Students learning Spanish this semester have been introduced to a Web-based interactive teaching tool that is expected to maximize their learning capability.

Alamance Community College purchased licensing agreements for a complete package of the popular Rosetta Stone foreign language teaching tool. Students in Spanish instructor Sara Davis's afternoon class on Feb. 6 were the first to use it. After one hour, students gave the technology lab high marks.

This is the first time a Spanish class at ACC has utilized a computer lab for learning.

For those unfamiliar with Rosetta Stone, it allows students studying a foreign language to work independently using interactive speaking activities on a computer without the aid of translation. Students wear earphones and speak aloud into a microphone as they move through the various levels. Because the students are learning independently as well as with the traditional classroom instruction, teachers can spend more time on bringing students to fluency while measuring their progress.

"Students set their own pace and can move forward on their own time, according to their skills and based on individual needs," said Clara Vega, Humanities department head, who is coordinating the project.

Although the new Spanish lab is the first to utilize Rosetta Stone, the entire package encompasses 13 languages, including Chinese, Dutch, German, Greek, Hebrew, and Russian. The College may offer students opportunities in learning these languages in the future once instructors assess the effectiveness of the Spanish lab this semester.

"The Literacy division at ACC may also implement Rosetta Stone for ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in the near future," said Vega.

The licensing agreement for Rosetta Stone was implemented through the efforts of Kumar Lakhavani, ACC's Director of Information Services. "I discovered Rosetta Stone a few years ago when I had to travel to Brazil to meet my fiancee's parents," he explained. "I assumed Spanish was the predominant language, but I discovered it was actually Portuguese and I panicked. But after about three days using the software, I found I could communicate well enough with my prospective in-laws to understand one another."

ACC is one of only a few community colleges known to be utilizing Rosetta Stone program in the state.

"I see the addition of Rosetta Stone at ACC as greatly expanding our language options for our students," said Lakhavani. "It's taking our language learning to the next level."

Medical Assisting student Charley Garcia was having a bad week. The single mom didn’t know how she was going to pay her utility bill and was in danger of losing her electricity to heat her home. This was a frightening thought last week as record low temperatures beckoned. But Garcia’s worries turned into gratitude after she discovered the benefits of ACC’s Emergency Distress Fund, facilitated thought the ACC Foundation and Financial Aid office.

“It’s always amazing to see that human kindness still exists, and is alive and well here in Alamance County – specifically at Alamance Community College,” she said.

Living on unemployment benefits as she makes her way through the rigors of college, GarciaI says she had reached an agreement with a local utility company to pay $70 of her total $211 bill by 5 p.m. on January 14. When she received her unemployment benefits check on January 13, she paid her $70 bill at the Mebane Walmart, an authorized utility payment center. It was then Garcia discovered an unknown detail.

“I read on the receipt that payment would take up to three business days to post,” explained Garcia. “This raised a red flag and I immediately called [the utility company]  to inform them of the deviance according to our agreement. After all, they did say they would work with me if I had a problem.”

After spending nearly an hour on the phone with customer service and a supervisor, Garcia says she was told the agreement was non-negotiable and her electricity would be turned off the following day.

“All I could think about was my son,” said Garcia. “This was so unfair to him.”

A distraught Garcia spilled out her story to Cindy Thompson, her advisor in Medical Assisting. Thompson told Garcia about the College’s Emergency Distress Fund that is administered through the ACC Foundation office. Thompson sent Garcia to see Liz Solazzo, Director of Financial Aid.

“I found that the people in that department didn’t even bat an eye when I asked for the help I needed,” said Garcia. “It was like a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders.”

Solazzo communicated with Thompson to confirm the circumstances of the situation. Solazzo consequently contacted Carolyn Rhode, Director of the ACC Foundation and, within hours, the entire bill of $211.48 had been paid.

“I cannot believe that people I’ve just come to know would do something of this magnitude for me,” said Garcia. “I call these ladies my angels now. Without their kindness and understanding, not to mention their quick response, my son and I would have been very cold in the days to come.”

“Charley Garcia is a great person who is working very hard to improve her life for herself and her son,” commented Cindy Thompson, Garcia’s advisor. “Even when she faces roadblocks, her attitude stays positive and she keeps on going. It is such a joy to see her progress in this program and move on toward a career.”

The College’s Emergency Distress Fund is available to any student in dire financial need during an unexpected situation. Contact the Financial Aid office in G116.

You probably don’t think much about how assembling a gas grill from a kit is a relatively simple procedure (most of the time). You follow the directions that allow you to fit A into B. More than likely, you have rarely considered the expertise required at the manufacturing level that ensures the assembly goes smoothly. Clearly it takes teamwork between different departments to make such a product workable.

That’s the premise that students in Mechanical Drafting Technology and Machining Technology have been addressing. Last year, these two classes got together to discuss a joint project initiated by Department Heads Bob Owen of Mechanical Drafting and Adam Self of Machining Technology.

“We had talked over coffee off and on about how the marketplace is changing, and how today employees in different departments must work together to put together a product,” explained Owen. “Adam and I feel that teaching our students how to work jointly is almost as important as the actual skills they learn.”

The two programs formed a collaborative partnership they titled Geo Designs for a project that utilized the design skills of the drafting students and the engineering labor of the machining students.

The key phrase in today’s industries is “Concurrent Engineering,” in which communication between departments is not only common but crucial. It goes against the grain of how industry operated for much of the past century: a product is designed, passed to machining, then passed to quality control – with none of the technicians ever consulting with one another.

The importance of this communication between designers and machinists was demonstrated last year between ACC’s Mechanical Drafting students and those in Machining Technology as they embarked on the first steps of collaborating on an desk clock:

“Is this going to be a press fit or pinned in?” asked a drafting student.

“If it’s going to be pins, we wouldn’t be able to do both inside and the base. We probably should go with a press fit,” a machining student responded.

“Yeah, that sounds like the way to go.”

“If our design calls for an unusual face on the clock …” began a drafting student.

“Our machines can do dozens of different types of numbers. It can do rose petals, figures, whatever you want,” answered another machining student.

Machining’s Adam Self advised his students during that meeting that dialogue between both classes would be important because “there will need to be changes as we go along because things usually don’t stay the same as we start to cut.”

Mechanical Drafting’s Bob Owen added that communication between both disciplines needs to remain fluid. “Our question for ourselves in drafting becomes, yes we can draw it, but can it be built? That’s why this is good to work together.”

Students in both programs worked on the project when it did not interfere with regular instructional time. Over the summer, the clock design had been developed on 3D CAD (computer-aided drafting) software and a plastic prototype was printed from the program’s 3D printer, giving Machining a physical model to follow for the final product to be made from aluminum and brass. Drafting student Veasen Kittivong designed a clock-shaped box for packaging.

The next step of the project came in late fall 2008 when Owen made a presentation in Advertising and Graphic Design, connecting yet another discipline to the ongoing project. Students in Laila Moustafa’s marketing design class were asked to design the logo and branding for placement on the packaging. Those students performed research to develop a concept, identity, and colors for the packaging. In December, those students made design presentations to Owen as part of their final exams.

“This has been a really good collaborative effort thus far,” said Owen. “What’s most important is that this is how the real industrial world is operating now and our students must learn how to talk with one another to complete a project.”

The Kernodle Clinic received Alamance Community College's 2008 Business Partner of the Year Award at the Public Officials and Business and Industry Leaders Breakfast.

Kaye Acton, ACC's Medical Assisting Department Head, nominated the business for the award.

The Kernodle Clinic has long been a supporter of ACC’s Medical Assisting program since it began in 1998.  When ACC’s first class of students started their clinical rotations in January 2000, the Kernodle Clinic willingly took seven students immediately. Since then, this business has remained a consistent source for placement of students in clinicals, a requirement for graduation.

Over the past eight years, Kernodle Clinic has hired approximately 25 Medical Assisting graduates. More than 90 of their employees are ACC graduates from various programs, including Nursing, Medical Office Administration, and Medical Assisting.

The Medical Assisting Advisory Committee has six employees from Kernodle Clinic as members, including Dr. Edward Lance (Family Practice) and Dr. James Hooten, Jr. (Orthopedics). Dr. Lance serves as medical advisor to the Medical Assisting program. 

Other Kernodle Clinic employees, past graduates of the Medical Assisting program, who serve on the advisory committee are Frances Sarah Hunter, Faith Parris and Deborah Winecoff. Hunter is also an adjunct instructor in ACC’s Medical Assisting program. Kernodle Clinic employee Samantha Cartner also serves on the advisory committee. 

The Kernodle Clinic has been a faithful donor to the ACC Foundation since the early 1990s.  Most recently, it donated $50,000 to the 50th Anniversary Naming campaign; consequently, the ACC Medical Assisting Lab in the College’s Powell Building bears the name of the Kernodle Clinic. 

The Business Partner of the Year Award is given annually. Nominations may be made by any employee or volunteer with the College. The criteria for the award are as follows: Number and quality of volunteers provided to ACC in such areas as trustees, Foundation board members, advisory boards, or classroom speakers; opportunities provided by the business for current ACC students such as co-ops and clinical sites; number of ACC graduates hired by the business annually; and level of philanthropic support of the ACC Foundation and ACC.

Previous ACC Business Partner of the Year honorees were LabCorp and Alamance Regional Medical Center in 2006, and Duke Energy in 2007.

 

ACC President Dr. Martin H. Nadelman has been named among the Triad’s “Most Influential People” by the Triad Business Journal, a weekly news tabloid serving the business community in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and Burlington areas.

Nadelman, president of ACC since 1999, was among 107 Triad leaders recognized for their excellence not just within their industry or sphere of influence, but for leading initiatives within their community and the region.

“This is our take on the power brokers most often called upon to navigate the region’s greatest opportunities and challenges,” said Douglas W. Copeland Jr., Triad Business Journal publisher. “Some are dynamic and vocal. Others work quietly but effectively behind-the-scenes.”

Nadelman has guided Alamance Community College through significant student enrollment increases, curriculum improvements, new facilities projects and increased full-time faculty appointments. In addition, the College has been recognized for its Business & Industries Services programs that help strengthen existing companies and recruit new industry to Alamance County.

“It’s an honor to be included among the business and academic leaders who are making such a difference across the Triad,” Nadelman said. “ACC is proud of its leadership role in workforce preparedness and in building strong partnerships with the local business community.”

Nadelman serves on the Alamance County Economic Development Committee, the Mebane Economic Development Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce. He is a former member of the Community Council of Alamance County and the Executive Committee of the N.C. Association of Community College Presidents.

This is the fifth year the Triad Business Journal has published a “Most Influential People in the Triad” special section. This year, 13 leaders were recognized from Alamance County.    

Former Governor Robert “Bob” Scott, whose donation of 48 acres of his property in the Haw River community provided a new home for Alamance Community College, died on January 23 at age 79.

Scott’s connection to ACC and the state’s community colleges went beyond the Scott farmland on which today’s campus was built in the mid-1970s. When he conducted a Q&A with ACC students in 2002, he told them that his proudest career achievement was not as governor, but when he served as president of the NC Community College System (NCCCS) for a record 12 years.

“All you have to do is attend a GED or degree graduation, or a nursing pinning ceremony, and then you know that what you’re doing is worthwhile,” he said at the time.

ACC’s Scott Family Collection, a state-of-the-art archive of Scott family memorabilia and history located in ACC’s Gee Building, now becomes a lasting legacy for the late governor. Scott participated in its dedication in June 2006. Among other dignitaries that day on the ACC campus were former Governor James Holshouser and Alamance County legislators.

A native of the Haw River community, Gov. Scott earned a degree in agriculture from NC State University and ran the family business until the death of his father, former governor Kerr Scott. It was only then that his name was bandied about in the newspapers as a potential successor to his father’s political inheritance.

“I got two phone calls and three letters, and thought that was a mandate from the people,” he joked when he spoke at ACC.

By the early 1960s, he had been elected lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket. In 1968, he won the governorship, becoming the first lieutenant governor to successfully move on to the top spot. He served only four years because re-election was not allowed at that time. But his single term was long enough for Scott to restructure the university system and executive level of government, and initiate the kindergarten program in the public schools.

When he was named president of the state community college system in the mid-1980s, he oversaw the creation of the literacy program at the community college level, an act he cited as his proudest achievement.

At the conclusion of his informal talk to ACC students seven years ago, Gov. Scott invited them to contribute their talents for the public good.

“I urge people to give themselves to some sort of public service,” Scott said. “Learn the mechanics of it by volunteering for a candidate you believe in. Avoid cynicism and take an interest in politics and public life. Don’t sit back and let the other guy do it all. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.”

Memorials in Gov. Scott’s name may be made to the ACC Foundation at www.accfoundation.com or call 336-506-4128.

“We pride ourselves in training. We invest time in doing this for our employees,” Tony Pierre told a group of mainly second-year students in Department Head Bob Owen’s Mechanical Drafting program last week. “If you apply yourself, you will move up in the company.”

The company to which Pierre was referring is Affiliated Engineers Inc. (AEI), where the Jamaican native is senior designer at the Chapel Hill office, one of seven field offices across the United States. The company, currently ranked fourth in the nation among design firms, has earned its reputation as a designer of mechanical, electrical, piping, and infrastructure elements in hospitals and research laboratories. Consequently, Pierre seeks only the best employees when openings occur.

Pierre started at the Chapel Hill office in 1999, but has been with AEI for 24 years. His relationship with Owen and ACC began a dozen years ago and has thrived ever since.

“I tell you the absolute truth,” he said, “before we advertise for new employees, I will look to see what Bob Owen’s latest class has to offer.” Currently, ten graduates of ACC’s Mechanical Drafting program are employed at the company at various levels as drafters or designers in the mechanical, electrical, and piping divisions.

Two of those ACC graduates, now employed by AEI, accompanied Pierre to tell Owen’s current crop of students the realities of working as a drafter or designer at one of the country’s top firms.

Bridgett Dawson, who graduated from Owen’s program in 2003, served her co-op apprenticeship at AEI and was hired by the company upon graduation. She now works in the TeleCom department, designing infrastructure for computers.

Joe Hunt, a 2006 ACC graduate, followed a similar path and was hired from his coop experience by AEI. He works in the mechanical department, designing air conditioning and heating systems.

“The big thing now in the industry is mechanical 3D,” says Dawson. “That’s what you’re learning here at the College. When you go to most any design firm, they will train you in their own software applications. What you learn here at ACC will get your foot in the door.”

“Technology is changing so much,” Hunt told the students. “Within a month or two after I was hired, I was put into a software class to learn AEI’s system. But don’t let that scare you. You have two excellent teachers here in Bob Owen and Jesse Vaughn. They teach you what you need to know to get the job. You just have to be ready to learn.”

“Bob Owen has sent me the most highly qualified of his students over the years for interviews,” Pierre said. “What I look for is ambition and a desire to succeed. AEI stands for perfection in everything we do. There is no room for error. We at AEI know we can rely on every graduate Bob sends to us.”

 

Rita Agnew, a 1986 graduate of ACC’s Nursing program and currently an oncology outreach nurse at Alamance Regional Medical Center, has been named a 2008 recipient of the Great 100 Award. The Great 100 is a volunteer organization that selects 100 nurses from across the state each year for recognition of excellent nursing care and a commitment to the nursing profession.

In her role as oncology outreach nurse, Agnew speaks to community groups about cancer, assists in coordinating cancer screenings, and helps ensure patients have access to needed medications.

Agnew received ACC’s Distinguished Alumna Award in 2006. In addition to her career, she has actively participated in numerous volunteer efforts that benefit cancer patients, including Relay for Life, Cancer Survivors’ Day, KidsCan!, the Pat Bynum Fund, and many others.

 

Horticulture Technology’s FLORA Club has chosen the Woodlawn School as a community service project this year. Students have been involved with everything from landscape design and plant selection to the layout of the beds and planting of the grass, according to Justin Snyder, department head.

“This has been a project that has given our students valuable hands-on experience and a way to give back to the community,” said Snyder. “We have taken the things we teach in the classroom and allowed the students to demonstrate their mastery of the concepts.”

Working with volunteers from Lowe’s Home Improvement, the Horticulture students took a leadership role making sure the plants were properly planted by teaching proper planting techniques.

The Woodlawn School is a 1911 one-room school house that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on Mebane Rogers Road in Burlington, NC, the historic school is nearly finished with its multi-year renovation as a result of the help by ACC’s Horticulture students.

Kumar Lakhavani has joined the College as Director of Information Services. He replaces Dennis Rasmussen, who retired on Oct. 31 after 27 years.

Lakhavani is a 1981 graduate of St. Louis Community College in Missouri where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in engineering and computers. He followed that with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and information systems at Guilford College. In 1990 he earned his MBA in business administration and database administration from UNCG.

Lakhavani comes to ACC after working as project manager in the information technology program at New Breed Corporation in Greensboro. He has also served as regional director for Samaritan’s Purse International Relief organization in Boone, NC, and as country director for the U.S. Peace Corp in Washington. His community activity has included serving as president of the Greensboro Jaycees.

A large number of Criminal Justice students listened on Oct. 23 as ACC graduate and current Caswell County, N.C. Sheriff Mike Welch spoke about his education at the College that catapulted him into a rewarding career in law enforcement.

Sheriff Welch spoke as part of the College’s 50^th Anniversary celebration Fall Speaker Series.

Sheriff Welch, who was presented with the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College, enrolled in ACC’s Criminal Justice Technology program at age 21 after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army. He became president of the Criminal Justice Club and was elected as a senator in the SGA. He was selected for the first class of ACC Student Ambassadors, crediting that experience with good training for his public speaking ability as a law officer.

In 1989, Welch earned his degree in criminal justice, finishing with the highest GPA in the program. At UNC-Charlotte, he earned his B.A. and completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET). Hired as a deputy with the Caswell County Sheriff’s Department, he became D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer and was appointed Community Policing Administrator. Losing his first bid in the election for Caswell County sheriff at age 32, Welch moved to the Roxboro Police Dept., joining its Criminal Investigative Unit. In 2002, he was elected sheriff of Caswell County.

Addressing his comments to the students in attendance, Welch said, “The choices you make, and your decisions even on a small scale, will impact your lives…Keep your integrity and don't choose a downward path. Stay with your goals and see them through, even if it takes years.”

Welch said he often took promotions he did not necessarily enjoy in order to gain experience he needed to move to the next level in his career.  

Welch outlined important rules for life he has learned: Set obtainable goals; understand it may take years to reach your ultimate career goal; take advantage of opportunities that provide you with more experience; think outside the box in how to obtain goals; and never forget those who have had a positive influence on you.

Dept. Head of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Sherri Singer, contributed to this article.

Plans for two new buildings on ACC’s Scott-Carrington main campus are underway.

By this time next year, construction of a stand-alone facility for the College’s literacy and basic skills programs should be progressing. The cost of the new building, to be located east of  A-Building, will be paid from funds remaining from the local 2005 bond referendum. Work on the 10,000 square foot facility is expected to begin in the summer of 2009 and will take approximately eight months to complete.

“We've had our first programming meeting with the architect and key users of the facility,” said David Cheek, vice president for administrative and fiscal services. “The ACC Board of Trustees has approved a tentative budget at their last meeting and we are in the process of getting final paperwork for the architect's contract put together. We have a second programming meeting scheduled in November to see concept drawings of the facility. We are definitely moving along with this project.”

In the meantime, the board of trustees has approved the hiring of an architect for a 45,900 square foot Advanced Applied Technology building, to be constructed after the literacy building. It would be located adjacent to the student parking lot south of the main building, with another parking lot added before construction begins.

Five current programs will be housed in the new Advanced Applied Technology Building: Machining Technology, Welding, Carpentry, Automotive Technology, and Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration. 

ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman said moving forward with a new facility for these programs is “an affirmation that ACC is staying with our roots of providing the kinds of training in careers that are demanded by the public.”

The spaces vacated by these curricula will be used by other programs; for example, Horticulture Technology would move into the welding shop and maintenance operations would take over the automotive shop.

 

ACC has inducted eight new student ambassadors to join two senior ambassadors for the 2008-09 academic year. All the students were nominated by faculty or staff and were selected as ambassadors by a screening committee. All are dedicated to their education at ACC and are focused on future goals and careers.

