Durham, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory visited North Carolina Central University today and presented three student-scholars with a Student Excellence Certificate for outstanding academic achievement. The students recognized by the governor were Micah Barbee, Camille McCarter and Conrad Kovalcik.
“These outstanding students benefited from the investments North Carolina has made in education,” Governor McCrory said. “Businesses are attracted to North Carolina because talented people like Micah, Camille and Conrad make up our workforce. Our universities must continue to promote innovative thinking and provide students, like those recognized today, with the resources they need to succeed.”

During a conversation with N.C. Central Chancellor Dr. Debra Saunders-White, Governor McCrory was asked about the Connect NC bond, which if approved by voters in March, will provide N.C. Central with $30 million to construct a new business school. The region also stands to receive $4.3 million for improvements at Durham Technical Community College.

Statewide, the Connect NC bond will provide $980 million for the UNC System, particularly to build and repair Science, Technology, Engineering and Math facilities. Of that, $193 million is slated for improvements at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Furthermore, the North Carolina Community College System will receive $350 million for construction and renovations at all 58 community colleges across the state.

In addition to investments in education, the $2 billion bond includes investments in state parks, agriculture, National Guard facilities and water and sewer infrastructure.

Governor McCrory reiterated that no tax increase is necessary to finance the bonds, now or in the future, given the state’s strong revenue growth and ample debt service capacity. 

Barbee and McCarter were on hand to receive their awards from Governor McCrory. Chancellor Saunders-White accepted the award on behalf of Kovalcik. Barbee is a senior from Durham pursuing a nursing degree at N.C. Central. She holds a 3.2 GPA and is a recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship. McCarter is a senior and hospitality and tourism major with a 3.9 GPA. She is a recipient of the Marriot and North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation scholarships. Kovalcik is a junior and chemistry major from Detroit, Michigan. He has a 3.81 GPA and is a recipient of the Soaring Eagle Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Governor McCrory also signed a proclamation commemorating Black History Month in North Carolina. N.C. Central is a Historically Black College and University. 

Click here(link is external) to read the proclamation.