August 22, 2008
For Immediate Release

Native American Storyteller
Comes to RCCC Class

          CONCORD, N.C. — Barbara Locklear, a Native American storyteller, will share a number of myths and legends with students taking a combination American literature and American history course at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

           Locklear, a Lumbee storyteller, will speak to the RCCC class and discuss Native American cultures from 10-10:45 a.m., on Aug. 26. The class meets on RCCC's South Campus, in room 2220. For more information, contact the course instructors, Sandie Barnhouse at 704-216-3841, or Sherylle Smith at 704-216-3811.

           The combination course blends history textbooks and other materials with period literature and multiple guest lecturers. Students participate in book-club-type meetings and teach the rest of the class through oral presentations.

           As in previous years, the class also will undertake a community service project of its own choosing. Past projects have included fundraising efforts for tsunami and hurricane victims, cleaning and grounds upkeep for a local hospice, and service to a women and children's shelter.

           Guest speakers have included persons with first-hand experience of Nazi concentration camps, World War II combat and civil rights and integration struggles.

           "While combining courses is fairly common in higher education, adding a community service component is rather unique," Smith explained. "This course reaches out to the community, with guest speakers and service projects. It also helps students form connections with each other and understand their connection to their community."

          RCCC's South Campus is located at 1531Trinity Church Rd., just off I-85 and N.C. 73 at exit 55.

           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.