Aviation program nears takeoff
February 16, 2005
By Scott Witten - Staff writer for The Robesonian Newspaper
LUMBERTON - Robeson Community College moved closer Monday to finalizing an agreement with the
University of North Dakota to bring an aviation program to Lumberton.
RCC President Charles Chrestman presented the board of trustees with a proposed contract that would allow the two schools to begin training pilots and other aviation professionals this fall.
If the partnership is formed, students would gain their piloting credentials during a two-year program at RCC before transferring to North Dakota to complete a four-year degree in disciplines like commercial aviation and airport management.
The program would begin with about 25 students, two airplanes and a flight simulator. Under the proposed agreement, RCC would have to provide office space and classrooms near the Lumberton Municipal Airport and build a facility at the airport within three to five years.
RCC would also have to agree to pay $55,000 for the first year of the program for personnel costs associated with advising, scheduling and program management. The college would pay $48,000 each year after that until the program begins to make money. Chrestman said the program should begin to break even by the fourth year. He said that the state has agreed to pay the personnel costs.
"We wanted to bring you this contract so we can move ahead," said George Regan, board chairman. "The University of North Dakota wants to enter into an agreement with us and it looks like we are on our way."
School officials would like to have the contract signed by July 1.
RCC finalizes aviation pact
April 6, 2005
By Scott Witten - Senior writer for The Robesonian Newspaper
LUMBERTON - The aviation program at Robeson Community College is ready for take off.
RCC President Charles Chrestman was to sign the contract this morning formalizing the agreement with the University of North Dakota that brings an aviation program to Lumberton.
Chrestman made the announcement Monday night after he went before the county Board of Commissioners to ask for help getting the old Postal Encoding Building, which will house the program.
"The aviation program is a go ... It is a done deal." Chrestman said. "All I have to do now is sign the paperwork ... ."
Chrestman said a formal signing ceremony with North Dakota officials will be held in May during the Mid-Atlantic Fly-in and Sports Convention at the Lumberton Municipal Airport.
The aviation program is expected to begin in the fall with 25 students, two airplanes and a flight simulator. Students will gain their piloting credentials during a two-year program at RCC before transferring to North Dakota to complete a four-year degree in disciplines like commercial aviation and airport management.
"This is going to be a very, very good program," Chrestman said. "It is not just regional. It will serve students all up and down the East Coast. We're going to put people to work in some good jobs."
RCC will provide office space and classrooms for the program in the Postal Encoding Building near the Lumberton Municipal Airport. But to do that, the college first had to get the Committee of 100 to transfer ownership of the building to the county. As part of the deal, the committee asked the county to forgive a $250,623 liability payment and the city to forgive more than $6,000 in utility charges.
The county will negotiate a lease with the college.
Story courtesy of The Robesonian Newspaper
The Robesonian Newspaper
