Vol. 13 Issue 9September 2007
 

Headlines

A Q&A with A-B Tech's New President, Dr. Betty Young

Dr. Betty Young

A-B Tech President
Dr. Betty Young

Dr. Betty Young was unanimously elected as A-B Tech’s fourth president Aug. 6 by the College’s Board of Trustees. The former president of Northwest State Community College in Archbold, OH, Dr. Young officially began her new job Sept. 1. After a visit to campus in late August she took time to respond to a few questions from Communications Director Mona Cornwell.

  1. You went to college for the first time at the age of 28 – about the average age of our curriculum students. What prompted you to enroll and how did you feel about being on a college campus after being out of school 10 years?

    At age 28, I was working two jobs, a single mom, trying to make ends meet. I wanted more for my daughter and me. I started by taking a class in accounting, I thought it would help me at my current job. My professor and an advisor at the two-year college told me I would have much more opportunity if I would complete a degree. It was scary for me to think about what it would take to earn a degree but I knew they were right so I made the decision to change my life and earning that degree did just that.

  2. Today is the first day of the fall semester. What would you tell a new student whose situation was similar to your own to help him or her overcome those back-to-school jitters?

    Focus on the goal, marching at graduation, holding that degree in your hand ... and take it one day at a time. I never allowed myself to miss class. Even if I had not read every page assigned, if I was in class I stayed focused and learned from the professor and my fellow classmates. Go to class, it is the single greatest predictor of success. If you are taking online classes, schedule a time for the class just like you were in a classroom and go to class.

    Don't be afraid to ask for help. I had a lot of tutoring in math, it was not my strongest subject but in the end I earned an associate degree in Math and Science. I discovered that math was not that hard, I just had not learned it in high school so I was afraid I was not good at math and could not learn. Good teachers and tutors helped me learn in ways that worked for me.

  3. Although you waited to begin your college career, you went on to earn six degrees and a very impressive string of letters after your name, including Ph.D., J.D., and LL.M. How did receiving that first two-year degree influence your future?

    Along with the associate degree, I earned the confidence that I could learn and be successful. I never looked back. With the associate degree credits that applied to my bachelor degree, I continued immediately to earn my Bachelor of Business Administration. Each success built my confidence and gave me the courage to follow my dreams.

  4. Have you had a role model?

    My role model has been my parents. I lost my Dad two years ago and last week my mother at age 77 decided to retire. We are a farm family. My parents both worked off the farm also, my mother as a cosmetologist and my father as an operating engineer and later as county commissioner. They taught me the value of hard work, persistence, and integrity. I am an only child and I joke that my Dad wanted boys but all he got was me so I learned to stack hay bales and that the animals on the farm don't take holidays. It was a great childhood and shaped the person I am today.

  5. Do you think you bring different attributes to the job than your predecessors as a result of being A-B Tech's first female president?

    This college has had great leadership throughout its history. Each leader has been the right person at the right time; it is my hope to be that person for this time. Each of us is unique. Our education, experiences, and yes gender all contribute to that uniqueness. Others describe me as innovative, entrepreneurial, high energy, and passionate about the community college and students' success. One of the most important aspects of this transition period is to take time to get to know each other as we develop our expectations for working together.

  6. In addition to being an educator and a lawyer, you are also an entrepreneur. What kind of experience do you have in the business world and how does it help you in serving as president of a community college?

    Entrepreneurs are always looking for opportunities and ready to act when they present themselves. This talent is equally important in the community college as we continually scan our environment looking for needs and developing programs to fill that need. One example is the new programs offered this fall at A-B Tech, Spa and Resort Management, Cosmetology, Massage Therapy and CT/MRI.

  7. What is one thing you would like the faculty and staff to know about you?

    The title President carries tremendous responsibilities and I don't take that lightly. However, the President is like the captain of the team, it takes the team to win the game. I want people to know my office is open to them. I like to hear what others are thinking, share ideas, dream together and then together we can get things done. We will accomplish so much more together than we can individually.

  8. What about the community?

    The name of the College is Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. We exist to serve this community and my role as President is one of service to the community. I look forward to being part of the economic development and business community providing service to area employers. I also look forward to being on the economic development team for the area as a spokesperson and salesperson telling the story of what A-B Tech can do for your business.

  9. Two years ago, you rode more than 2,200 miles on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the "Lessons for Leno Tour." How did you become a Harley rider?

    I entered my Mom in a contest when I was 13 years old and she won a Honda 50 motorcycle. That is how it began. I owned several motorcycles as a young person and then put them away to raise my daughter. In 1992, when my daughter was 18 I decided to ride again and that is when I bought my Harley. At the time, I did not know it would be such a great tool for getting Jay Leno's attention so we could tell the truth about the community college and our successful students.