The program was established in 1987 by the ACC Foundation and more than 200 students have represented the College since then. Their duties as ambassadors include representing ACC at public events on and off campus, helping conduct tours for prospective students, and providing a link between the College and the local community.

“Being an ambassador helps prepare these individuals to step up to leadership roles at the college and beyond,” said Natalie Miles, advisor.

This year’s group includes:

Sara Ambriz, originally from Mexico, is a senior ambassador this year. Enrolled in the pre-nursing curriculum, she is employed as a support professional for a home health care company.  Sara chose health care with the goal of becoming a traveling nurse. Sara is a member of Sigma Psi, is a Dean’s List student and served as a graduation marshal.

Veetta Parker, also a senior ambassador, is a graduate of Vandalia Christian School and is currently employed with Greensboro Veterinary Hospital. She chose Horticulture Technology to help her pursue a long-term goal of owning her own garden center and design business. She will graduate from ACC in spring 2009.

Bunyanech “Kay” Corbett is a native of Thailand and enrolled in Accounting. She came to the U.S. in 2003 as an au pair (professional nanny) in an effort to better learn the English language.  Kay has a degree from Khon Kaen University in Bangkok in hotel and tourism management.   Kay works for an orthopedic office in Burlington and plans to obtain her CPA after graduating from ACC in 2009.

Amanda Hill, a university transfer student, has planned for pharmacy school for many years. She has experience working in a pharmacy but has enrolled at ACC to pursue her goal of earning a pharmaceutical degree at a four-year university. At ACC she has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and has served as a graduation marshal. She is currently a work-study student in the ACC English department.

Keitra Johnson, enrolled at ACC in Criminal Justice, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and is currently a work study student in Student Development Office. She came to ACC with a desire to work with children and found that there are many opportunities in the criminal justice system to pursue this goal. She plans to transfer to a four-year college or university toward her goal of working in a program that helps reunite families with their missing children.

Candace Lawson, enrolled in Culinary Technology, had already completed her bachelor’s degree in theater arts when she came to ACC. But she has since decided her true passion is in the kitchen. After earning her associate degree in Culinary Technology, she hopes to blend this love of food with her theater degree to open a dinner theater.

Travis Moore is a 2007 graduate of Alamance Christian School and is an Industrial Systems Technology student at ACC. He plans to pursue a career in aeronautics. He has been named to the President’s List and Dean’s List, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Veronica Penn-Bartoo is participating in the C-STEP program at ACC and will transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall of 2009. Veronica chose ACC over Appalachian State University to be close to family. She is a member of the History Club, volunteers at church and in local theater, and hopes to pursue a career in law.

Anna Smith, a university transfer student, graduated early from Cedar Ridge High School and spent much of her senior year as a foreign exchange student in Panama. She is secretary of the History Club, has been named to the President’s List, and plans to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill to study communication and languages.

Allen Thaxton graduated from Southern Alamance High School and is enrolled in ACC’s Business Administration program. A longtime resident of Snow Camp, Allen maintains a 4.0 GPA at ACC while working part-time. Allen plans to transfer to UNC-Greensboro Bryan School of Business after leaving ACC.

 

Dr. Barry Weinberg has joined ACC as Executive Vice President. He replaces Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, who retired on September 30.

As Executive Vice President, Dr. Weinberg will oversee all academic and curriculum matters, working closely with associate deans.

Dr. Weinberg brings with him many years of experience in higher education and vast experience at the community college level. Since 1982, he has served in various capacities at five community colleges, including those in Guilford County, Rockingham County, and from 2001-2005 was president of Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, New York.

He earned his undergraduate degrees in education and student personnel services at the State University of New York. In 1981, he received a Certificate of Continuing Studies in Applied Behavioral Sciences from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He received his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration in 1988 from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Dr. Weinberg’s previous duties have included those of director of financial aid and dean of students. At Rockingham Community College, he served as Vice President for College Advancement.

A former Student Government Association president, who used his ACC education to acquire a biomedical career, told an audience of students and employees recently about his success.

John Noblitt graduated from Technical College of Alamance (TCA), as the College was then known, in 1985. But earning his associate degree only came after a few years of soul searching.

“I was a very typical community college student,” he said.

Noblitt said his college education followed a circuitous route. Following his high school graduation, Noblitt enrolled at Stanley Community College in 1978 not truly knowing what he wanted to do. Leaving after a semester, he turned to the job market because “I really wanted to earn some money.” Eventually a job in construction led him to Burlington. It was then he decided he needed more education if he was to become successful. He looked into the programs at TCA and discovered it had a biomedical technology program (since evolved into other science curricula).

Noblitt stayed two years and served as the college’s SGA president. He graduated from TCA with an associate degree, Magna Cum Laude. He transferred all allowable 64 credit hours (of 128 earned) to Western Carolina University in Cullowee.

“The community college system has been here for whoever wants an education,” Noblitt said. “They were here for me countless times. It is the institutional agency that’s broken the cycle of generational poverty.”

Noblitt began his biomedical career with SunHealth, Inc. This company gave him his first opportunity in the profession. From there he went to Corometrics Medical Systems as a field service engineer. During his year with the company, Noblitt won the National Service Award, just one of four given to a pool of about 80 engineers across the U.S.

Through it all, Noblitt said, he has conducted his career with the same focus: customer service.

“When you begin your career,” he said, “you should always ask yourself, ‘Who is my client? Who am I really working for?’ This will help you be a better employee in your chosen career.”

Noblitt is now in his 16^th year at Caldwell Community College as biomedical equipment technician (BMET) program director. He teaches 23 hours, and is taking six hours of a graduate program. He is also very involved with the N.C. Biomedical Association, one of the largest state agencies of its kind in the U.S.

“There are always going to be opportunities for you to help people in the community. That’s a wonderful thing about education, it allows you those chances.”

Noblitt closed by talking about his family’s history with North Carolina’s community colleges. After Noblitt’s father obtained a job teaching at Wilkes Community College, his mother gained employment at the same college as a switchboard operator. Years later when she retired, it was as the vice president of instruction.

Similarly, Noblitt’s wife had a degree from Appalachian State University when they married, but she returned to school at the community college level. She transferred those courses back to ASU where she earned her Bachelor in Social Work (BSW).

“Don’t let anyone tell you ‘it’s only a community college.’ It can be a stepping stone, like it was for me, to a career,” said Noblitt. “Learning is for life. It’s doesn’t stop at a bachelor’s degree, it doesn’t stop at a master’s degree or beyond. It’s what you put into the college, and what you can take from it that will be most beneficial to you in life.”

ACC served as host to the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) fall retreat Oct. 15-17. The State Board last met at ACC in the spring of 1985, which was the first time the board held an off-site spring meeting, according to Richard Sullins, Secretary to the SBCC.

The State Board of Community Colleges serves as the governing authority for the North Carolina Community College System. The Board adopts and carries out the policies, regulations and standards necessary to operate the nation’s third largest system of community colleges. Ten of its 21 members are appointed by the Governor, four are appointed by the General Assembly, and three serve as ex officio members by virtue of position--the lieutenant governor, the state treasurer, and the student president of the N4CSGA (state SGA).

Among the dignitaries attending the ACC event was new North Carolina Community College System President, Dr. R. Scott Ralls.

During their three days on the ACC campus, State Board members participated in a number of work sessions, including ones on financial and capital needs and policies that affect all community colleges. The College also hosted a formal dinner for the dignitaries and gave them a walking tour of the campus during their visit.

Ed Williams began his duties on October 6 as the College’s new Director of Public Information and Marketing. He also serves as Public Information Officer (PIO).

Williams replaces Vicki Wilson, who retired on September 30.

Williams, a 37-year journalism veteran, earned his Bachelor of Arts in journalism from UNC Chapel Hill. He worked for more than 20 years at the News & Record of Greensboro, NC as a reporter, editor, human resources staffer, and marketing director. Among his duties at the News & Record were recruitment coordinator, business editor, online content producer and, most recently, brand marketing manager. He also continues to write the newspaper’s wine column.

In 2008, Williams participated in IMPACT Greensboro, a leadership program that pairs citizens of diverse backgrounds in an attempt to solve differences and find shared values and solutions to day-to-day issues in the community.

With registration for the spring semester beginning on Oct. 15, 2008, students are encouraged to consider ACC’s many hybrid classes as an alternative.

Hybrid courses are exactly what they sound like: part online and part traditional classroom.

“Conceivably a student could take a full schedule of hybrid classes and only come to class once a week,” says Don Miller, Coordinator of Distance Learning. “Many instructors and students feel that hybrids offer the best of both worlds. They get the flexibility of an online class, but they still get the face-to-face attention that some of them desire.”

“Enrolling in one or more hybrid classes is a great way to get your credits but also save on gas with less trips to ACC,” adds Cathy Johnson, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences. “In addition, students who have a job find these courses very convenient.”

Miller says several ACC faculty members work together to ensure some hybrid classes meet on campus the same day. For example, sociology instructor Sherri Singer, English instructor Anne Helms, and humanities instructor Clara Vega this semester scheduled, respectively, Sociology 220, Humanities 115, English 111, and Religion 212 in consecutive order on Tuesday mornings to accommodate students.

“The nice thing about many of these hybrid courses,” says Johnson, “is that students practice assignments online and then have the opportunity to get further explanation or instruction during class time once a week.”

Alamance Community College has accumulated a bevy of online classes over the past few years. As the list of these classes has grown, Cathy Johnson, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, noticed something.

“I realized that our online classes only lacked two or three to fulfill requirements for an associate in arts degree,” she explained.

Johnson and Don Miller, Distance Learning Coordinator, began investigating. With the addition of a biology class and a couple of others, the 2008 fall semester is the first time ACC has been able to offer a full associate in arts degree program completely online. Johnson says ACC is one of only a few colleges offering this.

Miller says the online associate degree taps into a population not targeted before. “Ideally, this online degree program is for non-majors, for those who need specific courses to fulfill a degree,” he says. “But it can also be for the stay-at-home mom to start from scratch and obtain her two-year degree from her home computer.”

The idea is not completely new. ACC’s Accounting program, for example, has offered all of its certificate programs totally online in recent years. Instructor Tom Conally has taught chemistry online for several years. Culinary Technology has offered an online American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification program for professional chefs. But the stumbling block for the online two-year associate in art degree, says Miller, related to science labs.

“Some educators told me lab work was the major problem with distance learning,” says Miller. “But that is no longer a concern.”

With modern technology, biology students can dissect a frog using an online package of virtual dissection software. According to ACC Biology Instructor Alex Bailey, the student utilizes a Web site operated by textbook publisher McGraw-Hill and accesses an online lab that corresponds to a chapter in the textbook. The student is guided through the process via an online video before being given the virtual frog. Using the mouse to select tools, the student performs the virtual dissection, which includes pulling back the frog “skin” to identify the organs on the screen.

“This is equal to doing a dissection in a real classroom, but without the worries that your lab partner will make a mistake,” says Bailey.

“Entire online programs are becoming something of an expectation for young people especially,” comments Miller.

Johnson adds that students are searching for opportunities like this. She says many students view online classes as a composite deal. “They will shop around and take an online class at one college, shop more and take another somewhere else, wherever the class is available. I think online classes could also start reaching out to home schooled students.”

But Miller cautions that online students focused on earning the associate in arts degree need to be committed and take it seriously. “Just because they are doing this from their home computer doesn’t mean they can afford to take it easy,” he warns. “They must look at this as if the two-year degree they’re seeking is on campus, rather than on their home computer. For example, reading online is very important. A student must be willing to put in the time it takes. Otherwise it’s very easy to get lazy and never complete the degree.”

ACC has nearly double the number of online classes that it did in 2004, according to Miller. “Two years ago we offered 60 individual classes. Now we have 100.”

New technology developed for online classes has made studying easier for students. One tool in Blackboard (a software used to manage online learning) called Learning Unit allows a student to simply click on virtual textbook “pages” and turn them using a mouse. More and more online instructors are posting video lectures, sometimes utilizing YouTube for this purpose.

“Online courses are becoming more dynamic,” says Miller, “but it’s another level of responsibility, too.”

Johnson says the important aspect of this is that ACC can now cover the gamut of educational offerings either through online, hybrid, or on-campus classes.

“Our goal is to provide quality education and give as many options as we can,” says Johnson. “Distance Learning’s associate in art degree now provides an additional way to get a full education.”

 

 

The Academic Advising Center formally opened its doors to students in early September 2008. Located adjacent to the lower student commons of the main building (in the old bookstore site), the center provides a wealth of information for ACC’s enrolled students. 

Coordinator Mary-Charles Barrett says students can meet with advisors and receive support as they make decisions regarding their educational plans. Within the Academic Advising Center, students can register for classes, drop and add classes, as well as make changes to their academic program or major. 

University Transfer resources are available to provide information about four-year university or college options. Students will have the opportunity to explore different career options through career assessments and workshops held throughout the year. Barrett says faculty advisors will be scheduled in the Advising Center closer to registration times.

Barrett adds that she is available to advise students anytime. No appointment is necessary. Virginia Jeffries is Senior Office Assistant in the center.

“I encourage students to stop by and get the help you need to achieve your goals at ACC,” says Barrett.

 

After months of renovation, the new Student Activity Center opened for students in time for the fall 2008 semester. Adjacent to the new, expansive book store, it includes a student lounge, TV room, Internet café, SGA office, and meeting room.

The concept for the 7,500-square-foot space was developed by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Student Development, but the idea began with ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman.

At the outset of renovations last year, Dr. Nadelman stated, “Space such as the commons area has been overwhelmed as enrollment has exploded over the past seven years. We needed a location where students could gather and still feel like they were a part of the College.”

Here is what the Student Activity Center offers students:

New College Bookstore - space increased about 50 percent from the previous site, roughly 1500-1800 square feet.

Student Lounge – behind the bookstore with a view of the Gee Building, this encompasses 1800-2000 square feet with couches and tables where students may visit or study.

TV Lounge – this offers students leisure time as well as a chance to view CNN on large flat screen television.

Internet Café – a wireless network services the entire student activity center and student commons area, including the soundproof Internet Cafe where students may connect laptops to work.

Activity/Meeting Room – near the Internet Café, this room allows students or campus clubs to gather.

SGA Office – a glass-enclosed office for the SGA. This is adjacent to an office for a student development staff member.

At the beginning of a year-long celebration of its 50^th anniversary, Alamance Community College proved once again that its place in the community is an important one as hundreds of family members and friends turned out  on July 18 to see nearly 900 students earn degrees, diplomas, and certificates that will change their professional lives for the better.

The graduation exercises witnessed 552 curriculum students earn 369 associate degrees, 89 diplomas, and 292 certificates. Students receiving High Honors (3.8+ GPA) numbered 89; 154 students earned Honors (3.3-3.7 GPA). Furthermore, 277 students were presented with their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas and 36 students earned Adult High School diplomas. In all, ACC graduated 865 individuals in 2007-08.

Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, announced that ACC’s 277 GED graduates spanned the ages of 17-62. Six GED graduates score 3400 or higher, placing them in the top 1 percent of their class. Highest ACC scorer was Andrew Hardman with 3600 points. The eldest Adult High School graduate, passing all 22 credits available, was 69-year-old Queen Dark.

ACC's Horticulture Technology program played host on June 5-6 to the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association CLT (Certified Landscape Technician) Exam. Despite temperatures in the high 90s, approximately 40 people from across the state enjoyed the hospitality of the College for two days of testing. The first day consisted of classroom written tests but the following day put the participants outdoors in the heat for the hands-on portion of the multiple certification exams.

In all, about 90 professional judges, participants and representatives from the state and national organizations participated on the ACC campus both days. The high turnout was a result of this being the state organization's only certification event in 2008.

"It's great for our program to host this statewide event," commented Justin Snyder, Horticulture Technology Department Head. "This is a very big deal. It gives all these professional judges and the students from all over the state an opportunity to see our facility and the excellent horticulture program we have at ACC."

Since taking over Horticulture Technology in 2003, Snyder has increased the program's enrollment and taken his students to numerous competitions that include the N.C. State Fair and Alamance County Fair, winning several blue ribbons. Snyder has also taken his students to the annual Professional Landcare Network's Student Career Days each March that is held at a major out-of-state university where they network, learn, and compete.

Last week's CLT exams included two ACC students, Donald Sandoval and Samantha Wagstaff, who won $200 scholarships from the N.C. Nursery and Landscaping Association to pay for the hefty registration fee. Wagstaff will graduate this July with a degree in Horticulture Technology. Another ACC horticulture student, Ben Rooney, also took the certification exams in his first year in the program.

Chad Huggins, the College's Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, also took four certification exams to improve his job knowledge. Huggins's exams, for example, included tree planting, plant ID, and sod installation.

To become a Certified Landscape Technician, an applicant must pass the "common elements" exam plus a core test. Successful completion of the "installation" test demonstrates that an individual has the skills to take a landscape blueprint and implement the design in the field. Passing the "maintenance" test shows that a person has the skills to maintain a landscape project in a professional manner.

"Certification is important because more and more landscape companies now are requiring their employees to be certified in order to become supervisors," says Snyder. "It's also where the horticulture industry is headed. Just like plumbers and contractors must be certified to prove their skills and knowledge are high quality, horticulture and landscaping certification will raise the public's perception of what we can do."

Judges at the certification, licensed with the N.C. Nursery and Landscaping Association as well as the national organization, were required to grade the participants on proper technique, safety standards, and making sure each student knew how to maintain and start equipment being used. For the sod installation, for example, the students had to show that they could install it correctly as well as explain what they were doing and why.

The brick layout for one event, paver installation, will remain with Snyder at the College and be used to teach his own students how to properly lay a brick patio in future classes. It can be used as a jigsaw puzzle, taken apart, and put back together.

Alamance Community College alumni Daniel Danieley and Cindy Brady were honored by the College on June 5 at the 2008 Celebrating Excellence Awards, hosted by the ACC Board of Trustees and the ACC Foundation Board of Directors. The dinner was held at Alamance Country Club.

Daniel H. Danieley, Executive Director of the Burlington-Alamance Airport Authority, was named the College's 2008 Distinguished Alumnus for his 20 years developing one of Alamance County's largest industries. Danieley enrolled in an aviation course at Technical College of Alamance (as ACC was then known) in 1981, thus beginning his long career in the aviation field. Soon afterward, he was hired by the College to oversee its emergency services training for Alamance and Orange counties, while simultaneously gaining corporate flying experience. Danieley says his years working at ACC gave him valuable experience in administrative management that ultimately led to his current position. Under Danieley's tenure, the Burlington-Alamance Airport has added parallel taxi runways, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) office has been installed, and more than 100 flights per day occur. It is today one of the top three general aviation airports in the state. Danieley was presented with the College's Presidential Medallion at the awards ceremony.

Cindy Brady, President of the United Way of Alamance County, was recognized with the Inspiration Award as a result of her humanitarian efforts that have helped so many individuals through her work. In the 1980s, she took accounting classes at ACC, receiving honors recognition. She subsequently graduated from Elon University with a degree in Public Administration. Over the years, Brady has dedicated her talents and abilities to provide a better life for hundreds of Alamance County residents. She has had leadership positions at Elon Homes for Children, Inc., Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce, and Healthy Alamance prior to taking the president's position at the United Way. Among her dozens of other charitable endeavors, Brady has made presentations on tobacco-free schools, childhood asthma case managment; she has developed programs for Santa's Helper, Pediatric Asthma Center, and Alamance Walks; and she has been a member of Service to the Elderly, Regional Workforce Development, Women's Resource Center, and SafeKids Coalition. One ACC selection committee member commented, "Her high energy and enthusiasm for all she does makes her inspiring to be around."

Also honored at the event were:
John Neathery, sociology instructor since 2003, as the College's Excellence in Teaching award recipient.
Judy Nunn-Snipes, a part-time marketing and business instructor since 2007, as Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year.
Reggie Turner, Director of Special Programs in the Continuing Education division since 2006, as the Staff Member of the Year.
Virginia Jeffries, Human Resources Development instructor at the Burlington Center since 2002, as the Continuing Education Instructor of the Year.
Student Academic Award winners: Shawn Royster, a 2008 graduate-elect in the university transfer program, who has been accepted to UNC-CH where he plans to study allied health; and Chuck Loy, a Medical Laboratory Technology graduate-elect, who came to ACC after being laid off after 20 years with an upholstery business.

