February 2015 Edition
Our Snapshot of the Month



A-B Tech Student Candace Warren Miller (left) works with volunteer Barbara Ramsey (right) on her scholarship application. The 2015-2016 Scholarship Application Period is open until March 31st.
 
From the Director's Desk


Here is a story I'd like to share with you all.  I'll start the story and then, perhaps, you can finish it.

 

A-B Tech started a volunteer program a few years back because the College saw both the need and the value of engaging others to assist our students.  This week, I saw one of our volunteers meeting with Rhonda (not the student's real name), pouring over Chemistry 121 notes and tables while here on campus.  While there were a few furrowed brows, there were also some smiles, too!  I overheard a bit more of their conversation; it didn't involve Chemistry 121--it involved a scholarship.

 

The volunteer was alerting Rhonda to the fact that our STARS Online Scholarship Application Process has opened.  She let Rhonda know that, again this year, there is assistance available to her for successfully applying.  Volunteers are available to work with Rhonda one-to-one in completing the required FAFSA form; and, new this year, there are Volunteers to assist students with writing the Personal Statement needed for the STARS system (you can read more about this new initiative below).  Rhonda was surprised and hopeful! 

 

Perhaps you can finish this good story by referring a potential student or by creating your very own scholarship! 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Sue H Olesiuk
Executive Director

New Volunteer Initiative Supports Scholarship Applicants


We're excited to announce a new initiative through our Volunteer Program and Financial Aid Office, providing support for A-B Tech students with the scholarship application process. Volunteers will be available to provide assistance to scholarship applicants in completing their FAFSA form and with writing the personal statement required by our STARS Online Scholarship Application process. This assistance is being offered free of charge.

 

 

Volunteer Holly Reiling (left) assists A-B Tech student Lucas Knighten (right) with his scholarship essay.

Volunteers will also staff the STARS Open Labs held in Birch Building beginning February 12, where they will help students just beginning the process of applying for scholarships.

 

From now until March 31st, students may apply for scholarships up to $2,500 for the 2015-2016 Academic Year. 

 

If you or a student you know would like to schedule an appointment with one of our volunteers for assistance, please contact Jeralie Andrews at (828) 398-7761!

 

Pisgah Investments Foundation, Inc. Awards $30,000 Grant for New Scholarships



Thanks to the generosity of the Pisgah Investments Foundation, fifteen new scholarships are now available at A-B Tech for Shiloh Community residents for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years.

Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded each year for students enrolled in a two-year curriculum or diploma program in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM). There are also five Allied Health scholarships at $1,000 each for each year to be awarded to students who are pursuing degrees in allied health careers.

 

Applicants for either scholarship must be residents of the Shiloh Community and demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The scholarships are primarily for new students, but up to two scholarships in each academic year may be awarded to Shiloh residents already enrolled at A-B Tech.

 

"Scholarships create futures with no limits," said Sue Olesiuk, Executive Director of College Advancement at A-B Tech.  "Students are not only financially supported by a scholarship, but they are also empowered to succeed when they receive a scholarship.  The success rate for our scholarship recipients shows that when others, whether that is an organization such as the Pisgah Investments Foundation or an individual, make that commitment to an A-B Tech student, it sends a powerful message to the student that they can and will succeed in college."


What's New in the Office of College Advancement

Volunteer of the Month
Congrats to Jim Hamling, our February Volunteer of the Month!
Click here to read more.


New Endowment Established

We were grateful to receive new scholarship support for our students from donor Jerry Vaneman.  Jerry has created the Dr. Karen Vaneman Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his wife.

 

Dr. Karen Vaneman was a life-long student and educator who grew up in Dayton, OH. She attended the University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State University, and Wayne State University, where she received her Ph.D. at the age of 42. She taught elementary, high school and college students in Michigan for 25 years before retiring to Asheville in 2000. In addition to her interest in educational issues, she was active in civil rights, social justice, and environmental causes her entire life, always trying to make the world a better place.

 

This fund will be available to assist A-B Tech students enrolled in the College's transfer programs in Associates of Arts and Sciences. 

 

 

Laurey's Event Announced
Last year we were honored to see the establishment of the
Laurey Masterton "Don't Postpone Joy" Memorial Scholarship, as well as the outpouring of support from the community towards this culinary scholarship.  In honor of the first recipient of this scholarship, Petra Novotna, a second year student in A-B Tech's Baking and Pastry Arts Program, Laurey's will be holding a seated dinner event on Wednesday, February 25th.  Tickets are $50 per person.  Please call Laurey's staff at (828) 252-1500 to reserve your place.  If you would like to make a contribution to the Laurey Masterton "Don't Postpone Joy" Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit www.abtech.edu/donate.

Donate Now Button for A-B Tech Foundation



NC State Employees
Combined Campaign

Designation Code #3803
Combined Federal Campaign
Designation Code #75833
In This Issue
What We're Reading
This Month

2015 A-B Tech Foundation Board of Directors
 
Michael Kryzanek, 2015 Chair
Associate, PKF Consulting USA

Appraiser, Province Valuation Group, Inc. 


Chris Young, 2015 Vice Chair
Clean Environments
Young Office

K. Ray Bailey
President Emeritus, A-B Tech

Joe Brumit
Brumit Restaurant Group

Tracy Buchanan
CarePartners

Dr. Sandra Byrd
Retired, UNC Asheville

Pat Carver
First Citizens Bank

Rhonda Devan
Vice President, Business & Finance and CFO, A-B Tech

John Ellis
Novus, Bowers, Ellis & Watson Architects

Jack Ferguson
Retired, Lowe's

Charles Frederick
TD Bank

Allan Gerson
Retired

Darryl Hart
Hart Funeral Services, Inc.

Richard Hurley
Retired, Square D Company

Dennis King
President, A-B Tech

Thomas Maher
Pisgah Investments, LLC

Michael Meguiar
GE Aviation

Bill Murdock
Eblen Charities

John Oswald
Mills Manufacturing

Ray Rapp
Retired

Mary Ann Rice
NCSECU


Dr. Lary Schulhof
Retired, Physician

O'Neal Shelton
Madison County Chamber of Commerce

Steven Sizemore
Northup McConnell & Sizemore, PLLC

Ann Skoglund
Beverly-Hanks & Associates

Ray Spells
Retired, Wells Fargo Bank


Ron Storto
Biltmore Farms

Jason Walls
Duke Energy

John Winkenwerder
Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites Asheville

Pat Wood
Budweiser of Asheville, Inc.

David Wyatt
Retired, Madison County Schools


Office of College Advancement Staff

Jeralie Andrews
Coordinator of Volunteer, Intern, and Alumni Services
Phone: 828.398.7761
 
Liz Atkinson
Lavender Fund Scholarship Advisor
Phone: 828.398.7564
featkinson@abtech.edu


Susan Haldane

Development/Events Coordinator

Phone: 828.398.7567

susanehaldane@abtech.edu

 

Chris McGuire

Development Specialist

Phone: 828.398.7177

christophermmcguire@abtech.edu

 

Sue Olesiuk

Executive Director

Phone: 828.398.7176

sueholesiuk@abtech.edu

 

Laura Pennington

Resource Development Coordinator 

Phone: 828.398.7571

lauradpennington@abtech.edu