College Graduates 395 During Spring Commencement
Students prepare for their names to be called to cross the stage.
A-B Tech Trustee Richard Hurley told members of the College's spring graduating class that their education is an investment that will pay significant dividends. Three hundred and ninety-five students were awarded degrees and diplomas during the May 13 ceremony at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
In his commencement address, Hurley recalled the respect his late father had for A-B Tech students when he was teaching English at the College during the 1960s and 1970s. He said he met a number of those students when he went to work at Square D Company, adding "it made me very proud since Dad truly loved this College and the all-important role it played in our community."
Hurley acknowledged the many sacrifices students made while they worked toward their diplomas and degrees. "Obviously, you realized that formal education opens doors to opportunities for success. That's the differentiator when it comes to competing in the job market."
Commencement speaker Richard Hurley congratulates members of A-B Tech's spring graduating class.
Hurley told the audience about a friend named Doug Buchanan, who earned an associate's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from A-B Tech, went to work for Square D as an engineering technician in 1969, and rose through the ranks until he became Vice President of Quality for North America for Square D's parent company, Schneider Electric.
"The message I want to drive home is that back in 1969, Doug Buchanan was sitting right where you are tonight with a career ahead of him," Hurley said. "He's a model success story of a person who used the education and skills he gained at A-B Tech to serve him as he climbed the career ladder."
When Hurley ran into Buchanan recently at a meeting in Mexico, his friend talked about how he still appreciates his A-B Tech experience. "He said, 'You know, Richard, when I reflect on my days at A-B Tech, I have such a great appreciation for the solid foundation they provided me early in my career. I still use those skills every day in my current job.' What a wonderful, wonderful testimony to your chosen college!"
During the ceremony, President K. Ray Bailey presented the Faculty Member of the Year Award to Nursing Instructor Christy Andrews and the Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Award to Business Computer Technologies Instructor Veronica Dooly.
A-B Tech, UNCA To Collaborate on Hub Project
President K. Ray Bailey and (clockwise from right) Buncombe County Commission Chair Nathan Ramsey, Asheville Mayor Charles Worley and UNCA Chancellor Jim Mullen sign letters of intent creating a partnership designed to pump up the local economy.
A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey and UNCA Chancellor Jim Mullen recently announced an historic partnership between their institutions designed to enhance the region's economic development.
Joining them in making the May 9 announcement at the Buncombe County Courthouse were Buncombe County Commission Chairman Nathan Ramsey and Asheville Mayor Charles Worley. The four signed letters of intent establishing a Joint Planning Task Force, which will be charged with developing an action plan for how the institutions can partner to support the Hub Project.
Developed by the Institute at Biltmore, the Hub Project is an effort to identify the strengths of Buncombe and surrounding counties and leverage them to create job opportunities. The plan recommends the region take advantage of its assets in technology; design, arts and crafts; and health care and tourism.
"We all think this is a historic occasion because we are gathered here to sign a commitment to build a better economy for the citizens of this region, and especially the Asheville and Buncombe County area," President Bailey said. "UNCA, A-B Tech, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County what we wish to do is design together a strategic vision that will help establish Asheville as a first-of-its-kind multi-campus partnership between a community college and university."
The task force announced by President Bailey and Chancellor Mullen will be comprised of the chief academic officers of A-B Tech and UNCA Dr. Sharon Morrissey and Dr. Mark Padilla and a team of faculty and staff that will identify the areas of expertise in which their institutions can contribute to achieving community goals.
Lt. Gov. Perdue Visits
Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, center, talks with President K. Ray Bailey, Vice President of Continuing Education Max Queen, BioBusiness Center Manager Cheryl Shenaut and Charles Moreland, Western North Carolina liaison for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, during a visit to the Enka Campus May 6. Perdue toured the incubator space under renovation for Genesis Molecular Discovery and talked to Small Business Center Director Russ Yelton about the value of locating SBCs at community colleges. Perdue began her visit to the Enka Campus with a tour of Blue Ridge Food Ventures.