Groundbreaking and Naming Ceremony Held at NCC to Celebrate New Construction
Nash Community College held a groundbreaking and naming ceremony for its new Veterinary Medical Technology building on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The facility will be located in the back of campus, adjacent to the program’s current instructional space.
The college’s first Veterinary Medical Technology student cohort began taking classes at NCC in the Fall 2018 semester. The first classes were primarily taught in a large classroom on the second floor of building D while renovations of approximately 6,500 square feet were completed on the building’s ground floor. The current space provides a modern, spacious and well-equipped training environment allowing for all on-campus clinical training and animal care to be self contained.
College officials announced the naming of the new building by the Braswell family of Nashville, NC. “After touring Nash’s campus, we felt like there is a real need to support this Vet Tech program, and it ties in with our family business,” Scott Braswell, President and CEO of Nash County-based Braswell Foods said. “We believe in furthering our community, and we know an investment in Nash Community College is a solid investment in the community. For this generation and the next, hands-on skills are the future. Everything at our community college is great for businesses here in Nash County.”
“In this program, I have obtained so many skills, from restraining to collecting and from prepping animals to assisting in surgeries,” Veterinary Medical Technology student Ashlan Ricks said. “All skills that benefit the animals we treat by improving their chances of adoption and a life.”
Thursday’s event marked the beginning of the construction of the Braswell Veterinary Medical Technology Building that will add a 2,755 square foot housing state-of-the-art laboratory space, a dental clinic and office space. With the additional space, the existing dog run will be relocated to the area between the new building and Building D.
“We are fortunate to have a strong vet community here in Nash County. Years ago, these local and regional veterinarians confirmed there is a great demand for vet techs – highly skilled professionals with strong earning potential,” NCC Board Chair Katherine Wiggins Fisher said. “This project began when Nash Community College, doing what it is best known for, foresaw a training need and rose to the occasion, best utilizing available resources to support local workforce needs.”
In 2022, Nash County began construction of the Pet Connection Center located adjacent to the campus at 3600 Eastern Avenue. Students in the Veterinary Medical Technology program are already serving animals through the County and the partnership will expand with the addition of both new facilities.
“The County has had a strong partnership with the College for many years,” Nash County Board of Commissioners Chair Robbie Davis said. “And this is possibly one of the most important partnerships we have had with them.” Explaining the new Pet Connection Center, Davis stated its proximity to the Veterinary Medical Technology program just made sense.
The Veterinary Medical Technology program curriculum is designed to prepare students to assist veterinarians in preparing animals for examination and surgery. Some tasks include collecting specimens; performing laboratory, radiographic, anesthetic and dental procedures; assisting in surgery; and providing proper care for animals and their environment. The role of a veterinary technician in a veterinary practice is similar to that of a nurse.
Pictured from left: North Carolina State Representative Allen Chesser; Nash County Board of Commissioners Chair Robbie Davis; NCC Veterinary Medical Technology Student Ashlan Ricks; NCC Veterinary Medical Technology Director Gail Harrell; Mary Lou and Scott Braswell; NCC Board of Trustees Chair Katherine Wiggins Fisher, NCC President Dr. Lew Hunnicutt; Oakley-Collier Architects Managing Principal Tim Oakley.
For more information about the program, please visit nashcc.edu/vmt or call 252-451-8211.
Rendering of the future Braswell Veterinary Medical Technology Building at Nash Community College
