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Graduation Day is bittersweet. Our students say goodbye to faculty and campus and hello to the world of possibilities awaiting them. Watching new college graduates cross the stage beaming with accomplishment was so inspiring. We know that many of our students would not have walked across that stage without you and your support through scholarships, mentoring and volunteering. Thank you for contributing to their success! College Advancement is delighted to welcome over 1,000 graduates as new alumni to A-B Tech. We can't wait to stay in touch with each one to see the great things they will do in their chosen field.
If you want to learn more about how you can become involved in student success and our community's college, please contact us at abtech.edu/advancement. There is a way for everyone to help at A-B Tech. We look forward to helping you find your favorite way to support the College.
We wish each of you a fun, memory-filled summer.
All the best,
Amanda
Amanda Edwards, CFRE
Executive Director
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A-B Tech Commencement 2017
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A-B Tech Community College awarded more than 1,000 degrees and diplomas to graduates during the college's commencement ceremony Saturday, May 13 in the U.S. Cellular Center. A-B Tech President, Dennis King, and Board of Trustees Chair, Joe Brumit, presided over the ceremony and UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant delivered the keynote address.
This year's commencement marked the first graduating class for five new two-year degree programs that began in Fall 2015: Aviation, including degrees in Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology; Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (HVAC); Environmental Engineering Technology; Health and Fitness Science; and Associate in Engineering.
Graduate Philip Martin said he decided to pursue a degree in Health and Fitness Science after considering a career in nutrition. "This program combines physical fitness with healthy eating, and there is so much real-world experience by having my own clients as a personal trainer while in school," he said.
Ms. Oralene Simmons received an Honorary Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Community Relations, and Ms. Brinda Caldwell received an Honorary Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Art and Decorative Management.
A-B Tech also honored four employees who were selected by their peers and students to receive awards: Dr. Russ Palmeri, Faculty Member of the Year, Michelle Payton, Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year, R. J. Corman, Staff Member of the Year, and Eric Cox,
Continuing Education Instructor of the Year.
Please enjoy this brief video for more graduate success stories!
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The 14th annual K. Ray Bailey / A-B Tech Foundation Invitational Golf Classic
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The first Friday in June has been a special day for A-B Tech's Office of College Advancement. It is the annual K. Ray Bailey/A-B Tech Invitational Golf Classic held at the Mt. Mitchell golf course. All proceeds from this event go toward the success of our students as the K. Ray Bailey/A-B Tech Foundation Invitational Golf Classic student scholarship. In the past 13 years, we have raised almost $500,000. Last year alone we were able to award 50 scholarships to students who may not have been able to attend college otherwise!
Over half of the students at A-B Tech are in need of some form of financial aid, and fundraising efforts such as this golf tournament make a real impact in the local community. Sponsors and Golfers alike help individuals attend college and make a better life for themselves and their families.
The tournament itself is sold out, but there are still sponsorship opportunities available. If you would like more information contact Susan Haldane at 828-398-7567 or [email protected].
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A-B Tech's Volunteer Mentoring Program Luncheon
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On May 10, 2017, mentor and mentees gathered to celebrate their accomplishments over the past academic year. Good food and many joyful tears were shared as we bid a fond farewell to graduating mentees included Jameka Bowman and Lanita Smith, pictured below.
A-B Tech Mentoring program pairs community volunteers who have been successful in their academic and work careers with students who are looking for academic guidance and life lessons. Its goals are to guide and support first-generation and other college students at A-B Tech to achieve their academic objectives and successfully navigate the academic and cultural landscape of A-B Tech.
(Left to right - Mentor Bob Day and his Mentee Jameka Bowman along with Mentee Lanita Smith and her Mentee Maddy Edwards)
We are proud to report that eleven students participated in the Mentoring Program this academic year. Of those eleven students, five graduated with their associate's degrees from A-B Tech this spring, six are continuing their education at a four-year university and five will remain in the program another year.
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NC State Employees
Combined Campaign
Designation Code #3803
Combined Federal Campaign
Designation Code #75833
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2017
A-B Tech Foundation Board
of Directors
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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
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
Shelia Elingburg
Owner, Downing Place Management, LLC
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
Dennis King
President, A-B Tech
Michael Kryzanek
Associate, CBRE Hotels
, Province Valuation Group, Inc.
Thomas Maher
Pisgah Investments, LLC
Michael Meguiar
GE Aviation
Anita Metcalf
Retired, A-B Tech
Bill Murdock
Eblen Charities
John Oswald
Mills Manufacturing
George Pfeiffer, Jr.
Insurance Services of Asheville
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
Jonathan Szucs
Advanced Superabrasives, Inc
Pat Wood
Budweiser of Asheville, Inc.
Dirk Wilmoth
CFO, A-B Tech
Kay Crews
Board Emeritus
Nancy Miller
Board Emeritus
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Office of College Advancement Staff
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Amanda Edwards
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
Susan Haldane
Development/Events Coordinator
Phone: 828.398.7567
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