On October 19, 2017 the A-B Tech Office of College Advancement, in conjunction with the College's Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, Hospitality Management programs, hosted the 7th annual Autumn in Asheville fundraising event. The  event transformed the grounds, dining rooms, and kitchen of A-B Tech's Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality into a fun, vibrant country fair, complete with an ice sculpture petting zoo and a chili tasting competition. Music for the evening was provided by Buncombe Turnpike, with a photo booth provided by Photostrip Asheville.

We would like to show our appreciation to our sponsors for their support of this very important event:

Jaden McTaggart, an Autumn in Asheville Scholarship recipient was selected to travel to NASA's Langley Research Center in September to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars project (NCAS).

Jaden was selected as one of 304 community college students from across the U.S. to be part of NCAS. He is the 11th A-B Tech student that has been selected over the past five years. He will graduate from A-B Tech in 2018 with Associate Degrees in Science and Engineering. He plans to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering with a concentration in nanotechnology.

 

"NASA had always kind of been that dream job that seemed out of reach and unattainable. I decided to take a shot of it and did well enough to be invited. I can't wait to meet other students, engineers and scientists," he said.

The five-week scholars program culminated with a four-day on-site event at Langley Research Center and offered students the opportunity to interact with NASA engineers and others as they learn more about careers in science and engineering. While at NASA, students formed teams and established fictional companies interested in Mars exploration. Each team was responsible for developing and testing a prototype rover, forming a company infrastructure, managing a budget, and developing communications and outreach.

Congratulations Jaden!!   

A-B Tech students face many challenges not related to academics that are a barrier to   achieving their dreams, including w ork conflicts, housing, child care, transportation, and legal problems. Additionally, a lack of a personal/social support system, and/or other family-related issues is among the top reasons students drop out. To help our students   succeed, the college has several supportive services in place.

• The Student Emergency Fund that helps students pay for unexpected expenses such as bus passes, school supplies, car repairs, or groceries  

• Mental health and counseling services 

• Onsite food pantry 

• Information and referral services 

• Child Care partnership with the YWCA

Grants play a big part in the College's ability to offer these services. For example, a grant from TD Bank in October allows us to expand the services of the student emergency fund to help with housing expenses. The Helen A. Powers fund awarded $30,000 in early December to help Lavender scholarship recipients (who are single parents) with summer scholarships and case management services. Finally, a grant from Single Stop USA, via The Belk Foundation, will help our students that are also veterans navigate services that can help them succeed. From everyone here at the Foundation, thank you to our generous grant partners.  

THANK YOU!!

The online scholarship application process will begin January 8, 2018 for the 2018-2019 academic year. We look forward to another great year, and of helping as many students as possible.

Thank you for your continued support!

Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1993458 and Amazon donates to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Foundation Inc.