FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC SIGNS NEW TRANSFER AGREEMENT

WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND

Dr. James Narduzzi, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond, and DCC President Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey sign transfer agreement.

            DANVILLE, VA, September 18, 2006 -- Danville Community College has entered into a new articulation agreement with the University of Richmond’s School of Continuing Studies to facilitate transfer between the two schools, it was announced today by Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, DCC President.

            Flanked by UR representatives  Dr.  James L. Narduzzi, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies; Dr. Patricia J. Brown, Associate Dean – Academics, School of Continuing Studies;  Dr. Ned K. Swartz, Assistant Dean – Administration and Administrative Director of the Weekend College Program; and  Dr. Daniel M. Roberts, Jr., Associate Professor and Program Director, Liberal Arts, School of Continuing Studies, Ramsey announced the new agreement is a comprehensive one that includes the creation of a Weekend College program on the DCC campus with a Bachelor's of Liberal Arts degree for DCC transfer students. He added that the UR agreement will accept DCC Associate of Arts and Science, as well as Associate of Applied Science degree graduates.

            “Bringing the University of Richmond to DCC and the region is very significant,” Ramsey said. “We are looking forward to this exciting partnership. The University of Richmond’s School of Continuing Studies will provide another degree choice for our students.”

            According to the terms of the agreement, the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies (SCS) guarantees acceptance of all DCC graduates who earn an associate's degree with a 2.0 or higher overall grade point average, are in good standing with the college and meet application deadlines. DCC students meeting academic requirements can enter the following SCS bachelor degree programs: Emergency Services Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems or IT Management, Liberal Arts (including preparation for teacher licensure certificate) and Paralegal Studies.

            Ramsey said UR expects to bring its Weekend College to the area with classes available on the DCC campus in the fall term 2007. Students will be able to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. He said he has had several meetings with UR officials over the past several months to discuss strategies to ease the transition of DCC students. The two colleges are exploring the possibilities of joint workshops, special orientation programs and publications aimed at transfer students.

            The University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies has taken a similar concept at selected other community colleges. The first such agreement was signed at Germanna Community College (Fredericksburg) in 2005, and Virginia Western Community College (Roanoke) was signed in fall 2006. The DCC agreement will be effective with Fall Semester 2007.  Weekend College programs opened at Germanna in 2005 and at Virginia Western in 2006.  Another program will begin in the fall 2007 term at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA.

            Ramsey said the articulation agreement with UR is part of DCC’s efforts to create a "transfer culture" on campus. Earlier, DCC announced plans to implement a Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative with four main goals: 1. Enhance the transfer partnerships with four-year colleges and universities; 2. Increase the number of DCC students successfully transferring to four-year colleges and universities; 3. Increase the number of persons within the area who have baccalaureate degrees; and 4. Create a greater awareness of the on-campus and off-campus transfer opportunities.

            The University Of Richmond’s School Of Continuing Studies will employ a site coordinator to manage their new Weekend College for this area, Ramsey said. However, for more information about the UR transfer agreement and/or DCC’s new Baccalaureate Transfer Initiative, contact Dr. Chris Ezell, Vice President for Academic and Student Services, at (434) 797-8410.