Wharton Retires From Board of Trustees
Sep 22, 2017Wharton Retires from RCC Trustees
After 24 years as a Board of Trustee member at Rockingham Community College Cynthia Wharton of Ruffin chose not to seek reappointment.
Wharton was appointed to the Board of Trustees in July 1993 and served continuously until June 30, 2007. In July 2009, Wharton was reappointed and served until June.
During this time, not only did Wharton serve as chair for two terms, but she participated in three Presidential Search efforts on behalf of the college.
Wharton has helped to oversee many significant changes that led to the growth of the college during her service. The addition of the Human Services Building as part of a statewide bond referendum; the opening of the Emergency Services Training Center; the Ben R. and Lemma M. Apple Foundation Amphitheater; the Bishopric Lifelong Learning Center built with funds from another statewide bond referendum; the addition of the Gilliland Baseball Field; the Center for Creative Woodworking in Reidsville and the Center for Brewing Sciences in Eden; the renovation and opening of the Owens Health Science Building; the opening of the Early College High School on the college’s campus; the addition and success of numerous grants including a Title III grant focused on growing and enhancing the college’s distance learning program; the many partnerships the college established in her 24 years with business, industry, and with the public schools; and the addition of numerous degree programs occurred during her 24 years of service.
“Looking back, I realized that I have served alongside 30 trustees,” Wharton said. “To have served with such a dedicated group of trustees, faculty and staff has been a great privilege.”
Along with her husband Bobby, Wharton volunteered her time on various RCC Foundation events including the annual countywide campaign, the annual gala, the scholarship luncheon and other fundraising initiatives of the Foundation.
“It has been a real honor for Bob and I to be able to support an institution that is so valuable to Rockingham County,” Wharton said. “RCC is at the heart of what should be most valued: the education of our citizens.”
Wharton was recognized for her service to the college during the September Board of Trustees meeting.
