|
Sometimes "the planets align", as they say. That is, things come together. Of course, that's usually when goals and missions align and folks come together around a common purpose; then, dreams and plans become realities.
In this month's edition, you will read about community members who have chosen to put their goals into action by creating an endowed scholarship for students seeking an AAS degree
f
rom
A-B Tech in Engineering and Applied Technology, knowing the degree will lead to meaningful employment. The story is a great one; I hope you will enjoy reading it!
Please watch for news on Mission Healthcare's "Grow With Mission," a new scholarship program for CNA students training here at A-B Tech!
Thank you for aligning with A-B Tech's Office of College Advancement to provide support for our students, faculty and campuses!
Here's to a wonderful 2016!
Sue Olesiuk
Sue H Olesiuk
Executive Director
|
|
Our Snapshot of the Month
|
Ferguson Center- Welcome Desk
January marks the opening of the new Ferguson Center for Allied Health & Wo
rkforce Develo
pment building.
With hundreds of students and community members trying to determine where their classes are in this beautiful and spacious building, our A-B Tech Volunteers have been there to point the way!
Welcoming smiles and knowledgeable directions have made all the difference in making the launch of this new building a success. Pictured (L) is A-B Tech Volunteer Romauld Guy serving at the welcome desk. Romauld also volunteers with the Transitional Studies Program and in the Bookstore.
|
|
The Richard and Jean Benfield Endowed Scholarship
By Jean Benfield, A-B Tech Supporter
|
|
|
| Richard and Jean Benfield |
In the first half of the 20th century, there were three big textile employers in Buncombe County
-
east of Asheville was
Beacon Blanket
, to the west was Enka Rayon, and Sayles Bleacheries to the southeast. If a man did not make his living on a farm, there was a good chance he worked for one of those mills, as they were called. Growing up here in Buncombe, I knew many of those people.
The 1960s and
'
70s saw the arrival of manufacturing, which required new expertise for its workers. A-B Tech was there with their Engineering and Technology department, teaching the
skills
required by these companies. Companies such as Stencel Aero Engineering, Eaton Corp., Square D, Taylor Instrument, Clark Equipment, Steelcase, Alliance Carolina, Fishburne Equipment, Ball, and Gerber Manufacturing.
Technology has changed with the times, and the College has adapted. The Engineering and Applied Technology Department prepares students for today
'
s occupations. My husband and I have a particular interest here, as we are eager to see preserved those trades involving both intellect and manual ability, trades such as auto mechanics, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. A-B Tech
'
s program is a great discipline; one can graduate from its engineering department with a real way to make a living. So much better than spending four years at a college, then leaving with a degree and no marketable skills, as so often happens.
We have always been strong believers in community colleges. A few years ago, we heard about A-B Tech
'
s Foundation, and wanted to know more. After meeting with Sue Olesiuk and learning how the foundation works, we toured the impressive mechanical engineering building (where, it seemed to me, the huge machines had landed from outer space.) We decided to begin by creating our own scholarship program.
Giving a scholarship to a student in need is deeply satisfying. We pick our student from a list of those requesting financial help. Each applicant writes a brief summary of his or her circumstances, and hopes for a secure future. I must say my husband and I are always touched, and making decisions are difficult. We meet our student at a luncheon each year A-B Tech gives for all scholarship recipients and donors. This has been very gratifying, seeing so many hopeful young people dressed in their best, wanting to meet the people who gave them a chance. May A-B Tech, and its Foundation,
long continue in their business of educating, and bettering the lives of people in Western North Carolina.
|
 |
|
A-B Tech Receives Grant from Walnut Cove Members Association
|
|
|
Allan Gerson,
Foundation Board Member |
A-B Tech was awarded a $5,000
grant from the Walnut Cove Members Association to support A-B Tech's Student Emergency Fund through the efforts of the College's Foundation Board of Directors.
The Student Emergency Fund was created to assist students with unexpected needs. "In the past, this carefully administered fund has been used to assist students with various needs, including purchasing books for class, internet access, utility bills, as well as gas and food," said Kimberly England, Executive Assistant for Student Services. "
By meeting these needs, students are able to finish the semester and earn a credential. Many of the College's Allied Health programs require certain immunizations. The Student Emergency Fund is able to assist with these costs, as needed."
