A-B Tech Appreciated at 2003 Industry Appreciation Event
President Bailey presents a $500 scholarship to Bob Owen, A-B Tech graduate and Plant Manager of Saint-Gobain Abrasives in Arden.
A-B Tech was well represented at the 2003 Industry Appreciation Event sponsored by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
In recognition of Saint-Gobain Abrasives' contributions to the region, President Bailey presented a $500 scholarship from A-B Tech to the company for use by an employee or employee's family member. Saint-Gobain is one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of abrasive products and systems. The stationary diamond tool division is headquartered in Arden.
Vice President of Instructional Services Sharon Morrissey and Vice President of Continuing Education Max Queen served on the Community Task Force, which paired educational institutions awarding scholarships with an industry receiving the funds.
Executive Director of Corporate and Economic Development Mike McCarthy was given special thanks for his commitment to this year's event. By revising the Manufacturing Leadership Awards application, selecting and coordinating the judges and their review process, and providing platforms for manufacturers to share their methods, McCarthy "contributed significantly toward making the 2003 Leadership Awards program a regional preparation for state and national competitions." He and Doug Jones, Coordinator for Customized Training and Quality Initiatives, served on the Applications Committee and were judges for the Manufacturing Leadership Awards.
OD Corner: Good News Update about the SACS Re-Accreditation Process
On Friday, October 17th, the Leadership and Compliance Review Teams had a conference call with Dr. Tom Benberg, our SACS Liaison. Through this call, Dr. Benberg conveyed the preliminary findings of the Off-Site Peer Review Team. This team was responsible for reviewing our Compliance Certification, the first component of the re-accreditation process. Prior to this call, Dr. Benberg reassured us that, although there were some findings, we did a good job on the Compliance Certification and there was no need to be apprehensive about the conference call.
We are glad that this first review step is over and pleased to report that it was overwhelmingly positive. Out of 69 applicable compliance items, the review team determined only four to be in non-compliance. While we need to address all four items in our Follow-Up Report, only two actually require further work on our part. Yeah!
The review team indicated that it could not determine the college's compliance with five additional items; four of which require verification on our part, but no substantive work. The final item, related to general education competencies, will require further work, but the Compliance Review Team is confident that we are up to this task. The Follow-Up Report is due six weeks before our on-site visit in April, so our target mail date is March 1.
As you know, the Compliance Review Team worked diligently to prepare the narrative sections of the Compliance Certification. But, this document reflects more than good writing, it represents the dedication of each employee, who works hard on a day-to-day basis to follow the college's policies and procedures, provide good information to students, and facilitate the learning process.
So, thanks to the Compliance Review Team, thanks to all of you who assisted with the various aspects of the compliance review, and thanks to all of you who faithfully honor our mission of dedication to student success.
Next steps for the QEP:
In keeping with the SACS quality enhancement evaluation criteria, the Leadership Team has streamlined the QEP a bit. Even though some of the goals and objectives have been consolidated, we are confident that they remain true to the findings which resulted from our extensive planning process.
The draft was reviewed and approved by the Quality Enhancement Team and the President's Council in October and it will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval on November 3rd. After that, the finishing touches will be made and we will send it out to all employees via email and post it on the intranet. The QEP is due to the Commission on Colleges by January 12th.
Please feel free to contact Deborah Lonon (ext. 339) and Carol Rovello (ext. 178) at any time with questions or comments concerning the Compliance Review or Quality Enhancement Planning Process.
November Activities
- 4th Advising Financial Aid Students, Super Tuesday
- 6th QEP Roundtable
- 6th New Advisor General Academic Advising Training
- 7th New Advisor College Transfer Advising Training
- 11th Super Tuesday
- 12th Helping Students Transfer
- 13th Grant Writing
- 14th Excel Gradebook
- 17th Stress Reduction
- 18th Super Tuesday
- 20th Ergonomics
- 21st Helping Employees to Reach Their Full Potential
For more details, see the OD Calendar or contact ext. 178.
A-B Tech Receives Cutting Edge Donation
Students in A-B Tech's Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program now have new training equipment, thanks to the generosity of the N.C. Petroleum Marketers Association.
The NCPMA presented representatives from A-B Tech and 11 other community colleges brand new, state-of-the-art ThermoPack oil furnace and air conditioner units last month. Valued at about $3,200 each, the units were manufactured by Thermo Pride in Denton, have high oil-efficiency ratings, and will be used as training equipment at the colleges.
"Providing state-of-the-art equipment for our students is a constant challenge, and our partnerships with business and industry are critically important in helping us bridge the gap that exists between our needs and the funding we receive," President K. Ray Bailey said. "We're grateful for the valuable assistance of the Petroleum Marketers Association as we continue to fulfill our mission of workforce development."
AHR Department Chair Billy Wells said the unit is an oil furnace-air conditioning combo that sits outside a home so that the only part of the heating system that's inside are the ducts. The complexity of the unit allows students to learn new techniques and helps ensure that they're well prepared to enter the industry after graduation, he said.
Bill Kemp of NCPMA said the association hopes the addition of the equipment will attract more students to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning programs and eventually mean more business for the industry. "Anything that we can do to enhance the service delivery of the community college will benefit the industry and the citizens of North Carolina," Kemp said.
Since last year, the industry has donated a total of 39 oil furnace and air conditioner units, one for each community college that offers the HVAC curriculum and related courses. The National Oilheat Research Alliance is the industry organization that provided the funding for the public/private venture. NORA channels appropriate funding through state affiliates, including NCPMA.
You're Invited!
President K. Ray Bailey and the Board of Directors and staff of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Foundation cordially invite you to share in the dedication and celebration of a permanent display honoring the Foundation's generous contributors.
December 1, 2003
Reception 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Program 3:30 p.m.
Lobby of Ferguson Auditorium
RSVP to Brenda Katona by Nov. 17 254-1921 Ext. 177 or bkatona@abtech.edu.