It didn't take long for 2007 ACC graduate Heather Harden to realize the skills she learned in the College's Advertising and Graphic Design program had everything to do with landing a job with the Herald-Sun newspaper in Durham. In fact, she was approached about the job before she had degree in hand.

Shortly after attending a graphic design convention in Dallas, Texas during the 2007 spring break, Heather was hyped about her post-graduation career plans. She was in the midst of preparing her final portfolio project, a meticulous and challenging mandatory assignment for all prospective graduates in the program. Then she heard about an opening for an ad designer at the Herald-Sun newspaper.

Following two successful interviews, the ad director at the newspaper told her he needed someone to start immediately, but Heather had to back off because she was just beginning her final summer term at ACC before graduation. But within a few days, the supervisor called and asked if she was interested in a part-time position to start.

"He said I was making history with their department because they rarely hire someone for part-time work," says Heather, "especially before I had my degree in hand."

The creation of a personal Web site in one of her graphic design classes proved important to landing the job, she says. It allowed her employers to view her creative abilities online even before the first interview. Her part-time position during last year's summer term turned full-time two days after graduation in July.

"You spend two years with these great mentors, Denise Archuletta and David Davenport, and the experience they have is invaluable. They have walked in your shoes and know what is expected in the real world to make it in this field," she says.

Heather says she quickly realized she had more technical skills than another new co-worker, a graduate of N.C. Central University's graphic design program. "Everything I had learned in the graphic design program at ACC came into play on the job," she says. "This is a very competitive field, and it's very hard to get your foot in the door."

Heather says she didn't always have that passion for her work. Before making the decision to enroll at ACC, the single mom made her living as an office manager but wanted to utilize her creative streak. "I took two years out of my life, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made," she says. "Once I got into the graphic design program, I went above and beyond. You must do what is expected and what is unexpected because, once your start your career, that passion will be very important."

She says she loves the variety of the design work she does at the Herald-Sun. She has had the luxury of including her son and her dog in some ads she designed, and had her work published in the Duke University basketball program.

"What has made me successful is that I have fire," Heather says. "I think about my work beyond my desk, beyond the walls of my office. You must think about ideas on the drive home. You must eat, think, and drink what you do because it's what you love."

If you've ever heard the old saying "when it rains, it pours," you will understand how ACC accounting student Angela Parris must have felt when she became the recipient of not one, but two $1,000 scholarships.

Both the North Carolina CPA Foundation, Inc. and the James L. McCoy Fund awarded her a total of $2,000. Historically, these scholarships are usually awarded to an accounting student at a four-year school, but due to Angela's academic prowess in the program, she became the lucky student. In addition, Angela was offered a complimentary one-year membership in the N.C. Association of CPAs.

Originally from Atlanta and a graduate of Emory University, Angela did not always desire a career in accounting. Back in the 1990s, she gained employment in a work study job at an Atlanta community food bank. She found she loved the working environment of a nonprofit and her career ambitions grew from that. She earned a bachelor's in psychology and a master's in social work from UNC Chapel Hill. She became an out-patient counselor and, in fact, currently works as a care manager.

"As a social worker, I didn't feel it was the best fit for my skills," she says. "What drew me into the nonprofit sector originally was the operations side, using my skills to keep a nonprofit running smoothly. So that's when I started looking into an accounting education. I was more interested, when I was young, in English and especially Latin classes. I think the rules that apply to Latin are similar to accounting. Both deal in logic and basically filling in the missing pieces to make it work. That has always interested me."

While doing research, Angela came across Alamance Community College and realized this could be a stepping stone toward another master's degree. She talked to Accounting Department Head Brenda Fowler.

"She told me not only could I qualify to sit for the CPA exam with a two-year degree at ACC, but I could do most of my courses online since I had a day job," explains Angela. "I was a little skeptical at first about doing so many classes online, but I realized very quickly that the instructors and the teaching were very high quality."

Angela is earning all three certificates and the two-year associate degree in accounting. She will graduate in spring 2009, and then sit for the CPA exam.

According to Fowler, about 75 percent of the courses in which Angela enrolled are online. "Angela has maintained a 4.0 GPA and I can always count on her to have her work in on time, whether she is in an online or a seated course," said Fowler.

"That has made things very doable," Angela says. "I can do my school work after my son, who's three, goes to sleep at night. This semester was the first time I took on-campus classes in the accounting curriculum. That was nice to be able to meet fellow students and your instructors after only knowing them via the Internet."

When Angela decided to apply for the two accounting scholarships, she found that the questions were a good fit for her ambition. "The essay portion was easy because it dealt with how I would use my accounting education in the community," she says. "That spoke to me since I want to continue my work in a nonprofit and allow my career to make me a better citizen of the world."

"I'm really glad I found ACC," adds Parris. "It's really helped me achieve what I wanted for my life."

The Scott Collection now has its own Web site and the Alamance Community College students who designed it gave a hands-on navigation lesson to family members on its first day of operation on May 12.

The Scott Collection, housed in the Gee Building at ACC, is the archived memorabilia, photos, and information that highlights the contributions of the Scott family of Alamance County, which has produced two governors and a U.S. Senator, as well as many other important achievements in politics and medicine.

Meg Scott Phipps, Henderson Scott, and Dr. Sam Scott were visibly impressed with the Web site as they talked with the students in a College computer lab during an official launch party.

The students, all members of Instructor Lakeisha Vance's Web Design 210 class, began working on the project in late February at the request of Curator Peggy Boswell. Vance said the students visited the Scott Collection, researched the information in the audio-visual kiosks, and spent about 40 hours each working the project.

"Their goal was to take the message of the Scott family history at the library and convert it into a Web site design," said Vance.

Students who worked on the Web site design are Julie Pruitt, Ajana Parker, Darlene Watson, Sandra Moore, Ryan Wagner, Jeff Cooke, Teresa Wade, and Melissa Doellinger.

"While I was working on the project, I became really interested in this history that I didn't know before," commented student Ryan Wagner.

"I am very impressed with the students' work," said Dr. Sam Scott after studying the site with student Darlene Watson.

"This Web site supports the physical collection in the library very well, and allows further development of the site," said Vance.

Meg Scott Phipps said she especially appreciated the inclusion of a timeline at the top of the homepage which provides an overview of the family's history and contributions.

The Scott Family Collection Web site can be found at www.scottcollection.org.

Alamance Community College graduate Leslie Thompson may have thought she might get a chance to shake the hand of former President Bill Clinton when he campaigned for his wife at Elon University in April. But her ambition on behalf of a friend ultimately led her to meet the former U.S. President one-on-one.

Through a plethora of phone calls to the Hillary Clinton campaign, Thompson arranged the meeting between herself, Clinton and Crystal Lee Sutton. Sutton is the Alamance County resident upon whose unionization exploits in the 1970s were the basis of the Sally Field film, "Norma Rae." Last year Sutton donated much of her memorabilia to Alamance Community College and Thompson took on the job of organizing the material for the College's archives.

"Crystal Lee Sutton and her husband were very happy. She loves Bill Clinton," explained Thompson, a 2006 ACC graduate and recent UNC Chapel Hill graduate.

Thompson says she initially only intended to take Sutton to the rally. On a whim, she began making phone calls to the Clinton campaign to make it known that Mrs. Sutton was going to attend and of her importance to the history of North Carolina and national labor history.

"I left word with as many people as I could," explains Thompson.

Around 4 p.m. the day before the rally, Thompson says she received a call from the campaign asking if Mrs. Sutton would be willing to meet with the President.

"Mrs. Sutton was elated," says Thompson. "It was the perfect gift to give someone who has given so much in my life, to Alamance Community College, and to so many others."

Thompson escorted Sutton and her husband to the Elon University campus the following day where they met President Clinton upon his arrival, along with other Elon officials.

"It was an amazing experience," recalls Thompson.

Following this exciting event, Thompson is taking her recently awarded bachelor's degree in political science from UNC and working as an intern in the office of N.C. Rep. Alice Bordsen during the short General Assembly session.

"I will be conducting research for the North Carolina Commission on Children, Youth and Families," she explains. "I am really looking forward to working at the General Assembly and with public policy."

Eleven students who completed the Minority Male Mentoring program this year were feted with a graduation luncheon on May 13, attended by family, faculty, and ACC administrators.

Reginald Turner, Director of Special Projects and coordinator of the program, presented each student with a plaque and allowed them to express their thoughts on the occasion. Most noted that they were hesitant at first to participate in the program, but in retrospect realized how it had dramatically changed their academic progress and their lives.

"I have been through some bad times in my life," commented an emotional Orlando Maynard, "but this program and Mr. Turner have made a huge difference to me, and to all of us. I know we are all going to make it."

Financed through a grant from the N.C. Community College System, the Male Minority Mentoring program strives to promote academic success and retention of students and encourages academic excellence, self-esteem, and personal growth.

Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Jonathan Livingston, an assistant professor in psychology at N.C. Central University. His comments, accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation, highlighted the need to support the male minority population in their educational endeavors.

"You, gentlemen, are our latest ambassadors for this program and this college," commented ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman.

In addressing the graduates, Executive Vice President Dr. Janyth Fredrickson noted that, although the reality of life may cause them to stumble and have disappointments in the future, the success they have realized in this program will keep them focused on their future educational and career goals. "You should be very proud of yourselves," she said.

In April 2008, ACC's Michael Dunklebarger, Department Head for Computer Information Technology, traveled to Tucson, Arizona at the invitation of well-known textbook publisher McGraw-Hill. While the desert setting was beautiful, Dunklebarger was there not to play but to brainstorm with eleven other college and university instructors who teach information technology.

The symposium was hosted by Scott Davidson, publisher in McGraw-Hill's computer books division. All costs were paid for by the publisher.

"It was exciting to have direct access to the person who publishes the kinds of books we use in our classrooms," says Dunklebarger, "and being asked for our opinions as instructors in this field."

Davidson was hired in late 2007 from Pearson Publishing, says Dunklebarger, to help make McGraw-Hill more competitive. Dunklebarger was tapped for the symposium by a local textbook representataive at the bequest of Davidson. Altogether only twelve instructors were invited, mainly from East coast community colleges and universities.

"We began with a group meeting, talking about the courses we teach," says Dunklebarger. "Then he broke us up into smaller groups so we could brainstorm about the textbooks we use in our courses, as well as discuss other delivery methods we use."

Dunklebarger says he enjoyed networking with his peers from around the country, learning varying methods of teaching information technology.

"One example I described to the others is an exercise in which my students shop for a computer that must include specific features," he says. "It forces them to learn the capabilities of different components and software."

Upon their departure, Dunklebarger says he and the other instructors were given proofs of a new, unpublished textbook to critique. "But I'm not allowed to discuss or show it to anyone," he adds with a smile.

Virginia Jeffries, Human Resources Development (HRD) instructor in Continuing Education, has received the Continuing Education Excellence in Teaching Award for 2008.

Jeffries, laid off from Lucent Technologies, found a new career by teaching unemployed workers at the College's Burlington Center in 2002. Most of her students are her contemporaries, whose incomes and pensions have been cut short by industrial downsizing. Jeffries teaches adult students skills in computer literacy, resume' writing, and Internet knowledge--all necessary to compete in today's job market.

"Mrs. Jeffries' patience and her genuine determination to get all students computer literate exemplifies a hard working and dedicated instructor that cares," wrote student Marilyn Slade, who nominated Jeffries. "She has a deep passion and a focused goal of getting you excited and eager to learn more and more about the computer."

"It's so rewarding for previous students to stop you and thank you for not giving up on them," says Jeffries. "They tell you how just listening and being sympathetic and understanding to their situation made a difference in their success of continuing their education and regaining employment. I'm continuously grateful for being given this opportunity to help adult students integrate into a technological job market."

Shannon Overman, who served as interim president of the N.C. Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA) this year, has been elected to that office in her own right for the 2008-09 year.

Overman began the school year as the N4CSGA vice-president. In January 2008, she was appointed to complete the presidential term of ACC student Bently Pagura when he took a teaching position at the College. In March, she ran for the office of president and was elected.

The office of president oversees the interests of more than 700,000 community college students in the state, and serves as a liaison to the N.C. Legislature and other government agencies.

A graduate of Southern Alamance High School, Overman was first elected the College's SGA secretary in 2004 alongside her mother, Teresa, who was elected treasurer that year. She subsequently won re-election the next two years.

"As president of the state board, I usually go to Raleigh once a week," Overman says. "We meet with state senators and talk to them about increasing the community college budget, among other things. I stay pretty busy."

Overman said her current duties will help prepare her for a possible run for state political office in the future. Currently enrolled in both Dental Assisting and Medical Assisting Technology at ACC, she plans to transfer to Lenoir-Rhyne College and major in political science.

Nineteen young men have been participating this year in the Minority Male Mentoring program. Financed with $30,000 through a grant from the N.C. Community College System, it strives to promote academic success and retention of male minority students through support that encourages academic excellence, self-esteem, and personal growth.

"The bottom line is to get students interested in school, monitor their progress, and help them through to graduation," says Reggie Turner, Director of Special Programs in Continuing Education. "I want them to know it's okay to ask for help."

This year's program has shown success. "Many of these students' instructors have reported dramatic improvement in the men's class attendance and performance," says Turner.

Each student has individual mentoring sessions with Turner every other week. During these sessions, Turner and the student develop realistic but "stretch" goals, including increasing the number of hours he has committed each week to studying.

"It keeps you on the right track," says participant Orlando Maynard, a university transfer student. "It becomes a team effort with the other guys, helping each other out. Mr. Turner is always in my ear, helping me with financial aid information, making sure I go talk with my advisors. Mr. Turner has made the difference."

During the week the students do not meet with Turner, but touch base with him via e-mail or a phone call. The students are required to attend several group activities to help strengthen their interpersonal skills and become more comfortable bonding and sharing with other minority males.

"Before I started with this program, I was losing focus. I wouldn't put my whole heart into class," explains participant Branden Perry, enrolled in Criminal Justice Technology. "Mr. Turner helped me regain my focus. The program holds you to a higher standard. It creates a camaraderie."

Ten of the students attended the Minority Male Mentoring State Conference in Durham in early April, including both Maynard and Perry.

"The speakers were good because they were guys that had similar backgrounds as us," says Maynard. "Some had been through worst situations in life, so they showed that it's possible to be successful."

Turner  has been assisted in the program by two coordinators: student Shawn Royster, who was active in the mentoring program last year, and Jauron Holman, who works in the assessment center. Criminal Justice Instructor Rodney Ellis also mentored and facilitated several of the workshop sessions.

"One of the main things I've gotten from the program is knowing someone is concerned about my well-being," says Perry.

A dinner meeting hosted by Alamance Community College President Dr. Martin Nadelman on April 3 brought together members of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners, Alamance-Burlington Board of Education, and the ACC Board of Trustees to showcase the successful partnership between ACC and Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS).

"Between our two institutions, we are now serving more than 34,000 Alamance County residents or about one quarter of the total county population," said Dr. Nadelman. "We are producing a better educated populace, which in turn can earn greater salaries, thus providing a higher standard of living and a great quality of life for all in our community."

Dr Randy Bridges, ABSS Superintendent, spoke about the importance of communication and relationships between the schools and business, and how to build both, to ensure a world-class education system that is vital for a thriving community. Also providing an ABSS perspective was Lillie Cox, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

Dr. Nadelman said he and Dr. Bridges know the public will be more supportive of both ACC and ABSS when it sees they are trying to maximize tax dollars by ensuring there is no duplication of educational offerings. He added that county commissioners should appreciate that each body is trying "to educate Alamance County citizens economically using resources fruitfully."

Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, ACC Executive Vice President, spoke about the venues the College uses to provide professional development for teachers locally. Adam Self, Machining Technology Department Head, explained ways in which a $100,000 grant from WIRED will help educate ABSS students in the realities of modern machine technology.

County Commissioners present included Larry W. Sharpe, Chair; Dan Ingle, Vice Chair; and Ann Vaughan. ABSS board members included Jackie Cole, Brad Evans, Gayle Gunn, Mary Alice Hinshaw, Vice Chair; Steve Van Pelt, and Tom Manning, Chair, who offered closing remarks on the program.

Bill Woodruff, Department Head and instructor in Alamance Community College's Biotechnology program, has been named "Educator of the Year" by the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) BioNetwork.

The award was presented on April 9 at Forsyth Technical Community College during the annual BioForum state conference. It was presented to Woodruff "for extraordinary success in Biotechnology training and education."

"I was flabbergasted," said Woodruff. "You just try to do good work and never think about winning awards. So this was a nice surprise."

Through Woodruff's initiative, ACC's Biotechnolgy curriculum stands proudly at the forefront of other similar programs in the state. In 1985, ACC became the first North Carolina community college to offer a two-year associate's degree in this advancing science, and is one of only a handful of two-year institutions that offer biotechnology in the nation.

"Among North Carolina community colleges, Bill is Mr. Biotechnology," commented Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, ACC Executive Vice President. "Not only has he developed an outstanding program here, he has helped colleges across the state develop their biotechnology programs."

"I can think of no one more tied into their program than Bill Woodruff," said ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman. "For twenty years, Bill has been at the forefront of state and national community college biotech program development and innovation. It is a pleasure to see him recognized for his lifetime of giving to the profession."

Woodruff has been with ACC's Biotechnology program almost from the beginning, serving as department head and instructor since 1987. Woodruff began his education at North County Community College in his native New York, earning an Associate in Applied Science in Laboratory Techniques. Later he earned a B.A. in biology from State University of New York, a M.A. Ed. in Adult Education Distance Learning from the University of Phoenix, and has additional studies at Wake Forest University.

ACC's Biotechnology program has graduated more than 180 students, nearly all of whom have found careers with such employers as LabCorp and several located in Research Triangle Park (RTP).

Woodruff downplays his own importance, but it is no accident that he is the Southeastern Regional Director for Bio-Link, whose mission is to improve and support two-year biotechnology education.

The program's importance necessitated a move in fall 2007 to the Powell Biotechnology/Allied Health Building which gave Biotechnoogy the entire third floor. One needs only examine the growth in enrollment over the past few years to justify the expansion: 24 students in 2002 to 49 in 2004 to 74 in 2007.

"Biotechnology really involves helping out our world," says Woodruff. "It's really about using living organisms to solve human problems. Most people probably don't realize that human insulin is a biotechnology medicine, using bacteria with a human gene to make it. That's why it is so important that we keep our program constantly updated to give our students a real workplace environment in which to learn."

ACC's Horticulture Technology students came away with honors at the annual Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days held at North Metro Technical College in Atlanta, Georgia.

The annual event, held March 24-30, gives the students an opportunity to attend student workshops, attend a career fair representing more than 100 companies, and pit their skills against other students in 27 horticulture competition events.

This year's PLANET event was attended by 67 universities and community colleges and brought more than 970 students from across the country, according to ACC Horticulture Technology Department Head Justin Snyder.

ACC's team finished in 16th place out of the 67 attending schools and fifth place among the 22 community colleges attending. Student Nathan Roach was ACC's high individual scorer, finishing 10th place overall and, for the second consecutive year, was high scorer from the state of North Carolina.

Other individual honors for ACC students included Deborah Cornell, who finished fourth in the Safety Management Event; and Justin Minter, a dual enrollment student, who attended with Southern Alamance High School and won the Future Farmers of America (FFA) portion of the Woody Plant Identification Event.

"We had other students place in the top fifteen of their individual events," added Snyder, "which is quite an accomplishment as most events had 90-plus students competing. This year we set our own bar a little higher finishing with our highest point total ever, more than 350 points higher than last year."

Alamance Community College has announced its faculty and adjunct instructors of the year. Named the 2007-08 W. Ronald McCarter Employee Excellence winners are John Neathery, full-time instructor in sociology, and Judy Nunn-Snipes, an adjunct business administration and marketing instructor.

The College faculty voted from nominees for full-time faculty and adjunct honors. Each winner will receive a cash award from the ACC Foundation and a plaque. Additionally, Neathery will serve as the College's nominee for the state's Excellence in Teaching Award and the CCB Gold Star awards program this fall.

