LUMBERTON — There was a festive feel to Monday’s meeting of the Robeson County Community College board of trustees.

Board members celebrated Kimberly Gold’s one-year anniversary as board president and enjoyed a dinner prepared by the college’s culinary arts students.

“Thank you for allowing me to serve with you over the past year,” Gold said. “I was thinking back to this time last year, and this was the very meeting where I first spent time with you. A lot has gone on over the past year, and I continue to be grateful for the opportunity.”

Recent events on campus were discussed during the brief meeting. Gold praised organizers of the Nov. 29 American Indian Heritage Celebration for successfully bringing together RCC students and the community.

“Unlike this past week, which was rainy and cold, the celebration happened on a beautiful, sunny day,” Gold said.

The achievements of Steven Singletary of the Science Department were acknowledged. Singletary received coverage for his work with Skylife, an Ohio-based company focused on using aerial technology to provide disaster relief. Singletary helped Skylife complete a contract with the United Nations World Food Program to deliver 800 metric tons of food to areas of Africa hit hard by natural and man-made disasters.

The RCC Early College Robotics Club was lauded for its achievements as its first year in existence comes to a close.

The club took first place in its first competition in March. The students will take on a bigger challenge in January when hey compete for the first time in a regional meeting.

“They are a really enthusiastic group of students,” Gold said. “I hope to have them report to you (the trustees) and let them share a little bit about what they’re doing.”

Board Chairman Sammy Cox complimented the trustees on their cohesiveness as a team.

“This is a good board,” Cox said.

The meeting was intentionally shortened in order to provide time for the three-course meal served by the culinary arts students. The menu, which included steak, sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables and creme brulee for dessert, was well-received by the trustees. After the meal, students who prepared the food were honored by the board. Gold applauded their willingness to work on the school’s last day of classes.

The next meeting of the RCC board of trustees will take place on Jan. 8 in the A.D. Lewis Auditorium at 6 p.m.

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By Brandon Tester

Staff writer

Reach Brandon Tester at 910-416-5165 or on Twitter @Tester_Brandon.