Betty Kay Vaughn Clock Tower Dedicated

A beautiful September sky provided a perfect backdrop for a very special day in the life of Surry Community College. The Richard and Betty Kay Vaughn family gathered with faculty, staff, and special guests to dedicate the Betty Kay Vaughn Clock Tower. The clock tower is a gift to the college from the Vaughn family honoring Betty Kay Vaughn’s distinguished 23 years of service to the Surry Community College Board of Trustees.

Marion Venable, Executive Director of the SCC Foundation, welcomed the group expressing gratitude to the Vaughn family for their long term support of the college and for the beautiful clock which creates a sense of cohesiveness at the center of campus. She related that the continued support of individuals, business, industry, organizations, and officials has been critical to the college’s success.

Rick Vaughn and Carol Vaughn Surratt gave a tribute to their mother saying that Surry Community College was their mother’s favorite passion other than her family. Rick Vaughn said that his mother was reluctant to take any credit for her service but he lovingly announced, “This is your day whether you like it or not.” He related that the location of the tower at the center of campus symbolized her importance to the college and her family.

Dr. David Shockley, SCC President, emphasized the contribution that Betty Kay Vaughn had made as a Board of Trustees member since 1989. He noted that she has seen the growth and transformation of Surry into an educational leader in the North Carolina Community College System. Dr. Shockley presented Mrs. Vaughn with a Distinguished Service Award.

Deidre Rogers, SCC Board of Trustees Chairperson, complimented Betty Kay Vaughn’s willingness to go above and beyond in her role as a college trustee. Rogers concluded by saying, “Today we honor a classy lady for her love of and dedication to Surry Community College.”

The dedication ceremony was followed by a reception. Special guests included Mrs. Vaughn’s immediate family including her brother, Chip Separk and wife of Raleigh, former college Presidents, Dr. Deborah Friedman, Dr. Jim Reeves and Dr. Swanson Richards along with Mrs. Charlotte Bokesch and Mrs. Jewel Jarrell, former Board of Trustees members. Surry County Commissioners, Paul Johnson, Eddie Harris, R.F. “Buck” Golding and Larry Phillips were in attendance with numbers of the Vaughn’s personal friends.

Surry students, faculty, staff and visitors celebrated the addition of the clock tower as a focal point for the campus which will create a new gathering place for campus activity. The chimes rang as the group gathered and departed marking the beginning a new era for Surry Community College.