November 2014 Edition
From the Director's Desk


November is month in which we honor those who have served our country and a month when many pause to give thanks. When November 11th comes around, I always think of my late father - a U.S. Army veteran - and how the GI Bill was his "brass ring" for getting both a college and a law school degree, both of which helped to transform his life and the lives of his family members.


We're happy to announce that A-B Tech Community College has been designated a 2015 Military Friendly� School by Victory Media, the third year A-B Tech has been selected for this honor (you can read more about this recent success here).  A-B Tech is fortunate to have many faculty, staff and students who are veterans. This month, we're happy to highlight two of our veteran students, recipients of the AT&T Scholarship for the current school year. You can also read about the Veterans' Caf�, a resource for our veteran students which is located in the Ferguson Building.

 

The season of harvest is also traditionally a season for reflecting, especially on the generosity of others. Our employees are coming together to participate in our annual Universal Campaign which provides funding to the A-B Tech Foundation for student and faculty support, United Way and the Employee Emergency Program at Eblen Charities. Thank you to everyone who is supporting this campaign here on campus!

 

Have a wonderful autumn, everyone!


Sincerely, 

 

Sue H Olesiuk
Executive Director

A-B Tech Veterans Have a Piece of the Campus They Can Call Their Own 

 

A-B Tech's new and improved Veterans' Caf� is where our students with veteran's status can find a warm and inviting place to bond with other veterans.

Jeralie Andrews, Coordinator of Volunteer, Intern and Alumni Services, with U.S. Marine Tony Mitchell and Mary Albert, Coordinator of Veterans' Services

The idea for the Veterans' Caf� began two years ago with Tom Anspach, retired U.S. Air Force veteran and A-B Tech volunteer. Tom recognized that these veteran students could benefit from additional support at A-B tech. Pam Silvers, Chair of Business Computer Technologies, donated computer labs for these veterans and volunteers.  She also staffed those rooms in order to accommodate the students' educational needs and foster their sense of community on campus.

 

This semester, the Veterans' Caf� received support from A-B Tech President Dennis King and the caf� was transformed into a viable outlet for the veterans to feel secure. The college atmosphere can be daunting for returning veterans. King, a veteran himself, envisioned a more invitational gathering place for the students. Now housed in Ferguson room 108, an L-shaped wall of computers is complemented by plush chairs and vibrant art work arranged to inspire conversation and mingling. There is a lot of that now in the caf�.

 

Volunteers make sure the caf� creates a relaxing environment and appeals to students who come to take a break, enjoy some refreshments, network with other veterans and study and receive tutoring from knowledgeable volunteers.  

 

Some students say having such a place helps them stay focused, do better in their classes and maintain direction to assure graduation is in their grasp.

 

Interested in volunteering for the Veterans' Cafe? Contact Jeralie Andrews, Coordinator of Volunteer, Intern and Alumni Services at       (828) 398-7761 or jeralieeandrews@abtech.edu

Orientation and training is provided.

 

Spotlight on Our AT&T North Carolina Scholarship Recipients, Danny Brigman and Joseph Covert!

With Veteran's Day around the corner, we wanted to highlight the AT&T North Carolina Scholarship, a resource for veteran students at A-B Tech. For the 2014-2015 school year, this scholarship was awarded to two deserving students here on campus, Danny Brigman and Joseph Covert.
(From left to right) AT&T North Carolina Scholarship Recipients Danny Brigman and Joseph Covert

Danny Brigman began his service with the United States Air Force in 1977. While admitting that it was difficult at times, Danny credits his service with ultimately forming him to be a better man and teaching him to accept responsibility. His enrollment at A-B Tech represents a new start as he pursues a degree in Network Technology Administration. He remains focused on his education, sharing that he plans "to work hard and try my best while learning as much as possible." Reflecting on the path that he's taken to A-B Tech, Danny had this advice to share: "Never give up, dream and dream big while finishing what you start."

 

Also a veteran of the United State Air Force, Joseph Covert served from July 1980 to 1984. After fulfilling his duty, Joseph began working for the Air Force as a civilian at the National Climatic Data Center located here in Asheville. After a brief stint with the National Weather Service, Joseph accepted a position at the Climate Center with the United States Navy, the beginning of a thirty year career. Looking back on his time working for the Air Force, Joseph credited one of his former bosses, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Schwitters, with giving him a foundation to build upon in his life. "LTCOL Schwitters epitomized words like respect, honor, perseverance, and trust. He believed in me and that confidence has led me to take on any challenge, such as the A-B Tech Nursing Program at the age of 53." Reflecting on this new challenge, Joseph states, "I cannot stress the importance of having support in undertakings of this magnitude such as support from my wife, and, also, the support that comes from donors and scholarships like that which was awarded to me by AT&T."

 

When asked what he would say to his scholarship donor if he had the opportunity, Joseph emphasized his gratitude. "Thank you for investing in me and thank you for giving me the opportunity to accomplish a very worthwhile endeavor in expectation of reaping many lifelong rewards. I would tell them [AT&T North Carolina] that they have my utmost respect and gratitude and I would ask them to continue to do everything they can do to afford people, like me, the opportunities to make a difference in the world. I would tell them that they would never regret their investment."

 

Danny also echoed this sentiment in reflecting on what this support means to him. "Thank you seems so weak yet it really is the most powerful word to use in appreciation of what AT&T has done to assist me in higher education. Thank you for believing in me. Taking a chance in people is a positive way to influence and help someone excel. I am truly grateful."


Scholarship Recipient Bethany Dalton Shares Her Story at Autumn in Asheville

 

On October 2, 2014 the A-B Tech Foundation hosted Autumn in Asheville.  Recently moved to the fall and re-imagined as an outdoor tented fundraising event, the fourth annual edition of this event raised funds for student scholarships and the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Departments. Thanks to the consistently amazing work of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality students, faculty and staff; wonderful decorations by Brinda Caldwell (Director of Community Services Program at A-B Tech); and the great support of student scholarship recipient volunteers, it was a magical evening.