  10. This is the end of your first "unofficial" day in the new job. Tell us your impressions.

    In the nearly 50 years A-B Tech has been serving people in this area the faculty, staff and students of A-B Tech have been writing the success stories. You see it everywhere you look and in each person you encounter. I am impressed with the new programs rolling out this fall and the plans for the one-stop student-center; these are examples of the innovation I see on the A-B Tech campus. That innovation and the campus dedication to student success were the attributes that drew me to this college.

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Bailey Named President Emeritus During Summer Commencement

graduates sitting at commencement

A-B Tech graduates listen to speaker President Emeritus K. Ray Bailey during summer commencement Aug. 3.

Dr. Harvey Haynes, chairman of A-B Tech's Board of Trustees, named K. Ray Bailey President Emeritus of the College during the summer commencement ceremony Aug. 3 in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

President Bailey served as commencement speaker, as well as presided over his final graduation where more than 225 degrees and diplomas were awarded. "In my 17 years as president, I have presided over 21 graduations, but never before have I stood here as a class' commencement speaker," he told graduates. "Sharing this milestone with you is one of the most gratifying experiences of my career, and one I will always remember."

President Bailey recounted several highlights of his 41-year career, including the development of the three campuses, the creation of A-B Tech at the Mall, the number of new programs, and enrollment approaching 27,000 students. "But our primary effort has been centered around a single goal - making a difference in people's lives," he said.

President Bailey shared stories about how A-B Tech changed the lives of three students who became College employees – Jo Ann Crompton, executive administrative assistant; Connie Buckner, Madison Site director; and Kathy Godfrey, English/Communications instructor.

Elyse Robb and Matt Gruber

Culinary Technology graduates Elyse Robb, and Matt Gruber, also a member of the national champion Culinary Team, prepare to line up for summer commencement Aug. 3.

He also outlined some of his keys to leadership, which included a strong work ethic he learned from his parents, a passion for his job, communication, being trustworthy, being involved with the community and being loyal and dedicated to employers.

"I hope you...like Jo Ann, Connie and Kathy...found your passion at A-B Tech," Bailey said. "Congratulations on your accomplishments, and I encourage you to continue to represent our College well."

President Bailey also presented the Staff Member of the Year Award to Glenna Gunter, Allied Health and Public Service secretary, and the Continuing Education Instructor of the Year Award to Barbara Gargiulo, who has taught in several departments over the past 10 years.

See related story, Employees Honored During Commencement Ceremonies

 
Harvey Haynes naming President Bailey, President Emeritus

Dr. Harvey Haynes, chairman of A-B Tech's Board of Trustees, names K. Ray Bailey President Emeritus of the College.

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A-B Tech Awarded $238,000 Manufacturing Grant by Duke Energy

A $238,000 grant designed to broaden the employee pool for manufacturers in Western North Carolina has been awarded to A-B Tech by the Duke Energy Carolinas' Community College Grant Program.

The Resurgent Manufacturing Initiative grant will be used to purchase a CNC machine for Machining Technology, a coordinate measuring machine and equipment for Mechanical Engineering, and programmable logic controllers for Electronics Engineering Technology.

"The future of successful manufacturing lies with the use of smart manufacturing strategies," A-B Tech President Betty Young said. "Business in our region of the state will benefit greatly through the programs A-B Tech will be providing because of this grant."

The project provides support for area companies to build a well-trained workforce. The College will be able to train students in apprenticeship programs in electronics engineering, mechanical technician, and tool and die machining.

"This is state-of-the-art technology that would be otherwise be out of our means," Larry Boyd, A-B Tech's Machining Technology chair, said. "It will train the Mechanical Engineering students on equipment that they will actually use in the real world."

Duke Energy recognized that even though the Carolinas have top-rated community and technical college systems, budgetary constraints present a challenge for them. Managed by The Foundation For The Carolinas, Duke's Community and Technical College Grant Program provides a financial boost that helps colleges extend their expertise, provide rewarding opportunities for students, and ultimately, revitalize manufacturing in the Carolinas.

The Foundation For The Carolinas is a nonprofit community foundation serving donors and a broad range of charitable purposes in North and South Carolina. With assets of more than $500 million, the Foundation encourages and makes possible philanthropic giving by individuals of all means to benefit their communities. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.fftc.org.

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Tech Talk is published by the Communications Office for employees and friends of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Editor: Mona Cornwell, Writer: Martha Ball, Designer: April Sides
Send submissions to: Mona Cornwell, Director of Communications, at mcornwell@abtech.edu