President Bailey Recognized With Service Awards
Asheville Citizen-Times President and Publisher Virgil Smith reads a tribute from President Bailey's wife, Glenda, during the presentation of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council's 2005 Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement.
President K. Ray Bailey received two major awards in October for his contributions to the community.
On Oct. 18, the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council presented him with its 2005 Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Council makes the award to an outstanding individual who has worked over the course of many years to make the community a better place. The award was presented by Asheville Citizen-Times President and Publisher Virgil Smith during the Community Relations Council's annual luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel.
In remarks prior to the presentation, former A-B Tech Trustee and long-time friend G. Gordon Greenwood said: "Since arriving in Buncombe County, Ray has been a hard-working servant of the community, striving to educate our children and to improve the economic workplace."
Greenwood, president of the Bank of Asheville and a member of the State Board of Community Colleges, pointed to such accomplishments as the acquisition of the Enka Site, the construction of the Balsam Computer Technology Center, and partnerships with Mission Hospitals to begin and expand Allied Health programs as examples of Mr. Bailey's commitment to improving the College's services. He also noted the number of local boards Mr. Bailey has served on and the awards he has received for his contributions to Asheville and Buncombe County.
Greenwood recalled how he first met President Bailey when he played basketball at Owen High School and Mr. Bailey coached at Erwin High. "Š We may no longer remember who won the ballgame, but we know now that this community is the winner for having Ray Bailey and all the contributions that he has made to education and economic development," he said.
Jim Efland, governor of Rotary District 7670, congratulates President Bailey for winning the Rotary Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence.
Two days after the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award, President Bailey received the Rotary Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence during a luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of Asheville at the Renaissance. Mr. Bailey is one of 10 people selected from the 49 Rotary Clubs in Western North Carolina to receive the award, presented in observance of the 100th anniversary of Rotary International. Recipients are non-Rotarians with records of exceptional professional achievement consistent with the ideals of Rotary.
In nominating him for the award, Dr. Dennis King, vice president for Student Services, wrote: "The truth is that there is perhaps no civic leader in Asheville, North Carolina, who has had more impact on the community by his volunteer and professional service than has Ray Bailey. He is a gentleman, an ethical and loyal leader, an inspiration to employees, an inviting administrator, and the kind of individual that Rotary International ought to recognize in its centennial year."
Foundation Fundraiser At The Market Place
The A-B Tech Foundation raised over $8,300 through a sold-out benefit featuring the culinary talents of Chef Mark Rosenstein, owner of The Market Place. Patrons were treated to a five-course dinner featuring locally grown and seasonal foods prepared by Rosenstein and his staff.
"We are grateful for Chef Mark Rosenstein's friendship and professional attention to A-B Tech's Hospitality Education programs. Our guests attending the Market Place event for the Foundation enjoyed a delicious meal with unexpected surprises including a chocolate dessert a fitting finale to a magical evening," said Anita Metcalf, Foundation executive director.
"Since the early days of The Market Place, we have always tried to be involved with the community, to give something back for all the support we receive as a business," said Rosenstein. "More importantly, I have been involved with the A-B Tech Culinary program since before moving to Asheville. I think the first student intern I had might have been 1973. Since that time, I have had interns almost every summer. They have always been an integral part of our operation."
Rosenstein has also served as an instructor at A-B Tech, having taught dining room service, baking and other classes. "A-B Tech has always provided a sound foundation for future chefs. The combination of theory and practical experience is essential," he said.
"Over the past few years, as my own career reaches into 30-plus years, my focus on civic duties comes back to my own foundation cuisine. It was a natural thing for The Market Place to support the culinary program through this benefit dinner," he said.
The funds will be used for Hospitality Education programs to provide student scholarships and to enable the department to purchase equipment for A-B Tech's new Magnolia Building, which will be the home of the Hospitality Education Center and will feature four state-of-the-art kitchens.
"The evening was a tremendous success at every level," said Sheila Tillman, Hospitality Education chair. "The event was well-attended and orchestrated. It was an honor to be in attendance."
The mission of the A-B Tech Foundation is to support the college in all of its programs and activities to ensure that quality educational opportunities are available to its students, faculty and staff through scholarships, professional development, technology and renovation and expansion of the facilities.
High School Visitation
Firefighters put out a car fire during a demonstration on High School Visitation Day Oct. 7 at A-B Tech. Nearly 600 high school students from Buncombe, Haywood and Madison counties attended, enjoying campus-wide demonstrations and tours of programs.
High school students learn about the Carpentry program while touring the Dogwood Building. In addition to campus tours, programs of study were well represented in Coman Gym where students had the chance see numerous displays.