SANFORD - Dr. Barbara James and Dr. Paul Howard are among the many Central Carolina Community College donors who look forward to meeting with students at the annual CCCC Foundation Scholarship Luncheon.

"We're looking forward to meeting our student, because that gives us a great deal of pleasure every year," Dr. James said.

Dr. James and Dr. Howard joined other donors and scholarship recipients during the college's Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

"We're really pleased with the Foundation and what it does for the students and the community," Dr. James said.

CCCC President Dr. T.E. Marchant expressed his appreciation to the donors. "Central Carolina Community College would not be the college that it is without you, the donors. You make such a difference in these people's lives," Dr. Marchant said. "Every day, your contributions are changing lives and making our area and this state and this nation better. Thank you very much."

The student speaker for the event was Jennifer Cooper, who is working toward an Associate of Arts degree before going to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Cooper said four of her five oldest children have attended CCCC - with four more at home who plan to attend the college.

"When it came time for me to return to school ... I chose Central Carolina as well because I was aware of the incredible programs that are offered here," said Cooper, who is recipient of the Audrey L. James Scholarship. "I was aware of the incredible programs and the model of success that Central Carolina Community College is, not only for its students, but for the community and the region."

Cooper, who plans to go into education and teach high school, expressed her gratitude to the donors. "As a student and mother of students who have been able to graduate from here, I don't think that there's any way that I could possibly express my gratitude for that other than to just say thank you ... a deep heartfelt thank you."

George Lucier, of the CCCC Foundation, said, "We're here today to honor you and those scholarship recipients and we're very grateful for what you do for Central Carolina Community College. ... Central Carolina Community College is an economic engine for our tri-county region. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making that happen."

The Foundation thus far has awarded $195,814 in scholarships to 215 students for the 2015-16 school year.

"On behalf of the trustees of Central Carolina Community College, we say thank you to all you donors for everything you do and have done for Central Carolina Community College. It's greatly appreciated," said Julian Philpott, chairman of the CCCC Board of Trustees.

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, Central Carolina Community 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.

"Like all schools, Central Carolina Community College depends on the generosity of our friends, donors, and alumni to help us handle our growth and plan for the future," says Barber Holmes, President of the CCCC Foundation. "These gifts support CCCC's goal for educational excellence through student scholarships, faculty professional development, and the funding of state-of-the-art technologies.

"Our success has a lot to do with the leaders and citizens of our communities, like you, who step forward, get to know our students, and invariably decide to help many of them," says Holmes. "By aiding today's students, you are making an impact not only on their lives, but on the community and region as a whole, strengthening our local community.

"Thank you for investing in our students, our community, and our future."

For information on giving to the Foundation or its fund-raising events, contact Emily Hare, executive director of the CCCC Foundation, 919-718-7230 or ehare@cccc.edu. To apply for a scholarship, contact the CCCC Financial Aid Office, 919-718-7229.