Other faculty nominated for the awards were Betsy Adams, Alex Bailey, Rodney Ellis, Ray Harclerode, and Tom Lucier; finalists were Perry Hardison and Sara Davis. Adjunct faculty finalists were Michael Sileno and Alan "Bud" Cato.

John Neathery has taught at the College since 2003. An instructor since 1997, he graduated with honors from Appalachian State University where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in sociology. He also earned an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) post-graduate degree in Higher Education Teaching, with a concentration in Criminal Justice.

"John's students have great stories to tell about him," says nominator Alexandra DeSiato, an ACC English instructor. "When he teaches the concept of social deviance, John shows up in a Darth Maul mask [from Star Wars]. It captures the students' attention and brings home his lesson on deviance. John makes difficult concepts easier to understand."

A student told DeSiato, "He really seems to love teaching his class and being with the students. He never appears intimidated or distrustful of his students. He is always passionate about what he talks about. He's just a great teacher."

Neathery says he uses a variety of activities to stimulate the learning environment inside his classroom. In addition to donning a Star Wars mask, these include using music to introduce various sociological concepts, teaching from the back of the room, and playing games with sociological themes.

"My commitment to my students inspires me to create an enjoyable, exciting, and stimulating learning environment in which students have the opportunity to express themselves freely and actively participate in their own educational experience," says Neathery.

Judy Nunn-Snipes has been teaching at ACC since 1988, but as an adjunct instructor since 2003 following her retirement from full-time teaching duties. Previously she served as Coordinator of Marketing and Retailing Business Administration. At UNC Greensboro, she earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics, clothing/fashion merchandising, and a Master of Education in clothing and textiles.

"Judy always shows a devotion to her students, to our college, and to our profession simply because she loves what she does," wrote one nominator Otha Hawkins, Department Head of Industrial Management Technology.

One graduate, now working as a special events manager, wrote, "I can't begin to fully explain the impact you made on me--wonderful spirit, patient educator, glowing personality, and an overall compassion for all those around you."

"I take pride in establishing good rapport with my students as professional salespeople do," says Nunn-Snipes about her teaching style. "In the classroom, I try to allow my students to realize their talents first, gaining the confidence needed to pursue their dreams."

ACC adjunct English Instructor Julie Trotter won the Nell Ann Pickett Adjunct Presenter Award for an innovative teaching proposal she developed. The award was presented by the Two-Year College English Association--Southeast.

As winner, Trotter received a $550 stipend to attend the regional conference in Louisville, Kentucky last month where she presented her winning program, "The Science and Sport of Teaching English."

"I thought if I'm going to the conference anyway, why not give it a shot?" explained Trotter. "Maybe something I'm doing in class already will help other teachers."

Trotter explained her teaching proposal this way, "Science labs and athletic teams build tightly-knit, motivated, and skilled groups to accomplish long-term goals. I used the same approach in my English expository writing classes that allow students to develop confidence, staying power, and composition skills to become better writers."

Teaching was not Trotter's first career. After earning a degree from UNC in psychology and physical education, she worked for several non-profit organizations, gaining experience in event management. Enrolling at N.C. State University, she earned a Master of Liberal Studies in English and Humanities, combining two loves which she has been teaching part-time at ACC for two years.

Trotter's teaching style, as presented in her winning proposal, entails a variety of elements. She administers cooperative games and exercises throughout the semester to help foster camaraderie among her students. Split into small research groups, students perform peer reviews of one another's assigned writing compositions.

"I make sure they understand that peer review is about the paper, not about them personally," says Trotter. "When they realize that, they relax a bit. Hopefully a shy person within a group will feel comfortable because the groups are small, making it easier to trust the other members when they critique your writing."

At the beginning of each semester, Trotter asks students to write their dislikes about past classes on the blackboard. Usually these end up being about a teacher's personality or teaching style, but then Trotter gets her turn by listing what she dislikes about student class behavior.

"It serves as a communication tool between us," she says, "and gets them to take ownership of the classroom."

Another classroom exercise, which Trotter demonstrated at the conference through participation of English teachers, is having students write down their individual writing processes on a large sheet of paper posted in the classroom. During the semester, students add newly developed writing processes to the list. Further, they will adopt the processes of classmates as these are added.

"It becomes a visual thing for them to see," says Trotter. "They learn that they can take these new writing tools with them to other classes. All these exercises are directly related to the way teams work together in science labs and on the athletic field."

Students from five Alamance County high schools were guided through the College's Machining Technology program on March 18 as part of a new grant to promote machining as a career option.

The Duke Energy-financed Wired Talent Development Grant provides funding for initiatives to attract a new generation of students in Machining Technology. The project is in partnership with the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS), JobLink, the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce and five major industries in the area including Sandvik, GKN, Honda, ECI, and P&S Machines.

"A major push of this project will be to change the inaccurate image of machining to the reality of today's machining careers that are computer-driven with good salaries and benefits," commented Wally Shearin, Associate Dean for ACC's Industrial and Graphics Technologies division.

The high school students rotated in three groups and heard local machining industry spokespersons tell about "Life and Opportunity in Machining"; College personnel informed them about "Getting Started at ACC"; and Department Head Adam Self and instructors showed the nuts and bolts of the curriculum in the Machining Technology lab for "Inside Machining Technology."

Two Alamance Community College students have been accepted into a highly competitive degree program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kristi Janey, 21, and Sarah Petty, 26, were named to two of seven slots available in the first round for the Bachelor of Science Radiologic Science program at UNC. Only 12 slots total are available each year. Two more rounds will choose five additional students.

Radiology is the specialty that deals with medical imaging technologies to diagnose and sometimes treat diseases. Upon graduation from UNC, Petty and Janey will become certified as Radiologic Technologists, allowing them to handle an array of imaging technologies, such as ultra-sound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Careers in this field are estimated to start at about $40,000 per year.

A graduate of Alamance Christian School, Kristi Janey was uncertain about where to attend college before opting to enroll at ACC as a university transfer student.

"I became interested in radiology because I have a friend who works at UNC hospital in that field," she says. "I've always liked to look at bones and see the complexity and how they all work. I'm most interested in how to position the arms and legs just right for the scans."

A resident of Chapel Hill, Sarah Petty was valedictorian of her six-member senior class from a Pittsboro charter school. She first attended Durham Technical Community College and studied the paralegal profession, but soon left and went to work. But college remained on her mind.

"I had a friend who was enrolled in ACC's culinary program and talked a lot about what a good school it was," says Petty. "So I came here with my mind set only on earning an associate in arts degree. I also had a friend in radiology who had gone to Duke and that got me interested in the field. Radiology could let me do a little bit of everything in the health field."

Even though both Janey and Petty were classmates in Instructor Dan Timmons' physics class at ACC, they were not well acquainted until they discovered each had applied to UNC's radiology program. With only a dozen slots open, were either of them intimidated when applying?

"Yes," they say in unison, laughing. But as Janey explains, "We both wanted to apply for this first round of seven slots. If we didn't make it, at least our names would be rotated to the next rounds for consideration. But fortunately, we got in first thing."

The application process consisted of both an oral interview and a written exam; both women agree the written test was much more difficult.

"Going in, you have no idea what the questions will be," explains Janey. "You're set down in front of an unfamiliar computer to answer questions about time management and what media-reported health issues are most important to you."

Notification of their acceptance or denial was sent via e-mail and both say it was agony waiting.

"I kept checking my e-mail, even at night," Petty says. "I couldn't stand it."

As they waited for the results, they would catch one another's eye in Timmons' class each day. "We'd kind of 'sign' to one another, 'Did you find out yet?' and we'd be trying to figure out what the other was saying," recalls Janey. "When we found out both of us had made it, we couldn't keep quiet about it."

UNC subsequently informed them that a higher number of applicants vied for these slots than usual, although they don't know the exact number. Radiology is considered a highly competitive field.

Both Janey and Petty say they are very glad they decided to come to a small college like ACC first. Petty says being at ACC helped keep her GPA up, very important when applying to a four-year university and particularly to a specialized program such as this.

"I came from a very small private high school," says Janey. "I know coming to ACC helped in my transition from there and now going to a large university like UNC. I'm older now and more prepared."

"I knew that taking the prerequisite sciences in big classes of 300 people would have been awful," says Petty. "I really have liked the special attention here. It's helped get me ready for the university setting."

According to the Web site of the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the radiology profession currently is experiencing more job openings than radiographers to fill the positions. This bright job outlook spreads nationwide and for the next decade.

Chuck Loy and Shawn Royster, both non-traditional students at Alamance Community College, have been selected as the College's honorees to receive the N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Awards for 2008. They join student recipients from the state's other 58 community colleges who have been similarly honored based on GPA and faculty recommendation.

Loy and Royster will accompany ACC President Dr. Martin H. Nadelman to the N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Awards Luncheon in Raleigh in April.

Chuck Loy, 47, is a second-year student in the Medical Laboratory Technology program. He is currently completing the second-year modules at Laboratory Corporation of American, Inc. (LabCorp) and begins his 16-week clinical rotation this month. Chuck came to ACC seeking a new career path after the upholstery business where he worked for 20 years closed.

"Chuck is eager to learn and puts forth the effort to fully understand each concept or skill he's taught in the classroom and lab," commented nominator Pam Hall, MLT Department Head. "His high level of professionalism and dedication make him an outstanding student and will make him an excellent medical laboratory technician."

"I'd like to work at one of the hospitals, or in a clinic setting," says Loy. "I have often entertained the thought of teaching, as well."

Shawn Royster, 36, is a university transfer student. This year's recipient of the Jean Slaughter Memorial Scholarship, Shawn is a student ambassador and serves as student coordinator of the Minority Male Mentoring Program on campus. Shawn enrolled at ACC in 2005 and plans to transfer to UNC in the fall and pursue a degree in the allied health field. Shawn says he chose ACC because of the College's strong support of non-traditional students. Married and the father of two children, Shawn is interested in nutrition and fitness.

"I hope to continue my work mentoring others who are interested in pursuing the allied health field," he says. "I find fulfillment in giving back to a community that has given me so much."

Caroline Scharlock, Natural Sciences Department Head, participated as a panelist on January 22, at N.C. State University at the invitation of the UNC Chapel Hill graduate division.

Scharlock joined fellow academics from N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University to talk to future faculty about teaching options at different types of institutions. Graduate students in biology, chemistry, and engineering posed questions of the panelists to gain insight into career options in academia. Topics discussed included interviewing and the hiring process, tenure and advancement, teaching loads, student demographics, and non-teaching job responsibilities.

The event, held at Talley Student Center at N.C. State University, was sponsored by Melissa Bostrom, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Teaching Programs. The program is an annual event for doctoral students in science and engineering.

The Alamance Community College Foundation kicked off its 25th anniversary year last week by honoring community philanthropists with plaques that will hang outside the doors of designated labs and classrooms on the Carrington-Scott campus.

In honor of the Foundation's 25 years providing student scholarships, faculty and staff professional development, and other educational opportunities, a special naming opportunities campaign is underway. For gifts of $50,000, donors may name existing lab space on campus, and for gifts of $25,000, donors may name existing classrooms. Plaques bearing the names of donors will be placed prominently outside the designated rooms. The goal during this 2008 anniversary year is to raise $2 million for the priorities of the ACC Foundation.

The first ten donors of this new campaign are BB&T Charitable Foundation; The Byrd Family; Dick and Linda Fisher; Wachovia; Russell and Rosella Wilson; Capital Bank Foundation; Reid and Cathy Dusenberry; Kernodle Clinic; Glen Raven Inc.; and Alamance Regional Medical Center.

In addition, three more individuals and/or businesses have made contributions and will have plaques in the near future: Jack Overacre, a 1969 alumnus; Carl Gibson (a plaque in the Mechanical Drafting classroom in memory of his wife Betsy), and Chandler Concrete.

"The Foundation board and staff are committed to ensuring that no qualified student is turned away due to financial need," commented Carolyn Rhode, Executive Director of the Foundation. "The gifts represented by these plaques will help us to meet that promise. This is only the beginning. We will be fund raising with naming opportunities throughout 2008."

The realities of university life were given the "warts and all" treatment by recent Alamance Community College graduates Brian Woodard, Angela McDaniel, and Angie Tully who spoke on January 28 to current students planning the jump to much larger campuses in the future.

The panel discussion originated as a way for ACC students who have been accepted into the C-STEP program to learn more about what faces them after they leave the Graham campus. C-STEP is a partnership between UNC and ACC in which qualified students are guaranteed transfer admission to UNC if they earn an associate degree and maintain a 3.00 GPA. Currently, 14 ACC students will transfer to UNC through C-STEP this fall as the third group to do so.

Although two of the three ACC graduates who spoke are enrolled at UNC, what they said easily applies to students planning to transfer to any larger university. The panel discussion drew upon the question: What do you wish someone had told you before you transferred to a large university?

Brian Woodard, 2007 ACC graduate enrolled at UNC as a junior history major, says: "It's a new world. At ACC, you're in the minor leagues, at UNC it's the professional leagues...Last year I was told [by other transfer students] that it's a lot more work at UNC, but I didn't listen. I was shocked when I got here. Last semester I had 18 books to read and almost a dozen papers to write...The only way I knew assignments was to constantly check Blackboard and e-mail...You should develop, if at all possible, a relationship with instructors. Always try to sit down front so you won't be distracted by the large classes, and it lets the professor get to know you on sight better. Also try to get to know the T.A.s (teaching assistants) who actually grade a lot of the exams...Definitely more reading at the university level...You get used to taking a couple of minutes to get from one class to the next at ACC, but at UNC some classes are literally ten minutes across campus and that can be rough...Checking e-mail and Blackboard really is important. You should definitely take advantage of the tutoring and writing center on campus where they also give seminars in time management...The syllabus is the key, your gateway, and you should follow it religiously so you won't get lost. For example, you're expected to know class is covering chapter 10-15 next time...You should take advantage of doing homework and studying and reading at the library if you have a couple of hours between classes. You'll get more work done than you can imagine. If you goof off, you'll be way behind...You're going to have a great time, but you really need to get involved in a social group, build those relationships. And I can't emphasize enough about forming a study group with classmates."

Angie Tully, 2007 ACC graduate majoring in biology at UNC, says: "Last semester in biology, we studied 35 chapters, had a quiz each week, but only two exams covering all that material, and no study guides. You're just expected to keep up and read, read, read...Usually you have to schedule an appointment with a professor just to ask a few questions..."

Angela McDaniel, 2007 ACC graduate majoring in social work at UNC Greensboro: "I used to complain about the [lack of] parking at ACC, but be thankful if you can see the parking lot from your building. At UNCG, it's often a 10-minute walk...Don't let anyone tell you, because you were at a community college, that you can't do it. You can and we three are living proof. We're making it."

C-STEP advisor Perry Hardison may have had the final word on transitioning from ACC to a university: "You have to approach university life as a full-time job. If you don't approach it as such, you can get swamped. But if you take initiative, you will adjust."

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was celebrated at Alamance Community College on January 23. Those in attendance were treated to an eclectic observance comprised of commentary, music, images, and questions.

Reggie Turner, Director of Special Projects for Continuing Education, presided and quizzed the audience with trivia about the Civil Rights leader: Dr. King received 20 honorary doctorates (in addition to the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize), enrolled at Morehouse College at age 15, and was arrested 33 times for civil rights "violations."

Ordained minister and Humanities Instructor Perry Hardison gave the invocation and gave a personal observation: "I grew up in a culture that, quite frankly, despised Dr. King. But the baby boom generation was changed because of him. Dr. King was not motivated by the past--he learned from it--he was not motivated by the present. He was motivated by what the future held."

Guest speaker Rodney Ellis, an instructor in the Criminal Justice program and pastor of the WAVE Church in Durham, used the New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan as a theme for his keynote address, "Revitalizing the Dream in the 21st Century."

Reminding the audience that the Good Samaritan story was the last text used by Dr. King at a Memphis church shortly before his assassination in 1968, Ellis emphasized King's selfless courage in living a life modeled on that Biblical story. "The Levite [in the Good Samaritan story] was afraid to leave his side of the road to help the wounded man. But if you're going to make an impact in the world today, you've got to leave 'your side.' You've got to go the extra mile and be kind. If we are going to be effective like Dr. King, we've got to be courageous and get out of our comfort zone."

Ellis told the audience that everyone who works at ACC is "in the business of elevating people who walk through our doors...You don't know if you are the first contact for someone who is trying to decide whether or not to stay at the College. What you say or do may be the determining factor...Education has been known to be the remedy for poverty, for a life of crime, for wounds...If you want to memorialize Dr. King, go and talk to a neighbor or colleague you don't know, go home and love your family, and hug your children."

With black and white images of Dr. King's life projected onto a screen as a backdrop, Muriel Freeland, a tutor in Student Development, sang a civil rights anthem, adding, "Let's continue the dream that Dr. King started, but left for us to finish."

"Change is an evolution, not a revolution," commented ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman in closing remarks. "Dr. King was a peaceful, non-violent man. All you have to do is look toward the conflicts in the Mideast for the last 2000 years to know that violence does not work to change things."

Education opens doors previously closed to individuals, said Nadelman. "Respect others and do so in a peaceful manner," he added.

Alamance Community College student Shannon Overman has been appointed as the new president of the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA). She served as vice-president of the N4CSGA in 2007.

Overman succeeded to that post and to the non-voting ex officio N.C. Community College System State Board seat as student representative when former president, ACC graduate Bently Pagura, took a position as an instructor in the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration department at ACC.

A graduate of Southern Alamance High School, Overman served as secretary for ACC's Student Government Association for three years beginning in 2004. She is currently enrolled in the Dental Assisting evening program at ACC.

Traci McCormick is a new instructor in Criminal Justice Technology at Alamance Community College this semester. She was an adjunct instructor at ACC in this curriculum from 1993-2003. In recent years Traci has worked as co-owner and personal trainer of All About Fitness and as financial coordinator at Fuller Dental Practice. She earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice from ACC and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from UNC Charlotte. She has been named to Who's Who Among Teachers of America three separate times.

Renata Patterson joins the College's daycare as the new lead teacher after working as a part-time assistant there since 2001. She also worked as a teacher assistant, Pre-K to Head Start, in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System since 2003. Renata earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood from ACC in 2003.

Fact #1: North Carolina lacks an influx of new elementary school teachers.

Fact #2: Alamance Community College and N.C. A&T State University offer a unique agreement for Elementary Education majors.

Fact #3: N.C. A&T State University will accept all 64 required credits from ACC with the awarding of an associate degree.

ACC students interested in pursuing a degree in elementary education now have an opportunity to personally meet with a representative from N.C. A&T to ensure they are on the right track.

Dr. Ginger Powe is the N.C. A&T State University coordinator for ACC’s 2+2 Transfer Program in Elementary Education. The 2+2 Transfer Program allows a student to earn an Associate degree at ACC, transfer all credits to N.C. A&T, and earn a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

ACC students may meet with Dr. Powe on the ACC campus in the Advising Center, located behind the information desk in the main building, according to the following schedule:

Wednesday (1^st & 3^rd week of each month)
9 a.m.-12 noon

Wednesday (2^nd & 4^th week of each month)
1:00-4:00 p.m.

“The main factor important to students transferring from ACC is that A&T accepts all 64 of your credits as long as you have earned an associate degree,” says Powe. “You won’t have to repeat any course. It’s a sealed deal.”

ACC’s Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Cathy Johnson coordinated the weekly on-site visits by Dr. Powe.

 “When students meet with me, we will go over their current course of study and make sure they are taking the proper courses to meet the articulation agreement,” says Powe. “We’ll go over the credits A&T will accept and help work things out. It’s important that they finish their degree at ACC first.”

Powe says she works closely with the transfer coordinator at A&T. Once an ACC graduate has transferred all his or her credits, they can enter a concentration of either Global Studies or Math, Science, and Special Education as the focus of their B.S. elementary education degree.

“The important thing for students is that, at the end of four years, they will have both an Associate degree and a Bachelor of Science degree, which looks very good on a resume,” she says.

In addition to ACC, A&T holds articulation agreements with Guilford Technical Community College, Davidson Community College, and Rockingham Community College.

