Outstanding Workforce Investment Act Participant of the Year Named

Lenoir Community College graduate James Moore was recently honored as the Eastern Region Outstanding Workforce Investment Act Participant of the Year at the region's annual meeting. Moore is a graduate of the Environmental Science/Water Resources Management Program. He is currently employed as an operator with the City of Goldsboro.

Moore's journey was a difficult one, but rewarding. He was laid off in February 2001 from CCW where he had worked since August of 1989. A contractor for the E. I. Dupont Company, CCW notified its more than 400 employees in February 2001 that the company had lost its contract with Dupont and was shutting down operations in Kinston.

As is the case with most Dislocated Workers, Moore’s family income plummeted with the loss of his job at CCW. In the beginning, he was devastated that he could not provide for his family as he had always done.
To make ends meet, he accepted part-time employment with a retail store and worked as an athletic referee at football games. Despite the fact that he tested as basic skills deficient when he entered WIA, he completed developmental classes and became a tutor in the Learning Assistance Program. He accomplished this while taking a full load of courses.

Moore enrolled in the WIA Dislocated Worker Program at LCC in April 2001 to study Water Resources Management. He graduated with honors in May 2003 with his Associate in Applied Science Degree. He is married to Selena Moore and is the father of two children, Jayla and James, Jr. "James is an excellent student and operator," said LCC Water Resources Management Program Head Barry Huneycutt. "He is the kind of student every instructor wants in the classroom. He is an asset to any organization he chooses. James loves what he does and it shows."

LCC Director of Special Programs Renee Sutton agreed. "James is an excellent role model for his children and his peers and an inspiration. He is a spiritual man who seeks to serve and encourage his neighbor. While pursuing his degree at LCC, he worked hard to achieve academic success, but he was never too self-involved to share his time with others."

During his time as a student, he appeared on local cable television to talk about WIA and volunteered to speak with other dislocated workers about his experiences to allay their fears and offer motivation. He was a tutor for the Learning Assistance Program and also volunteered as an Event Leader for the Region 10 NC Science Olympiad held at LCC in March. Called “Sunshine Man” by his instructors, Moore always shares his blessings with others and is a joy to be around.

His accomplishments include becoming a Grade I Biological Water Pollution Control System Operator. While at LCC, he was named Student of the Month, WIA Award of Excellence, Dean’s List, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. He is also the recipient of the Miller Brewing Company Tools for Success Award. The prize for this award is $1,500, to be used toward the purchase of tools needed in the recipient’s field of study. While attending college full time, Moore was enrolled in Occupational Skills Training. He also has certificates in Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Collection, and Distribution.