Isothermal Community College Celebrates BLET Class 89 Graduation and Honors Director Philip Bailey’s Final Class

By: Blakely Hollifield
Published: February 05, 2026

SPINDALE (Feb. 3, 2026)— Isothermal Community College proudly celebrated the graduation of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Class 89 on Tuesday, February 3, during a ceremony held in the Isothermal Foundation Performing Arts Lobby. The event marked both a major achievement for the graduates and a meaningful milestone for the BLET program.

BLET Class 89 achieved a 100% pass rate on the North Carolina State Comprehensive Examination, successfully completing 868 instructional hours under the state’s expanded BLET curriculum. The commission-mandated program spans approximately 20 weeks and prepares entry-level law enforcement officers through rigorous academic instruction, physical training, and hands-on skills development.

During the ceremony, graduates were recognized for outstanding achievement, including:

• Most Improved Physical Fitness: Canh Song Vo
• Top POPAT: Donovan Rette Moore
• Top Firearms: Wesley H. Garrett
• Top State Exam: Cody Lee Fortenberry
• Highest Academic Achievement: Cody Lee Fortenberry

The graduation also held special significance as Class 89 was the final BLET class led by Director Philip Bailey, who has dedicated more than three decades of service to Isothermal Community College. Director Bailey was recognized during the ceremony by Criminal Justice Instructor and BLET Qualified Assistant Chris Francis and Class Leader Mr. Jeremy Martino. Earlier in the day, colleagues and staff also gathered to honor Director Bailey during a retirement celebration.

Philip Bailey began working with Isothermal Community College part-time on April 29, 1992, and has played a pivotal role in shaping the BLET program and mentoring future law enforcement professionals across the region. His official last day with the College will be February 28, 2026.

Graduates of BLET Class 89 were sponsored by agencies throughout western North Carolina, including local police departments and sheriff’s offices. Upon successful completion of the state examination, graduates have one year from the exam date to be appointed and sworn as law enforcement officers in North Carolina, with many agencies also requiring additional field training.

Isothermal Community College will begin its next cohort, BLET Class 90, on March 10, 2026. Individuals interested in enrolling are encouraged to contact Brenda McFarland at 828-395-1668 or bmcfarland@isothermal.edu for more information.

For additional details about North Carolina’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program, visit the North Carolina Department of Justice website.

Category: Awards