To contact Dr. Powe about the 2+2 Elementary Education Agreement, email her at 2plus2@NCAT.edu or call her at 336-334-7848, the Office for Curriculum and Instruction.

 

ACC’s Joe Schoeneck Culinary Team scored a bronze medal at the N.C. State Competition held at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College on Saturday, January 12. 

The ACC team stood second in total points behind the host college team that is the defending national champion, and slightly ahead of the Johnson and Wales University Team from Charlotte. The latter also scored a bronze medal.

Student team members are Rob Winther, Connie Chen, Drew Ely, Susan Hearn and Jason Massey. They were coached by Culinary Technology Department Head Brian Bailey and Instructor Todd Wanless. 

 

These new employees have joined the College for spring semester 2008:

Jennifer “Nicki” Kimrey joins the mathematics department as an instructor. She has a B.A. and Masters of Education in Mathematics from UNC Chapel Hill. Since August 2006, Nikki had taught math at Granville County Schools in Oxford and at night at ACC. Her previous tenures teaching math were at Durham Public Schools and Alamance-Burlington Schools. She is nationally certified in Early Adolescence Mathematics and is certified in academically and intelligently gifted education.

Guerry Stirling-Willis is a new instructor in Business Administration. She earned a B.S. in Economics and Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration and Marketing Management, both from UNCG. For seven years prior to coming to ACC, she was an adjunct instructor in economics, math, and business at Park University, Carteret and Craven community colleges. Guerry’s other experience has been in the corporate world, working as a business development consultant and director of business development.

Angie Swayne is the new Records Manager in the Student Development office. She earned a B.S. in Business Administration from UNC Pembroke and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Prior to her employment at ACC, Angie worked as coordinator of the Extended Studies program at Coke College in Forth Jackson, S.C. She previously worked for NCR Corporation and Solectron Corporation in South Carolina.

Sherry Wagner joins the faculty in Office Systems Technology. Sherry’s education has all been at ACC, earning certificates in Medical Coding, Billing, and Insurance, and Medical Transcription; and Associate Degrees with high honors in Medical Office Administration and Office Systems Technology, all since 2004. She has worked as adjunct instructor in these programs at ACC since 2006. Sherry was named to the National Dean’s List from 2004-2006.

Alamance Community College has been funded $30,000 for a Minority Male Mentoring Grant through the N.C. Community College System. ACC is among 15 North Carolina community colleges selected to receive the grant.

The mentoring program strives to promote academic success and retention of male minority students through activities and support programs that encourage academic excellence, self-esteem, and personal growth. 

Reggie Turner, Director of Special Programs, is overseeing the program at ACC. Student Shawn Royster is coordinator.

Turner says the mentoring program is not just for male minority students who are experiencing difficulties in their courses.  “Students who are successful academically, but could use a positive role model to keep them on track, may also participate,” explained Turner. “The bottom line of this program is to get students interested in school, monitor their progress, and help them through to graduation. I want them to know that it’s okay to ask for help. That’s what we’re here for, to ensure their success.”

The new 46,000-square-foot Burlington Center is now open for classes at its new location in Burlington Village Center, at Exit 145, off I-85.

The College purchased the building that has doubled the size of the previous ACC facility across the street on Maple Avenue. As before, the new Burlington Center will be used for continuing education courses, arts and crafts classes, basic skills instruction and literacy, the Small Business Center, and the Cosmetology department. The Continuing Education administrative staff is expected to move into offices at the new facility by the end of January.

Working during the recent holidays to ensure the new facility was ready for students included Director of Administrative Services Erik Conti, Equipment/Supply Technician Craig Batts, Purchasing Technician Candy Harmon; Director of Information Services Dennis Rasmussen and staff Ed Acton, David Paschal, Alisia Prince, and Dana Parker; BC Director Dave Parker and his staff, including ABE/GED Coordinator Floyd Hinshaw, secretaries Jan Vass and Jo Shoffner; and ARAMARK Director Biff Hulsey and maintenance staff Phil Coppersmith, Debbie Coppersmith, Lynn Coppersmith, Steve Bradshaw, Randy Wood, Ronnie Kanupps, and Karen Oakley.

Each year since the late 1990s, community colleges have had teaching excellence monies to reward full-time faculty identified as excellent teachers by associate deans in their respective divisons. At ACC, the top 25 percent of faculty in each division are honored with both verbal and monetary recognitions.

The 2007-08 Teaching Excellence honorees are: Brian Bailey, Culinary Technology; Rodney Barber, Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology; Rosemarie Chance, Nursing; Susan Dalton, English; Mike Dunklebarger, Information Systems Technology; Rodney Ellis, Criminal Justice Technology; Ray Harclerode, Mathematics; Anne Helms, English; Sandra Hinton, Nursing Assistant; Mark Hunter, Automotive Systems Technology; Jennifer Jones, Early Childhood Education; Tom Lucier, Biotechnology; Sonya McCook, Mathematics; Steve Olson, Business Administration; Jim Parks, Information Systems Technology; Donna Pruitt, Dental Assisting; Caroline Scharlock, Natural Sciences; Sherri Singer, Social & Behavioral Sciences; Justin Snyder, Horticulture Technology; Cindy Thompson, Medical Assisting; Jon Upchurch, Advertising and Graphic Design; Lakeisha Vance, Information Systems Technology; Jesse Vaughn, Mechanical Drafting Technology; and Clara Vega, Humanities & Fine Arts.

Sonya McCook has been named the College’s new Mathematics Department Head.

“Sonya brings many strengths to the position including great teaching ability, knowledge of the subject, good organization, and interpersonal skills,” commented Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, Executive Vice President.

McCook has been a mathematics instructor at ACC since 1997. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Appalachian State University and her M.A. from UNC Chapel Hill. She was ACC’s Instructor of the Year in 1999. She is also a graduate of the North Carolina Community College Leadership program.

Brian Bailey has been named the new department head of Culinary Technology. He has been with the culinary program at ACC since 2002.

Bailey takes over the program from Doris Schomberg who, after 30 years as department head, is voluntarily returning to the culinary classroom to teach alongside Bailey, Todd Wanless and Marvin Kimber.

Bailey earned his associate degree in Culinary Technology from Wake Technical Community College in 1999 after completing his B.S. in Systems Management at James Madison University. Bailey arrived at ACC after working as Sous Chef at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.

Bailey, the College’s 2007 Excellence in Teaching honoree, also serves as coach for the culinary program’s student team in the yearly American Culinary Federation (ACF) Jr. Hot Foods Competition. Bailey himself was runner-up in the Food Educators Network International “Lesson Plan of the Year” Competition in 2005.

It was a scene no college dean wants to see, yet ACC administrators approved wholeheartedly: unruly students shouting and taunting police on horseback. Why did ACC applaud the effort? It was all part of a three-day workshop called Basic Mounted Patrol and Search, Rescue or Recovery.

Coordinated by adjunct Criminal Justice Technology Instructor Lillian Moore, and supported by Terry Holland, the College’s Coordinator of Law Enforcement In-Service Training, the workshop is the only one of its kind offered through a North Carolina community college.

“This was geared toward volunteers already working with local fire and rescue organizations,” said Moore. “Sometimes rescue operations can be more easily conducted on horseback where vehicles cannot gain access. But this was something new for these volunteers.”

Assisting in the instruction was Captain V.P. Smith of the SCPP (South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardons). In addition to the nonprofessionals receiving the training was an SBI agent. Hosting the training was Circle K Ranch in Saxapahaw, owned by Bob Keen.

Acting as the mob for the “Crowd Control” event were Criminal Justice Technology students from Moore’s Principal Investigation class. With the dozen trainees mounted and horses lined in a row, the students were instructed to yell, jump up and down, and at one point sit on the ground as a protest. The mounts, upon command, moved their horses forward bellowing, “Police—Please move…Police…” and dispersed the “unruly” crowd.

The last two days of the workshop included obstacle course training and a simulated search and rescue effort through a wooded area in Snow Camp, in which volunteers portrayed lost individuals.

“We are very grateful to Alamance Community College for supporting this effort and being such a great partner to law enforcement in our training needs,” commented Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson to WFMY TV, which taped footage for a televised segment on its newscast. “We don’t have the money to finance having horses for this purpose, so it’s good to know that law enforcement can call on qualified riders like these from the community to help in search and rescue efforts.

The new Powell Allied Health and Biotechnology Building was officially dedicated with a ribbon-cutting on November 29, followed by group tours for guests that included local dignitaries and ACC trustees. The Powell family received a private tour of the building before the ceremony.

Officially open to classes since late October, the Powell Allied Health and Biotechnology Building is home to programs in Biotechnology, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, and Medical Assisting. The 35,000 square feet of space expanded the teaching areas of these programs, with each curricula gaining additional labs, classrooms, faculty offices, and computer labs.

Biotechnology and biology gained a complete floor, increasing teaching space from 4,000 square feet to 8,500 square feet. Nursing and Medical Assisting have both gained teaching areas that more closely resemble actual care areas. Nursing Assistant can now better simulate direct patient care in its new space.In remarks to the gathering, ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman said the new building came to fruition as a result of supportive county commissioners and voters who recognized the need for such a training facility that will bring skilled graduates to the region’s healthcare and science workforce.

The facility was named by the ACC Board of Trustees in honor of the Powell family, who collectively have contributed much to the College and community, particularly in the medical and science fields. Patriarch Dr. Thomas E. Powell Jr. founded Carolina Biological Supply Co. in Elon in 1927. Over the years it grew to become one of Alamance County’s top employers and has hired many ACC graduates from programs such as Medical Laboratory Technology and Biotechnology.

Dr. Sam Powell, an ACC trustee since 2003, is the youngest son of Thomas Powell, who died in 1987. Sam Powell is the president of Powell Enterprises and currently serves on the board of directors of Carolina Biological and MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.. As one of the key speakers for the dedication, he said, “I’m sure dad would beam with pride” at the honor of the facility bearing the family’s name.

Several Powell family members attended the dedication, including Dr. Thomas E. Powell III, Dr. Ed Powell, Dr. James B. Powell, John Powell, William C. Powell, and their families.

Dr. Jim Powell told the audience that he admired “ACC’s close relationship between students and faculty, which allows graduates to go out and make an immediate impact on the real world.”

Among the guests attending were Congressman Brad Miller, who has founded a community college caucus in Washington to bolster support; N.C. State Senator Tony Foriest; Alamance County Commissioners Larry Sharpe, Dan Ingle, and Ann Vaughn; and many members of the ACC Board of Trustees.

ACC Trustee Dr. Reid Dusenberry commented that “Alamance Community College is a much stronger institution because of the Powell family.”

 

 

 

 

November is Native American Heritage Month and the Diversity Committee at Alamance Community College sponsored an exhibit to celebrate the history and culture of Native Americans on November 19.

In addition to artifacts explained by Native American student Marcos Rubio of the Apache Nation, a drum group from the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation offered traditional music and inspired students and other observers to dance. Drum group members included Terry Chavis, John Blackfeather, Harlan Richardson, and singers White Thunder Hawk and Robin Richardson.

“The drum is more than just a drum,” explained Blackfeather to observers. “The drum is the heartbeat of our people. The drum is not religious, it is spiritual.”

Anne Helms, ACC’s English department head, has been elected vice president of the Conference of English Instructors (CEI), the statewide association of community college English instructors. 

Helms will serve as vice president for the next two years and president for the following two years. The CEI board, including the officers and three representatives from each region of the state, plan the fall statewide conference and regional conferences within the state, and also manage a Web site (nccei.org). 

“As vice president and later president, I will be involved in overseeing the various activities that are necessary in order for a conference to take place,” said Helms. “Eventually, I will be in charge of planning meetings and conference meetings. I intend to be more involved with the organization Web site than I have been in the past.” 

Helms has been a CEI member for 16 years, and has been on its board for nine years as a representative from the central region. 

CEI, founded in 1972, provides professional development opportunities, and advocates policies for professional issues important to community college English instructors.

 

Imagine you are a newly deputized police officer. You must testify about an arrest you made. You sit in the witness stand beside the judge. The defense attorney fires questions at you, doing his best to catch you off-guard and exonerate his client.

Can you feel the stomach butterflies swirling? That was the scene last week as eleven students in the College's Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) class got some valuable experience in a "Moot Court" session, simulating what law enforcement officers must do countless times during their careers.

The exercise held in a courtroom of the Alamance County District Court annex in Graham utilized the talents of actual law professionals, including Judge James Robertson and assistant district attorneys (ADAs) Brad Buchanan and Amy Knauff. BLET students were prepared with notes for imaginary cases assigned in their Preparing and Testifying in Court class, taught by Criminal Justice department head Ron Hall and part-time instructor Kirk Puckett.

"Moot Court is to test their knowledge and skills as if they had made a thorough investigation and had to testify about it from the witness stand," explained Hall, who played the part of the defense attorney trying to pick apart the officer' cases to "defend" his clients. Hall, in fact, previously worked as both a police officer and a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office for many years.

Visibly nervous prior to the beginning of the Moot Court, none of the students knew exactly what to expect because no scripts were used and the attorneys cross-examination questions were unknown to create an air of spontaneity. Helpful to the students was a follow-up critique of their testimony at the close of each case.

At the outset, Judge Wayne Abernethy, former Alamance County District Attorney, addressed the BLET students. "About 95 percent of your work as police officers will be district court cases," he said. "Yesterday morning, I saw there were 251 cases pending on the docket. It's go, go, go, with very little time to prepare or talk to the ADA [assistant district attorney] before your testimony on the facts in a case. You're not going to win every case and you shouldn't feel you failed when that happens. Your credibility as a police officer is more important than any case you bring in."

The BLET students were reminded several times by judge, ADAs, and instructors that their investigation notes they use in court testimony should be as detailed as possible.

"Try to recall if the intoxicated driver stumbled or had to hold onto the side of his car as he got out," asked Judge Robertson. "You need to think what details you can honestly add to your testimony about what happened because the ADA can't ask leading questions."

The students were only allowed to "testify" about the material contained in their notes, just as in a real case. No ad-libbing was permitted. But Judge Robertson reminded the students that, when notes are used on the witness stand, a defense attorney has every right to ask to see them.

"This highlights the need to show lots of detail in your report, even if it seems minor," said Robertson, "because you may be cross-examined by the defense attorney from hell."

Among the mock cases used in the exercise:

BLET student: Shaphan Yankle. Case: A driver was clocked going 67 mph in a 45 mph zone and arrested for speeding. Testimony: Under cross-examination by defense attorney Hall, Officer Yankle testified he had little experience in operating a radar device to clock speed. Result: Case dismissed. "You were very straightforward in your answers," Hall told Yankle later, "and didn't embellish the truth. An officer's star never shines brighter than when he testifies truthfully even if it hurts his case."

BLET student: Norman Fortner. Case: An anonymous tipster in a shopping center parking lot told Officer Fortner that a parked car with two women looked suspicious, and the tipster suspected drug use. Testimony: Officer Fortner approached the vehicle, told the women to vacate the car, and proceeded with a search of the vehicle where drugs were found. Fortner testified the two women "seemed nervous" and tried to leave, prompting him to detain them. Result: Case dismissed. The drugs found during the vehicle search were not allowed into evidence, said Judge Robertson, because "the officer's only reasoning to detain them was based on suspicion by a third party and because they looked nervous."

Instructor Puckett admitted that each mock case purposefully was lined with legal problems in order to give the students a taste of difficult testimony. "It's so that you can make errors here and not out there in a real court case," he told the students.

BLET students participating were Joseph England, Norman Fortner, Rachael Hilliard, Timothy Kamenides, Joseph Ray, Walter Ray, Jerry Sodan, John Strickland, William Summers, and Shaphan Yankle.

Two ACC students have been presented with scholarships from the State Employees Credit Union worth $5,000 each over a two-year period.

Rebekah Cornett and Angela King will receive $1,250 for tuition and books per semester. Cornett is an accounting student and King is enrolled in the nursing program.

Qualifications for the SECU scholarship include documented need, GPA, and commitment to ACC for two years. The $5,000 scholarships, initiated two years ago, are given to two students from each of the state’s 58 community colleges to support two years of schooling. Other projects supported by the SECU Foundation include a $10,000 scholarship over four years to a student in every high school to attend a state-supported college or university; and a $2 million matching grant for the construction of the Family House project in Chapel Hill.

The initial funding of the SECU Foundation began in July 2004. The funds are contributed by SECU members who donate a $1 service fee per month on their checking accounts.

"All the measures your security team takes—having [patrol] car lights on in the evenings as classes let out—really make me feel like I am in a place that cares about me and my students," wrote English instructor Alexandra DeSiato recently in an e-mail to Erik Conti, Director of Administrative Services.

College administrators take the safety and security of students, staff, and faculty very seriously indeed. Potential incidents have been intercepted due to the regular patrolling of ACC’s security personnel, says Conti, Chief of Security. His job is to support and assist Joyce Barba, Security Supervisor, who directs all the College’s security needs.

"I really believe in being proactive when it comes to the safety of everyone on campus," says Conti. "And that means we are always on the lookout to stop potential incidents before they happen."

Although Conti prefers not to pinpoint the exact number of security officers on duty at any given time, he says a sufficient force is always working. They regularly patrol break areas, smoking areas, hallways, and all parking lots. This includes day and night.

"For added security in the parking areas," adds Barba, "I instituted a policy for our patrol cars to operate their green emergency lights when patrolling. Anyone who's thinking about committing an illegal activity will think twice when they know security officers are nearby."

Security personnel cannot make actual arrests, but they are authorized to ask for identification from anyone on campus, are allowed to stop vehicles when necessary, write citations, and are in close communication with local law enforcement at a moment’s notice.

"Our security officers should be considered college authorities, and need to have the respect of everyone on campus," says Conti.

Students should feel safe at ACC and are encouraged to utilize the services that security officers offer, such as:
* Security escorts are always available upon request for students walking to the parking lots, especially after dark.
* Calls to emergency phones in the parking lots go directly to a security officer.
* Security can provide jump-starts for dead car batteries.
* Security can assist in unlocking locked vehicles.
In its use of video cameras, the College:
* Operates nearly 50 cameras on the main campus 24/7
* Has installed ten cameras in the new Powell/Allied Health Building
* Plans to install three security cameras to monitor the gravel parking lots behind Gee Building
* Can access views of 16 cameras on one computer screen at any given time, and may snap still photos from any camera’s taped log

"That's how we have been able to pinpoint an individual we suspect may have committed damage or assaulted someone," says Conti.

As required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, the College publishes a statistical report on campus crime every year which is available to anyone upon request. Since 2004, only three simple assaults have been reported.

As always, dial Ext. 2286 for any on-campus security emergency.

ACC has inducted seven new student ambassadors to join three senior ambassadors for the 2007-08 academic year. All the students were nominated by faculty or staff and were selected as ambassadors by a screening committee. Their backgrounds offer a range of life experiences. Four are parents, four are changing careers after layoffs, and several hold full-time jobs while attending school. All are dedicated to their education at ACC and are focused on future goals and careers.

The program was established in 1987 by the ACC Foundation and about 200 students have represented the College since then. Their duties as ambassadors include representing ACC at public events on and off campus, helping conduct tours for prospective students, and providing a link between the College and the local community.
“Being an ambassador helps prepare these individuals to step up to leadership roles at the College and beyond,” said Natalie Miles, advisor.

This year’s new ambassadors are:

Sara Ambriz is a pre-nursing student. Originally from Mexico, Sara relocated to Alamance County from the Chicago area. She is employed with Residential Services, Inc. as a support professional. Sara chose nursing with the goal of becoming a traveling nurse to Third World countries. She seeks to make a difference in the lives of others. Sara is a member of Sigma Psi, is a Dean’s List student, and has served as an ACC Marshall. Sara was nominated by Melinda Rouse.

Tanya Bolton is in the Nursing program. A resident of Orange County, she is the mother of three. Prior to enrolling at ACC, she worked for SunTrust Bank as a Senior Research and Adjustment Specialist. Tanya is a work study student in Student Development and a graduate of the ACC Accounting program. She is the president of the Nursing Club, and is a mentor with the ACC Big Brother/Big Sister program. Tanya will graduate from the Nursing program in spring 2008. Tanya was nominated by Susan Reed.

