Ni-Hao Pierpont!

Pierpont had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from China on our campus for two weeks in April. The group included four Vice Presidents from model Technical Colleges in China and a liaison with the China Education Association for International Exchange. Our visitors included Mr. Zhenyi Deng, Vice President of Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute; Mr. Chuan Qin, Vice President of Qingdao Technical College; Mr. Shixing Cheng, Vice President of Wuhan Institute of Technology; Mr. Xuemin WU, Vice President of Nanjing Institute of Industry Technology; and Ms. Sufei Li with CEAIE. Above they are pictured with WV Community College Chancellor James Skidmore and Pierpont President Blair Montgomery.

During their time with us, our guest met with many administrators, faculty, staff and students learning about Pierpont's programs and organizational structure. They also had the opportunity to sit in on classes, tour facilities, and experience hands on learning activities. Their "best" day was the day we visited the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center where they got to fly light bulbs, practice taxing a plane, rivet in the sheet metal lab and experience flight in the simulator.

Pierpont Community & Technical College was one of five community college nation wide selected to participate in the Vocational Educational Leadership Training Program. The VELT program is sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges and the China Education Association for International Exchange. In the coming years, China hopes to train 500 higher education administrators in the United States. They also hope to host groups from the U.S. in China.

Mr. Cheng, Mr. Wu, Ms. Li, Mr. Deng and Mr. Qin

A time of transition

On March 24, 2009 Pierpont Community & Technical College hosted Governor Manchin and a group of workers from our region who have already or soon will loose their job. The Governor and his staff came to campus to meet with these workers to let them know about support that is available for them during this trying time. Governor Manchin fielded questions from participants and talked with them about the layoffs they were experiencing. When Commerce Cabinet Secretary Kelley Goes addressed the crowd, she told them that it was no coincidence that the meeting was happening on at a Community College because Community Colleges play a vital role in the training and retraining of the workforce in West Virginia.

Following the town hall meeting, workers and their families were invited to participate in a Community Resource Fair where they could learn more about retraining opportunities, support programs and employment options. More than 50 information tables were available. The event was co-sponsored by WORKFORCE West Virginia and the Region VI Workforce Investment Board.

Extreme Makeover - Pierpont Edition

The Erikson Alumni Center, serving both Fairmont State and Pierpont Alumni, was in desperate need of a makeover. The paint and decor was tired. Things had been the same for many years. And members of the Alumni and Foundation Boards were struggling to find the budget to do anything about it. Until Pierpont President Blair Montgomery hooked them up with a group of Applied Design students to work their extreme makeover magic. The student group included those taking the Contract Design course with instructor Angie Retton. The interior design students approached the makeover as they would work with any client. They created a portfolio of colors, window treatments, floor covering and other accessories that would give the EAC new life. The results are amazing!















Devanna Corley, Director of Alumni Relations said "the vision and hard work of these students is unprecedented. The knowledge they brought to this project is amazing and these students have very bright futures."

The following students are in the Contract Design course and participated in the makeover: Barbara Bonasso, Tabatha Bookheimer, Danielle Edmond, Angela Ferguson, Debra Fortney, Felicia Harper, Emily Hulme, Kristin McCullough and Stacie Haythorn.