June 17, 2008
For Immediate Release

Cabarrus County Commissioners
Honor Richard Brownell

             CONCORD, N.C. — The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners honored Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Emeritus Richard Brownell at the board's June 16 meeting. Brownell retired May 31 after leading the college as president for more than 30 years.

              Commissioner Robert Carruth presented Brownell with a plaque of recognition and appreciation, saying,"Most people do not realize Dr. Brownell was instrumental in establishing RCCC in Cabarrus County. He provided the leadership to bring the community college and its programs to the citizens of Cabarrus County.

             "So it's my pleasure to present him this plaque in recognition of more than 30 years of dedicated service to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Cabarrus County and its citizens," Carruth said.

              Brownell accepted the plaque and received a standing ovation from the commissioners and those attending the meeting.

             "I thank you for the privilege of working with all of you to create RCCC," Brownell said. "Leadership is a group phenomenon. I only provided the spark to get the creation started. All of you are the ones who created RCCC for our citizens. It is your college."

              Commissioner Coy Privette remarked "the real sign of leadership is the building of an effective team." He continued, saying RCCC is one of the finest community colleges in the state, and Brownell's vision and foresight was invaluable to the creation of the college in Cabarrus County.

              Prior to his career in education, Brownell served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, beginning with two combat tours during the Korean War and ending after serving a year on the commander general's staff during the Vietnam War. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. During his military career, Brownell commanded every size Marine unit from squad to battalion.

              Following his military retirement, Brownell earned his doctorate in higher education administration at Duke University.

              Brownell is the longest serving community college president in North Carolina history. In 1977, he assumed the presidency of Rowan Tech, which was then a small technical institute in Salisbury. Over 30 years, his leadership transformed the institution through a period of enrollment and facilities growth into what is now Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the first regional, multi-campus community college in North Carolina.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.