A Conversation With Trustee Emeritus J. Herbert Coman

Do you remember your first board meeting at A-B Tech?

Very well. Being the youngest one there, we didn't have enough chairs to go around so I got to sit on an orange crate. That's how far we've come. The main thing I remember - the big issue - was whether they were going to let the high schools send students into the vocational schools, where they would do half a day at school and half here. Two or three of the principals were quite concerned that this would become a place to get rid of the problem children. Some of the parents objected that their children were being sent to a vocational school. It was a heated discussion.

Recently you were named the Board of Trustees' first Trustee Emeritus. How has the board evolved over the years?

One of the strengths of our board is we have let the administrative staff run the school. We don't try to dictate. I can't think of anyone trying to dictate in all the years I've been on the board. We set policy and we let administrators administrate. It's always been that way. We have had three powerful administrators - Tom Simpson Harvey Haynes, Ray Bailey. We've been very fortunate to have those three follow each other with the same goal in mind. If there's anything that has led to the strength of this school, it's been those three.

What are the most significant changes you have witnessed in the college?

The change in curriculum. The main thing we had when we started was auto mechanics, carpentry, refrigeration - subjects such as that. The college transfer program changed us tremendously. A lot of our staff didn't think it would work but it has. Our first year we had 160 students; now we have over 27,000.

You are known as an active force at meetings, events and graduations. What are your plans for the future? Will you continue to be this active force and serve on the board?

I think I will attend the meetings just as I've been doing. I will answer and give advice when asked. For the short period of time I've been Trustee Emeritus, I'm not sure the procedure I should follow. I will learn.

Having served through three presidents and the birth of new programs and campuses and acting as a visionary for the creation of many programs, what do you think is the future for A-B Tech?

I feel strongly you will see within 10 years the United States will be dependent more and more on leading community colleges for the transfusion of new teachers. Next year alone, we need close to 10,000 certified teachers and they are just not there. There is no question that the community colleges would be the quickest way to fulfill that need. We have a responsibility within the community college system to train these future teachers.

What role do you think A-B Tech serves in the area of workforce development within the community college system?

A personal example I was involved in is about 18-20 years ago, a group from RCA in Indianapolis came to Asheville to look over this area and bring down the operation here or to Mexico, South America or Charlotte. Harvey Haynes - then president - advised them to talk to me. I advised them to place it here above all else. I told them we have the manpower. They did take my advice and moved to Weaverville. A-B Tech set up the training. In October of 1984, we opened up. We produced more in the first month than Indianapolis did. We took a group of people that had never seen a machine, had no idea what it was and trained them right here on this campus. We placed an ad in the paper that said, 'Look who's coming to Weaverville' and had over 3,000 applications. We interviewed every one of them. That was the start of Sonopress here. It's one of the best examples of workforce training.

Your leadership extends well beyond A-B Tech and the state educational system. What other ways have you served in your community?

I have served as a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years at Swannanoa United Methodist Church. I also served as lay speaker and chairman of the church's administrative board. I have been a trustee and secretary for the board of the N.C. School of Math and Science in Durham. I also was a member of the Governor's Task Force for the Study of Math and Science in all state schools from kindergarten through graduate school and chaired the K-12 study.

Your family is very civic-minded and supportive of your role as a leader in this community. Tell us about your family. How many children do you have?

Lib and I have three children: James Herbert Jr. (presently A-B Tech Board Foundation Chairman) Gerald Rhodes, and Elizabeth Anne and four grandsons: Jason Rhodes Coman, Brett Middleton Coman, Patrick Coman O'Connor and Cameron Wilson O'Connor. All of my children and grandchildren are very outstanding, but I'm not sure what part I played in that.

Why A-B Tech?

Everywhere I go, whether it's Washington or Raleigh, when they find out you are from A-B Tech they want to talk to you; they want to learn. Return to top

Another Brick In The Wall

New learning worksites have been added for the Masonry Certification Program offered through Occupational and Public Service Traing.. Masonry students, under the direction of instructor Mark Bloomfield, will begin work at the Biltmore Estate in front of the Gate House Gift Shop on a brick planter and paving. They will also continue working with various projects at the WNC Governor's Residence.

Craggy Correctional Kudos

Shelly Queen, an A-B Tech student researching "The Social Psychological Cycles of a Prisoner" for Social Psychology 152, wrote to President Bailey about her experience at Craggy Correctional Center.. During her time spent there doing research, she commented on how appreciative the inmates were of A-B Tech and the teachers for their generosity and the time they devote to their rehabilitation. She writes, "They love A-B Tech and everything that A-B Tech has done for them."

Vanessa Crouch Gets Scholarship

Vanessa Crouch, A-B Tech secretary in the Personnel Department, received a $500 scholarship from the Western North Carolina Human Resources Association WNCHRA). Vanessa, a Western Carolina graduate student working towards a Masters degree in Human Resources, submitted an essay on why she wants to receive her Masters degree and is a student member of the WNCHRA. She plans on completeing her degree by Spring 2004.Return to top