FTCC celebrates historic Cape Fear Valley Health donation with building renamings

By Staff Report, posted Oct 29, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

The announcement of the $2 million $2 million contribution from Cape Fear Valley Health in support of FTCC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs drew a large crowd on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Photo by GFBJ.

Fayetteville Technical Community College unveiled new names for two buildings Tuesday, Oct. 28, celebrating a historical donation with the announcement of the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing and the Cape Fear Valley School of Health Sciences.

The renamings honor a $2 million contribution from Cape Fear Valley Health in support of FTCC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs. The gift is the largest single donation in the college’s history and cements Cape Fear Valley as FTCC’s strongest workforce partner.

“We are deeply grateful for Cape Fear Valley Health's generous gift to expand healthcare pathways at Fayetteville Technical Community College,” FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells said during the ceremony. “This investment represents a transformative step forward in addressing the critical need for high-quality healthcare in the Sandhills Region, a recognized healthcare desert.”

The names are attached to buildings formerly called the Nursing Education & Simulation Center and the Health Technologies Center.

A FTCC Tom McLean Student Ambassador reveals a rendering of the newly renamed Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing on FTCC's Fayetteville campus. Photo by FTCC.

Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski said the system’s gift was driven by the belief that the best workforce is grown locally, providing CFVH with the staff to deliver the highest quality care possible.

“We don’t want you to have to travel to receive world-class care, and we’re going to continue growing the care that we provide here,” Nagowski said in a press release. “That requires a workforce that is well-trained, ready and eager to provide that care, and that is exactly what Fayetteville Tech is doing here.”

Nagowski pointed out that, on any given day, hundreds of FTCC students are on CFVH’s campuses learning practical applications from the system’s professionals as part of the partnership between the college and the healthcare provider.

NC Community Colleges Board Chairman Tom Looney, Cumberland County Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere and Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy joined Sorrells and Nagowski onstage for Tuesday’s celebration.

FTCC Dean of Allied Health Michelle Walden called Cape Fear Valley an incredible partner in advancing healthcare education in the region.

“Cape Fear Valley Health’s continued investment in our students helps us expand opportunities for hands-on learning and strengthen the connection between education and the healthcare workforce,” Walden said in a press release. “This gift reflects their deep commitment to patient care and to developing the next generation of allied health professionals.”

Cape Fear Valley CEO Michael Nagowski and FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells hold a ceremonial check representing CFVH's $2 million donation to FTCC. Photo by GFBJ

FTCC Dean of Nursing Dr. Sharon Gallagher extended deep gratitude to CFVH on behalf of the program.

“Cape Fear Valley Health’s generous gift exemplifies the mutual commitment of our partners and ourselves to our community and the future of nursing,” Gallagher stated in a press release. “This support will enhance our program and provide students with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to excel in healthcare and make a meaningful impact in our region.”

CFVH’s gift will impact a large portion of FTCC’s students, benefiting learners in some of the college’s most competitive pathways. Students enrolled in FTCC’s nursing or allied health programs make up nearly 30% of the college’s curriculum enrollment. More than 300 students are in nursing programs and over 700 are enrolled across 19 allied health disciplines.

FTCC’s health-related programs have 2,561 students enrolled this fall. Additionally, FTCC partners with Cumberland County Schools to provide classes for students interested in pursuing education in healthcare fields through CCS’s health academies and FTCC’s High School Connections dual-enrollment program.

At Tuesday’s celebration, Sorrells announced that FTCC, CFVH and CCS were in the early stages of developing accelerated pathways for high school students interested in healthcare careers.

CFVH has served as a dedicated partner for years, supporting FTCC’s mission as a student-centered institution building a highly skilled workforce fueling economic growth.

“This partnership strengthens our longstanding relationship and accelerates training for good-paying jobs, bringing greater opportunity and enhanced access to quality care for our county and region,” Sorrells said in a press release. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with the hospital, Cumberland County Schools and our university partners in Cumberland County."

FTCC, with the support of CFVH and other partners, has been growing its nursing and allied health programs in an effort to meet a critical shortage of healthcare workers.

In January 2023, FTCC welcomed students to a newly renovated, state-of-the-art Nursing Education & Simulation Center that featured 32 hospital beds and a variety of training equipment. That building is now the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing.

In 2024, the North Carolina Community College System awarded FTCC $1.5 million for health programs with $600,000 going to aid the Nursing program expansion, $500,000 going to fund a new Cardiovascular Technology program and $400,000 given to support the college’s existing Respiratory Therapy program, which is the largest RT program in North Carolina.

At CFVH’s urging, FTCC pushed to expand enrollment for its Associate Degree in Nursing program from 280 to 400 students. FTCC received approval from the state for the increase in 2024. In 2025, they began the journey of admitting 90 students each fall and spring to reach that 400 seat target, and they also began planning to initiate an LPN to RN bridge program.

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