Sang Lee enrolled at ACC in fall 2006 in the University Transfer program. After earning his degree from ACC, he plans to continue his education at UNCG studying Hotel Management. Sang is on the President’s List, serves on the SGA, is a member of Sigma Psi, is married and the father of one son. Outside of school, Lee is the owner of Lee Brothers Martial Arts Academy and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has worked as a stuntman in the movie industry. Sang was nominated by Sonya McCook.

Darcy Naylor is in the Business Administration program at ACC. A graduate of Eastern Alamance High School, she has attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. Currently Darcy maintains a 4.0 GPA, works full-time at Bonefish Grill, and is mom to a toddler. Darcy’s goal is to design children’s clothes and own her own business. Darcy was nominated by Patsy Tingen.

Veetta Parker is enrolled in Horticulture Technology. Veetta is a graduate of Vandalia Christian School and is currently employed with Greensboro Veterinary. She chose the Horticulture program as a means of pursuing her long-range goal of owning a garden center and design business. She is the mother of a teenage son and will graduate from ACC in spring 2009. Veetta was nominated by Justin Snyder.

Shawn Royster is in the University Transfer program. Originally from Chapel Hill, Shawn enrolled at ACC in 2005. He plans to transfer to a four-year university and pursue a degree in the allied health field. Shawn says he chose ACC because of the College’s strong support of non-traditional students. He is the father of two children and is interested in nutrition and fitness. Shawn was nominated by Nancy Bateman and John Neathery.

Neta Wicker is enrolled in the Biotechnology program. Neta came to ACC through the TAA (Trade Adjustment Act) federal program after being laid off from a local manufacturer. A graduate of Southern High School in Durham, she is the mother of three. At ACC she was named to the President’s List and has served as a graduation marshal. She would like to continue her education when she graduates from ACC in 2008 and is considering teaching as a second career. Neta was nominated by Sonya McCook.

Returning senior ambassadors are:

Tara Furges is in the Office Systems Technology program. Originally from Person County, Tara is the mother of three children. She is a Dean’s List student, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and served as a graduation marshal. In addition to her studies, Tara works as a work study student in Student Development and is an assistant manager with a local retailer. Tara’s sponsor is John Mohammad.

Donte Ireland is in the Business Administration program. A graduate of Cummings High School, Donte worked at WestPoint Stevens until the plant closed in 2005. He chose to make a new educational start at ACC where he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, has made the President’s List three semesters, and serves this year as president of the Student Government Association. Donte’s sponsor is Steven Reinhartsen.

Bently Pagura is enrolled in the Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration program. A graduate of Graham High School, Bently attended ACC and completed courses in Electronics, the University Transfer Program, and earned certification in Emergency Medical Technology. He is now focusing on the heating and air program. Bently is employed at Duke University and serves as the President of the Student Government Association at the state level. He is the father of three. Bently’s sponsor is Charles Bailey.

ACC's Medical Assisting program has been awarded continuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The curriculum, headed by instructor Kaye Acton, received the maximum accreditation of ten years. The next comprehensive evaluation of the program, including an on-site review, is scheduled to occur no later than February 2017. "I want to thank my two instructors, Janie Bowen and Cindy Thompson, for their commitment to the students and the Medical Assisting program," said Acton. "We are a great team." Additionally, Medical Assisting attained a 93 percent passing rate on the Certified Medical Assisting national exam in June.

One hundred ten students and 12 faculty and staff from the Health and Public Services division embarked on a trip to Discovery Place in Charlotte to see Body Worlds, an anatomical exhibition of real human bodies donated to science.
The purpose of the trip was to expose all the students to actual human bodies that had been plastinized and put on display for educational purposes.

"It was remarkable to see the reaction of the many students as they viewed the human body anatomy firsthand," said Connie Stack, Associate Dean of Health and Public Services, who helped coordinate the trip. "We saw the nervous system, circulatory system and lymphatic system separated from the rest of the body. We saw all the organ systems and how they make up a human being. We even saw life stage development from a one-week-old fetus to full gestation. 'Amazing' was the word I kept hearing."

ACC academic programs represented included Medical Assisting (three faculty, 60-plus students), Dental Assisting (three faculty, 20 students), Criminal Justice (one faculty, 20 students), Cosmetology (one faculty, ten-plus students), and Nursing (one faculty).

"I personally was impressed how each group of students related the things they saw to the areas of study they are in," said Stack. Criminal justice students noted how they could literally see why tasers work so well when they observed how intrinsic the nervous system is in the body. Dental Assisting students named the teeth in the skulls. Cosmetology students discussed the finger and toe nails and the various muscles of the hands, face and feet, noting how they could see the areas affected when doing massages. Medical Assisting students commented on the terminology they have studied, and were fascinated to actually view the features they have studied in anatomy class. Everyone seemed to be awestruck by the exhibit of fetal development and the display of the young mother with the fetus still inside her body.

The stories behind each body on exhibit were interesting in themselves. Some bodies had been self-donated for educational purposes. Others listed sad stories of their lives and tragedy they had dealt with. These stories brought out the cultural differences, emotional and social issues of the times they had lived, said Stack. It caused one to walk away with a holistic view of people, cultures and medicine in general, she said.

"That the entire division came together to support the trip made it even more special," added Stack. "It created an opportunity to bring education to life for our students and ACC was represented well by each and every one in attendance." Stack said the trip would not have been possible without donations and fundraising by various campus clubs, the ACC Foundation and SGA, and administrative secretary Drema Holder for her hard work.

Anna Bass, Ed.D. was sworn in as the newest member of the ACC Board of Trustees on October 8, taking the seat of the retiring Jan-Erik Nordh. Bass was appointed by the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education, where she is employed as Director of Compensatory Education. She also is an adjunct professor at Elon University. She was previously employed as principal of Graham Elementary.

A graduate of Graham High School, Dr. Bass earned her bachelor's degree from Bennett College in Greensboro, and her master's degree at N.C. Central University in Durham. Her Doctor of Education degree was awarded at NOVA/Southeastern in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Dr. Bass is an active member of the community, participating in such organizations as Alamance-Orange Multicultural Association, Democratic Women of Alamance County, Hawfields Child Care Board of Directors, and Eno Occaneechi Indian Association.

Approximately 39 firefighters and emergency rescue personnel received some specialized training the weekend of September 21-23 through an intensive hands-on course facilitated by Alamance Community College.

The "Farmedic" course was requested specifically by personnel with Alamance Rescue, said Toni Roberson, the College's EMS Training Coordinator. The workshop, developed by Cornell University and certified instructor Scott Emerson, taught EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) rescue techniques for farm-related accidents such as tractor turnovers and combine accidents' anything stemming from large, heavy farm equipment.

"One of the exercises," said Roberson, "involved rescuing a person, filled in by our mannequin, that had been 'baled' after getting caught in the equipment. It happens."

The participants were employees of Alamance EMS and Alamance Rescue, and earned 20 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The workshop was held at Byrd Tractor and Supply in Burlington, which opened its facilities and grounds for the event. In addition to Byrd, the two rescue organizations were sponsors. Byrd also furnished the farm equipment to use in the workshop.

Remember the counselor you had in high school who advised you about college options? Now University Transfer students here at ACC have the same opportunity for input from faculty as they consider their choices and questions about their future.

The University Transfer Advising Center opened for business on October 1. It is located in Room 344, the small room directly behind the information desk in the main building, third floor.

"The impetus of the University Transfer Advising Center is to invite students to drop by for information about colleges and universities in the local area, find out who their advisor is, or get help with putting together a schedule or plan of study if they are unable to find or meet with their own advisor," explains Cathy Johnson, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences.

The center is only for University Transfer students as they consider their education beyond ACC. It will be staffed by faculty volunteers.

When Automotive Technology student John Blalock was asked recently to clean a set of automotive tools and tool box, he was told a worthy student was going to receive them. The tools once belonged to the late Jerry Vuncannon, department head for 23 years. Upon his retirement in 1999, Vuncannon had bequeathed his automotive tools and toolbox to a worthy automotive student.

That bequest became reality for Blalock when the tools and tool box were presented to him. "He just looked at us and said, What?" commented Department Head Kevin Moore.

The tools are worth an estimated value of $1,500. Purchased new, which all automotive service technicians must do, the cost today could run as high as $3,500. Moore and Instructor Marc Hunter said they selected Blalock because they felt he fit the description of "deserving student."

Blalock first took automotive courses at ACC while still a high school student within the last few years. Since enrolling fulltime in the program, Blalock works third shift at Mebane Packaging, and helps take care of his ill father at home.

"He's just a real go-getter," said Moore. "He's fully dedicated to not only his career but his family."

Alamance Community College has received a grant from Duke Energy Community College Grant Program worth $246,194 to upgrade the Industrial Systems Technology program and help its industrial partners create, retain and upgrade jobs and improve the skills of unemployed and displaced workers in Alamance County.

Specifically, the Duke Energy funds will be used to purchase equipment and training stations to allow ACC's established Industrial Systems Technology program and Business and Industry Services division to better meet the training needs of local manufacturers. It is anticipated that the grant will result in the creation of 16 jobs, the retention of 80 jobs and enhanced salary for 32 jobs, important to a county hard hit in recent years by layoffs in the textile industries. Unemployment in Alamance County is currently at 5.4 percent.

In order to implement this project, ACC is collaborating with Honda Power Equipment Mfg. as a primary partner. Honda has committed to this collaboration due to its need for more trained employees. Industrial Systems Technology department head Dr. Mohammad Haj-Mohammadi will build on the long-term collaborations already established with local companies, such as Honda Power Equipment Mfg. of Swepsonville, Sandvik Tooling of Mebane, A.O. Smith Electric Motor Company of Mebane, GKN Driveline of Mebane, Luxfer Gas Cylinders of Graham, Glen Raven, and Engineered Plastics, Inc. of Whitsett. This project will allow ACC to respond to these and other companies' request for additional properly trained workers. The grant from Duke Energy will leverage College and outside resources.

Wally Shearin, Associate Dean of Industrial and Graphics Technologies, will provide oversight for the project. Jeff Bright, Assistant to the President for Business and Industry at ACC, will coordinate the training.

"This enhancement to our Industrial Systems Technology program will allow us even more opportunities to provide technical training to Honda and other such businesses in Alamance County so that they may grow and expand, thus hiring more trained workers and upgrading their current workforce," said Bright.

"The upgrading of our Industrial Systems Technology program will have immediate and long-term positive effects on the employment health of Alamance County and positive financial effects in the economic development of this county and area," commented ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman.

Duke Energy has recognized that even though the Carolinas have top-rated community and technical college systems, budgetary constraints present a challenge for them. Duke Energy' s Community and Technical College Grant Program provides a financial boost that helps enable college systems to extend their expertise, to provide rewarding opportunities for students, and ultimately, to help revitalize manufacturing in the Carolinas. Foundation For the Carolinas administers the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program. The Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation serving the philanthropic needs of donors and a broad range of charitable purposes in North and South Carolina.

College administrators gathered on September 15 to officially dedicate the renaming of the main Graham campus the "Carrington-Scott Campus" in honor of the late Elizabeth Scott Carrington and her nephew, former North Carolina Governor Robert Scott, who donated farmland in 1971 for the construction of the current ACC facility.

A new sign was unveiled at the front entrance as trustee Reid Dusenberry stated, "From this day forward, it will be known as the Carrington-Scott Campus."

Governor Scott, unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, was represented by his wife, Jessie Rae Scott, and his daughter, Meg Scott Phipps, who spoke on the family's behalf. "His job as community college president was his favorite job," Phipps said. "He loved that job."

In addition to his four years as governor from 1969-72, Governor Scott served as the fourth president of the N.C. Community College System. Many members of the Scott family were in attendance, as well as several ACC administrators and faculty members.

Aside from the support the Scotts have given to the College, their heritage consumes a large part of the history of Alamance County and the state. The Scott Collection, archived in the College's Gee Building, is open to the public and contains many artifacts that detail their contributions since colonial times.

A special exhibit highlighting the Scott medical clinic that served the local community from 1949-2002 is scheduled in the Scott Collection gallery by Curator Peggy Boswell.

The exhibit will feature memorabilia of the medical clinic operated for 53 years by Dr. Floyd Scott and his three sons. It opens to the public September 26, 2007 from 2-4 p.m. in the Scott Collection gallery, located across from the Learning Resources Center on the third floor in Gee Building. The exhibit will run through March 31, 2008.

Dr. Floyd Scott, who grew up in the nearby Hawfields community, began practicing medicine in Alamance County's Union Ridge area in 1919 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He and his three sons--Pete, Sam, and Lud, all of whom were doctors--collectively ran the Scott Clinic during the second half of the twentieth century.

Governor Robert Scott, who donated the land on which ACC today stands, was the nephew of Dr. Floyd Scott and cousin to his sons.

When Piedmont Health Services bought the clinic in 2002, the name "Scott Clinic" was retained in honor of Dr. Floyd Scott and his family. The youngest son, Dr. Sam Scott, retired from the Scott Clinic shortly thereafter.

"We will have memorabilia from the old clinic on display and numerous vintage medical instruments, books, and records," said Curator Boswell, "and even an original gurney from the clinic." In keeping with the medical theme of the display, students in ACC's health programs have been asked to volunteer their time in assisting with the opening day activities, added Boswell.

Among the guests on September 26 will be several former nurses, aides, pharmacy technicians and other employees of the Scott Clinic representing the 1940s to the present.

The Scott Family Collection is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; on Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Eleven Horticulture Technology students recently won a pair of first place ribbons at the Alamance County Fair for two garden displays they designed and installed.

"The gardens were installed by primarily first-year students in our Horticultural Practices class," said Justin Snyder, Horticulture Technology Department Head. "In all, 12 display gardens were competing and our students also won Best in Show."

Students who designed and installed the gardens were Brandon Alford, Carl Carver, Amy Eddings, Bob Foust, Parker Hoffman, Weldon Jenkins, Angela Ortel, Ben Roney, Brent Schweitzer, Matt Strange, and Ben Tulowitzky.

Seven advanced Culinary Technology students entered specialty cakes in an American Culinary Federation (ACF) competition in Greensboro in mid-September.

Dustin Holt won a gold medal, the first ACC culinary student ever to receive one in this competition. It was the first pastry/baking gold medal ever given in this show. Marvin Kimber is ACC's pastry chef/instructor. Gigi Terrell, Tanji Fulmore, Lacey Amos and Kelly Synder received bronze awards at the show. Susan Hearn and Connie Chen also competed.

"We congratulate each student on their achievements and to Marvin Kimber, their instructor," commented Doris Schomberg, Culinary Technology Department Head.

At the same show, ACC's chef/instructors Brian Bailey and Todd Wanless teamed for a 3 1/2-hour cooking competition in which they were given a mystery basket featuring North Carolina ingredients. The goal was to plan a menu in 30 minutes, followed by a three-hour preparation of a four-course menu.

"Although they came up one point short of winning a bronze medal, Brian and Todd did an absolutely masterful and professional job representing ACC culinary," said Schomberg.

Dr. William E. Taylor, the first president of Alamance Community College, died September 3 after a brief illness. Dr. Taylor was president for two decades, from 1962-1982. He was remembered at a memorial service on September 6 at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, N.C. To honor him, the College flew its flags at half staff.

A native of Kentucky, William E. "Bill" Taylor graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and UNCG. A World War II veteran, he taught industrial arts in the Greensboro Public Schools from 1946-58. For the next three years, he served as director of Industrial Arts and Vocational Education there. In 1962, he was hired to head Burlington-Alamance County Industrial Education Center (IEC), as Alamance Community College was initially known. Among the first of a statewide system of industrial education centers, IEC was located on Vaughn Road in Burlington and Dr. Taylor was its first architect.

"Dr. Taylor's industrial experience helped us move ahead," explained the late Wallace Gee, founding member of the College's board of trustees, in a 2001 interview. "We had the first computer program in North Carolina and the first dental assisting program. Our enrollment grew quickly, from about 150 to more than 400 in programs like heating and air conditioning, automotive repair, and drafting, among others."

By 1963, IEC became known as Technical Institute of Alamance (TIA), run by a board of trustees, and Dr. Taylor was officially designated president.

"The initial growth of the institution had a lot to do with Dr. Taylor," commented current ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman in an interview last week with the Times-News. "He had a wide influence on how our College developed."

Under Dr. Taylor's tenure, the College completed its first building expansions in the late 1960s as a result of enrollment growth, and was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1969. Dr. Taylor had been president for more than ten years when the board of trustees looked into building a new campus in 1971. He and Wallace Gee met with Elizabeth Scott Carrington and her nephew, Governor Robert Scott, both strong supporters of the College. Taylor and Gee received permission to use the Scott farmland in Haw River for the campus where it stands today.

Taylor oversaw a 1972 bond referendum for the new campus that passed by a 4 to 1 margin. By the time the new $5.4 million campus opened in 1976, enrollment had grown by more than 39 percent. Before his retirement, Taylor saw the College's first graduation of its nursing program and a combined enrollment in curriculum and continuing education of more than 10,000 students.

When Dr. Taylor retired as president in 1982, he stayed busy, using expert woodworking skills to build cupboards, chests, kitchen cabinets, and tables for his home. For several semesters after his retirement, Dr. Taylor taught a furniture making class through the College' s continuing education division in the 1980s. In recent years, he donated some of his handiwork to be auctioned by the ACC Foundation for student scholarships.

In a magazine profile of Dr. Taylor in 1987, his craftsmanship was described as using "ingenuity, hard work and a desire for perfection." Those same words are an apt description of the legacy he leaves as the first president of ACC.

For the first time Alamance Community College is providing free e-mail accounts to all students this fall. Letters were sent to students' homes in September 2007 which provided an individual ID number for each student to access his/her personal account.

Called ACCess E-mail, the account allows for students to receive important notifications from instructors. The ID number will also be used in the future as their student number for registration. It will also give them access to Blackboard and other online services to be announced.

"With the many online options that the College's new computer system will provide students this year, an e-mail communication system was clearly needed," explained Suzanne Lucier, Dean of Student Development. "ACC's Information Services department dedicated many hours in researching student e-mail options and setting up the necessary network system to create and support these student e-mail accounts."

The e-mail accounts will be used by instructors, advisors, and various college departments to send students information about assignments, registration dates, financial aid, college activities and other important information.

Never let it be said that the people who work at Alamance Community College are content with their own skills and never believe they could be better. A perfect example is embodied by two part-time employees in the College's assessment center which accommodates potential students in such literacy programs as Adult Basic Education, GED, and English as a Second Language (ESL). They are Lucia Merces-Da Cunha and Linda Clark. Both deal often with individuals who seek educational skills from ACC and whose first language is not English.

In order to strengthen their own communication skills in helping Hispanic students, Lucia and Linda took months of classes at ACC to earn the new Spanish Community Facilitator certificate. Both women graduated this summer and have put their new skills to good use in their jobs at the College. But each came to the Spanish Community Facilitator program through different routes and for different reasons.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Lucia Merces-Da Cunha attended Rutgers University where she earned a B.A. in economics and another degree in Portuguese, the native language of her parents. She moved to Alamance County nine years ago with her husband. After working as a school secretary and a Spanish interpreter at Haw River Elementary, Lucia was hired to work part-time in ACC's assessment center.

"When I first came to ACC, I thought my Spanish was pretty good because it and Portuguese have lots of similarities," says Lucia. "But after a couple of days I realized my skills were not up to par. Spanish was a whole other endeavor for me." That's when she realized the new Spanish Community Facilitator Certificate program would be a good idea. "It was very helpful," explains Lucia about the program. "One class spent long stretches on writing; another would concentrate on verbal communication. What I learned began to improve my skills in those areas. I felt I was really helping students and making me more confident in the services I was providing."

Lucia met Linda Clark while in the Spanish Community Facilitator class in spring 2006. Upon finding that Linda was fluent in Spanish, Lucia told her about an opening in the assessment center and Linda began working in the afternoons soon afterward.

