The Bladen Community College Nursing and Allied Health Programs were the benefactors of two significant grants that impact recruitment, quality delivery of instruction, student engagement and student success.

The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors recently announced $12.2 million in funding for 2020 to support projects through the foundation’s Community-Based Grant Initiative in the Sandhills Prosperity Zone, its Open Grants Program, its Community College Scholarship Program, and its Disaster Recovery Grant Program. “Golden LEAF is dedicated to the long-term economic advancement of North Carolina,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “In this time of uncertainty, it is important for our Board and staff to be a steady hand in continuing to provide funding to our nonprofits and governmental entities who support North Carolina’s economy in the communities we serve.”

The Golden LEAF Board of Directors approved $8.9 million to support the fifteen (15)projects in the Sandhills Prosperity Zone including one grant in the amount of $200,000 for Bladen Community College to support the education and training of nursing students that will result in higher retention, completion and NCLEX pass rates by providing dedicated and expanded access to technology for remediation in health sciences and preparation for changes in nursing licensure testing.

In addition, Bladen Community College received a $100,000 grant from The Cannon Foundation for a simulation lab for hands-on instruction in its nursing and allied health programs.  Containing the same tools and equipment you would find in a real-life clinical setting, simulation labs give students the chance to practice their learned skills while running through a variety of patient care scenarios, roleplaying with classmates, and working with high fidelity manikins without compromising a patient’s safety.

“We are grateful to The Cannon Foundation for their generous investment in our college and community,” said Dr. Amanda Lee, President of Bladen Community College “The grant, totaling $100,000, will be used to significantly upgrade our instruction and skills development.  We are committed to effectively using the upgrades to improve learning experiences for our students and sharing these opportunities with local health care employers. These renovations will ensure our campus remains an innovative center of learning in our area.”

The Cannon Foundation was established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, president and CEO of Cannon Mills Co. The foundation continues its philanthropic legacy by funding capital and equipment projects for organizations across Cannon’s home state of North Carolina. The Cannon Foundation focuses extensively on health care, higher education, human services and community.  To date, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $305 million.