Jeffrey T. Hewitt Endowed Scholarship Established
The family of Sgt. Jeff Hewitt created an endowed scholarship at A-B Tech in his memory. From left are Hewitt's stepson, Taylor Youngblood; his wife, Tracie Hewitt; A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey; his mother, Pat Hewitt; his sister, Susan Hewitt; his father, Bill Hewitt.
A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey and the family of slain law enforcement officer Jeffrey Todd Hewitt announced the creation of an endowed scholarship in Hewitt's memory on April 4, the second anniversary of Hewitt's death.
Hewitt had been employed as a deputy with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department for 11 years. He was fatally shot while attempting to serve involuntary mental commitment papers at a Skyland residence.
Hewitt received many outstanding achievement awards during his career with the Sheriff's Department, including 2001 Officer of the Year. At the time of his death, he was working as a patrol sergeant and was a member of the Special Response Team.
The Hewitt family has donated $11,500 to create the scholarship. The second annual Sgt. Jeff Hewitt Memorial 5k run/walk, sponsored by Skyland Fire and Rescue and the Sheriff's Department, raised $500 for the scholarship.
Hewitt had taken law enforcement courses at A-B Tech, and his wife, Tracie, is a 2003 graduate of the college's Medical Coding program. The scholarship created in his memory will assist students in A-B Tech's Law Enforcement, Fire Protection, and Emergency Medical Science programs.
Sgt. Hewitt Biography
Sgt. Jeffrey Todd Hewitt was born March 20, 1970 to Billy G. and Patricia Muse Hewitt, in Newport News, Va. Jeff had two sisters: Susan Hewitt of Clyde and Tammy Keener of Waynesville. The family moved to Tullahoma, TN in 1973, where Jeff won the hearts of young and old with his playful ways and winning smile. Jeff attended Tullahoma High School. He participated in a variety of sports including boxing, wrestling, baseball and his favorite football.
Upon graduation from high school in 1988, Jeff joined the Marine Corps. He served six years as an M.P., quickly rising to the rank of Sergeant. He served in Desert Storm aboard the USS Iwo Jima. His love for law enforcement continued when he left the Marine Corps. Law enforcement was a career that chose Jeff as much as Jeff chose it.
In 1994, Jeff moved to Asheville, where he began his career at the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. Jeff quickly became Sergeant over Edward Squad. He received much recognition during his career there, including Sheriff's Good Conduct Award (1994-1997), Officer of the Month (October 1996, February 2000), Patrol Division Officer of the Month (January 2000), Officer of the Year (2001), Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate (May 2002), Sheriff's Top Twenty Shooters (2003), Sheriff's Response Team (2003-In recognition of his achievement as a SRT member), and Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Marshals Service, Western District of N.C. during U.S. v. Eric Robert Rudolph).
Sgt. Hewitt resided in Buncombe County with his wife, Tracie Moore Hewitt, and stepson, Taylor Youngblood, until his death on April 4, 2004. Sgt. Hewitt was shot and killed at a residence on Fairhaven Court. He and three other deputies were serving involuntary mental commitment papers on a subject who had been involved in a domestic disturbance earlier that evening. When the deputies arrived at the residence, they encountered a locked gate. Sgt. Hewitt climbed over the gate and observed the suspect hiding in the bushes with a shotgun. Sgt. Hewitt ordered the suspect to drop his weapon and warned the other deputies. The suspect opened fire, fatally injuring Sgt. Hewitt. The deputies returned fire, wounding the suspect, who fled a short distance before committing suicide. It is believed that the suspect was waiting to ambush all the deputies. Sgt. Hewitt's actions, in warning the other deputies, are accredited with saving their lives.
Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt was dedicated to his department, fellow officers, friends and family. He was a true Marine and Law Enforcement Officer. This scholarship is a tribute to his life. We hope that each recipient will enter his or her career with pride, dedication and courage. It is our honor to provide this scholarship, not only to preserve his memory, but to assist others as they pursue their dreams.
Staff Profile: Ellen Ryan
Ellen Ryan, project coordinator for Online Training, in her office in the Haynes Building on the Enka campus. Ryan has served in this position at A-B Tech since July 2005.
Ellen Ryan was named project coordinator for Online Training in July 2005, after serving a year and a half as the Continuing Education cashier in the Pines Building.
She coordinates continuing education online courses through the A-B Tech Online Education Center, including classes on computers, paralegal, grant writing and home-based business.
"We're starting a pharmacy tech program, which is new," Ryan said. "Students call me to get signed up. Any new courses come through Bethany (Faber, Computer Training Coordinator, ACT Center Administrator) and myself. I handle questions, registration and offer certificates at the end of the course. I make sure they pay and encourage them to take at least one quiz. I'm an organizer."
Classes start near the middle of every month, and that's always Ryan's busiest time. "We go through the same things each month helping people register and answering questions. In between those times we help out other people on campus," she said.
"I like it very much. I've had all sorts of jobs doing coordination in different industries," she said "Everyone's very nice and very helpful. I feel like I'm helping more than in other industries, because students really want to learn. It's one of the more rewarding jobs I've had."
Ryan also proctors the ACT testing centers where students may be taking test for the automotive industry, Microsoft Office Specialist Certification and social work.
Ryan and her husband moved to Asheville over three years ago after living in Seattle. They enjoy hiking on the Parkway and at the arboretum. "I love to travel. We go someplace new at every opportunity available."
A-B Tech Graduate and Instructor Headed for the Ivy League
Paul Beaton, adjunct instructor and A-B Tech graduate, teaches a math class on the Asheville campus. He has been accepted to three Ivy League law schools for the fall semester.
Paul Beaton, an A-B Tech graduate and adjunct instructor, has been accepted to Yale, Harvard and Columbia university law schools.
"Every school I had applied to has accepted me," said Beaton. "Actually, they did it really quick. Normally the notices don't get mailed until March but I received my acceptance from Harvard in December and Yale and Columbia in January."
He narrowed his choices to Harvard and Yale, and visited each of the campuses to see which one would be a better fit in his pursuit of environmental law.
Yale certainly caught Beaton's attention. "It was like being stuck in a Harry Potter book," he said of the Gothic buildings on campus. But it wasn't just the aesthetics that impressed him. "I liked it primarily from the strength of the students. The thing that really impressed me is how they are outgoing, congenial and supportive of one another. Meeting students was why I wanted to visit the schools. I want that type of environment, not the cutthroat competition."
Beaton also liked the faculty. "On the academic side, the professors are outstanding and very friendly." He got to meet the dean of the law school, Harold Koh, before he went to testify before the Senate on the legality of wiretapping. "He is a fabulous professor. He had a fairly good size class of 50 to 60 students and he knew all of them. Not just their names but he knew what they were doing and who was working on what aspect.
"The only real downside is it seemed to be quite cold," Beaton said. "I was informed that the particular cold was not usual. I have been to Harvard as a tourist, but not as a prospective student."
Beaton plans to attend Yale or Harvard for four years and graduate with a juris doctor and a master's degree in environmental management. "I want to move into legislation and policy making, not as an elected official, but rather as staff, cabinet or advisor."