A-B Tech Hosts Knowledge Bowl Competition
Team members from Shelby High School test their buzzers before the final round of play during the 38th Annual Knowledge Bowl.
Lincolnton High School walked away with first-place honors during the 38th annual Knowledge Bowl, which was held for the first time at A-B Tech. Shelby High School finished second and St. Stephens High of Hickory was third.
The academic competition between high schools had been held at UNCA for 30 years, before moving here. Twenty regional high schools from Hayesville to Hickory competed in the challenge.
"A-B Tech was thrilled to host this regional event for high school students," said Michele Hathcock, director of Recruitment and Student Activities. "It gave them an opportunity to come together in a fun, competitive environment and test their knowledge. They also got a chance to become more familiar with the North Carolina Community College System."
Each school sent a team of four students with alternates to answer an array of questions in the categories of English, history, mathematics, science and general knowledge.
The 2005 Knowledge Bowl was Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 in Ferguson Auditorium. The winning school received a $400 cash prize and a large traveling trophy to display at the school for a year. Each first-place team member also received a small trophy and hardcover dictionaries. The second-place team received $100 for its school and each member got a plaque. Third-place team members received a ribbon.
Adjunct Instructor Lloyd Weinberg's name was drawn out of the volunteers to win a $50 gift card.
Another Successful Jump Start Your Business Event
Potential business owners ask questions during A-B Tech's Small Business Center Jump Start Your Business event Oct. 27 in the Haynes Conference Center on the Enka Site. According to SBC Director Russ Yelton, 42 vendors were at the event with about 100 attendees. "We had good feedback. People stayed a lot longer than they did in the spring," he said.
Staff Profile: Vernon Daugherty
Vernon Daugherty, dean of Engineering and Applied Technology
Vernon Daugherty, dean of Engineering and Applied Technology, came to A-B Tech from Guilford Tech in Jamestown, where he served as chair of Mechanical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications, and HVAC.
He grew up in Burke County, graduated from Western Carolina University and knew he loved the mountains. It made sense to come back when the opportunity presented itself.
He earned his bachelor's degree in physics and immediately went to work in a textile mill. "While I was working in the industry, I discovered I needed more technical education," Daugherty said.
Daugherty then enrolled at N.C. A&T State University and earned his master's degree in mechanical engineering while working. "A teaching job at Rockingham (Community College) was advertised," he said. "I thought it would be interesting to teach."
He started teaching HVAC in 1991, and also taught at Davidson County Community College, before going to Guilford Tech. His wife and 16-year-old daughter are still in Forsyth County so his daughter can finish high school.
Now that he is in the mountains, he is taking advantage of what Asheville has to offer. "I have taken up trout fishing again since I moved here. I hadn't been in about 10 years," Daugherty said. "I go quite regularly. There's a stream five minutes away,"
He is looking forward to his association with A-B Tech, and wanting to work with Engineering and Applied Technology. "I would like to see enrollment in the division grow. I look to add new programs to meet the needs of the area," he said. "I would rather see what the people in the division want and work with them."
Programs of study under consideration include motorcycle mechanics and industrial maintenance.
Teacher/Adjunct Teacher Of The Year Nominations Sought
Nominations are being sought for the 2005-06 Teacher of the Year and Adjunct Teacher of the Year for A-B Tech.
The individuals selected for this honor will be recognized at graduation and receive a monetary honorarium. The full-time Teacher of the Year will automatically be entered in the Excellence in Teaching competition through the North Carolina Community College System.
Full-time faculty must be at least in their third year of teaching at A-B Tech to be eligible. Adjunct faculty must be at least in their third semester of teaching at A-B Tech and must be teaching at least three or more hours per semester.
This person should be one who really makes students excited about their studies, goes above and beyond that which is required, works on committees to make the A-B Tech community better, and is an ambassador of A-B Tech to the Western North Carolina community.
A-B Tech faculty, staff, students, or alumni may submit nominations. Applications will be available through your division secretaries or at http://www.abtech.edu. The application deadline is Jan. 6. If you have questions or need a nomination form, call Sherry Shields, Ext. 284 or e-mail at sshields@abtech.edu.
Show your pride in A-B Tech by nominating someone who deserves the recognition for a job well done.