 

 

Bethany Dalton, Lavender Fund Scholarship recipient, shared her story as part of the evening's program. A single mother of two and having dropped out of school at 9th grade, Bethany decided she needed to further her education beyond her GED. However, she faced many barriers to achieve this goal. Following are excerpts from her speech:

 

"I decided to ask the instructors of the GED course through A-B Tech if I could get help in preparing for the test [A-B Tech placement tests]. This is when I met Brenda [Robinson, GED instructor], who is completely amazing. After a couple of weeks of teaching and encouraging me with phrases like, 'you are smart', one day she said to me, 'you're ready...you've got this!'

 

"And now here I am a college student making A's and B's. Which I must tell you is an incredible experience for me and my family. My children are watching me; while doing my homework, my five year old daughter comes to me and says, 'Mommy, I want to do homework like you.' My continuous bragging about Brenda and the GED program led my son to take the class and he received his GED last year. I am proud to say that just this week he took the placement test and will be starting with A-B Tech next semester.

 

"With all of that encouragement, my finances were still a barrier. Then the YWCA told me about scholarships which I had heard of, but I never thought I could qualify because those were for people who played sports or had a perfect school record, but I was quickly corrected. That was that, I had no more barriers."

 

Bethany went on the say that last year she was a recipient of the Wells Fargo Workforce Acceleration Scholarship and is currently receiving the Lavender Fund Scholarship. As an aside, when the head gasket blew in her car a few weeks ago, she was able to access the emergency funding component of the Lavender Fund to pay for the car repairs and not have to make the decision between dropping out of school or continuing her work towards a social work degree.

 

Her closing remarks summarized the true goal of this year's Autumn in Asheville:

 

"I do have moments when I feel overwhelmed but then I think of the people who have invested their time, energy, and finances in me; who say, 'You can do this.' Thinking of this empowers me! Thank you!"

 

Due to the support of those who attended the evening, as well as those who donated but were unable to attend, we had a record-setting fundraiser! The funds raised will continue to help students like Bethany realize their dreams of a college education and also support the work of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Departments.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event such a success! 

 

A-B Tech Receives Funding to Assist Parents

A-B Tech recently received continued funding from the N.C. Community College System for childcare services, which provides subsidy assistance for parents who are students at A-B Tech. The award for the 2014-15 academic year is $42,161.

 

The college uses the funds to help remove barriers for students attending school by providing assistance with childcare expenses. The Child Care Assistance Program at A-B Tech is a need-based program determined by a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

 

Associate in Arts student Stella Galyean knows her degree would take much longer to earn if she didn't have access to affordable child care. "The grant helps me to be able to take classes later in the day. My husband works part-time in the evenings and it is really hard to arrange child care," she said.  

 

Click here to read more about this exciting initiative. 

Donate Now Button for A-B Tech Foundation
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars for Giving Tuesday!

#GivingTuesday is a worldwide day of giving focused on ordinary people coming together to do extraordinary things.  This December 2nd, join us in support of the Lavender Fund, a scholarship program assisting single parent students here at A-B Tech.   

 

More details to come!  

 

Save the Date A-B Tech Alumni and Volunteers
Join us for an Alumni and Volunteer holiday celebration!

Friday, December 5, 2014  
6-8 PM 
Fernihurst Building 
A-B Tech's Main Campus

More details to follow in the form of an electronic invitation.

Volunteer of the Month
Congrats to Fran Hutchins, our November Volunteer of the Month!
New Ways to Give for State and Federal Employees
Are you a State or Federal Employee? Do you know someone who is?

State and Federal Employees are now able to designate giving to A-B Tech through the following campaigns:
_______________________
NC State Employees Combined Campaign
Designation Code #3803
_______________________
Combined Federal Campaign

Designation Code #75833
 _______________________
For more information on either of these campaigns, please contact us at (828) 398-7177.

2014 A-B Tech Foundation Board of Directors

John Ellis, 2014 Board Chair
Novus, Bowers, Ellis & Watson Architects

Mike Kryzanek, 2014 Vice Chair
Province Valuation Group

K. Ray Bailey
President Emeritus, A-B Tech

Joe Brumit
Brumit Restaurant Group

Tracy Buchanan
CarePartners

Dr. Sandra Byrd
Retired, UNC Asheville

Kay Crews
Community Volunteer

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

Jack Ferguson
Retired, Lowe's

Charles Frederick
TD Bank

Darryl Hart
Hart Funeral Services, Inc.

Richard Hurley
Retired, Square D Company

Dennis King
President, A-B Tech

Thomas Maher
Pisgah Investments, LLC

Bill Murdock
Eblen Charities

John Oswald
Mills Manufacturing

Mary Ann Rice
NCSECU

Bob Roberts
First Citizens Bank

Robby Russell
Wells Fargo Bank

Dr. Lary Schulhof
Retired, Physician

Steven Sizemore
Northup McConnell & Sizemore, PLLC

Ann Skoglund
Beverly-Hanks & Associates

Ray Spells
Retired, Wells Fargo Bank

Nancy Thompson
Thompson Properties, Inc.

Jason Walls
Duke Energy

John Winkenwerder
Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites Asheville

Pat Wood
Budweiser of Asheville, Inc.

David Wyatt
Retired, Madison County Schools

Chris Young
Clean Environments
Young Office

Office of College Advancement Staff

Jeralie Andrews
Coordinator of Volunteer, Intern, and Alumni Services
Phone: 828.398.7761
 

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 

A-B Tech Office of College Advancement
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
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