May, 2016  Edition

From the Director's Desk

 
 
For those of us who care deeply about education, this is the best time of the academic year. We see students who are justifiably proud of their accomplishments, and also justifiably relieved to be graduating!  Graduations bring out the joy in not only the exhausted graduate, but in family members and loved ones, too.  There is an almost tangible feeling of hope and anticipation.  It is a time to look forward and to start thinking about the promise the future holds.  A college credential makes the view of the future a positive one!
 
This "Graduation Edition" is full of student success stories and reflective words for the Class of 2016.  As you enjoy the articles and photos, ask yourself this, "How can I be a part of this joy, accomplishment and triumph?"  We want you to know that you can join with A-B Tech in many ways.  Perhaps you have the opportunity to become an A-B Tech Volunteer.  You may be a Veteran who has time to give to our Veterans' Café, where you can guide other Veterans to academic success.  You may want to create a scholarship to assist a student in meeting the financial cost of attending college.  Each of you can find a role at A-B Tech to promote the success and future of "the community's college".  Contact us at abtech.edu/advancement.  We will be glad to connect with you and find a way for you to play a supportive role at A-B Tech.  You'll be glad you did!
 
Congratulations, Graduates; rock on!  
Sue Olesiuk 
Sue H Olesiuk 
Executiv
e Director
Congratulations to A-B Tech's 2016 Graduates
The following excerpts are from the Commencement Address given by Dr. Don C. Locke, Board of Trustees.
 


"Mark Twain said, 'The two most important days of our life are the day you were born and the day you found out  WHY.'  Today is one of those answers to why.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend the 2016 A-B Tech Academic Awards Ceremony.  Individuals who were honored that day are identified in the Commencement Program, and are wearing honor medallions today. 
The most interesting thing to me about the Academic Awards Ceremony program booklet were the descriptions for each honoree.  Yes, each honoree had a perfect GPA or at least a very high GPA, but each was described with something in addition.
 
These are some of the characteristics of these honorees:  
  • Active without being prompted or required to do so
  • The first to volunteer
  • Proficiency in time management skills
  • Dependable, friendly, professional
  • Intellectually curious
  • Possesses personal integrity
  • Calm professional demeanor
  • Dependable and dedicated
  • Great attitude
  • Attentive
  • Respectful
  • Always early and stays late
  • Self-directed
  • Possesses a can-do-attitude
  • Asks excellent questions
  • Amazing interpersonal skills
  • Works collaboratively with peers
  • Possesses a natural curiosity
  • Works beyond what is required
  • Exemplifies persistence
  • Has passion and creativity for work
  • Open mind toward alternative perspectives
These traits will serve you better than what you may have learned in the technological aspects of your academic curricula.  Why do I say something this bold?  Because the technological aspects of what you have learned will change, but these traits will remain the same, likely in perpetuity.

Change is constant and inevitable; how adept we are in handling it determines our success as an individual, a business, a species, or a planet.
Students who demand school administrators listen in ways they haven't before are bringing change to education, raising its consciousness on matters of race, gender, and sexual orientation. 

And yet, despite its persistent presence, change is one of the most resisted ideas in history. Why the resistance?  Largely because people tend to be afraid of change, some more so than others.  Change challenges our comfort zones, disorients, and destabilizes us - makes us anxious.  How often have you heard someone say, "I don't like change."?  There's even a term for that fear: metathesiophobia.
 
And yet, we experience change on a regular, if not daily basis. The only mistake would be to not change at all. So as you graduate today, remember these things:
  • change is inevitable
  • many of the things you have learned will become outdated.
  • The human traits, what some call "soft skills" will endure, and serve you well, without regard to time.
Today is your graduation, and I wish you success.  When I say success, I don't mean just professional success.  Success can be something as simple as the warm feeling one gets if you see a stranger that you sense to be lonely and smiling at that stranger, and having that stranger return your smile.  It can be bringing a child into the world and rearing that child to be a good man or a good woman. 

