WELDON — Bonding between entities in the Roanoke Valley can only help improve communication of the needs of the community, and that is why Halifax Community College officials broke bread recently with Halifax and Northampton county commissioners.

Photo courtesy of Halifax Community College | The Daily Herald Halifax County Commissioner Chairman James Pierce, left, talks during a luncheon hosted by Halifax Community College (HCC) for commissioners from Halifax and Northampton counties. Beside Pierce is Frank Avent III, vice chairman of the HCC board of trustees. Advertisement

Those in attendance Tuesday afternoon included James Pierce, chairman of Halifax County Commissioners, J. Rives Manning, Halifax County commissioner and Fannie P. Greene, chairwoman of the Northampton County commissioners.

Dr. Stanley Edwards, HCC board of trustee chairman, said the meeting was the result of some goals set by the trustees during their self-evaluation. It was to help improve the college’s relationship with commissioners.

“We are attempting to meet once every year, so we can get together and talk,” Edwards said. “We didn’t invite you to let you know how dire the situation is (for the college), but to bond and meet with you.”

At each seat, there were Fast Facts brochures about the college with updated information from Fall 2009-Spring 2010.

Greene said when she received the invitation, she wasn’t sure what the college wanted.

“I breathed a sigh of relief when you said you didn’t want money,” she said with a smile.

Pierce agreed and said it was always good to build a good relationship.

“We have a special area in the Roanoke Valley and we would like to think that Halifax Community College is the center of this area. The more successful you are, then the more successful we are,” he said.

Deborah Armstrong, vice president of administrative services, thanked the commissioners for the money they give to the college.

“I try to put it to good use and we are grateful for every dime,” she said.

Manning mentioned the self-evaluation Stanley talked about.

“Several of us had one on the fourth of this month,” he said. “We passed.”

He was referring to the May 4 primary.

The commissioners had a chance to ask college officials questioned during the luncheon.

Greene asked for an update of the Roanoke Valley Early College. Dr. Erica Holmes, vice president of academic affairs, said the early college was one of the school’s newest initiatives.

“We are the only early college in the state that starts with grades seven and eight,” she said.

The first class started last fall with 64 students. Some of these students are taking classes and college courses.

Holmes said she received a report of the students’ progress. “The students did a remarkable job.”

Those who took the colleges courses scored Bs and Cs, one student had an A.

Currently, the intake process for the new class is underway.

“The students who apply are from different backgrounds and economic situations,” she said.

In the fall, students will be enrolled for seventh, eighth and ninth grades.

“As it continues to grow, it will eventually be seventh through 12th,” she said.

Mannings looked at the number of students attending HCC and asked about the breakdown from students being from Halifax and Northampton counties. During the spring semester, 1,730 students attended the college.

HCC President Dr. Ervin Griffin Sr. said it was 75 percent Halifax, 18 percent Northampton and seven percent out of region.

The trustees hope to make the luncheon an annual gathering.