Quality Education and Training for Greenville: Pitt Community College Foundation
Pitt Community College (PCC) was founded in 1961, and since its inception, the college has provided unrestricted access to quality education and training for citizens in the Greenville community. Over 70% of PCC graduates remain in the community following graduation to contribute to the Pitt County workforce and economy.
In December 2021, the TowneBank Foundation approved a grant to provide funding for the outdoor patio area of PCC’s new Center for Student Advancement. On April 6, 2023, the PCC Foundation officially dedicated its new building as the Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Center for Student Advancement.
The 28,000-square-foot center houses PCC’s Institutional Advancement Division, which includes the PCC Foundation and Pitt’s marketing and media relations departments. It is also home to the VISIONS Career Development and Scholarship Program and Slocum-Bunch Veterans Center, which provides services to PCC’s student veteran population.
Pitt Community College Student Ambassadors helped out during the dedication of the Center for Student Advancement. Ambassadors are chosen for their academic excellence and community service.About a week after the dedication, the PCC Foundation held its first fundraiser in the new center. The annual spring scholarship fundraiser, “Building Futures in Our Backyard,” took place in the Chris Smith Multipurpose Room and TowneBank Patio. Approximately 150 supporters came out for the fundraiser, with proceeds going toward PCC student scholarships.
The Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Center for Student Advancement was dedicated in April. TowneBank was honored to support the new building by providing funding for the TowneBank Patio. Located behind the new center, it is a place where students and staff can gather as well as a great site for special events.
Beth Sigmon, executive director of the PCC Foundation, has been with the organization since April 2018. Beth shares, “PCC is educating future contributors to the workforce. Many students are being retooled for a different career or furthering their education to advance within their current career.” Beth continues, “Over 65% of PCC students receive financial aid. By supporting the Foundation, you are investing in a person – someone you will likely meet along the road as a member of the community.”
In addition to continuing education, PCC also supports students working to transition from high school to college. In 2004, PCC started the VISIONS Career Development and Scholarship Program, connecting PCC staff with a select group of Pitt County high school students each year to provide them with the direction and support they need to earn diplomas and transition into higher education.
Between 2005 and 2023, 98% of 1,147 VISIONS participants completed high school on time. Another 77—representing six Pitt County public high schools — earned diplomas in June. Those who attend PCC receive scholarships.
Currently, the PCC Foundation is holding a 15 in Five campaign. The goal is to raise $15 million in five years to support PCC students in perpetuity by establishing an endowment fund for general scholarships. The endowment will provide 600 scholarships per semester. They are only slightly over a year into the campaign and have already raised almost $6 million. John Bacon, development officer of the PCC Foundation, shares, “More students graduating from PCC means more people adding value to the workforce of the Pitt County community.”
Greenville family members came out to support the Building Futures in Our Backyard, a fundraiser with proceeds going toward Pitt Community College student scholarships.
Greg Steele, president of TowneBank Greenville, and Jim Clement, North Carolina president of Towne Insurance, have known Beth and John for a long time. Greg shares, “We were honored to partner with PCC on its new facility. Dr. Lawrence Rouse and the PCC board and leadership should be commended for impacting the lives of so many in our community.”
“PCC is educating future contributors to the workforce. Many students are being retooled for a different career or furthering their education to advance within their current career.”
TowneBank applauds PCC, the PCC Foundation, and all those involved with their mission to educate and empower people for success. For more information about the foundation and how you can support its mission, visit PittCCFoundation.com.