The photo is of myself, Bob Nixon and Kate Allen of Austria at the 2005 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She was the 2004 triathlon Olympic gold medals. I prepped her bike before the Ironman race.

Meet Alumnus and Donor Robert “Bob” Nixon

A native of Charlotte, Bob Nixon has always been a competitor. He has used this skill in business, as an athlete and as a student at Central Piedmont Community College.

In a conversation with Bob, he was asked what brought him to Central Piedmont Community College.

Bob Nixon stated, “To finish an A.A. degree I started in 1975 after high school. Also to fill a void in my life I created when I retired from competitive triathlon racing. Most of my life prior to attending CPCC was focused on my physical being. Now I wanted to work on my intellectual being.”

CPCC is noted for exceptional instructors so Bob was asked to share his thoughts on instructors. One instructor in particular made a lasting impression on this highly driven student.
“By far Harry Phillips in the English department. Fresh off of receiving his doctorate degree, he challenged the class on day one by saying that he gave no A's. My competitive nature kicked in and with Mr. Phillip's help, I got a very satisfying A- on my last paper and a B+ in the class. He pushed me like no other professor for all the right reasons. To this day I still use the skills he taught me whether it be an email or a business document.”