SANFORD - Dr. T. Eston "Bud" Marchant will carry many pleasant memories when he retires as President of Central Carolina Community College, effective April 1, 2019.

"There are so many good memories here. It's hard to believe it's been almost 11 years. It really is very hard to believe and I will miss it terribly, but it has been just such a positive experience from beginning to end," said Dr. Marchant, who came to the college in August 2008. "It doesn't mean that there haven't been some long days and issues that popped up. But for the most part, it has been a job that you can only dream about and that you only think that could happen in a fairytale. It's been that positive."

Dr. Marchant will especially carry good memories of his faculty and staff. "Over the last almost 11 years, it has been my honor and privilege to have worked with the excellent faculty and staff of CCCC. Their service and commitment to student success is unmatched in the North Carolina Community College System. The successes this college has enjoyed are due to their hard and dedication. Working with you has been the highlight of my professional career. Thank you," said Dr. Marchant, who also talks about the outstanding relationships he has had with the CCCC Board of Trustees and with elected officials.

Dr. Marchant also talks about the students who have been served by CCCC. "Having that ability to meet those students and to see all of them and to watch them succeed has been probably the greatest privilege of my life," he said.

Mr. Julian Philpott, Chairman of the CCCC Board of Trustees, said Dr. Marchant has done an outstanding job as president of CCCC. Mr. Philpott pointed out that Dr. Marchant oversaw the creation of the Central Carolina Works Program and the Central Carolina Promise Program available in Lee, Chatham and Harnett counties. "To house these programs and improve educational programs and services to the students and CCCC's service area, numerous new and renovated facilities were developed under Dr. Marchant's leadership, including new Health Science Buildings in Lee and Harnett counties and one under construction in Chatham County, a new Emergency Services Training building in Lee County, the renovated Dunn Center in Harnett County, and a new addition to the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Lee County," said Mr. Philpott. "Dr. Marchant has led CCCC into becoming the largest non-urban community college in the North Carolina system and one of the most respected community colleges in the country. We are indebted to Dr. Marchant for his outstanding leadership as CCCC's president since his arrival in 2008 and the legacy of excellence he is leaving."

Upon Dr. Marchant's retirement announcement, the CCCC Board of Trustees approved a resolution to "formally express our gratitude to Dr. Marchant, recognize him for his decade of outstanding service to Central Carolina Community College and designate him as a 'Central Carolina Community College Cougar for Life.'"

Central Carolina Community College accomplishments under Dr. Marchant's leadership have been significant. Under his guidance, the college:

• initiated Central Carolina Works, the state's first effort to embed full-time college career advisors in each service area high school to facilitate dual enrollment.
• initiated an innovative high school industrial apprenticeship program in welding and machine tool, in partnership with service area high schools and local industry partners.
• initiated the Central Carolina Promise program, which offers free tuition to qualifying 2019 high school graduates in Chatham, Harnett, and Lee counties.
• opened various new facilities in the CCCC three-county service area - including Health Science Buildings in Lee and Harnett counties, with a Health Science Building currently under construction in Chatham County.
• received the highest possible marks from its SACSCOC decennial accreditation On-Site visit. The SACSCOC Board of Trustees reaffirmed the accreditation of CCCC.
• was awarded a $9.2 million First in the World grant by the U.S. Department of Education. The four-year grant is the largest in the history of the college.
• initiated new workforce programs in various areas.
• initiated a Phi Theta Kappa honor society chapter.
• saw continued growth in enrollment during his tenure and the increase in nationally recognized programs, such as CCCC's Veterinary Medical Technology program in Lee County, the Laser and Photonics program in Harnett County, and the Sustainable Agriculture Program in Chatham County.
• began various articulation agreements with four-year colleges and universities.
• saw continued growth through its Foundation and grants programs.
• became the fifth school and first community college in the Campbell University ROTC Battalion.
• established six new TRiO programs at the college.
• was named in 2010 as one of the Top 50 community colleges in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine.
• became the first North Carolina community college to be a signatory to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
• became the first community college in the nation to establish a Confucius Classroom.
• launched the 4CNC-TV station in conjunction with county governments to serve the area and provide hands-on experience to broadcasting students.
• opened a Firefighter Academy at CCCC's Emergency Services Training Center.

During his career, Dr. Marchant has received a number of honors, including the 2019 Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce Dedicated Service Award, 2013 Sanford Herald Citizen of the Year, 2008 Citizen of the Year in Clinton, S.C. (named by the Clinton Chronicle), South Carolina Technical Education Association 2005 Administrator of the Year; Phi Theta Kappa 2003 Distinguished College Administrator of The Carolinas Region; Union County, N.C., Chamber of Commerce 2003 Volunteer of the Year; and the Charleston, S.C., Convention and Visitors Bureau 1998 Tourism Development Award. In addition, Dr. Marchant is one of seven retiring college presidents and chancellors who are being honored by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society with the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Marchant says that the college is in great shape. "It really is poised to make even better and more significant contributions to our three county region, to the state, and even to the nation," said Dr. Marchant.

Dr. Marchant plans to return to his native South Carolina. "I'm going to visit here often," he said. "My family is there and I'm going to be involved in a number of projects in South Carolina. I'm looking forward to being able to get back."

To learn more about Central Carolina Community College and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.