WPCC Offers Day of Service to Community

Morganton—Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) students, faculty and staff participated recently in the College’s annual Day of Service, a campus-wide volunteer opportunity.  More than three dozen gave 104 hours of volunteer time and talent on projects that included building wheelchair ramps with Foothills Service Project, cleaning flowerbeds with Burke County Parks & Recreation, and working on the Outdoor Learning Environment on the College campus.

WPCC also places great emphasis on service-learning which combines community service with classroom instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking as well as personal and civic responsibility. Service-learning programs involve students in activities that address local needs while developing student academic skills and commitment to their community.  Recognizing that many students are engaged in service to the community, the College implemented a service-learning program.

In 2007, Western Piedmont was one of eight community colleges in the nation awarded a three-year Horizons Service Learning Grant. The College was awarded a second three-year grant for 2010.  In addition, WPCC was one of six community colleges in North Carolina named to the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The College received the award again in 2009.
 
Western Piedmont Community College enrolls approximately 4,000 students annually in pursuit of college transfer degrees, two year associate degrees and diplomas.  More than 10,000 students enroll each year in continuing education courses for professional development and personal enrichment. The College also provides programs for high school completion.  Western Piedmont received recognition for Exceptional Institutional Performance based on standards established by the North Carolina General Assembly.