College honors Wanda Brown with memorial bench dedication
Randolph Community College (RCC) honored the life and legacy of longtime employee Wanda Brown on Wednesday, July 22, with the dedication of a memorial bench outside the Administration/Education Building on the Asheboro Campus. Funded by the RCC Foundation, the bench serves as a permanent tribute to Brown’s more than 30 years of dedicated service to the College and the lasting impact she made on students, employees, trustees, and the community.
Family members, friends, former colleagues, and College leaders and employees gathered for the ceremony to celebrate Brown’s life and her extraordinary contributions to RCC.
“Wanda served three presidents and the Randolph Community College Board of Trustees during her 31 years at the College,” Board Vice Chair Chris Yow said. “Her professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment touched everyone who had the privilege of working with her. It is an honor for the Board of Trustees to recognize her lasting legacy and the extraordinary impact she had on this institution.”
“The strength of Randolph Community College has always been its people,” President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “Wanda Brown was one of those individuals. Her professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence helped shape Randolph Community College for more than 30 years. We are proud to honor her life and legacy with this memorial bench, which will remind future generations of the profound difference one person can make.”
Brown’s husband, Wade, was joined by daughter Donna Hill, son-in-law Eric Hill, grandson Ross Hill, and Ross’ girlfriend, Katie Jones, for the ceremony. The family's connection to Randolph Community College spans multiple generations, including graduates Donna, Eric and Ross; grandson Ryan Hill, who also completed coursework at RCC; and Jones, who plans to enroll this fall.
Reflecting on his wife’s years at the College, Wade Brown said simply, “She was very dedicated. She hated to leave.”
During the ceremony, Yow presented Brown’s family with a copy of “Earning Through Learning: The History of Randolph Community College,” written by English/Communications Instructor W. Clark Adams, in recognition of her lasting contributions to the institution.
For many in attendance, the ceremony was an opportunity to reflect not only on Brown’s years of service, but also on the relationships she built throughout her career at the College.
Brown joined RCC in 1982 as secretary for the newly established Associate Degree Nursing program. She later served as administrative assistant to Executive Vice President Dr. Larry Linker before becoming executive assistant to the president in 1988, a role she held until her retirement in 2013. During her career, she also served as executive assistant to the Board of Trustees and secretary to the Foundation Board for 20 years.
In recognition of her extraordinary service, Brown received the Board of Trustees Distinguished Service Award in 2013. The award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups whose long-term commitment has made an extraordinary and lasting impact on the College’s mission. At the time, then-Board Chair Mac Sherrill praised Brown for her thoroughness, dedication, integrity and professionalism, noting the respect she earned from colleagues, trustees and community leaders alike.
Throughout her career, Brown worked alongside three RCC presidents — Dr. Larry Linker, Dr. Richard Heckman, and Dr. Robert Shackleford — and became a trusted resource for trustees, faculty, staff, elected officials and community partners. She was known for her quiet leadership, welcoming spirit, and genuine care for everyone who came through the President’s Office.
Brown passed away on Sept. 1, 2025, at the age of 79. In addition to her service to RCC, she was deeply involved in her community, serving for decades at Center Cross Baptist Church and volunteering in numerous civic organizations.
The memorial bench stands outside the Administration/Education Building, where Brown welcomed countless visitors during her years at the College. It will provide students, employees, and visitors with a place to pause and reflect while honoring a woman whose legacy continues to inspire the RCC community.
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About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. To register, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.