Foundation Scholarship Recipients Profiles
Funding for A-B Tech Foundation Scholarships comes from a variety of sources. Eight students are featured this month through different scholarships.
Kathy Johnson
Kathy Johnson received the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. She is an Information Systems Security student and is also a student in the transfer program to earn her associate in science degree. "Coming back to school has taught me the importance of having a plan for the goals I want to achieve," she wrote. "I found my love for learning again."
David Costner
David Costner won the State Employees Credit Union Scholarship. He is a recent ADN graduate who maintained a 3.95 GPA and was named to Who's Who Among American Junior Colleges. "My hope is that my family and I will develop deep roots in this community and over the years contribute to the overall quality of life for everyone in Buncombe County," he wrote.
Amanda Crompton
Amanda Crompton was the recipient of a State Employees Credit Union Scholarship. She is enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technology program. "I believe that if you don't have an education then many opportunities will not open to you," she wrote. "I hope some day I can work in a research laboratory with my knowledge that I will receive from A-B Tech and someday find cures for different diseases."
Scott Schuffler
Scott Schuffler, the Christiana Glenn Tugman Scholarship recipient, graduated with honors this spring with his degree in Construction Management Technology. "My current career goal is to use this degree to pursue my goal of becoming a professional construction estimator and project master. After five years, I will explore the option of opening my own design/build construction company," he wrote.
Jonathan Bentley
Jonathan Bentley, a recent ADN graduate, received the United Healthcare Endowed Scholarship. "Once I become a registered nurse, I will continue my education in order to become a nurse practitioner and a nursing educator," he wrote. "I would like to, among other things, teach medical Spanish for healthcare workers to assist with the growing cultural diversity in our mountain counties."
Lydia Scott
Lydia Scott was the recipient of a Don and Barbara Whitaker Scholarship. She is an associate in arts student who plans to transfer to UNCA for her bachelor's degree in either math or economics. "I also want to combine my work in finance somehow with development of affordable housing. I have been a licensed Realtor in Tennessee and Florida. What I enjoy is making home ownership available to people," she wrote.
Bonnie Turner
Bonnie Turner was awarded a Don and Barbara Whitaker Scholarship to help her earn an associate in arts degree. "My goals are still in progress, but I believe I am working towards a bachelor in fine arts and a second in journalism," she wrote. "I'd like to work for magazines submitting articles with beautiful photographs to go with them."
Third Annual Foundation Golf Tournament Stormy, but Successful
Tournament participants practice their putting before the start of the A-B Tech Foundation Golf Tournament at Mount Mitchell Golf Club.
A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey watches Russ Yelton, director of the Small Business Center and Incubator, putt during the third annual A-B Tech Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament.
A golfer takes a swing during the third annual A-B Tech Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament at Mount Mitchell Golf Club.
The A-B Tech Foundation raised $30,000 during its third annual Invitational Golf Classic June 2 at Mount Mitchell, despite pouring rain.
A full field of 33 foursomes started the competition, with only 11 teams completing the tournament after a rain delay. The other 22 teams elected to take a raincheck for the full 18 holes on the course.
The Foundation still had a successful auction, selling golf packages to area courses.
For the second year, the Office Environments team consisting of Chris Young, Mike Kasey, Bob Pegram and Jack Kasey, won first-place in low gross, while the Dr. Jack Teague III team of Jack Teague, Jack Teague Jr., Travis Teague and Jerry Parsons, won first-place in low net. First-place winners were awarded Ben Hogan Hybrid Clubs and plaques.
Closest to pin prizes were awarded to John Mauney for hole #2 and Travis Teague for hole #6. Because of the rain, the tournament organizers were unable to determine the longest drive and closest to the pin on holes #11 and #15.
The A-B Tech Continuing Education team members were Ken O' Connor, director of Focused Industrial and New and Expanding Industry Training; Russ Yelton, director of the Small Business Center and Incubator; Dave White, director of Research and Planning; and Max Queen, vice president of Continuing Education. Vice President of Administrative Services Dick Mauney played on the Mission Hospitals team with his son John, while President K. Ray Bailey played for the Bowers, Ellis and Watson team.
First Fire Academy Class Graduates 18 After Intensive Instruction
A-B Tech Fire Academy graduates wait to receive their certificates after completing a 12-week course in Basic Firefighter Indoctrination Training.
A-B Tech's first Fire Academy class graduated June 9 in the Simpson Lecture Room on the Asheville campus. Eighteen firefighters completed the intense, 12-week course of instruction leading to certification as a Firefighter II in North Carolina.
The Fire Academy, brainchild of Continuing Education Fire Coordinators Kevin Griffin and Ryan Cole, is also known as "B-Fit: Basic Firefighter Indoctrination Training."
The ceremony was marked by a moment of silence to honor Battalion Chief Jack Clark. The Asheville firefighter was killed in an automobile accident in Nevada. A member of the president's list, he was scheduled to graduate in August from A-B Tech in Fire Protection Technology.
Archie Jarman was recognized as the chief of the class for his academic and physical abilities. "As the first class, we set the standard we should all be proud of," he said.
A collaborative effort of A-B Tech, many fire departments in Western North Carolina, and the NC Department of Insurance, the Fire Academy is a physical and mental challenge. Almost 500 hours of instruction and hands-on application over a three-month period gives students the tools and experience needed to achieve the state's Firefighter II certification.
"This class has been an experience of a lifetime," said student Tim Jeffery. "The part I've enjoyed most of all was not the controlled burns, not tearing cars apart to extricate simulated victims, it wasn't even rappelling from the 110-foot aerial ladder truck. What I've enjoyed most has been the brotherhood and sisterhood the camaraderie of it all. Without my brothers and sisters, none of this would have been worthwhile."
Skye Myrick, A-B Tech's executive director of Occupational and Public Service Training, said the program was set up to meet the needs of city and county Fire and Rescue departments. "We will offer this training to anyone who is interested in a career in fire service," she said. "We hope that high school graduates or those individuals anticipating a career change will consider our Fire Academy."
"We are proud of what our college and our instructors have been able to accomplish. And we are optimistic about what these students will bring to fire service. The training is competitive and challenging but then again, so is the profession," Myrick said.
Student Artwork Purchased For Magnolia Building
Stacey Lewis, right, is presented a plaque by Sheila Tillman, Hospitality Education chair, for his Purchase Award for the 2006 Student Art Exhibition. His artwork "Flight" is on display in the Magnolia Hospitality Education Building lobby.
Associate in Fine Arts spring graduate Tiffany Ogren, left, presents her three photographs to Sheila Tillman, Hospitality Education chair, chosen for a Purchase Award for the 2006 Student Art Exhibition. The photographs, titled "At the Playground," will be displayed in the Magnolia Hospitality Education Building.