Dr. Jim McKenney
American Association of Community Colleges
By: George MacBain
  
                        
Today we had the pleasure of hearing from Jim McKenney; VP of Economic Development for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) located in Washington D.C. AACC serves as the primary advocate for our nation's community colleges. They are on the forefront of change in education from the staggering dropout rates, to shortages in healthcare professionals to the growing need to retrain millions of adult workers to strengthen our workforce. Jim shared with us statistics about the US community college system, why community colleges exist and what Washington is focused on towards community colleges.
 
The US has 1,195 community colleges that include 1,600 campuses. The campuses were purposely located within an hour's drive from 90% of our nation's population so commuting would be feasible. Today the growing 11.5 million community college students have an average age of 29, are 60% female and 35% of the students are minorities. Community colleges have 46% of the nation's total undergraduate student population. Full time students make up 41% and 59% are part time. First generation to attend college in a family is 39% of all students.
 
Many community colleges were formerly Junior Colleges (2 year degrees) formed as an affordable place to start, and then transfer to a 4 year school to advance from an Associate to a Bachelors degree. Many former Technical schools now follow the community college model yet many are still very active in rural markets. The more urban a community college campus is, the enrollments are swelling for several primary reasons: rising tuition and fees at 4-year institutions of 8-10% annually have become less affordable for many families; workforce demands better educated/higher skilled workers; the distressed economy has people losing jobs returning to school to become more employable. Our nation's future workforce will continue to be reliant on a strong/adaptable community college system to meet the demands of industry. A continuous obstacle is in the way the schools are funded. Schools adding any new programs/curriculum or courses must first be up and running a year before being eligible for funding that new initiative. This is a constant challenge as the schools are generally funded by State (37%), Local (21%), Federal (16%) government funds, and tuition/fees of (17%). The average cost to attend a community college is $2,361 per year, still an outstanding value for most attending.
 
Jim made brief comments that Washington and the current administration are very supportive of our nation's community college system. Growth and improvement in higher learning does not stand a chance without support of community colleges, according to the current US Undersecretary of Education, a community college president. This was a very good overview by Jim McKenney and unfortunate he was not able to address all the "hands up" due to his need to catch a flight.
  
    
Head Table: Robert Freeman, George Wilson, John Snyder, Tony Zeiss, Roger Sarow, Jessica Brasington;
Invocation: Frank Martin;
Visitors & Guests: Don Carmichael; Song: Pam Jefsen; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Remember to bring your school supplies through the month of August. Items needed: pens, pencils, rulers, markers, colored pencils, erasers, 3 & 5 subject notebooks; glue sticks, pencil boxes and paper.
             
• Alan Barnhardt has accepted a position as Executive Director of the Catawba Science Center in Hickory. The bad news is Alan will resign from Charlotte Rotary on August 31; Rich Campbell provided his viewpoint of how executive searches will change or grow in this economy.
   
• Youth Exchange update: Luther Moore introduced Eric Melvin and Kepa Ayala, who are participates in the summer short exchange program. Eric, a student at Myers Park, has lived in Spain for a month with Kepa's family. Kepa has returned to the States for his month with Eric's family. The exchange program is an excellent opportunity available to your High School or Junior High students. For additional information, visit www.rye7680.org. Luther also thanked Karen Steffens, who serves as the District's chair for Youth Exchange. The club's long term exchange students, Leo and Any, arrive in the US this week. If you are available to join the welcoming party at their arrival gate….Any arrives 8/20/09 at 3:15, USA flight 705 from Frankfurt; Leo arrives 8/23/09 at 5:23, Delta flight 898 from Atlanta. They will be introduced to the club on September 1st.
   
• John Lassiter recognized eleven new recipients of the Rotary Scholarship provided for college-aged children of Fire, Police, Sheriff and Medic. This program is made possible from proceeds of the Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic, which has brought in over $400,000 in six years and provided multi-year scholarships to 47 students. Tournament chair, Alan Adler, reports the October 5th event at Cedarwood Country Club will be fabulous! Golf spots and sponsorships are still available. Auction, raffle and goody bags items are needed. Golf format is captain's choice and a former Carolina Panther will be your challenger in the closest to the pin contest. Everyone is invited to the wine tasting at 4:30 and the awards/BBQ dinner (provided by SMS Catering) at 5:15. Check the club's website for tournament information or the registration form.

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 08/24/2009.

THE FOUR-WAY TEST
Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Tom Burgess is a member of the District committee that is coordinating the September 19th Flight of Honor, a program to take WW II Veterans to see their memorial in DC. Charlotte Rotary has provided sponsorship for nine vets and three guardians and Tom invites you to consider a personal donation to this effort. The cost per veteran is $500; guardians are $200. However, any amount is needed and appreciated. Checks are tax deductible and payable to Rotary Flight of Honor and mailed to P. O. Box 495, Gastonia, NC 28053.