Randolph Community College President Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. stands with an artist's rendering of the new Allied Health Center, which was named after him in a ceremony Thursday.
ASHEBORO — Dozens gathered, including faculty, staff, and trustees, in the Randolph Community College plaza Thursday afternoon as the College named the new Allied Health Center after current President Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr.
“I have truly never been so shocked in my life,” said Shackleford, whose family members were present for the ceremony. “I never even imagined such a thing. I’m just truly blessed to be here. Every morning when I drive up I’m reminded how grateful I am that the trustees 12 ½ years ago took a chance on me. I’ve loved it every day since. Thank you.
Surrounded by his family, Shackleford holds an artist’s rendering of the new Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center.
The $14.4 million facility will house the College’s Associate Degree Nursing, Radiography, Medical Assisting, and Emergency Medical Services programs. The 45,000-square-foot, two-story, L-shaped building will increase the space available for the health care programs by 86 percent. Funds for the facility came from Randolph County’s quarter-cent sales tax designated for RCC capital construction ($9.4 million) and state community college bond funds ($5 million).
RCC Board of Trustees Chair Mac Sherrill opened Thursday’s ceremony and presided over the unveiling.
“Around 10 years ago, Dr. Robert Shackleford started making stops around the county to try and encourage citizens to support the quarter-cent sales tax bond that would go to benefit the College,” Sherrill said. “Since that bond was passed, Dr. Shackleford and his staff have used that money to renovate an old Klaussner warehouse into the Continuing Education & Industrial Center, change the old Bost Tie Manufacturing facility into an amazing Cosmetology center and manufacturing cell, and refurbished and modernized the Photography department into a state-of-the-art facility. But, the biggest project so far is the new Allied Health Center that is going up just across Industrial Park Avenue. This last undertaking was a project that Dr. Shackleford had been hoping to start since his first days as president here on campus. Because of his dedication and love to this campus, the Board of Trustees have decided to name the new building the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center.
“We all know what a loving, giving heart Dr. Shackleford has,” Sherrill added. “We are fortunate to have him in our county, and as our president, and we hope this honor today will show him how much we appreciate his love and dedication to our community and the students, faculty, and staff of RCC.”
Vice President for Workforce Development & Continuing Education Elbert Lassiter closed the ceremony.
“Many of us have heard Dr. Shackleford tell his story; he talks about how he grew up in modest circumstances and through hard work and education and, as he says, just simply being blessed, he’s the president of Randolph Community College now,” Lassiter said. “He finishes each story with what he just said, ‘Each morning, on my way to work, I look so forward to coming here. I love what I do.’ ... Every time I hear him say that, I think of the story of Esther. Esther was a lady that grew up in modest circumstances and through hard work and blessings, she rose to prominence and was able to help a lot of people. ... I think about Dr. Shackleford. Similar stories, similar circumstance. He takes each and every opportunity that he has. He's going all over the country teaching. If there's a committee to help somebody in Asheboro or a board, he’s involved. Yet, he takes the time to help individual students. I think about all the things that you've gone through, sir, the good and the bad. Perhaps you were created for RCC. You were created for such a time as this. It’s an honor to serve with you. And again, I say congratulations.”
Designed by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and built by general contractor Clancy & Theys Construction Company, the building is RCC’s second Gold LEED-Certified building. RCC broke ground on the Center Aug. 23, 2018, with over 100 state and local government officials, business and industry partners, and RCC faculty, staff, and students gathered at the site.
The Center will include a simulated health care community, allowing EMS workers to pick up a patient in a true apartment setting and transport the patient to a simulated hospital. The facility will include radiography labs, exam rooms, a surgical room, an ICU room, a maternity room, waiting areas, and patient conference rooms. The building also will have video-capture capabilities so instructors can observe students and play back that video to debrief students after a simulation.