Her Future is Bright...Green!
She doesn't exactly look like a "typical" mechanic, but Ashley Dickey chose  to learn about engine performance, brake systems and drive trains out of a desire to create a change for the better in our world. After completing her co-op hours in a performance garage, Ashley will be graduating from A-B Tech in August with a degree in Automotive Systems Technology. She has applied for a service technician position at her dream job organization, Tesla Motors. Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers who wanted to prove that electric cars could be better than gasoline-powered cars. Each new generation of Tesla models will become increasingly affordable, helping the company work towards its mission: to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transport. This company would be a perfect fit since Ashley is not only mechanically-minded, but a globally conscious individual. She is planning on gaining extra certifications in welding and renewable fuels, and is also considering a degree in Environmental Engineering down the road.

In addition to her automotive interests, Ashley likes to invest in her community with her time. She has mentored with Big Brothers Big Sisters, helped to spearhead the Emma Elementary Community Garden, and volunteered with the move-in crew when Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic opened. She is currently doing volunteer work for the Bernie Sanders campaign. Her commitment to reaching her goals and helping her community is setting an incredible example for her young son.

According to Dickey, the Lavender Fund Scholarship has made a tremendous difference in her ability to support herself and her son while in school. "I do not take for granted the opportunity to keep bills paid while I dedicate time towards learning my trade and preparing myself for my career."

For the past two years, Ashley has been working hard, gaining the skills she determined she wanted to create the future she desires. There is no doubt Ashley will make a difference in this world. Her future "green" career is bright indeed.

A Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation Graduate 

Isaiah Young is a 2016 graduate of A-B Tech's Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation program, and recipient of the Autumn in Asheville Scholarship.
 
Before moving to Asheville in 2014, I spent several years onboard traditional sailing tall-ships as a professional mariner and sail trainer.  I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to explore countless ports of call in the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.  During these port visits I made it a point to seek out and learn as much as I could about the craft breweries local to each area.  When I finally decided it was time for a career change, I began to look for an education in the brewing sciences.  Through research, I discovered the Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation program offered at A-B Tech.  I was quickly convinced this program would provide me with the most rounded education in brewing sciences, marketing, and business disciplines available to me.  A-B Tech has given me the opportunity and foundation of knowledge to pursue a dream I have had for many years.  That dream has been to found a craft beverage company of my own.  
 
Successful completion of the program has presented me with many challenges.  As a student paying out-of-state tuition my first year, I found it necessary to work a full time evening job in addition to attending college full time.  The A-B Tech Foundation helped immensely by providing me with a scholarship that first year, which proved to be enough to purchase the required textbooks.  At the beginning of my second year of classes, my wife and I were blessed with the arrival of our first child.  Again, the A-B Tech Foundation made it possible for me to continue my studies by providing me with a scholarship.  I was already depriving myself of sleep by working full time and attending college full time during my first year.  Now, I faced the likelihood of losing any chance for sleep with a newborn child to care for in addition to my already overwhelming schedule.  The scholarship I received made it financially feasible for me to put my work on hold as I concentrated on my studies and caring for my family.
 
I now look forward to graduation on May 14 and the subsequent search for employment with a local craft beverage company.  With employment, I will continue to build vital industry skills.  The combination of these skills and my education will be instrumental in realizing my ultimate goal of craft brewery ownership.  I am incredibly grateful to A-B Tech, the instructors who have guided my education, and the Foundation for providing me with the financial assistance that made it all possible.

Commencement Video 

Congratulations to everyone who helped approximately 1,000 students become 2015-16 graduates of A-B Tech!

Check out this inspiring 2016 Commencement video
 
 
In This Issue
In This Issue
Donate to A-B Tech

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, CBRE Hotels , 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.

Kay Crews
Board Emeritus

Nancy Miller
Board Emeritus

Office of College Advancement Staff
Sue H Olesiuk
Executive Director
Phone: 828.398.7176
Liz Atkinson
Lavender Fund Scholarship Advisor
Phone: 828.398.7564
 
Amanda Bryan
Development Specialist
Phone: 828-398-7177

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
 
Laura Pennington
Director of Resource Development 
Phone: 828.398.7571
 
Helpful Links

The Office of College Advancement  

 

Volunteering at A-B Tech 

 

Archived Foundation Newsletters