Dan Haggerty, WRAL Anchor/Reporter

Dan Haggerty is an Anchor/Reporter at WRAL, where he anchors the WRAL News at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. on weeknights and hosts the station’s In-Depth with Dan Haggerty segment. An Emmy Award–winning journalist, Dan has worked in television newsrooms across the country, including Fort Myers, Cleveland, San Diego, Dallas, Portland, and Raleigh. In 2020, he co-created and anchored a weeknight 6 p.m. newscast in Portland that earned the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation.

Dan began his career as a photographer in Steubenville, Ohio, and has received four regional Emmy Awards for his work in anchoring and reporting. A graduate of Ohio University and a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, he lives in North Carolina with his wife, WRAL investigative reporter and documentary producer Cristin Severance, and their twin sons.

In November 2025, Dan reported on the benefits of community college.

5:30-6:30 p.m.
Cocktail Reception | Veranda

6:30-8:30 p.m.
Dinner & Awards Presentation | Pavilion

Cocktail Reception 

• Passed Hors d’Oeuvres: Mini Country Ham & Pimento Cheese Biscuits, Grilled Scallops
• Stationed Appetizers: Artisan Cheese Display, Fresh Crudités

Dinner

• Salad: Mixed Baby Greens with Spiced Pecans & Tomatoes with Champagne Vinaigrette
• Entrée: Sliced Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Jus, Grilled Shrimp (3 pieces)
• Sides: Sautéed Green Beans with Red and Yellow Peppers with Potato Au Gratin and Fresh Baked Rolls
• Dessert: Signature Mini Chocolate Chess Tartlet

* Vegetarian and vegan options will also be available. 

Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Airport Brier Creek

8001 Arco Corporate Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27617
Military rate available (approx. $270/night)
Distance from Angus Barn: 8 min drive 

Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport/Brier Creek

10600 Little Brier Creek Lane
Raleigh, North Carolina 27617
Military rate available (approx. $230/night) 
Distance from Angus Barn: 7 min drive 

Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport

3931 Macaw Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27617
Military rate available (approx. $200/night) 
Distance from Angus Barn: 7 min drive 

Hyatt House Raleigh / RDU / Brier Creek

10030 Sellona Street
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27617
Military rate available (approx. $130/night)
Distance from Angus Barn: 9 min drive

Academic Excellence Awards: Presented to one student at each of the 58 community colleges who have demonstrated excellence in academics. Each student must have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program and have a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.25. 

Dallas Herring Achievement Award: Named after the late Dr. Dallas Herring – one of the state's earliest advocates for community colleges – this award is presented to a student who embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy of "taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go."

I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award: Named after the first System President, this award honors an individual who has made a significant statewide contribution to the System.

Excellence in Teaching Award: This award is presented to one faculty member who exemplifies the highest quality and standards of instruction throughout the System. There are six regional finalists and one statewide winner.

Staff Person of the Year Award: This award is presented to one non-teaching staff member of the 58 institutions of the NC Community College System and is designed to recognize excellent performance and commitment to the community college mission.

President of the Year Award: This award is designed to encourage, identify, and reward outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 community colleges. It is presented to one president each year.

Apprenticeship Champion: Recognizes a partnership between a community college and business providing structured and meaningful apprenticeship experiences.

Innovative Leadership: Recognizes a partnership between a community college and business providing high-quality training and education programs that align with industry needs and result in improved employment outcomes for participants. 

Business of the Year <500 Employees: Recognizes a business who demonstrates a model partnership with the System through impactful workforce development programs that improve the lives of workers and the State of North Carolina.

Business of the Year >500 Employees: Recognizes a business who demonstrates a model partnership with the System through impactful workforce development programs that improve the lives of workers and the State of North Carolina.

The Pathways to Employment Leadership Award will be presented by State Board Chair, Tom Looney.

STUDENT AWARDS

• One student from all 58 institutions received an Academic Excellence Award prior to the event – the highest academic honor the System bestows on its students.
• Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award: Jennifer Alejandra Maldonado-Castro from Carteret Community College

SPIRIT AWARDS:

• Dallas Herring Achievement Award Winner: Mr. Kyle Harris, Vance-Granville Community College
• I.E. Ready Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Dr. Dale McInnis, President Emeritus Richmond Community College

FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS:

• Excellence in Teaching Award Winner: Dr. Lisa Smelser, Central Carolina Community College
• Staff Person of the Year Award Winner: Ms. Denise Young, Southeastern Community College
• President of the Year Award Winner: Dr. Shelley White, President of Haywood Community College

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PINNACLE AWARDS

• Apprenticeship Champion: Blum, Inc. with Central Piedmont Community College
• Innovative Leadership Award Winner: GE Aerospace with Wilkes Community College
• Business of the Year (<500 Employees): Mertek Solutions with Central Carolina Community College
• Business of the Year (>500 Employees): Novo Nordisk with Johnston Community College

The NC Community Colleges Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to support the mission of the NC Community College System. The future of North Carolina is brighter with your help.