The Plastek Group has made the lead donation to the Richmond Community College Foundation for expansion of the John E. Forte building, officials announced this week.

Plastek Group, which is based in Erie, Pa. has a plant in Hamlet.

RCC President Dr. Dale McInnis told the board of trustees Tuesday night about his trip to Pennsylvania with a delegation from the college and Richmond County Commission Chairman Kenneth Robinette and meetings they had with Plastek’s chairman and management.

McInnis said the trip was successful and opened the doors for a new engineering program at the college and a partnership with Penn State University-Behrend that would allow students to pursue degrees that would prepare them for more technical positions with the local Plastek plant.

McInnis also reported he and college staff have held successful meetings with both Richmond and Scotland county school leaders to strengthen partnerships and improve student success.

In other business, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability Bill Council presented a timeline for completion of the report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Council said that the onsite visit of the SACS committee is a year from now. The reaccreditation process includes a quality improvement plan that sets the direction of the college for the next five years.

In formal action, the board approved an internal audit report on Workforce and Economic Development classes and updates to the RCC Foundation Gifts and Grants Policy.