Vol. 12 Issue 9September 2006
 

Headlines

College Awards 211 Degrees, Diplomas at Summer Commencement

Commencement speaker Sarah Schober

Commencement speaker Sarah Schober encourages graduates to do what they love.

Sarah Schober, who received three academic degrees from A-B Tech during the summer commencement ceremonies, advised graduates to do what they love, be willing to sacrifice for the sake of a goal, and let their families know how much they are appreciated.

Schober delivered the commencement address to a crowd at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Aug. 4, when 211 degrees and diplomas were conferred.

"Several people have asked me what advice I planned to share tonight," she said. "First, find what you love and if you do, you'll know it. I did and there's no question in my mind. I love studying biology, and working in the lab."

Schober completed the requirements for an associate in arts degree in May. She received it, as well as an associate in science degree and an associate of applied science degree in biotechnology in August.

She also advised graduates to be patient, and not to worry if they don't have everything now. "It's important to distinguish between 'wants' and 'needs' if you're going to meet your goals. It's hard to be honest enough with yourself to do that," she said. "Finally, let your family know how much you appreciate them. It's not just our own sacrifices that have gotten us here; it's been theirs, too. I suspect none of us could be doing it without our families. I hope you let them know how much their support has meant."

Schober has been a work-study student in A-B Tech's Biotechnology Lab for the past year. She was a member of the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, and was named Outstanding Biotechnology Student and Outstanding Associate in Science Student in 2005. She also was named to "Who's Who in America's Junior Colleges."

This is a long way from where Schober was 15 years ago. "In 1991, I was 15 years old with my newborn son Ramone, on a path that would lead to my eventual dropping out of high school and so out of control that my mother petitioned the court to have me removed from our home," she said.

"I, along with my son, were sent to live in a group home for pregnant and parenting teens in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. There I earned a high school equivalency diploma when I was 17."

In 1999, Schober and her family moved to Asheville, where she found a job that paid the bills. "At this point it felt as if my life was together. I had a husband, Shannon, who loved me, four children Alek, Ramone, Elle and Tristan, between us, and a good relationship with my mother."

Then she was laid off and decided to return to school. "I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do until one day when I was driving to school I saw on the marquee that A-B Tech was going to begin offering a biotechnology degree. I went home and looked at the website to see exactly what type of classes 'biotechnology' included and I knew right away that I had found what I was looking for," she said.

Schober has received a scholarship to attend UNC Asheville this fall to study cell and molecular biology. Eventually, she hopes to earn a master's degree and teach at the high school or college level.

A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey recognized Kathryn Lemieux as Staff Member of the Year, and Sara Hill as Continuing Education Instructor of the Year during the ceremonies.

Lemieux, secretary for the dean of Arts and Sciences, has been described as "the face of A-B Tech for many students and staff."

Lemieux graduated from A-B Tech with an associate of applied science degree in secretarial science and has worked at A-B Tech for nearly 28 years.

"Kathryn organizes the schedules of 60 full-time instructors and 180 adjuncts. In addition to her regular duties, she has been instrumental in implementing and troubleshooting the College's conversion to a new state computer system," Bailey said.

Lemieux has served as the chair of the facilities committee for reaccredidation by the Southern Association of College and Schools, as chair of the College's United Way campaign for two years, and as chair of College Forum for two years. She also helps plan and organize Together We Read and has served on our Professional Development Council and Tobacco Use Committee.

She organized the first meeting of the A-B Tech local of the Association of Educational Office Professionals and has helped raise more than $25,000 in scholarships for A-B Tech students. She also helped set up an endowed scholarship fund through the A-B Tech Foundation, adding nearly $1,500 to the fund recently through a "Rags to Riches" clothing sale she organized. For her work in the office professionals association, she has been recognized all the way from the local level to the national. She also has held numerous offices in the organization.

Hill was recognized as the College Forum's first Continuing Education Instructor of the Year.

"Sara has taught quilting at A-B Tech for 10 years, both beginner and advanced beginner classes," said Bailey. "She is a member of local, regional, state and national quilt associations, and has held several offices in the Asheville Quilt Guild, including president. Several years ago, she received the guild's Dorothy Tresner Award for long-term commitment and devotion to the art of quilting."

Hill has judged quilts at the Western North Carolina State Fair and other shows. Since 1998, she has set up "Learn, Sew and Give" groups that use donated fabric to make quilts for the Linus Project for hospitalized children. She also has donated a number of her own quilts to the project.

