New Phone Charging Stations Donated to Surry Community College

Surry Communications, partnering with Carolina West Wireless, recently donated five new phone charging stations to Surry Community College for students to utilize. The units will be located on the main campus at various locations including the Academic Support Center, Student Services, Knights' Grill and Student Technology Center.

The stations were presented to Dr. Candace Holder, Vice President of Technology Services at the college, by Surry Communications employees Frankie Southard, Customer Service Manager; Amber Tolbert, Business Services Representative; Chris Danley, Network Support Supervisor; and Grant Simmons, Network Support.

"Surry Communications is proud to partner with Carolina West Wireless to provide this vital resource to keep connected devices powered up. For all the freedom that wireless devices offer through cell towers and wi-fi hot spots, physical back-haul infrastructure is still needed to supply power and broadband connectivity, ” states Richie Parker, CEO of Surry Communications. “This is another way that Surry Communications can assist Surry Community College in connecting their students, faculty, and campuses to each other and the world."

Slayton Stewart, CEO of Carolina West Wireless, Inc. added, "Carolina West Wireless is pleased to donate the smartphone and tablet charging stations to Surry Community College. We realize the need for students to stay connected to campus, faculty and other social connections as part of their daily routines. An initiative such as this is just one way we continue to support the local schools and higher education systems in the communities we serve."

New phone charging stations were recently donated to Surry Community College by Surry Communications. Each station can charge eight phones at the same time.

Holder states research indicates that 92 percent of students do last-minute studying and 68 percent of students make last-minute changes to their assignments via smartphones. On campuses worldwide, students are struggling to keep their electronic devices alive so that they can manage their college projects, juggle classes, student activities, study sessions, and campus social life.

Surry Community College uses text alerts to make campus-wide announcements, while instructors send out assignments and digital updates via email and online forums. A dead battery not only limits student productivity and social connectivity, but it can pose a campus safety concern during times of emergency as well.

“These donated charging stations will help our students stay on track with classwork and activities, as well as stay in touch with their families while they are on the go, ” says Holder. “With the increased reliance on mobile devices, it is important to be able to offer these amenities for our students. ”

Surry Community College president, Dr. David Shockley added, “I would like to express sincere appreciation, on behalf of the Surry Community College Board of Trustees, for the generous donation of the five phone/electronic device charging stations. These stations will be a tremendous addition and convenience for our students. ”