SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College graduate Neil Coggins has established the Fix-It Plumbing Scholarship Endowment at his alma mater. The scholarship will benefit students in the Industrial Systems or Building Construction Technologies programs.

Fix-it Plumbing Services began in 1982 as a part-time job for Coggins while he was enrolled at CCCC.

"CCCC is definitely special to me and close to my heart being that the two years I was enrolled directly helped me to be where I am today," said Coggins. "The knowledge and skills obtained through the two-year Industrial Maintenance program opened the door to qualify and obtain a great job after graduation."

Coggins points out that his foundation in plumbing skills is due to the investment of time, energy and resources of one of his high school teachers, Donnie Brafford.

Upon graduating from CCCC in 1984, Coggins was employed by Weyerhaeuser Company for 11 years as a maintenance mechanic and still did plumbing work part-time. In October 1995, he began plumbing as a full-time profession.

Coggins says that he and his company have been blessed and prosperous throughout the years thanks to many great employees and great customers.

"We are currently in our 27th year with 15 awesome, dedicated and skilled employees with a customer base in excess of 13,000 customers -- many of who are still active customers since the beginning in 1982," said Coggins. He notes that the success of the family-owned and operated business is due to many people -- "the hard work, support and dedication of myself, my family, great employees, our customer base and many good friends."

"When you surround yourself with people you trust, people who work hard, people dedicated, people to guide, support and encourage you, people to help you when you make mistakes and believe in you when you don't believe in yourself, people to celebrate victories and successes, you will be successful. Not just in the business world, but in all things we might face in life," said Coggins.

Coggins says that CCCC stands out in the community and surrounding areas by offering such a variety of curriculums and opportunities to reach a diverse student base. "This in turn helps our area businesses and communities grow with better talent and skillset," said Coggins.

"CCCC is special due to the staff of great educators, past and present, who love their jobs and make investments in their students to help each one be successful in their chosen career path."

Dr. Emily C. Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, said she is grateful for Mr. Coggins' generosity to his alma mater. "CCCC is grateful for the continuation of support from our alumni base. Mr. Coggins exemplifies generosity through his investment in the Foundation and we are grateful to him for paying it forward. The Fix-It Plumbing Endowment will make a difference in the lives of our students for years to come."

Lynda F. Turbeville, Chair of the CCCC Foundation Board of Directors, says, "Neil's hard work, integrity, and entrepreneurial spirit have led to the success of Fix-It Plumbing. As has been seen in other cases, successful entrepreneurs have expressed their appreciation for the boost provided by Central Carolina Community College in their lives by providing scholarships for others who are trying to establish a better future for themselves. We are extremely grateful to Neil for his generous endowment to the CCCC Foundation that will help many others in achieving their goals of financial independence."

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, the college. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants.

"I feel it is truly important to support and give of my time and resources to invest back into CCCC through the CCCC Foundation to offer opportunities to others to receive the quality education and opportunities offered at CCCC just as I received many, many years ago," said Coggins.

"An investment in the CCCC Foundation is an investment to help make a positive difference in the future of a young man or young woman who just might become your next employee, a business owner or leader in our community -- and that reward is priceless."

For information on giving to the CCCC Foundation, contact Dr. Emily C. Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, 919-718-7230, or ehare@cccc.edu.