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Trustee Tilson Leaves Years of Service to College

Owen Tilson

John Owen Tilson, A-B Tech trustee

John Owen Tilson, an A-B Tech trustee for nearly 13 years, died Aug. 22. He was retired from Graybar Electric and was appointed to the A-B Tech board by the Madison County Commissioners.

Tilson first took the oath of office Oct. 5, 1989, and served until June 30, 1996. He served again from July 1, 2000, until the time of his death.

"I was a little concerned when Owen first came to our Board of Trustees because he had been involved with Mars Hill College for so long," said President K. Ray Bailey. "I was worried he wouldn’t like us. It turned out he loved this college and he cared about the students here. He was a wonderful friend to our college."

Born in Mars Hill on April 25, 1927, Tilson spent most of his life serving others through a variety of civic and volunteer activities. He was a graduate of Mars Hill College and Wake Forest University.

Tilson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was a member and former deacon of Mars Hill Baptist Church, former mayor of Mars Hill, past president of Mars Hill Jaycees and Mars Hill Civitan Club.

He received numerous awards and honors, including the Philanthropic Service Award for his generous support of scholarships for students from Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey counties.

He was a member of the Bald Creek Masonic Lodge #397 AF and AM, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and brother to the Mountain Buggies Unit of the Oasis Shrine Temple. Tilson is survived by numerous cousins.

Memorial gifts can be mailed to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 60 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

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Career Readiness Certificates Awarded at JobLink

Mountain Area Workforce Development Board honored 65 individuals who were among the first in the state to receive Career Readiness Certificates during a ceremony Aug. 9 at the Mountain Area JobLink Career Center.

The North Carolina CRC is a statewide initiative funded by the N.C. Workforce Development Commission, Department of Commerce, to assist employers in determining if a potential job applicant has the necessary literacy, math and problem solving skills to be job ready. For job seekers, the CRC serves as a portable credential that can be presented to employers verifying their skill levels.

The CRC is based upon WorkKeys, a nationally recognized skills assessment tool developed by ACT, Inc. Of the 229 North Carolina CRCs issued to date, 114 were earned by residents of Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties.

“Some of you may not have known when you took the test in the beginning that you would actually receive a certificate for this. You were actually taking it to demonstrate it for yourself and perhaps others that you did have the skills necessary to perform the job,” said Phil Monk, Business Services director of the Mountain Area Workforce Development Office.

“That’s what this whole initiative is all about. The Workforce Development Office established 12 pilot sites across the state. The idea was to make it a statewide recognized document signed by the governor,” said Monk.

The Mountain Area Workforce Development Board made a decision early on to provide WorkKeys Skills Assessments and WIN Courseware as an integral part of the JobLink Career Center's services. They became a WorkKeys Value Added Reseller (VAR) in April 2005 and acquired the WIN Courseware soon afterward.

Though not one of the original pilot sites, Mountain Area JobLink and A-B Tech had the tools required to implement the statewide Career Readiness Certification program and decided to do so. JobLink agreed to administer the WorkKeys assessments and the A-B Tech HRD Department assumed responsibility for operating the WIN Courseware tutorial program. Both worked cooperatively to market the program to job seekers and employers.

As a result of the collaboration, not only did Buncombe County residents receive over 28 percent of the first certificates issued, but the number of people registering for and actively using the WIN tutorials increased significantly.

The WorkKeys assessment is comprised of three sections: math, reading and locating information, which is the ability to understand and interpret graphs, charts, tables, gauges, dials, maps and other visual aides. To earn a certificate, a score of level three or above must be made on each section. This level will earn a bronze achievement, a level four and above is silver and level five or above on all three sections is a gold level.

Tanzania Jenkins of Asheville received her CRC and is now employed by Mission Hospitals. She came to A-B Tech and graduated from the ASPIRE program. She moved from California. “I wanted a better life for my children so we relocated to Asheville. When I came to Asheville, I thought I would be able to get a job right away but I couldn’t because my CNA certification was from California. North Carolina doesn’t accept reciprocity from the state of California.”

In November 2005, before the ASPIRE class began, she signed up for the GED class at A-B Tech and did a CNA refresher course.

Jenkins was also a nominee for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development. “She is a strong, highly motivated individual, an ideal student, a wonderful co-worker, and a wise and loving mother,” said Alma Fisher, Job Developer instructor.

“In the past eight months, she has dealt with a cross-country move and all that entails, faced major setbacks with grace and dignity, located the resources to move forward, and helped others every step along the way.”

“Even though it was very difficult at times, I stayed in the class because I knew the class was going to help me,” said Jenkins.

A-B Tech and JobLink staff members were also among those recognized with certificates. Many staff members took the exam early so they could have an understanding of what it involved.

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