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The Record of Wilkes
By JERRY LANKFORD

The future of community colleges appears to be secure.

That’s the message given by U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx during a tour of the campus of Wilkes Community College on Tuesday morning.

Foxx brought with her U.S. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, who is chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Foxx, of Watauga, who represents the 5^th District, which includes Wilkes County, is a member of the committee and a former community college president.

Enrollment growth is one way community colleges are securing their futures, Boehner said.

“Community college systems are continuing to grow, whether it’s full-time students or those wanting to be retrained,” he said. “I think the community college system is being restrengthened from coast to coast.”

Foxx agreed, but added increased funding is needed.

“The problem is that the funds have not come along as far as the importance of community colleges,” Foxx said.

During a brief press conference in the Student Learning Resource Learning Center, Foxx and Boehner field several questions from reporters.

Continuing her statements about needed increases in funding, Foxx said that those who receive federal money are required to justify its use.

“Community colleges won’t have a problem doing that,” Foxx said.

Dr. Gordon Burns, president of Wilkes Community College, who was among those who joined Foxx and Boehner on their tour of the campus, said 18 percent of WCC’s budget comes from federal funds.

Prior to the press meeting the group met to discuss the Higher Education Act reauthorization, with a specific focus on issues that impact community colleges.

“I’m pleased to bring Chairman Boehner to visit Wilkes Community College,” Foxx said. “The best ideas don’t come from Washington – they come from places like Wilkes County. Chairman Boehner and I look forward to taking what we learn at Wilkes Community College back to share with the committee.”

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