner for spring has the unique ability to 
connect with students and to meet them where they are in their studies. Her love of her students and her enthusiasm for her field of expertise is evident in all that she does. She worked with the TRIO staff and helped them develop a bold new approach to math tutoring. Rudy Johnson is an instructor on a mission to alleviate the students’ fear of mathematics, and they leave her class convinced that they can conquer math. One student said of her,” You simplified math and I now feel like a mathematician. Thank you for your unconditional patience.”
2009 Spring Employee Recognition Award Winner
For Administrators
This administrator was nominated by a group of 
people who all attest to her excellent demonstrated leadership. One person said it is not magic that makes her so skilled at solving problems; it is her understanding that teamwork is the key to success. She is very dedicated, patient, and fair and shows great enthusiasm for her role, and sets the standard for what it means to be student-centered. Faculty in her division appreciate the trust and support she gives them as they seek new opportunities for learning and growth, and she knows what it takes to create a learning college. All of the nominators were in agreement that this winner is an administrator who knows how to work with people and how to get things done. But one of her instructors said, “What I have learned from Edith McElroy is that it is possible to achieve excellence in the workplace through kindness, patience, and perseverance. “
