Headlines
- New Inclement Weather Procedures in Effect
- Communications Classes Celebrate a Semester of Service-Learning
- Trustees Retire from A-B Tech Board
- Willis named Vice President of Information and Technology
- Volunteer for April in Asheville
- A-B Tech Student Gets the Golden Ticket
- Come see the "new" Coman Center
- Attend the Diversity Committee Programs
- Discount Offers for Employees Available
- Head Start Thanks SGA
- Taking Aim at History
- Invitational Education Happenings on Campus
- Upcoming Events for Entrepreneurship Week
- Nominate an A-B Tech Employee
- Visit Spain and France this Spring
- Tenth Annual Unified Theatre Auditions coming in February
- Nominate a Student for Who's Who
- Writing Center ready to assist students
- Tech Notes
New Inclement Weather Procedures in Effect
Please be aware that the College's inclement weather procedures have changed. You can find the new procedures at http://www1.abtech.edu/student-handbook/inclement-weather-schedule.
One of the primary changes involves class start times on late opening days. Under the new procedures, students will report to the class they would normally be in at the time the College opens. The procedures also outline how work from missed classes can be made up.
Communications Classes Celebrate a Semester of Service-Learning
A-B Tech students decorated the Presbyterian Home for Children as one of hour Service-Learning projects for the semester.
Dr. Patti Cutspec incorporated Service-Learning into four sections of her classes during the fall semester and was overwhelmed by the amount of hard work and passion the students put into their assignment.
Starting the semester with two projects planned, the volunteerism spread to four large projects with three Minimester I students returning during Minimester II just to keep helping. "They have warmed my heart more than I can tell you," Cutspec said. "I am so very proud of these four classes. Everyone found a way to help."
Students chose to donate their efforts to the Asheville Humane Society and the Presbyterian Home for Children. Tosha Morris stepped up and became the project director for the Humane Society events, which included a Pet Day at the United Way Building and a silent auction and bake sale at Petco. "I am very passionate about this cause and we were able to raise more than $1,000," Morris said.
The class also collected wish-list items and presented them to the shelter - everything from homemade cat-scratchers and newspapers to bleach and blankets.
Nick Ficker, a student in Cutspec's class, lives at the Presbyterian Home, where his wife and father-in-law work. He suggested the home, which provides care for children who are neglected, abused, homeless or who otherwise cannot live with their families.
According to Ficker, the largest fundraiser the home has is its fall festival. "It's an open house for the community, donors and volunteers. The kids had an absolute blast," he said. The A-B Tech students spent the day in charge of the inflatable rides and worked with the children.
Gregg Whitmire worked on corporate donation of $500 from NC-CNG Corporation for the classes' efforts and Patrick Bailey put in hours of work to obtain a van to donate to the home.
Students later collected holiday decorations for the home's Christmas party and 30 of them spent a snowy afternoon installing them lights, trees and wreaths over the campus in Swannanoa. "We interacted with the kids, helped them beautify their homes and had a party with them afterward," Ficker said. Students also donated games and DVDs to the home.
A-B Tech Student Victor Avery is resident of the Independent Living Village at the home and hopes to study Criminal Justice Technology. "They have helped me with my tuition and books. It's one of the safest places I have been in. I've never had to look over my shoulder," he said.
"These students have worked so very hard and have truly learned the value of bringing what happens outside the classroom into the classroom," said Cutspec.
Trustees Retire from A-B Tech Board
Retiring members of the A-B Tech Board of Trustees were honored at a reception Jan. 6 in the Fernihurst Building. Doris Giezentanner, Harvey Haynes, Talmage Penland and Gordon Randolph were thanked for their years of service to the College. Current Trustee Don Locke speaks with Sheila Tillman, Associate Dean, Hospitality Education; Copper Coggins, Organizational and Professional Development Director and Sara Smith, Special Assistant to the President, during the reception.
Doris Giezentanner
Harvey Haynes
Talmage Penland
Gordon Randolph
Tech Talk is published by the Community Relations and Marketing Department for employees, students, and friends of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Editor: Mona Cornwell, Writer: Martha Ball, Designers: Justin Page, April Sides
Send submissions to: Mona Cornwell, Director of Community Relations and Marketing, at mcornwell@abtech.edu
Publication of the next issue is scheduled for March 1. Deadline for submissions is February 18.