Foundation Scholarship Recipient Profiles
Funding for A-B Tech Foundation Scholarships comes from a variety of sources. Eight students are featured this month through different scholarships.
Thomas Carson
Thomas Carson received the Arvin Meritor Scholarship for $1,000. He is an Electronics Engineering Technology student, prepared to graduate this spring. "Though I was blessed to have a loving and supporting family that encouraged a continued education, it took me three years after high school of working on my own to realize for myself I wanted something more," he wrote. "It was the best news my mom could have heard at the time. After many core classes and a couple of curriculum changes, I have set my goals to achieving an engineering degree in electronics."
Christopher Shepherd
Christopher Shepherd is the recipient of the $1,200 Patrick A. Brannen Construction Management Scholarship. "I have, and still am, learning quality work ethics in construction related studies," he wrote. "Being professional demands a higher level of standards which includes knowledge, experience and education. I feel I am gaining this knowledge through my educational experience at A-B Tech. Since childhood, I have loved heavy equipment construction."
Rodney Ogle
Rodney Ogle is a recipient of a $1,000 Volvo Construction Equipment Technical Scholarship. He is enrolled in the Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology program, and has been named to the President's List. "My long-term goal is one day to have a shop of my own, servicing and overhauling light- and medium-duty equipment," he wrote. "Until that time, I will be satisfied to work for any reputable company, learn the trade, bookkeeping, and managerial skills necessary for future self-employment."
Albert Boyer
Albert Boyer received a $1,000 Volvo Construction Equipment Technical Scholarship. He is enrolled in the Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology program. "My plan after I obtain an associate's degree from A-B Tech is to open a state-of-the-art truck stop and diner on I-26," he wrote. "I will have a certified technician and a fully-equipped wrecker service available 24 hours a day. Not only will the scholarship Volvo has to offer help me obtain my educational and future goals, but Volvo will benefit by investing in me."
Jason Henderson
Jason Henderson received a $1,000 Volvo Construction Equipment Technical Scholarship. He is enrolled in the Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology program. "My short-term educational and career goals are to finish this program and use that degree to obtain a job at a dealership or repair shop," he wrote. "My hope is then to return to school and finish my engineering degree and combine the two in order to become a member of a design team that specializes in Class 7 and 8 trucks or in heavy equipment."
Amy Naymon
Amy Naymon received an Eaton Corporation Scholarship for $1,000. She is a Human Resources Management student with plans to graduate in 2007. "Even though I lost my job last year, I tried to look at it in some way beside negative. I was able to see that now I would have the time to attend school," she wrote. "I want desperately to continue my education. I want to resume my work to fulfill that dream of completing my education and entering into human resources management."
Sharon Smith, recipient of the Joseph Dave Engineering Endowed Scholarship for $1,200, has a 4.0 GPA. She plans to graduate this spring with degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology and Computer Engineering Technology. She has set her goal to be an engineering instructor. "I know in order to reach my career goals, I must first complete my education goals," she wrote. "Because I am enthusiastic about learning how computers and electronics work, I plan to continue my education and greatly increase my knowledge in this field of study."
Robert Mitchell, recipient of a $1,000 Arvin Meritor Scholarship, is a Machining Technology student. He worked part-time for a jeweler and silversmith, rekindling an interest in metal work he put aside over 30 years ago. He came to A-B Tech to visit and inquire about the programs. "As soon as classes started, I was hooked," he wrote. "The facilities were great; the instructors were better. It is possible that I will continue my education. At this point, my primary intent is to develop products for maritime industries, but dreams expand as capabilities expand."
Family Members Find Themselves in Classes Together
Tilson (left) and Luke Rice have been A-B Tech students since they took a welding class with their father at the Madison Campus. Since then, they have gotten a certificate with their mother, and are both getting ready to graduate with associate degrees in Computer Programming
Candace Rice enrolled in the Microcomputer Applications certificate program a few years ago and was quite surprised when her two sons walked into the classroom ready to take the courses with her.
Tilson and Luke had taken a welding class at the A-B Tech Madison Campus with their father and knew they wanted to continue working with A-B Tech, but with compters. "The certificate program was only thing we could get into since we signed up late," Luke said.
The three of them received their certificates in 2004 with Luke on the President's List.
Now Luke and Tilson are getting ready to graduate with their degrees in Computer Programming, while mom Candace has jumped into the newer Digital Media program.
"I am just so proud of Luke and Tilson," said Pam Silvers, Business Computer Technologies chair. "But then it is fun to see my students go from the first year to graduating."
Candace is about 50 hours into the Digital Media program, after switching from Information Systems. "I'm a photographer, and have been doing that for years. My photography and interest in graphic design helped me move into Digital Media. I also design websites and am able to incorporate my photos and art into the sites"
In addition to her certificate earned, she also has an associate's degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and has been teaching in the new VMT program at A-B Tech for two semesters. "I enjoy being back in the veterinary field, and am proud to be involved with such a quality program," Candace said. She still gets quite a bit of time on the computer, helping the department manage Blackboard and developing class materials. I bought (Tilson and Luke) a computer in 1995 and I was immediately hooked."
Her sons also were hooked. Luke is doing his co-op learning with the City of Asheville in the IT department. He's only been there a few weeks, but he is learning inventory and even getting to do some troubleshooting.
"Luke, on his first day at the City of Asheville, did some research to take care of a problem the mayor was having," Silvers said "When I met with his supervisor this week they were impressed. Luke didn't have any contact with the mayor and she might not know he was the person who found the solution, but the IT department definitely was impressed."
"I am pleased he was working at City Hall," said Candace. "What a great place to meet people and maybe get a job."
"I would like to find a programming job in Asheville and later go for a B.S. in computer science," said Luke.
Tilson is at Colbond near A-B Tech's Enka Campus working with their IT department and its projects. "I want to find a job I enjoy in the computer field, otherwise I will continue on with my bachelor's degree," he said.
He and Luke have the same classes most semesters. "It's good to have someone to help keep track of what we're doing," Luke said.
"Luke helped me with Java programming," said Candace. "Not only does he understand it himself, but he can also help others. He would make a good teacher."