Linda Clark was raised in Florida and moved to Alamance County seven years ago. She worked in an accounting office in Mebane and dealt with many Spanish-speakers. Fluent in Spanish since age 13, she opted to earn the Spanish Community Facilitator certificate through ACC to bolster her resume. Linda's ambition to increase her value in the workforce led her to simultaneously study for the Managerial Accounting Certificate and enroll in two other degree programs, Business Administration and General Information Technology. In addition to earning the certificate in Spanish Community Facilitator, Linda graduated this summer with honors in her two degree programs. In addition to the assessment center, this fall Linda is also working for the College as Hispanic Community Coordinator, helping to register Spanish-speakers for classes offered in Continuing Education/Special Programs. She also acts as a general Spanish interpreter to answer questions about ACC for people new to the area.

The assessment center job at ACC keeps Lucia and Linda busy. Working different shifts, they enroll people into ESL classes, and provide permits for them to enroll in curriculum classes. They also help administer GED in Spanish classes in order for non-English speakers to earn a high school diploma. "Sometimes when I give them their permit to take classes and they learn the classes are free, they become overwhelmed and cry they are so happy," says Lucia. "They are genuinely thrilled to have this opportunity."

The large majority of students they assist are Hispanic, most originating from Mexico and Central America. A smaller number come from Russia and other countries. Usually Spanish-speakers come in for their appointments and must present their Green Card numbers. The next step is to complete a college application, followed by a basic skills assessment test to determine their level of English. Lucia and Linda then look at points the prospect scored to determine the specific kind of classes that are best for them. Sometimes it involves signing up students for a GED course in Spanish, which the College offers.

"My work involves making lots of changes for people on a given day," says Linda. "But our job here is to help them out as much as possible and make them understand we want them to succeed in this country."

"I have worked several jobs over the years, but this job has fulfilled me in every regard," says Lucia. "It's gratifying to help people who have this great opportunity, to guide them down the right path. This is the most gratifying job I've ever had."

ACC's Continuing Education division has earned two national awards from Education to Go, known as ed2go, the company through which the College contracts the bulk of its online offerings. The competition was among the 1300 educational partners that operate ed2go programs, with voting limited to the partners.

ACC's first award, "Great Marketing Strategies That Get Results," was for a creative marketing program that tapped self-support funds to offer a half-price sale of short-term, online ed2go classes over a three-month period in winter 2007. ACC's competition included Info-Courses of New York, Inc., and Rio Hondo College of Los Angeles, Ca. In the second competition, ACC was among four ed2go partners with the most enrollment growth nationally. The ed2go enrollment growth for ACC was 304 percent.

As a result of this winning combination, the Continuing Education division received a $1,000 award to be used for equipment for the Burlington Center. Congratulations go to Rob Everett, dean of continuing education; Reggie Turner, director of special programs; and Paula Janey, secretary for special programs, for their efforts.

Last winter Continuing Education division held a unique half-price sale on its $55 ed2go classes. "The goals were to increase enrollments short-term, to increase enrollments long-term, and to put ACC into the top 20 colleges in the country in terms of numbers of ed2go students," explained Everett. "We simply applied a typical business concept to an educational setting."

The average enrollment in ACC's January online classes from 2001-2006 was 41 students. The sale produced 177 enrolled students for January 2007, putting ACC in ninth place nationally for ed2go January enrollments. Similarly, February classes increased from an average 36 students to 168, putting ACC third nationally for February; March classes grew from an average 35 students to 164.

Alamance Community College awarded a total of 1035 graduates with degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the College's two graduation ceremonies on July 13. The Class of 2007 includes graduates in college curriculum, GED and Adult High School.

The College presented 392 associate degrees, 54 diplomas, and 282 certificates to 701 individuals in the college curriculum. A number of curriculum graduates earned more than one degree, diploma or certificate. Students earning their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas numbered 315 and 19 students received Adult High School diplomas. GED honors went to 96 of the total who scored 2800 or higher on their exams.

As in previous years, ACC conducted two graduation ceremonies in order to maintain the dignity of the occasion. The ceremony for GED and Adult High School graduates came first, followed two hours later by the college curriculum graduation ceremony. The Class of 2007 is comprised of not only students recently out of high school, but many more who came to ACC as a result of layoffs seeking retraining in new careers. All the graduates share one thing: They made a commitment to their educational goals and have now successfully completed their chosen course of study.

Crystal Lee Sutton, the woman on whom the Oscar-winning movie Norma Rae was based, was honored with a reception on June 12 on the occasion of choosing Alamance Community College as the repository for her unionization papers.

The 66-year-old Sutton, who lives in Alamance County, spoke to a gathering of faculty, staff, and students at the College in the auditorium. Local media was in force as well, with interviews conducted by WFMY News2, Fox8, National Public Radio, and two local newspapers.

"This collection will provide scholars the ability to research an important perspective in the modern history of the textile industry and workers' rights," commented Dr. Sam Powell, an ACC trustee, who officially accepted the Crystal Lee Sutton collection on behalf of the College. "For ACC, the collection and what it represents will inspire current and future students, many who themselves have had direct or indirect connections to the textile industry."

Sutton's role in history was outlined during the reception by Sherri Singer, department head for social and behavioral sciences, who coordinated the event. In the early 1970s, Crystal Lee was 33 and working at the J.P. Stevens plant in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., where she was making $2.65 an hour folding towels. The poor working conditions she and her fellow employees suffered compelled her to join forces with Eli Zivkovich, a union organizer, and attempt to unionize the J.P. Stevens employees.

"Management and others treated me as if I had leprosy," she said. She received threats and was finally fired from her job. But before she left, she took one final stand, filmed verbatim in the 1979 film Norma Rae. "I took a piece of cardboard and wrote the word UNION on it in big letters, got up on my work table, and slowly turned it around. The workers started cutting their machines off and giving me the victory sign. All of a sudden the plant was very quiet..."

Sutton was physically removed from the plant by police, but the result of her actions was staggering. The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) won the right to represent the workers at the plant and Sutton became an organizer for the union. In 1977, Sutton was awarded back wages and her job was reinstated by court order, although she chose to return to work for just two days. She subsequently became a speaker on behalf of the ACTWU and was profiled in interviews on Good Morning America, in The New York Times Magazine, and countless other national and international publications during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

"Sally Field did one heck of a job," said Sutton about the 1979 film Norma Rae, based on her story. Although her name, as well as others, was changed due to legal reasons, she said most of what is portrayed is accurate. It won Sally Field an Oscar, a Golden Globe and the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. The Crystal Lee Sutton Awards, established in her name a few years ago, recognize individuals and organizations whose efforts have contributed to presenting positive images of working people to the American public.

Sutton, who matriculated through ACC's Nursing Assistant program in 1988, said she chose the College as the repository of her papers because of its record in providing education for all people. "Thank God for ACC," she said, "where even the working poor can come, get financial assistance, and get a new start in life."

She explained she had been collecting material since she began her crusade for unionization in 1973 and wanted to ensure it was preserved for future historians and students.

The ACC reception also included remarks by ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman; Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, executive vice president; and ACC alumna Leslie Thompson, a UNC student who is working this summer to help archive Sutton's donation for the College. Thompson presented Sutton with a framed, handwritten letter from well-known women's activist Gloria Steinem, with whom Ms. Sutton became friends in the 1980s during the latter's speaking engagements.

"We admire her courage, we admire her convictions, and we admire her spirit," said Dr. Nadelman in remarks at the reception. "She is a champion not only of the working class but also of all who inspire to improve the lives of others."

For the second time in three years, Alamance Community College has earned a "superior" rating in the Critical Success Factors report from the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) Office.

The ratings are based upon factors from the 2005-06 academic year. The College exceeded the minimum standards for success in 11 out of 12 performance factors, and five of the six required factors. The NCCCS identifies five factors that all schools must use in their performance accountability plan and each college chooses a sixth.

Among the 12 standards described in the Critical Success Factors Report are Business/Industry Satisfaction, Employment of Graduates, Employer Satisfaction with Graduates, Curriculum Student Retention and Graduation, and Progress of Basic Skills Students.

"It's good to see our faculty and staff rewarded for their hard work," commented Reid Dusenberry, ACC trustee. "What a great report card for ACC," added trustee Dick Fisher.

ACC alumni, faculty, staff, and students were honored by the College on May 24 at the 2007 Celebration of Excellence Awards, hosted by the ACC Board of Trustees and the ACC Foundation Board of Directors. The annual event, held at Alamance Country Club, honors those who have achieved distinction through hard work and dedication.

Speaking at the event were Dr. Martin H. Nadelman, ACC president; Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, executive vice president; Carolyn Rhode, vice president of Institutional Advancement; Jack R. Lindley, ACC Foundation Board of Directors; Dr. Aaron P. Noble, Jr., 2001 Distinguished Alumni recipient; and William Gomory, president of ACC Foundation.

Joe Cephus Wade Jr., founder and owner of JoCephus Originals in Graham, was named the College's 2007 Distinguished Alumnus. Wade used his ACC education to create a company that has become one of the fastest growing manufacturers of religious apparel in the country. Wade completed the R.E.A.L. Entrepreneurial program through ACC's Small Business Center in the late 1990s and applied the knowledge obtained to launch his business, today selling his products to churches and Christian groups in several states and foreign countries.

His nominator states, "Like so many individuals who have passed through the doors of ACC, Joe has a story that proves if one comes to the College with a willingness to learn and work hard, success can be the end reward." Wade was presented with the College's Presidential Medallion.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Alumni Award were:
Marcia Drake, food production manager at Alamance Regional Medical Center (ARMC).
Sheila Fahnrich, Burlington Christian Academy preschool director and K-4 lead teacher.
William (Bill) Griffith, banking consultant and retired president/CFO of Alamance Bank.
Angie Hopson, patient relations coordinator at ARMC.
Dan Ingle, Alamance County Commissioner; retired police chief, Town of Elon.
Jeremy Ireland, executive director of Centro La Comunidad, Alamance County.
Anita Royall Jones, senior management accountant at Acucote, Inc.
Rafe Martin, president of Appian Digital, Inc.
Delores Paylor, educator at Eastern Guilford Middle School.
Cynthia Miller Simmons, director of administrative services/comptroller at American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Joseph Sykes, president/CEO of Key Risk Management Services, Inc.
Deborah Williams, senior graphics designer at PIP Printing.

Also honored at the event were:
Brian Bailey, Culinary Technology instructor/chef since 2001, as the College's Excellence in Teaching winner.
Dr. Terry Farmer, a part-time humanities instructor since 2002, as Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year.
Mikki Harper, a systems administrator in the Information Services department since 2004, as the Staff Member of the Year.

Student Academic Excellence Award Recipients were:
Kari Skrivan, a 2007 graduate-elect in the Culinary Technology program, who plans to attend UNC Greensboro to complete a bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant management.
John Cheek, a Criminal Justice Technology student who came to ACC after being laid off after 24 years, who plans a career in law enforcement working with juveniles.

Tensions were high on Sunday, May 6, for 18 second-year culinary students who had to surpass one last milestone on the way to earning their degrees this summer--the annual Culinary Capstone Competition.

While the atmosphere may have been party-like for observers, these chefs-in-the-making were required to put their young reputations on the line before they head out into the workforce. Each student among this talented baker's dozen-plus-five spent weeks readying for this event that entails cooking and presenting a four-course meal. Eighteen professional chefs served as judges, additionally giving each student individual critiques.

Howard Allen won the trophy for "Best Capstone". A win in this category means Allen scored the most points on a 0-40 scale. Students get points for excellence in cooking methods, excellent knife cuts, quality and taste of everything on the table, nutrition and menu flow, plus presentation. The most points are for flavor and correct cooking methods.
Kari Skirivan was awarded the trophy for "Most Artistic" For this category, judging centered on artistic and aesthetic display of the entry. "Best Effort" winner was Danny Conklin.

Other culinary students who participated were Zach Brady, Becky Currie, Madeline Faucette, Sam Forbis, Denise Glass, Tammy Grubb, Linda Knupps, Angelene Lewis, Priscilla Penny, Cynthia Pulliam, Kala Spicer, Roberta Szuch, Rob Winther, and Jackie Woods.

The 18 professional chefs who acted as judges were: John Fisher, Alamance Country Club; Bruce Reincke, Aramark; Aaron Vandermark, Pancuitto's (Hillsborough); Jeremy Blankenship, Carolina Inn; Jay Christmas (ACC alumnus), Grayland at Wake Forest University; Terri Hutter, InterFaith Food Shuttle (Raleigh); Carolyn House, Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech); Jeff Saudo, Wake Tech; Fredi Morf, Wake Tech; Jeff Hadley, Wake Tech; Valerie Mason, Cape Fear Community College; Michelle Prarie, Guilford Technical Community College; Kimrey Jordan, Wilkes Community College; and Liz Burris (ACC alumna), manager of Blue Ribbon Cafe.

A little girl called Alpha Betti becomes a Super ABC Hero at her school library...A squirrel hears talk about something called Christmas and seeks out friends to learn all about it. If these scenarios sound like children's literature, you would be right. And yes, they can be found in your local bookstores. But you may be surprised to learn that the author of both these published books works right here on the ACC campus.

Carlene Morton is a part-time evening librarian in the College's Learning Resources Center (LRC). But her literary ambitions had long cultivated within her mind, perhaps nurtured by her many years' experience as a librarian. A native of Durham, Morton's adolescence was spent in Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and finally back to North Carolina when she was nine due to her father's work. The family settled in Haw River where Morton remained until she left for college. After earning an associate degree at Wingate College, she found employment as the children's library assistant at May Memorial Library in Burlington. She ultimately earned her B.A. from Elon University, and later a Master of Library Science (MLS) from N.C. Central University.

"I've been telling stories to children for over thirty years," explains Morton. "I began sharing tales in the basement of May Memorial in 1974. I loved the connections I was able to make with children through stories."

After three years Morton moved to the Graham Public Library to take the position of branch manager, working there ten years. She says she especially liked planning and conducting programs for children while at Graham. After 15 years in the public library sector, Morton became a media specialist with the Alamance Burlington School System, working in three elementary schools and a middle school. Throughout her career telling stories to children, she often told her own original stories along with standard books.

"I often thought that I should try to get one of my stories published," she says. When she was invited to become a member of a critique group for children's writers five years ago, Morton's long-time desire became a possibility. Morton's initial publication was a children's play titled Sampson's First Christmas, which was geared toward church youth groups. Her fellow parishioners at Hawfields Presbyterian Church encouraged her and she sent it out to publishers. After three long years, it was accepted for publication by CSS Publishers. But Morton's next idea was something altogether different.

"My idea for Alpha Betti had been in my mind for years and years," she says. "I actually started it six or seven years ago, and went through lots of revisions." The lead character is Betti, a young girl who likes to dress up as super heroes. Confronted with cleaning her messy room, Betti becomes Mighty Betti and whisks away the clutter. But then she can't find anything in her jumbled closet. Exposed to the power of ABC order at the library, she forms a plan and becomes Alpha Betti.

When the book was finished, Morton sent out a proposal to Upstart Books in Wisconsin. After much waiting, it was accepted about 18 months ago. "Then it becomes a matter of contracts, more revision, waiting while the illustrator works on the drawings, and looking over those," she says. "A lot of back and forth over many months before it's actually published and ready to sell."

Morton says writing children's stories is a lot like writing poetry. "Finding the perfect words for the perfect spot in the story," she says. Because Alpha Betti has an educational message, Morton wrote a teaching guide for inclusion with the book. "It started with just three pages, but the publisher wanted more, so it ended up being 13 pages."

Morton is enjoying her new career. On May 19, she returned to the Graham Public Library for a reading and book signing. She also has two more manuscripts making the rounds of children's book publishers now. "I used to tell the children at the library story times that when I grew up, I was going to be a writer," she says with a smile. "Sometimes dreams do come true."

Be sure to check out Morton's Web site at www.carlenemorton.com.

An update on the College's construction projects was provided by ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman to faculty and staff last week:

The Biotechnology/Allied Health Building, currently under construction on the main campus by Central Builders, is on schedule and is expected to be ready for occupancy when classes begin in August. Interior work is well underway on the $6.3 million project that will be home to Biotechnology, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, and Medical Assisting programs.

Work on the old Burlington Coat Factory building at I-85/Exit 145 to permanently house a new Burlington Center will commence soon. The winning bid for the project came in $1 million under budget and a late November completion date has been projected with occupancy in early January 2008. Architectural firm Moser Mayer Phoenix Associates is designing the renovation which will allow for twice as many classrooms for personal interest courses, an expanded Cosmetology area, and the Small Business Center. Funds for the purchase and renovation were approved by Alamance County voters in fall 2005.

The College's child care center is getting more space, including an additional classroom for three-year-olds and a room for storage. The expansion is expected to be completed by August.

The Alamance-Burlington School System Middle College, located on the Alamance Community College campus, is closing a successful year, says Principal Charlotte Holmes.

"When we first opened the middle college in January 2006, we began with about 45 students," Holmes says. "This year we doubled that number with about 90 students enrolled."

The ABSS Middle College is an innovative high school program designed for capable students who have not seen optimal success in a traditional setting. The school is housed in classrooms on the ACC campus, allowing middle college students to take both college classes and high school core classes.

Holmes provided an update last week to ACC faculty on this semester's successes at the ABSS Middle College:
*The first graduation ceremony for Middle College seniors will be held on Saturday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the ACC student commons. ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman will be the commencement speaker.
*Students this semester took advantage of ACC courses, in addition to mandatory high school classes. Middle College students took classes in Accounting, Animal Care and Management, Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice, and various math and English courses under the Arts and Sciences division.
*Middle college graduate-elects will be presenting their state-required senior projects on May 23 to a panel of ACC faculty and staff. The students chose a topic of interest, researched it, then spent time in a hands-on experience overseen by a school mentor.
*Students have formed a chess club and invite anyone from the ACC campus to challenge them. Matches are regularly held in Room 240 (in the hallway behind the mailroom) at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through early June.

April 2007 was the "most intense month of my life, both mentally and physically," says ACC Spanish instructor Sara Davis. For 29 days, Davis served as interpreter for Burlington Police Chief Michael Gauldin, four police officers, three police department staffers, and two local firemen on an educational and cultural field trip, geared to improve relations with the Hispanic community in Alamance County.

"We are limited in our abilities to communicate with the Hispanic population in Burlington," said Gauldin prior to the trip. "I'm hoping this month-long education will go a long way toward helping us alleviate any stereotypes we might have."

By all accounts, the trip appears to have been well worth the time and expense, much of which was financed through grants.

"I must say that this immersion program went far deeper than I could have ever anticipated," says Davis. "Our students' curious nature, perhaps due to their law enforcement profession, left no stone unturned. Literally, to the very end of our trip, we were making the most of it. We maximized our learning opportunities by giving up our free days to go to the Firemen's Training Academy, getting together with our host families, and stopping by municipal buildings to pick up more information about where we were staying."

To prepare for the trip, police officers, staffers, and firefighters matriculated through ACC's 100-hour "Spanish for the Workplace" class. Those who did well were selected for the trip. While in Mexico, the law enforcement personnel took two pertinent ACC courses on culture immersion, taught by Davis and a language professor at Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, located in San Luis Potosi, where the travelers stayed.

The venture was coordinated with the Sister Cities group, of which Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, ACC Executive Vice President, is the current president. In recent years, Sister Cities has drawn Burlington into a unique educational and municipal partnership with the town of Soledad in central Mexico.

"We talked to everyone and asked questions," Davis says. "Taxi drivers, of course, were not taxi drivers by profession. They were soccer coaches, engineers and elementary school teachers, all with unique political views. We approached armed security guards, school children, and university students, anyone who would talk to us about their lives."

Most interesting to Davis were the times when the Burlington participants were faced with stark realities of how Mexicans live, differences in law enforcement issues, and the importance of family bonds. For instance, they were shocked to see that child car seats are never used in Mexico, with adults holding young children on their laps in vehicles. Outside town, people still wash clothes on old-fashioned washboards and men dig irrigation ditches by hand because they cannot afford tractors. Restaurant owners come into town to buy vegetables because the farmers don't have a means of transporting their crops into town, resulting in low profits for the farmers. And the minimum wage for many Mexicans is only $4.50.

"I think the officers gained a new understanding of Mexican immigrants who come to the United States," says Davis. "I think the police officers benefited from seeing those differences, and are now thinking how they will try to deal better with Spanish-speaking residents back on the job here."

