From Martin Community College

The Division of Continuing Education at Martin Community College (MCC) has hired Dewitt Hardison to teach carpentry at the Bertie Correctional Institution (BCI) in Windsor. Hardison, a resident of Belhaven, brings a wealth of managerial and practical experience with him. He has a broad background in planning, coordinating and implementing both human and material resources with cost-effective results.

His career has spanned both local government and private industry, with an emphasis on managing infrastructure. Before retiring, Hardison was the Public Works and Utilities director for the town of Ayden, and prior to that, the Utilities director for the town of Belhaven. As a public utilities director, he oversaw municipal street, water, sewer and electrical systems. In regard to carpentry, Hardison’s primary training was in building his own house.

Upon returning from his Army service in Korea, Hardison used the GI Bill to attend college. Hardison is an MCC alumnus, earning his AAS Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology, a program from which Hardison was recognized as the top graduate. He also attended East Carolina University where he completed extensive course work in electrical theory and application as well as industrial, material and maintenance management.

Hardison began his career as a lineman for VEPCO (Virginia Electric Power Company – now Dominion Power). While at VEPCO, Hardison worked his way through several supervisory positions; Assistant Operating Supervisor, Director of Safety, Director of Construction and Director of Customer Projects. Upon leaving VEPCO, Hardison moved back to North Carolina where he held the position of Belhaven’s Utilities Director for six years and then accepted a position as the town of Ayden’s Director of Public Works and Utilities. A position he held until his retirement in 2006.

Hardison is excited about teaching at BCI. While working for municipal government he had the opportunity to supervise a number of individuals in the Department of Corrections’ Work Release program and is familiar with the many obstacles they often face.

“I see this as a great opportunity,” Hardison said.

AJ Tyson Jr., MCC’s Interim Executive Director of Continuing Education said, “We are so pleased to have Mr. Hardison joining our staff of instructors. His experience, credentials and enthusiasm for this new program should impact its effectiveness. And I am especially pleased to be starting this course of study at BCI. The more educational opportunities MCC can provide to the BCI population, the more we can help the NC Department of Corrections reduce its rate of recidivism. Our ultimate goal is to offer individuals the opportunity to learn skills that may lead to employment.”

MCC also offers a number of Basic Skills classes at BCI. During the 2014-15 academic year, MCC awarded 88 GED (General Education Development) High School equivalency diplomas, nine Commercial Cleaning, 24 Computer Application, and 17 HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) certificates.