Vol. 13 Issue 1January 2007
 

Headlines

President Bailey Receives Honorary Doctorate From WCU

President Bailey receiving his honorary doctorate

President K. Ray Bailey is presented with his doctoral hood by Western Carolina University Provost Kyle Carter and WCU Chancellor John W. Bardo, left. Also pictured is WCU Board of Trustees Chair Steve Warren, an Asheville attorney.

President K. Ray Bailey was awarded an honorary doctorate of education from Western Carolina University during commencement exercises at the University Dec. 16.

President Bailey was acknowledged for a career spanning more than four decades, starting in 1963 when he was a teacher and coach at Clyde A. Erwin High School. He received his master's degree in educational administration in 1970 from WCU.

"Throughout the years, you have maintained a enthusiastic loyalty to the university, its people, and its programs. You have been a faithful ally and led the creation of inter-institutional agreements and joint programs that have benefited A-B Tech, WCU, UNC-Asheville, and most importantly, the citizens of Western North Carolina," WCU Chancellor John Bardo said.

Bardo touted President Bailey's recognition as President of the Year by the North Carolina Community College System, the Rotary Centennial Service Award and The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the state of North Carolina.

"You have been called the consummate people person, a masterful communicator, a man with few equals in the desire to give of himself, a person with incredible energy, and an approachable person who believes in giving everyone the personal touch," Bardo said.

In his response, President Bailey spoke about the mission that A-B Tech and Western share.

"Together, we have done great work in providing our students opportunities to further their education. Together, we provide a trained workforce for this region we are fortunate to call home," Bailey said. "I am humbled by this honor, not for the personal recognition it brings, but because it continues to strengthen the ties between A-B Tech and Western Carolina University, ties that can only serve to strengthen the economic development of Western North Carolina."

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Workforce Development Awards Honor A-B Tech Students

Revonda Fender and Tanzania Jenkins each received honors as Joblink Career Centers' Outstanding Participants from the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board.

Fender was laid off from Continental Teves after working there for 15 years. While researching educational programs, she found the Basic Machine Shop Principles class being offered through A-B Tech and Mountain Area JobLink. Soon after starting the class, she realized it was a field that could provide her with a future. She was offered and accepted a position in the assembly area with Borg-Warner in February. She moved into a machinist position in September.

Jenkins attended the ASPIRE Career Development Class offered by Human Resources Development at A-B Tech. While waiting for the class to begin, she enrolled in the GED Program at A-B Tech and completed all the requirements to be certified as a CNA I.

"She was a standout student in the ASPIRE class with perfect attendance and dynamite 'can-do' attitude," wrote her nominator Alma Fisher, Job Developer instructor.

Jenkins began a full-time job in May with Mission Hospitals as a unit assistant and patient care technician in the emergency room.

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SGA Holds 31st Children's Holiday Party »

 

Tech Talk is published by the Communications Office for employees and friends of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Editor: Mona Cornwell, Writer: Martha Ball, Designer: April Sides
Send submissions to: Mona Cornwell, Director of Communications, at mcornwell@abtech.edu