According to Sue Olesiuk, Executive Director of College Advancement, Walnut Cove has been engaged with A-B Tech in the past through scholarship giving. Foundation Board Member, Allan Gerson, was instrumental in re-engaging the College with Walnut Cove. "The college is very appreciative of his efforts and for the support received from the members of Walnut Cove," she said.
Gerson is a member of the Walnut Cove Members Association, in which many of the residents donate funds to be divided among area non-profit organizations. "The member has to be more than an advocate for a particular fund; they must be on the board of the organization," he said.
|
|
|
Mentoring at A-B Tech - Watch us Grow!
|
|
|
|
Jayne Schnaar with her Mentees
(Candance Warren-Miller, Jayne Shnaars, Ryan Smith & Felicia Protor)
|
With its feet firmly planted in the academic fabric of A-B Tech, the Mentoring Program is set to grow and diversify its scope of impact in the coming year through a new partnership with the Ignite Inspiration and Innovation (i3) Scholars Program by providing volunteer mentors to some of its students.
The Ignite Inspiration and Innovation (i3) Scholars Program provides an engaging and supportive environment for academically gifted and financially needy students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). A team of staff and volunteers will work closely with students to help prepare them to earn an associate's degree and enter the workplace or transfer to a senior level institution to work toward a bachelor's degree. i3 Scholars receive a scholarship along with specialized advising, tutoring, and service learning opportunities.
Mentors will be an important part of these specialized services to i3 Scholars. Meeting once a month on campus, and weekly either by phone or by email for the duration of the academic year, mentors and mentees work together to set, work towards, and meet desired academic goals. Mentors, in essence, are academic champions, cheering their mentees on during their successes and pointing them in the right direction when faced with unexpected challenges, and along the way imparting the skills mentees need for success.
It is an exciting time for the Volunteer Mentoring Program as it grows to meet the needs of the i3 Scholars Program. Forty new mentors, with backgrounds in STEM-focused careers, will be needed to meet the goals of the program over a four-year period. The Volunteer Office is actively seeking caring adults to fill these roles. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, please contac
t Patti Cameron, Campus Volunteer Coordinator at 828-398-7761 or
[email protected]
. Learn more about mentoring at A-B Tech
here
.
|
|
|
NC State Employees
Combined Campaign
Designation Code #3803
Combined Federal Campaign
Designation Code #75833
|
|
2016
A-B Tech Foundation Board
of Directors
|
Chris Young, 2016 Chair
Clean Environments
Young Office
Mary Ann Rice, 2016 Vice Chair
NCSECU
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
Adam Charnack
Hi-Wire Brewing
Shea Cline
Omni Grove Park Inn
Marcus Cox
Bank of America
John Ellis
Novus, Bowers, Ellis & Watson Architects
Jack Ferguson
Retired, Lowe's
Charles Frederick
TD Bank
Allan Gerson
Retired, Palm Beach State College
Tate Groome
Colton Groome and Company
Darryl Hart
Hart Funeral Services, Inc.
Richard Hurley
Retired, Square D Company
Anthony Johnson
Aspen Realty Advisors
Dennis King
President, A-B Tech
Michael Kryzanek
Associate, PKF Consulting USA
Appraiser, Province Valuation Group, Inc.
Thomas Maher
Pisgah Investments, LLC
Michael Meguiar
GE Aviation
Bill Murdock
Eblen Charities
John Oswald
Mills Manufacturing
Ray Rapp
Retired, Mars Hill University
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
Pat Wood
Budweiser of Asheville, Inc.
|
|
Office of College Advancement Staff
|
Liz Atkinson
Lavender Fund Scholarship Advisor
Phone: 828.398.7564
Patti Cameron
Campus Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 828.398.7761
Kristabell Certain
Grants and Foundation Accountant
Phone: 828.398.7358
Susan Haldane
Development/Events Coordinator
Phone: 828.398.7567
Sue H Olesiuk
Executive Director
Phone: 828.398.7176
Laura Pennington
Director of Resource Development
Phone: 828.398.7571
|
|
|
|
