Readers Theater Performs "Uncertain Welcome"
Annie Clingenpeel (far right), Foreign Language Instructor Shirley Maggio, Director of Admissions Faye Muse, and Director of Counseling Debby Harmon perform"Uncertain Welcome"
Almost 6.8 million people are diagnosed as having some sort of disability. As part of Disability Awareness Month, the Readers Theater Troupe put on an original production of "Uncertain Welcome." Coordinator of Disability Services Annie Clingenpeel, Foreign Language Instructor Shirley Maggio, Director of Admissions Faye Muse, and Director of Counseling Debby Harmon read selections from students, teachers and others who have experienced disabilities on some level. Such well-known figures as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, and Thomas Edison have all overcome some form of disability. In the words of polio survivor, President Franklin Roosevelt, "We know that equality of individual ability has never existed and never will, but we do insist that equality of opportunity still must be sought."
Those Amazin' Admins!
They are the front-line people, the first impression, the first contact a student or community member will have on campus. They are also the behind-the-scenes people, the ones who keep the cogs greased so the college can keep running smoothly and efficiently.
"As a group, they really are the heart of the institution," says Pam Silvers, Chairperson of Business Computer Technologies, who gave a presentation to the Office Professionals (OP) at the Sept. 18 Quality Enhancement Retreat. Realizing she was speaking to people who already practiced the art of Invitational Education, Silvers instead geared her presentation to be a "celebration of how wonderful they are."
Of the approximately 65 office professionals on campus, 28 filled out the survey cards Silvers presented to create a "group resume" on their years of service, awards and accomplishments, and organizations to which they belong.
And the information is truly amazing. According to the survey:
- The participants have a combined total of 346 years of service at the college.
- Many of them are certified Educational Office Employees.
- They are members of national honor, business and professional societies, such as the local, state, and national divisions of the Association of Educational Office Professionals, and the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
- They teach Sunday School, organize work-study programs, belong to the League of Women Voters and the Buncombe County Schools Advisory Board.
- They have won numerous awards, such as the Educational Office Professional of the Year, Office Professional of the Year, Staff Person of the Year, Outstanding ACCESS Student from Mars Hill College, Excellence in Public Service, 2002 Volunteer of the Year, and the Horizon Award.
Small Houses for Big Hearts
Chairperson of Construction Management Technology Ken Czarnomski (in blue shirt) guides his students in building a playhouse for Habitat for Humanity.
The energy level in the carpentry shop is akin to a swarm of bees buzzing around the hive. The Carpentry and Construction Management Technology students in Ken Czarnomski's class are climbing, tacking, nailing, and cutting furiously. All in the name of charity.
The students are building a house, a complete house with sub-floors, wall studs, roof shingles, framed-out windows - even a chimney. It's perfect. It's also 80 square feet.
Czarnomski's day and night students have designed and built two playhouses that Habitat for Humanity, with promotional help from WOXL 96.5 and Biltmore Square Mall, will raffle in order to raise funds. With over $600 in materials donated by Westall-Chandley Lumber Company and Holladay Paint Company, Habitat hopes the raffle will raise $6,000 to provide decent, affordable housing for area families living in inadequate housing.
The students were given approximately two weeks to complete construction, and have worked at a rapid pace to finish the projects. Already, the day students have put in 35 working hours on their house, while Luther Walker's night class has pounded out 21 construction hours in just three days. With just one more week to complete the finish work and painting, the students are staying hours after their regular class time. "We're flying," says Czarnomski. They will load the houses on a flatbed and re-assemble them at Biltmore Square Mall, where they will be on display until the drawing on Nov. 21. Afterward, the students will disassemble the houses and re-assemble them at each winner's house.
"We are really thrilled about this," says Deborah Welch, Habitat Community Relations Director. "It's so great that the A-B Tech students get to use their skills that will benefit people in need of adequate housing. It's a win-win for everyone involved."
To view the houses or to purchase tickets for the raffle, go to Biltmore Square Mall through Nov. 20. Tickets can also be purchased at the Habitat Home Store, and Oldies 96.5 radio station.