A-B Tech Celebrates The Groundbreaking For Computer Technologies Center

Students from the Business and Hospitality Education Division turn the first shovels of dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the college's new Computer Technology Center.

Eight students from the Division of Business and Hospitality Education turned the first shovels of dirt as A-B Tech broke ground in December for a $5 million Computer Technology Center described by President K. Ray Bailey as a long-held dream for the campus.

The first major project funded by the 2000 Higher Education Bond Referendum, the center will house three academic departments - Business Computer Technologies, Networking Technologies, and Administrative/Medical Systems Technologies - when construction is completed in about a year.

Fifteen state-of-the-art custom computer labs and 15 faculty offices will be located in the three-story, 36,180-square-foot building. An interactive television room will allow the college to offer classes to remote sites throughout its service area. Bailey thanked the General Assembly, the college's bond committee, and voters for their support of the bond referendum. He also expressed appreciation to Foundation Board member Jerry Dave of Dave Steel, who donated about an acre that allowed the college to complete the building site.

Ray Spells, chairman of the Board of Trustees, pointed out that only 25 percent of Americans used computers at work in 1984, compared to nearly 90 percent today, leading to double-digit enrollment increases in the college's information technology programs within the past few years. "This Computer Technology Center will allow A-B Tech to continue to produce the computer wizards every industry needs these days, the computer wizards who are critical to our community's economy."

State Sen. Steve Metcalf, a member of the Board of Trustees, said the new building "represents what A-B Tech is all about - educating citizens for the economy that is prevalent at the time." He added that voters' overwhelming approval of the bond referendum signifies "the good work you're doing and the faith the people of Buncombe County have in you."

Nathan Ramsey, chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, said the building is important not because of the physical structure, but because of the lives it will change "so folks can live the American Dream."

Asheville Mayor Charles Worley said A-B Tech has done a "remarkable job of training young people to meet today's challenges and the challenges of the future," and added that his own wife is a graduate of the college who became a programmer and a systems analyst. "Experience in computer science is particularly close to me," he said.Return to top

A-B Tech Honors Trustee Emeritus J. Herbert Coman

J. Herbert Coman and his wife Sara stand in front of the plaque dedicating the newly named J. Herbert Coman Student Activity Center.

J. Herbert Coman was recognized for nearly four decades of service on the A-B Tech Board of Trustees when the college held a dedication ceremony Dec. 12 naming its Student Activity Center in his honor.

Coman, the longest-serving member of the board, was appointed as one of the college's original trustees in 1963, and his tenure has included terms as vice chairman from 1973 to 1974 and chairman from 1974 to 1976. He was named the board's first trustee emeritus on Aug. 5.

Coman has served through three presidents, the establishment of every program the college offers, and the growth of A-B Tech from an industrial education center to a comprehensive community college with three campuses. A former educator and human resources manager at Beacon Manufacturing Co., he has brought a blend of education and business expertise to his service on the board, ensuring that A-B Tech's programs have met the needs of the community's business and industry.

State Sen. Steve Metcalf, who serves on the board with Coman, presented him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Gov. Mike Easley during the dedication. The award is presented to outstanding North Carolinians who have a proven record of service to the state. Past recipients include Maya Angelou, Dr. Billy Graham, and Michael Jordan.

Nathan Ramsey, chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and Asheville Mayor Charles Worley declared Dec. 12 J. Herbert Coman Day in Buncombe County and Asheville. Also paying tribute to Coman were A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey; Ray Spells, chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Harvey Haynes, the college's president emeritus and a fellow trustee; the Rev. Dr. John McWhorter, minister to Coman and his family 47 years ago at French Broad Avenue United Methodist Church; state Rep. Wilma Sherrill; and Coman's son, Jim, the chairman of the A-B Tech Foundation Board of Directors.

The J. Herbert Coman Student Activity Center houses the college's bookstore, gym, health and physical education, intramurals, job placement office, recruiter, snack bar, and Student Government Association office-See page 2 for a question-and-answer with Coman.Return to top

One of the children from the SGA Holiday Party Dec. 6 shows her excitement at receiving a Big Wheel and a stocking stuffed with goodies. For more photos, turn to page 3 Return to top

Hooray For the CNAs

Pam Burns, an RN and Staff Development Coordinator at Highland Farms in Black Mountain, wrote to praise three A-B Tech graduates from the CNA program. Becky Cole, Joyce Jones and Edna Crowe were described as "wonderful! They follow the rules and are very conscientious of the job they do, " Ms. Burns writes. "They are very caring and it shows in their work. They have a lot of pride in their work and how they do it."

The Show's The Thing

The Ferguson Players, A-B Tech's Readers Theater group made up of Director Chris Tibbetts and actors Kenet Adamson, Sue Olesiuk, and Shirley Maggio, performed the piece "Alarics Lady" at Asheville Middle School's Medieval Festival. A second cast made up of Director Deborah Lonon and actors David Holcombe, Randee Goodstadt, Faye Muse, Sherry Thompson, Michael Harney, and Barbara Gargiulo performed "The Night Before Christmas" at the A-B Tech Local NCAEOP holiday luncheon Dec. 18.

Can-Do Attitude

Max Queen, Dean of Allied Health and Public Service, wrote to President Bailey praising the 110% effort that Tracey Crompton, Aaron Surrett, and Donald Keener of Plant Operations gave in assembling and delivering several tables and chairs to classrooms in the Hemlock and Rhododendron buildings. The job took longer than expected and the three stayed until it was completed so a weekend workshop and regular classes could go on as planned. Max writes,"They worked hard and had a positive 'let's get the job done' attitude."Return to top