Mechanical Engineering Students Complete Rover Project
One of the rovers built by the graduating class of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.
Graduating students in the A-B Tech Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum, drawing inspiration from the current NASA Mars rover expedition, participated in their own similar type of rover project this past semester.
The program's students split into two groups, one comprised of students taking day classes and the other made up of students from the evening courses, and each team built its own rover.
The teams met May 10 behind the Elm and Sycamore buildings for a friendly competition, which involved each team remotely controlling its rover in an attempt to gather three soil samples.
"We didn't have a team fully complete the entire mission, but that wasn't the point of the project," said department chair Hank Jackson. "The purpose was for the students to utilize the knowledge and skills they had acquired. From that standpoint, it was a huge success."
College Closer to Obtaining Grant for Biotechnology Center
After approval on May 4 by the State Board of Community Colleges, A-B Tech is one step closer to receiving $320,000 in grant funding to create a biotechnology center on its Enka Site. The center would be dedicated to strengthening the state's biotechnology industry by providing incubation for small companies, quality training programs and a core research facility.
"This center would provide a great economic development opportunity for Western North Carolina. It would allow us to develop expertise in the areas of small business and biotechnology incubation, which addresses the issue of trying to attract more high-wage jobs to the area," said Dr. Sharon Morrissey, A-B Tech's Vice President for Instructional Services. "A-B Tech would also share its learned expertise and resources with all of the other community colleges in North Carolina."
The proposed Biotech Enterprise Catalyst (BEC), Business Incubation and Related BioLinked Industries Center would develop expertise, curricula and specialized training, and then share it with the North Carolina Community College System.
The BEC would also develop an accelerated course in the special business and production conditions required to work with biotechnology companies, and provide programs to help non-technical personnel, suppliers, service providers and faculty develop a better understanding of the industry.
The center was part of a BioNetwork package, comprised of nearly $4.4 million in grant awards, the State Board unanimously accepted. The decision will be forwarded to Golden LEAF, which is funding the initiative, for final approval. The Golden LEAF Board will meet June 3 to take action on the recommendations.
LRC Hosts Spring Art Exhibit
Students (from left) Heather Monroe, Marybeth Mills and Calebe Goodman admire some of the pieces on display during the LRC Spring Faculty, Staff and Student Art Exhibit. The exhibit runs through June 4. The LRC is also currently featuring a Thomas Wolfe exhibit on the main level of the building.