May 2006 Volume 36 - Issue 2
CougapCpy
Interview with Dr. Gordon Burns Table Of Contents
1. Where are you origincilly from?
Dr. Burns: “I am originally from Easton,
Pennsylvania. Easton is near Philadel
phia.”
2. Could you describe your previous
work experience and education?
Dr. Burns: “I began my career in educa
tion as a teacher in Kentucky and contin
ued teaching in middle and high schools
in Missouri while attending the University
of Missouri on a part-time basis.
I was fortunate to have had the oppor
tunity early in my career and during my
graduate study years to plan, construct
and direct for 5 years the Boonslick area
Vocational-Technical School in Boonville,
Missouri. 1 continued my graduate stud
ies during these years and completed my
Ph.D. degree in 1976. My wife and 1 then
moved to North Carolina where I have
served three community colleges - ten
years at Wilson Technical Community
College, first as dean of continuing
education and then as vice president for
instruction; seven years as executive vice
president of Lenoir Community College
and 10 years as president of Wilkes Com
munity College.”
3. What led you to WCC?
Dr. Burns: “My career goal has been to
serve in progressively more senior ad
ministrative positions leading ultimately
to the presidency. To accomphsh that
goal required moving. I was attracted to
Wilkes Community College because of
its reputation and potential to be a model
rural community college in the North
Carolina Community College System.
The beauty and quality of the physical
campus, support of the college by the
communities and the scope of services
offered by Wilkes Community College
made it appealing.”
4. If you could change one thing about
yourself, what would it be and why?
Dr. Burns: “1 would be a little more laid
back and casual about some things.”
5. How long have you been at WCC and
what are some major accomplishments
that have happened during your
presidency?
Dr. Burns:" I have served as president of
Wilkes Community for ten years. Per
haps my greatest contributions have
been bringing the people of the college
and community together realizing the
college’s service potential. In a tangible
sense, construction of Alumni Hall, the
horticulture complex, and the new sci
ence and technology center have to be
among the leading accomplishments.
Equal in importance to these are the con
tinuing improvement and expansion of
programs and services of the college.”
6. What are some changes that have oc-
Cont. On Pg. 2
Interview with Dr. Burns
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Merlefest Awards
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Book Review
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New PTK Members
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Art Show
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New Building
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Sports
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New SGA Officers
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Ashe Open House
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Grad Marshals
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A Year in Review
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Awards Reception
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Meet the Staff
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Class of2006
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MerleFest takes home
four awards at NCAF&E
WILKESBORO, NC: MerleFest, the
annual festival in celebration of the music
of the late Merle Watson and his father
Doc Watson, took home four awards at the
North Carolina Association of Festivals
and Events (NCAF&E) Showfest in
Charlotte on February 13. NCAF&E
presented MerleFest with its prenaier
accolade, the Kay Saintsing Award for
Event of the Year. MerleFest 2005 also won
in the annual budget of more than $50,000
category for Best Press Kit, Best Event
Photo (by WCC’s own Chad Treadway),
and Best Miscellaneous Printed Material
(for the MerleFest program). Wilkes
Community College presented
MerleFest 2006 on April 27-30,2006 on its
campus in Wilkesboro, NC.
Cent. On Pg. 2