A-B Tech Student Returns From War in Iraq
A-B Tech Welding student and Army Reservist Sgt. Greg Bias on duty during his stint in Iraq.
Like many students at A-B Tech, Greg Bias has juggled responsibilities with family and work while attending classes, but he's also had to deal with some not so traditional issues - such as taking a forced leave of absence after being called to active duty for the recent war in Iraq.
Enlisted in the Army Reserves, Bias got the call to serve his country right at the start of the 2003 spring semester. Stationed at Camp 93 in Kuwait, Sgt. Bias' primary responsibility was manning a 50-caliber gun mounted atop a Humvee that was either leading or trailing a convoy. From this open-air position, Bias logged more than 5,100 miles traveling in Kuwait and Iraq.
Bias has travelled great distances to return to his family, civilian life, and A-B Tech's welding program.
A year later, the 28-year-old is back on the Asheville campus of A-B Tech and back on track toward earning his Associate's Degree in Welding, and he's noticed how flexible the faculty and staff are in regard to his situation.
"Everyone here has been extremely understanding," said Bias. "After finding out that all of my textbooks had become outdated, I was allowed to pick up the newer versions at no cost from the bookstore. I also had some instructors help me by allowing me to view their textbooks and catch me up on notes and readings." Additionally, welding instructor Charlie Farmer worked with Bias to establish an independent study for a class that wouldn't have been offered for another two semesters. Bias' semester-long project with Farmer will be to customize the interior of a new emergency response trailer purchased by the college's Allied Health and Public Service Education Division.
Farmer stated that it's easy to accommodate students like Bias who may be facing unusual circumstances. "Greg has a good attitude," said Farmer. "He just wants to learn how to do things and how to do them right."
Thanks to such assistance, Bias, who has been enrolled at A-B Tech since 2001, is anticipating graduating this year. And although he has enjoyed his time in the military, he is looking forward to using his degree as a way to leave that lifestyle behind.
"I'm planning on getting out when my enlistment is up in May," said Bias, who has nine years of service in the military, including four years of active duty with the Marine Corps. "I want to pursue some other career avenues."
Bias and his wife, Fonda, have two children - a six-year-old son, McKinley, and a three-year-old daughter, Faith - and he wants to utilize his hard-earned degree as a way to help them all. "I want to turn this degree into a good-paying job, because I have sacrificed a lot to be in this position. I want to make something better for me, my wife and my kids."
Having An Art Attack!
Four members of the A-B Tech community - Shirley McLaughlin, Martha Mitchell, Briana Gilliam and Lisa Cantwell - have been selected to have their works displayed during this year's North Carolina Community College Art Exhibit.
McLaughlin, Director of the Learning Resources Center, had three selections, a digital color photo printed on canvas, a color photograph, and a piece of copper foiled stained glass. McLaughlin's work has been represented in the annual art exhibit since its inception in 1998.
Mitchell, a Continuing Education instructor, was selected for her stained glass, while Cantwell and Gilliam, both students, were honored for black and white photographs taken as an art class project.
The exhibit runs from early spring through December and is housed on the six floors of the Caswell Building, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) headquarters, in downtown Raleigh.
NCCCS President H. Martin Lancaster, a former chairman of the North Carolina Arts Council, makes all selections, and entries are accepted from faculty, staff, students and alumni of North Carolina's 58 community colleges.
LRC Director Shirley McLaughlin's "Reflections of Fall" (top left), "Summer's End" (top center), and "Yellow Lady Slipper." (top right) Student Lisa Cantwell's untitled black and white photograph (center left) Continuing Education Instructor Martha Mitchell's "Rainbow Road" (center middle) and student Briana Gilliam's untitled black and white photograph (center right) were selected for this year's NCCCS Art Exhibit in Raleigh.
Cutting Up
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Feb. 17 to officially welcome the Western Carolina University Department of Nursing into its new home in the Haynes Center on the Enka campus of A-B Tech.
The department will occupy approximately 10,000 square feet of office and classroom space in the Haynes Center, and the move was largely funded by a grant of more than $250,000 from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.
According to President Bailey, this will provide a better opportunity for A-B Tech's nursing students to go on to earn a four-year or master's degree.
