41,000 sq. ft., 6 specialty labs, and a 1:87 scale replica of a community ("Tiny Town") doesn't begin to tell the real story of A-B Tech's presence within the Buncombe County Public Safety Training Campus in Woodfin. To get the real story you need to see first-hand our students and faculty inside and outside this state-of-the-art facility. That's exactly what business leaders, government representatives, retirees, and friends of the College experienced on March 16 through a tour led by Dean Skye Myrick and the faculty. Foundation Board Vice-Chair Chris Young commented, "I am just so impressed with this amazing facility." Volunteer Bob Day commented that the Center is a wonderful use of tax dollars.

 

Also under the category of "amazing" is that this month, the Foundation was extended a challenge--a challenge to raise $25,000 to match a generous gift in support of the Foundation's important Lavender Fund. Single parent students are awarded scholarships from this fund and are supported by an advisor. Students attend workshops on topics to help each be successful; they also may apply for emergency funds while enrolled.  

 

We hope you'll consider making a donation to the Lavender Fund to help us meet this match before December 31!

 

Thank you!

 

 

Sincerely, 

 

The 2015 Scholarship Luncheon, the 14th annual celebration of our student scholarship recipients, was recently held March 24th at the Crowne Plaza Expo Center. This event provides an opportunity for our students to meet their scholarship donors in person over lunch, and for members of our College and community to hear from a few of our students and alumni. This year, we were proud to honor over 200 student scholarship recipients for the 2014-2015 academic year who were in attendance.  

 

All in all, over 400 guests attended the luncheon, including A-B Tech students, scholarship donors, A-B Tech Trustees, Foundation Board Members, community members, and A-B Tech volunteers, staff, and faculty.

 

During the program portion of the luncheon these guests had the opportunity to hear personal stories from Detria Greene and Ashley Eskew, two of our 2014-2015 Scholarship Recipients. A-B Tech Alumna and former Lavender Fund Scholarship Recipient Francine Weinhagen also shared her story. (You can read more about our inspiring speakers below!)

 

Speaking after the event, A-B Tech Volunteer, Mentor, and Donor Dr. Steve Pohl reflected on what support of our College and students means:

 

"A-B Tech provides the best opportunity for many members of our community to make better lives for themselves. It gives me great pleasure to help students avail themselves of this opportunity."

Thank you to all of our students, attendees, and Table Sponsors for making this event such a success!  We are truly proud of all of our 2014-2015 Scholarship Recipients! 

 

Couldn't make the event?  Click here to watch video of our 2015 Scholarship Luncheon program! 

 

Detria Greene is one of this year's recipients of the Grace Joan Love Schneider Endowed Scholarship, which is a general scholarship open to all students pursuing degrees in any curriculum program. She is a second year student enrolled in both the Business/ Marketing and the Entrepreneurship programs. Upon graduation Detria is planning on opening her own employee staffing business. She expressed her thanks for the scholarship by saying, "One of my dreams and heart's desire is to be a good role model for my children and future generations. I have come to realize that in order to be, I will need to obtain a good education and to stay focused. There are several values that come with having a good education such as a higher level of self-esteem, and becoming more productive for your family and the community." 

Ashley Eskew is a recipient of two A-B Tech scholarships this year, the K. Ray Bailey/A-B Tech Foundation Golf Classic Scholarship - another general scholarship - and the Asheville SCORE Nevin Rodes Scholarship - awarded to students in our Student Incubator program. She is currently enrolled in the Business Administration program at A-B Tech and is also a participant in the Student Incubator program through the A-B Tech Small Business Center. During her speech, she remarked, "When I graduate in May I will be working for myself. That is one of the most empowering feelings ever. My hope is to continue working with the Small Business Center and to engage with students. I hope to inspire them to realize business ownership is a real possibility, no matter what stage of life they're in or where they come from."

Our final speaker was A-B Tech alumna, Francine Weinhagen. Francine graduated in 2012 with an Associate Degree Nursing degree. She was also a recipient of the Lavender Fund Scholarship, which is set up to assist single parents. She is currently the Weekday Clinical Manager of CarePartners Solace.  Francine's words highlighted the importance of scholarship support in allowing her to reach where she is now:

 

We're excited to announce that A-B Tech Community College recently opened an electric vehicle charging station, featuring one of Western North Carolina's first public access DC Quick Chargers, which was awarded through a grant from Nissan USA Corporation valued at $27,000.

 

The Quick Charger can charge a vehicle to 80% in 30 minutes or less. The College also purchased two Level II chargers that can charge within four to eight hours. The Quick Charger and Level II chargers were made locally by the Eaton Corporation facility in Arden.