William Claytor honored with Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Bill Claytor
Charlotte attorney William Claytor recently received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor bestowed by the state. CPCC president Tony Zeiss presented Claytor with the award on behalf of Gov. Pat McCrory. Past recipients of the award include Maya Angelou, Bonnie Cone, Dale Earnhardt, William Friday, Billy Graham, Andy Griffith, Michael Jordan, Charles Kuralt, Doug Marlette and Bob Timberlake.

Claytor served as a CPCC trustee from 1977 to 1993 and chaired the CPCC board from 1985 to 1993. He also served on the CPCC Foundation board of directors for many years, including multiple terms as board vice president.
 
Claytor is a partner in the law firm of Baucom, Claytor, Benton, Morgan & Wood and a former president of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.

Earlier this year, the CPCC Foundation established a scholarship in honor of Claytor. The William M. Claytor Scholarship is an annual, full-tuition grant for one CPCC student per year.
BY JOE MARUSAK
jmarusak@charlotteobserver.com

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Community, Foundation News, Gift Planning.

CPCC student Alexander Lee wins The MTConnect Student Challenge

McLean, Va., (April 5, 2016) -  Alexander Lee, a student at Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, N.C.), has been named the winner for the Idea Creation competition as part of the MTConnect Student Challenge for his submission, "Raspberry Pi for Data Visualization." Lee's winning submission proposed the use of a Raspberry Pi single-board computer as an MTConnect adapter to monitor a machine's overall equipment effectiveness, utilizing the Python programming language to visualize the data that comes from the machine.

"I'm part of a generation that grew up with the internet, and it was something that was always just there. But if you enter a factory today, it feels like the manufacturing industry kind of missed out on the whole internet revolution," Lee said. "I hope this award brings to light that there is a huge opportunity to innovate in manufacturing, and that kids who are using computers like Raspberry Pi will explore ways to use them in real-world industrial applications. A lot of millennials are entering the workforce, and they are enthusiastic to introduce these types of new and innovative ideas."  Read more

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Foundation News.

CPCC names Larry Kluttz the 2016 Richard H. Hagemeyer Award recipient

Headshot of Larry KluttzCentral Piedmont Community College (CPCC) will present Larry Kluttz, fixed operations director for Hendrick Honda, with the 2016 Richard H. Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award at its spring commencement ceremony, on May 12, at Bojangles' Coliseum. The award recognizes a former CPCC student who has benefited significantly from experiences at CPCC and whose efforts have helped the community.

Kluttz's fascination with automotive work began as a teen at Piedmont High School, in Monroe, N.C., when he enrolled in an automotive mechanics class during his senior year. It was there that his passion for all things with four wheels was born.

He graduated from high school in 1969 and immediately enrolled in CPCC's Automotive Technology program where he honed his skills in electrical/electronic systems, engine repair, manual drive trains, steering/suspensions and more. Upon graduating from the program in 1970, he found employment with Gowen Oldsmobile.

Kluttz worked at Gowen Oldsmobile for 24 years, holding multiple positions, ranging from service technician, machine shop operator and shop foreman to diesel fuel shop service manager and service director. He also completed the General Motors Service Managers training program during his time with the organization as well.
Today, Kluttz spends his days working for Hendrick Honda of South Boulevard in Charlotte, N.C., one of the top performing Honda dealerships in the country. As the company's fixed operations director, he not only works with Hendrick Automotive stores throughout the area, but is also responsible for preparing the annual operating budget; setting the goals and objectives for each department; working with department managers to improve the dealership's profitability and efficiency; hiring and training managers for the service, parts and body departments; and much more.

As a result of his exemplary performance in this role over the years, he has been selected to serve as a board member for the Honda Pact Program and as an advisory board member for Independence High School's automotive program and the CPCC Co-op Automotive Service Education Program for General Motors.

"Larry has significantly contributed to the success of CPCC's Transport Systems Technology programs," said Clark Correll, chair and instructor of CPCC's Transport Systems Technology Division and Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology programs. "Over the years, he has helped employ hundreds of CPCC graduates through many manufacturers within the Hendrick Automotive Group. It is this propensity to give back and impact the journey of so many CPCC students, that makes Larry the ideal candidate for the 2016 Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award."udy that most closely reflects Kluttz's background.

The Hagemeyer Award takes its name from Dr. Richard H. Hagemeyer, CPCC president for 23 years, who led the college from its beginnings as a trade school with 1,200 students to one of the largest N.C. community colleges. Previous award winners include Elaine Lyerly, Gary Mims, Ronald Caldwell, Sheriff Jim Pendegraph, Dr. Margaret Stanley Hagan, Paul Griffin, James White, Joe Weatherford, Chief Luther Fincher, Dr. Kenny Welch, Frances Queen, Richard Zollinger, Stanley Law, Cindy Castano, Fabi Preslar, James Taylor Jr., James E. Rogers, David L. Howard, Alain S. Miatudila Sr., Paula Vincent and Joe Vagnone.

To learn more about the Richard H. Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award and its requirements, please visit cpccfoundation.org/alumni/hagemeyer-award-honorees/.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Foundation News.

CPCC, Single Stop partner to help individuals complete free tax returns

Since Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) partnered in January with Single Stop, a free resource that connects students to the resources they need to succeed in college, obtain a good job and achieve financial stability through one-on-one meetings with experts representing the financial, tax and legal fields, more than 550 CPCC students and Charlotte residents have received help in filing their 2015 tax returns. More...

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Community, Foundation News.

Sensoria arrives at CPCC April 8 – 16, 2016


Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) invites you to attend Sensoria, a week-long celebration of literature and the arts that will heighten your senses as it brings the best in literature, music, visual arts, history, culture to the college. Full schedule of events and locations http://sensoria.cpcc.edu.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Campus, Community, Entertainment, Foundation News.

CPCC presents the 14th anniversary of Dances of India

 
CPCC presents the 14th anniversary of Dances of India, featuring internationally acclaimed performer and choreographer Dr. Maha Gingrich and group. Join us as we celebrate the history and culture of India including a large ensemble of dancers performing 3,000-year-old classical and folk dances of India; India's rich classical dances brought to life through dance dramas, costumes and masks; and the show's signature dance, "Unity in Diversity," featuring international dance styles set to musical instruments from around the world.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Community, Entertainment, Foundation News.