HAMLET — Richmond Community College’s Board of Trustees took two major steps forward in establishing a new facility in downtown Rockingham. At the board’s June 6 meeting, the Trustees accepted a $1 million grant from The Leon Levine Foundation and approved the naming of the Leon Levine School of Business and Information Technology in honor of Leon Levine, a Richmond County native.

Levine helped operate his family’s general store, The Hub, in downtown Rockingham and later opened the first Family Dollar Store in 1959. Since then, Levine has built a successful business, opening thousands of stores and creating a nationally recognized brand.

“Sandra and I are deeply honored to support the new Leon Levine School of Business and Information Technology,” Levine said. “I believe wholeheartedly that this school will quickly become a regional hub in preparing students of all ages and backgrounds for sustainable and meaningful employment in the present and future economy. Furthermore, I am confident that the new school will serve as a vital catalyst for transformative change in Rockingham by attracting new businesses, as well as visitors and residents alike, from around the region.”

The Leon Levine School of Business and Information Technology will house the College’s Business Administration, Office Administration, Accounting Specialist, IT Support — Healthcare, Healthcare Manager, Government Support Specialist, Cyber Security, Software and Web Developer and Mobile Application Developer programs. The facility will also provide classroom space for the College’s Workforce and Economic Development division and Small Business Center.

The board also approved naming the building the Kenneth and Claudia Robinette Building in recognition of the Robinettes’ leadership and generosity to the college and community. Kenneth Robinette is a longtime chair of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, and Claudia Robinette has served on the college’s Board of Trustees since 1998 and has been chair since 2013.

“It’s a win-win situation for the college to be getting the square footage that it needs to expand, and we appreciate The Leon Levine Foundation stepping up and giving us this grant to be able to move forward and put into place all that we have envisioned for this project,” said Joe Kindley, chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. “The Robinettes both work really hard for Richmond County and invest personally in the college and the community, so they deserve to have their name on this project as well.”

Kindley said the naming of the school and the building went through all the proper channels and that the full board unanimously approved both motions.

“Kenneth and I are very humbled and honored to have our names on Richmond Community College’s new facility in downtown Rockingham,” Claudia Robinette said. “It is quite overwhelming, especially knowing this building will make such a positive impact on our community. We commend those who had the foresight to envision a campus in Rockingham, and we are grateful to all who are making this idea become a reality. We are excited about the future of this facility and the future of one of Richmond County’s greatest assets, Richmond Community College.”

In Other News

The board was also informed that the College plans to offer an Associate in Fine Arts in spring 2018.

“This will be a fully transferable degree that will focus on art history and drawing. We hope to attract students who are interested in art and want to improve their talents,” Dr. Dale McInnis, College president, said.

Wylie D. Bell is marketing and communications director for Richmond Community College.

Contributed photo This artist’s rendering shows what the new Richmond Community College downtown campus would look like, seen from the judicial center. The School of Business and Information Technology is being named for Leon Levine.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_RCCoverhead-1.jpgContributed photo This artist’s rendering shows what the new Richmond Community College downtown campus would look like, seen from the judicial center. The School of Business and Information Technology is being named for Leon Levine.

Charlotte Observer The new RCC School of Business and Information Technology will be named for Richmond County native and Family Dollar founder Leon Levine.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_leonlevine.jpgCharlotte Observer The new RCC School of Business and Information Technology will be named for Richmond County native and Family Dollar founder Leon Levine.

Courtesy photo The new downtown RCC building will be named for Kenneth and Claudia Robinette.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_robinettes-1.jpgCourtesy photo The new downtown RCC building will be named for Kenneth and Claudia Robinette.
RCC honors Leon Levine after $1M grant

By Wylie D. Bell

For the Daily Journal