Vol. 8 No. 6 June 2002
A-B Tech Students Receive Tools Of The Trade
Examining the contents of a Miller Brewing Company Tools for Success tool set are (L-R) A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey, student Aaron Whitmire, student Chester Owenby, Dean of Engineering and Applied Technology Robert Anderson, Cathy Wright of Miller Brewing Company, and Larry Boyd, chairperson of Machining Technology.
Two students from A-B Tech have been chosen to receive Tools for Success awards through an innovative partnership program in which Miller Brewing Company provides graduates of technical degree programs with the actual tools they need to transition directly into the workforce.
"Many technical trades require new employees to begin work with their own set of tools, which can be a large expense for a recent college graduate," said Cathy Wright, regional public affairs manager for Miller Brewing Company. "By providing these students with tool sets, we help them transition directly into the workforce and we give them an additional edge in securing a position in a competitive job market."
A-B Tech Tool, Die and Mold Making students Aaron Whitmire and Chester Owenby will receive professional grade tool sets worth more than $3,000. Whitmore and Owenby are among only 27 students in the state selected to receive tools this year. Recipients were chosen on the basis of academic performance, quality of work, enthusiasm, preparedness and potential for success in their chosen field, involvement in community or campus life, leadership, ability to overcome obstacles, responsibility, and dependability.
"I am very fortunate because when I start working full time I won't have to buy my tools," Aaron said. "Anyone who is a tool maker knows how much precision tools cost. Several years can go into filling a tool box up with tools."
A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey said the college is proud to have two students chosen for the Tools for Success program. "We have given them the education they need to excel in their careers and now, Miller Brewing Company has given them the tools so they can put their expertise to work immediately. Together, these students are now well equipped to enter the workforce and succeed."
A-B Tech is one of nine community colleges in the state selected by Miller as Tools for Success partners. Awards are also being made at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, Lenoir Community College in Kinston, Pitt Community College in Greenville, Rockingham Community College in Wentworth, and Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh.
Established in 1998, the North Carolina Tools for Success program is Miller's first statewide and most far-reaching Tools endeavor. The program, which is endorsed by the American Association of Community Colleges, has awarded more than $2 million in tools to more than 1,500 technical/community college graduates in California, Georgia, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In 2000, the U.S. Department of Labor recognized the program as a best practice in job training. Return to top
Students Among Academic Excellence Recipients
Victoria Fugate, an Associate Degree Nursing student, and Associate in Arts student Kelly Gunter were chosen for the 2002 North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award. The NCCCS honored 118 high achievers from the 58 community colleges in May. The award recognizes excellence and encourages scholarship among the more than 780,000 students of the NCCCS. The students selected at each institution have set high goals and attained the pinnacle of academic success in the Community College System.
Kelly Gunter was one of three student speakers chosen to talk about their experiences within the community college system. Kelly, a high school dropout, had gone from job to job, before realizing that she was "never really going anywhere." It was then that she decided to pursue the American Dream and enroll at A-B Tech.
Three years later, she is about to graduate and transfer to a four-year college to study social work. She credits much of her newfound life to her experiences at A-B Tech. "It's about new beginnings and second chances," she said. Community college means hope...hope for a chance and for some, a second chance at a better life. Since becoming a community college student, I have discovered that I don't have to make a lot of money, instead, I can make a difference. My experiences at A-B Tech that began with that first...algebra class, my involvement with the SGA, and graduating from the Student Leadership Institute have taught me that anything is possible." Return to top
EMS Students Participate in Disaster Drill
Fourteen A-B Tech Emergency Medical Science students learned firsthand how someone might feel during a disaster. The campus of UNCA was the site for a mock bioterrorist attack that tested the skills of hundreds of emergency workers, with the A-B Tech EMS students cast as the victims. The students were able to try their acting skills as a mock bomb went off in the Highsmith Student Center. Stacie Owensby roamed aimlessly, much as a real victim would, screaming for help, getting in the way of the emergency workers, and ignoring orders. "They told me to be anxious and obnoxious" and create as much chaos as possible, she said.
Although this drill was primarily to test professional readiness and local decontamination facilities, it also provided an invaluable glimpse into this high intensity profession for the future EMS workers. The drill gave them firsthand knowledge of the fear and confusion that is involved in a disaster, whether it be a massive bombing or a car wreck, and that they may someday have to be the one to make a life and death decision. "It's a decision a paramedic has to make all the time" student Stephanie Maze said. "Hopefully I'll be able to handle it when it's the real thing." Return to top
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Students Among Academic Excellence Recipients
EMS Students Participate in Disaster Drill
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Nursing Student Goes to D.C.
Second year Associate Degree Nursing Degree student Tori Fugate was one of two North Carolina nursing students who participated in the National Federation of Specialty Nursing Organizations (NFSNO) sponsored Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI). The four-day internship informed over 100 nurses in the country about current issues concerning the nursing field.
Occupational Training Gets State Approval
Skye Myrick, Director of Occupational Training Programs, received a letter from the Western Branch of the NC Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers thanking her for providing an Engineers In Training Exam Review. The 40-hour training course prepares local engineers to take the state exam. In addition, the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors has approved the Occupational Training Program at A-B Tech to provide courses in Mechanical, Plumbing, Heating, and Fuel Gas Licensure.
Maag Visits Erwin
Stephen Maag, Academic Advisor in Student Services, was thanked by Senior Counselor Linda Glasco at Erwin High School for his presentation on the community college system and opportunities at A-B Tech.
Charter Sponsors Luncheon
On April 29, the Business Computer Technologies Department held an Advisory Committee meeting. Representatives from local area businesses attended the luncheon, sponsored by Charter Communications. Tobie Sprinkle, Advisory Committee member and employee of Charter Communications, said: "A-B Tech has provided us with quality employees and is a valuable resource to the community. Being able to assist the school by sponsoring the luncheon was a small way we could give back to an institution that gives so much to the community."