Contact: Sharon Fisher
May 9, 2008

MECC extends its graduate list to City of Richmond employees

Barbara Jackson and Arthur White never left Richmond or their jobs with the City to complete the Water/Wastewater distance learning program at Mountain Empire Community College.

By taking online courses, Jackson became the Public Utilities first wastewater treatment operator to receive an Associate of Applied Sciences degree with a specialization in Water/Wastewater. White is the Citys first water treatment operator to receive this degree.

The two graduates received their degrees personally from Dr. Ross Santell, MECCs dean of the Health and Industrial Technology Division, and Instructors Rosa-lee Moore and Harriett Long , who visited the City of Richmonds water and wastewater plants.

Also in attendance to support their employees accomplishments were Chris Beschler, Director of Public Utilities/Deputy CAO, Bob Steidel, Deputy Director of Water and Wastewater, and Robert Buno, Utility Superintendent II.

Steidel told the MECC employees, Barbara has improved plant production for the City, which is why we wanted our employees to finish the program at MECC. It is important for them to take these classes because it improves the overall plant production and has allowed for numerous improvements. MECC has made this possible.

Buno stated that the more knowledge our employees have, the better public health protection we can provide. This accomplishment is a big deal for the future and allows the plants to move forward.

Both Jackson and White say they would take the classes again, even though they were very challenging. Jackson stated, MECCs instructors have been very helpful and available whenever we needed them.

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