The visitors also found time for sightseeing as well, but every experience was educational and informative, says Davis. It was Holy Week when they first arrived, and many celebrations and processions were observed, including one in which symbolically-decorated pinatas were burned. They toured the hacienda (Spanish for an estate or large ranch) where the movie, "The Legend of Zorro" starring Antonio Banderas was filmed. They went to a pro soccer game and a traditional bullfight where Burlington officers were astonished to see gang hand gestures freely flashed from the crowd.

"On one excursion through the desert," explains Davis with a laugh, "our rented bus broke down. So I had to interpret the repairs between one of our police officers and a Mexican driver who knew nothing about engines."

A rewarding venture for Davis was her visit with students learning English at the university in Soledad. "These students were so eager, like sponges," she says. "They wanted to learn anything they could from us. I helped with an oral communications class, sat in on presentations, and helped grade them."

By the end of the trip, Sara Davis says she can easily assess the venture. "Did we accomplish our program's goals? Will our law enforcement students be able to better serve our Hispanic community in the Spanish language, and did we make the most of this unique opportunity? In other words, can we honestly say that there was an advantage to bringing the group all the way to Mexico? The answer is yes, without a doubt."

ACC student Shannon Overman took office on May 5 as secretary for the N.C. Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA), the organization that represents all of the state's community colleges. She joins ACC student Bently Pagura, recently elected president of the state organization.

Overman had served as secretary for the College's SGA for the past three years. A graduate of Southern Alamance High School, she was first elected SGA secretary in 2004 alongside her mother, Teresa, who was elected treasurer that year. Overman subsequently won re-election the next two years.

"I attended a state SGA conference earlier this year and served as secretary," explains Overman about her decision to run for the state office. "I was told that the position of secretary was a good fit for me by others. That is what prompted me to run. It's a thrill to be elected to a state office."

Although she is leaving her elected office at ACC, Overman continues as an evening student enrolled in both Medical Assisting Technology and Dental Assisting.

On April 24, the second annual joint dinner meeting was held for members of the Alamance County Commissioners, Alamance-Burlington Board of Education, and Alamance Community College Board of Trustees.

Dr. Randy Bridges, superintendent of Alamance-Burlington School System, and Dr. Martin Nadelman, ACC president, discussed the successful partnership between ACC and Alamance-Burlington schools.

A joint statement by Nadelman and Bridges in the printed program read, "With a new leadership team at the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS), the opportunity to explore new ideas and build upon a strong foundation with Alamance Community College presents itself. With both institutional leaders committed to student success, a new era of collaboration brings promise and excitement."

Lillie Cox, assistant superintendent of curriculum at ABSS, addressed the group about the success of the Alamance Burlington Middle College located at ACC. Enrollment that started with 45 students in January 2006 has grown to 88 current students, and 40 students are slated to graduate in early June. Nadelman shared facts and statistics about the many options ACC offers high school students to earn college credits toward degrees in ACC's technical programs or in university studies transferable to many four-year colleges and universities. This semester alone, 615 high school students are enrolled in college credit courses either at their own high schools or at ACC.

The evening concluded with brief closing remarks from Board of Education Chair Tom Manning. ACC Culinary Technology students of instructor Chef Todd Wanless prepared the meal.

Alamance Community College presented its annual Arts and Sciences Convocation on April 24, awarding more than two dozen students in academics, writing and art.

Academic honors were selected by consensus of instructors from appropriate departments. Monetary prizes, provided by the student government association, were presented to the winners of first, second, third, and honorable mention (HM) in the writing and art categories. All first place winners in the writing categories will be published this fall in the College's literary magazine, The Explorer. A total of 111 writing entries were submitted, including 46 poems.

Following is a list of all winners and runners-up as announced at the convocation.
Department Awards for Arts and Sciences English - Troy Worden Geography - Andy Brown History - Thomas Cates Humanities - Megan Dyan Neese Math - Shanshan Chi Psychology - Marisa Biondi Sociology - Susan Uhlhorn Biology/Chemistry - Terra King Sigma Psi Club - Marcos Rubio
Student Writing Contest Winners Academic Essay 1st: "Ticket Scalping: An Economic Freedom?" - Elizabeth Bowen 2nd: "Why the SAT Should be Dropped from College Admissions" - Matthew Ridpath 3rd: "Protecting Myself from Identity Theft" - Teressa Way HM: "Is the American Dream only Available to Americans?" - Hanna Slomianyj
Personal Essay 1st: "Milkshake" - Logan K. Tilley 2nd: "Everyone Loved Her" - Michael Wood 3rd: "My Return to Crane Pond Creek" - Ed Buffington HM: "Fishing Yarn" - Jason M. Fleeman
Narrative/Story 1st: "The Parting" - Ed Buffington 2nd: "Look, You Just Might See" - Nancy C. Routh 3rd: "Play of the Curse of a Slave Girl" - Brandi Mebane HM: "Soldier Misfortune" - Thomas Perry, Jr.
Poetry 1st: "Auction" - K.H. Carruth 2nd: "Flight of a Slave Girl" - Shaunna Jeffries 3rd: "Two Strokes to Midnight"- Troy Worden HM: "Untitled" - Sean Johnston
Graphic Design Competition Winners Photography 1st: "Untitled"- Ben Shirley 2nd: "Sabatier Road" - Tripp Hughes 3rd: "Chase" - Kelly Martin HM: "Windows" - Greg Mullis; "The Hollow" - Dez Smith; "Pacific Coast Pumpkins" - Beth Glidewell; "Yellow" - Greg Mullis; "Yard Art" - Michael Ackerman; "Le Fleur" - Whitney Cox; "Light at the End of the Tunnel" - Amy Danner Kleeberg Special Award: "Low Country Thoughts" - Beth Glidewell Drawing/Illustration 1st: "Shadow's Path" - Cheryl Hernandez 2nd: "Modern Dance" - Kim Van Wieren 3rd: "The New Yorker" - Heather Harden HM: "King of the Jungle" - Heather Harden; "Aaron" - Donna Tilley; "Self Portrait" - Sarah Galfano; "Untitled" - Brandon Davis; "New Yorker Cover" - Brent Thomas; "Yvonne--”Living Large" - Yvonne Jones; "Travis Barker" - Blake Chambers
Graphic Design 1st: "Thunder Kat Editorial" - Jazmine Baynes 2nd: "Shakori Hills Poster" - Amy Danner 3rd: "Fight Big Media Campaign" - Jeremy Taylor HM: "Untitled"- Jeremy Taylor; "Self Promo Editorial" - Heather Harden; "Self Promo Piece" - Trey Foster Judges for the writing awards were Robert Everett, dean of Continuing Education; Karen Carrouth, editor of Alamance Magazine; Leon Hinton; and Diane Setzer. Judges for the Graphic Design competition were Chris Walker, illustrator and art director at Ka-Thoom Graphics, Greensboro; Lydia and Richard Kleeberg, Kleeberg Photograhy Studio, Burlington; and Kenneth Bond, art director, Averett University, Danville, Va.

Alamance Community College's Horticulture Technology program has once again made a name for itself at the Professional Landcare Network's Student Career Days event held this year at Michigan State University in late March.

"We took 17 students to what has been termed the "Landscape Olympics" left making an impression at the national level," commented department head Justin Snyder.

Attending the event were more than 700 students representing 54 universities and community colleges from across the U.S., according to Snyder. ACC's horticulture students achieved their highest finish of 16th place overall. Snyder said this was only three spots behind North Carolina State University and three spots above Sandhills Community College of eastern North Carolina.

ACC student Nathan Roach finished in third place overall, bringing home a "Superstar" award, placing him just 12 points from first place. Roach also won first place nationally in the Construction Cost Estimating event.

ACC had other students to finish in the top ten in individual events: Bob Foust in Business Management (10th place), Nathan Roach in Compact Utility Loader Operation (10th Place), Monika Jaramillo in Interior Plant ID (10th Place), and Don Sandavol and Matt Strange in Paver Installation (7th Place). Other ACC students placed among the top 15 in specific events as well.

"This was quite an honor as there were up to 75 people competing in most event," said Snyder. "The students worked very hard for this and, through their efforts, colleges and businesses in the green industry at the national level now know about ACC and our horticulture program."

Attending with Justin Snyder were students Crystal Brannan, Jessica Fox, Anne Kirkpatrick, Bobby Gerringer, Daniel Jenkins, Donald Sandoval, Eva Hoke, Samantha Wagstaff, Nathan Roach, Bob Foust, Matt Strange, Michelle Bowman, Chad Huggins, Evelyn Terry, Monika Jaramillo, Stephanie Pritchett, Parker Hoffman, and James Moore.

Alamance Community College student Marcos Rubio has been named to receive the North Carolina Association of Developmental Education's Shining Star award. The presentation will be made at the organization's statewide conference in Charlotte in October.

Rubio was voted the award as a result of his commitment to promoting and nurturing diversity and for his service to others. He is the first winner of this award from ACC, according to his nominator, English instructor Susan Dalton.

Marcos Rubio is president of the College's Sigma Psi (sociology) club, Principal Chief of the Apache Lipan Nation and provides educational lectures about Native American culture and wildlife at local elementary schools, tutors seventh and eighth grade students in math and science, and is assistant coach for the Orange County High School Rifle Team. Rubio, who plans to transfer to North Carolina State University to double major in wildlife management and sociology, was recently seen during ACC's Culture Day dressed in Apache regalia and talking to visitors all day about his culture.

Dalton explained that Marcos Rubio's concern for others makes him special. "Earlier this year, one of our adjunct instructors learned that his apartment was going to be torn down and that he would have to move out immediately. Marcos heard about the situation and organized the Sigma Psi club to help this instructor. Marcos helped him pack, borrowed a trailer, moved all of this gentleman's belongings, and got him set up in his new apartment. These qualities truly set him apart as a Shining Star."

A Homeland Security Grant totaling $12,000 has been awarded to ACC for the purpose of providing incident command training to law enforcement and other emergency personnel. The awarding of the grant represents an important precedent for community colleges in that it is some of the first funding to be sent directly through the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) from Federal Homeland Security funds, according to Vonna Viglione, Resource Development Office, NCCCS.

ACC received $8,000 for training and $4,000 for equipment. The $8,000 portion of the grant will be used to pay part of the instructor cost and all of the printing/duplicating cost incurred in offering these classes, while $4,000 will be used to purchase two notebook computers and two data projectors for use in providing the training.

By federal regulation, all firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS personnel must complete a certain amount of incident command training, according to Dave Parker, director of occupational extension at ACC. Higher ranking officers need an additional level of training, with board-level personnel requiring yet another level. Some of Alamance County's fire departments are taking all their firefighters through the officer level training. Incident command involves providing a uniform national structure for disparate agencies to work together during an emergency incident. It includes topics such as communications, command, organizational structure, resource planning and management, and air operations, explained Parker.

The courses run 2-16 hours, dependent upon the level of training, and are expected to begin in April. Forty-three of North Carolina's 58 community colleges received grants of varying amounts from a total statewide allocation of $1.2 million. The funding came through the State Homeland Security Grant via the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for delivery of National Incident Management System (NIM) training and related services.

The training initiative is a joint effort between the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Division of Emergency Management and the N.C. Community College System. All the community colleges were required to make an application for course delivery funding.

ACC student Bently Pagura, a student ambassador and SGA senator at the local level, has been elected as president of the N.C. Community College Student Government Association for the 2007-08 school year. The office oversees the interests of more than 700,000 community college students in the state, and serves as a liaison to the N.C. Legislature and other government agencies.

Pagura actually began interim duties in February 2007, stepping in to fill the shoes of the previous president who resigned due to an academic technicality. But Pagura, whose previous connection at the state level was as local interactions chairman, threw his hat into the ring in March to run for the office for the coming year. His performance in the job, despite its brevity, gave credence to his campaign and he was elected by a majority of SGA members at the state's 58 community colleges for the 2007-08 school year.

Pagura, a Graham native, first enrolled at ACC in the mid-1990s. He has completed courses in electronics and university transfer, and earned certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. Returning to ACC in recent years while working full-time, he is now enrolled in the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration program. This year he was appointed as a student ambassador to represent the College at various community functions.

"I originally got involved with ACC student government when I was a student in 1995," he said. "When I came back to ACC in recent years, I revived my involvement in SGA because I found the opportunities a lot of fun."

Pagura won a senate seat in ACC's SGA elections last year, and soon found himself becoming more involved at the state level which led to his applying for interim president's seat. "I was a little concerned about my family's reaction," said Pagura, "because getting elected would mean I'd be away from home a bit more, going to Raleigh for meetings and conferences. But as soon as I told my wife, Lynn, that I was thinking about running, she said, "You've got to do it," which means a lot."

As new president, Pagura has already gotten his feet wet. Last week he spent two days in Washington D.C. in the company of two other state SGA officers, lobbying for the community college system with nearly a dozen North Carolina members of the United States Congress. The private meetings included visits with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, 13th District Congressman Brad Miller (whose district includes part of Alamance County), 1st District Congressman G.K. Butterfield, 3rd District Congressman Walter B. Jones, 4th District Congressman David Price, 5th District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, 10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry, and 11th District Congressman Heath Shuler. Pagura talked personally to 6th District Congressman Howard Coble on the telephone due to a conflict with Coble's schedule. Coble is one of North Carolina's more high-profile Congressmen who has served continuously on Capitol Hill since he was first elected in 1984.

"Our goal in going to D.C.," said Pagura, "was to let them know that we have 779,000 community college students in North Carolina, many of whom do not have adequate health care, and many who do not have the financial resources to continue in school and have to leave. We wanted to basically put a bug in their ear about this huge population of students and the problems we face."

Pagura also has plans to inform all 58 of the state's community colleges about what is happening at the state level that affects students. "I want to distribute regular newsletters statewide and get more participation from student governments across the state. About three-quarters of SGAs are active at state level. But others are not, and we need to change that, to make it more inclusive."

With this new statewide leadership role, have Pagura's career goals changed? "I'm becoming more interested in the possibility of teaching," he said. "It's attractive to me, and I think maybe my personality and skills would fit into a teaching career. But I will wait and see where things lead me."

ACC has announced its faculty and adjunct instructors of the year. Named the 2006-07 W. Ronald McCarter Employee Excellence winners are Brian Bailey, full-time instructor in Culinary Technology, and Dr. Terry Farmer, an adjunct humanities instructor.

The College faculty voted from nominees for full-time faculty and adjunct honors. Each winner will receive a cash award from the ACC Foundation and a plaque. Additionally, Bailey will serve as the College's nominee for the state's Excellence in Teaching Award and the CCB Gold Star awards program this fall.

Brian Bailey has been an instructor in the College's Culinary Technology program since 2001. A native of Maryland, he earned his associate degree in culinary technology from Wake Technical Community College in 1999 after completing his B.S. in systems management at James Madison University (on a soccer scholarship). He began his instructional duties at ACC after working his way up from line cook to Sous Chef at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. In addition to his teaching, Bailey took on additional duties beginning in 2005 by serving as coach for a team of volunteer culinary students in the annual American Culinary Federation (ACF) Jr. Hot Foods Competition. The teams, competing against top-level culinary students from across the state, have won the silver medal all three years. In addition, Bailey was runner-up in the Food Educators Network International "Lesson Plan of the Year" Competition in 2005.

"I believe that students have different levels of achievement," says Bailey. "Some want to work as an executive chef in a fine dining establishment, while others may want to be health inspectors or cater events. I take pride in getting to know each of my students' dreams and trying to help them achieve them. I teach students to work toward their dream by starting with very basic and tangible steps that will start them on their path."

Says nominator Otha Hawkins, department head of Operations Management, "Chef Bailey projects a sense of professionalism in his labs and classrooms that imprints a flaming desire to pursue excellence on his students and reflects admirably on our college. He practices his very strong belief that our students should be held to the highest definable standards in their fields of study. He always puts his students first. His five-plus years of award-winning service to our college have been memorable."

"It was very humbling to even be recognized as a nominee for this award," says Bailey about being selected. "I am my own biggest critic and I am consistently trying to get better at what I do. Doris [Schomberg] and Marvin [Kimber] have played a huge role in helping me to become a better teacher. Things that took them 25 years to come up with have been laid in my lap in five minutes. It has been a blessing that I have been fortunate to have come into such a strong program with such strong leadership. I would not be getting this award if it weren't for Marvin and Doris helping me make the transition from industry to the classroom so successful."

Dr. Terry Farmer has been an adjunct instructor with the College since 2002. A full-time pastor at First Baptist Church in Mebane since 1994, Farmer comes to ACC several days a week to teach in the humanities division, including classes in leadership development and critical thinking.

"I was totally surprised, and very flattered that my department head would recommend me," says Farmer. "It was quite an honor to be voted upon by my peers."

"His willingness to help and his availability to the students is what make him an exceptional instructor," wrote nominator Clara Vega, department head of Humanities and Fine Arts. "Terry feels that every person should have equal opportunity to learn and receive the level of education in which they want to achieve. He feels as if this is his responsibility and he does everything in his powers to make this happen."

One student stated in an assessment that Farmer "motivates you to learn and apply the topics we discuss and he strives everyday to get his students to understand that education is the key to success."

Farmer holds three college degrees, including a doctorate in education. His calling to the ministry came in the early 1980s after several years working as an accountant and auditor. By the time he graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, he had already begun serving his first church. Farmer enrolled in a doctoral program at Campbell University, graduating in 1994 with a degree in education. That same year he learned of a vacancy in the pulpit at First Baptist in Mebane and the family moved to Alamance County, where he has remained ever since. In addition to his ministry and teaching duties at ACC, Dr. Farmer has made time to perform volunteer work in the post-Katrina Gulf coast, and he taught leadership classes to students in China last summer.

"I try to develop a personal and open relationship with my students," says Farmer about his teaching style. "I want to know what their dreams and their hopes are. I've told them often they are my heroes because many of them are juggling parenting and two or three other jobs, or have physical difficulties. It's quite a testimony about the human spirit. I make sure they know that my job is not to flunk anybody, my job is to help them attain their dreams and goals."

Alamance Community College received the Spirit of Alamance Award from the United Way of Alamance County at a luncheon on February 20, 2007. The College was only one of two organizations to receive the award, given to a government or non-profit agency.

During its United Way campaign last fall, the College exceeded its goal with pledges from employees totaling $10,009. The campaign ran from November 1-December 15.

"We received this award not only for the level of our donation, but for our impact on the community," commented Dr. Janyth Fredrickson, executive vice president.

ACC's 2006-07 United Way Campaign committee was comprised of Kaye Acton, Medical Assisting department head; Tina Bryant-Allen, institutional researcher; Laurie Farrell, accounting technician; Janice Lovely, Human Resources; Ernest Mannella, Human Resources director; Jan Vass, Burlington Center secretary; Jesse Vaughn, Mechanical Drafting instructor; Brian Webb, academic support specialist; and Vicki Wilson, director of Public Information and Marketing.

Kari Skrivan and John Cheek have been selected as Alamance Community College's honorees to receive the North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Awards for 2006-2007. They join student recipients from the state's other 58 community colleges who have been similarly honored based on GPA and faculty recommendation. Skrivan and Cheek will accompany ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman to the North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Awards Luncheon in Raleigh in April.

Kari Skrivan has a 3.6 GPA and is a student in the Culinary Technology program. A resident of Durham, Kari began taking culinary classes as a dual enrolled student while still at Jordan High School in Durham. Kari will complete an associate in arts degree in university transfer this spring and complete her associate in applied science degree in Culinary Technology this summer. Currently employed at Nana's, a restaurant in Durham, Kari was born in Hong Kong and became a naturalized citizen after her family moved to Illinois. Kari plans to complete a four-year degree at UNC Greensboro in hotel and restaurant management. Her dream is to own a specialty restaurant.

John Cheek has a 3.4 GPA and is a student in the Criminal Justice Technology program. A resident of Graham, John worked for a local printing company for 24 years until his career ended due to a permanent layoff. He enrolled at ACC on the recommendation of friends who were students. John chose Criminal Justice Technology and hopes, upon graduation, to enter the law enforcement field, possibly working with juveniles. John has been named to the Dean's List, has served as an ACC Ambassador since 2005, was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society, and qualified for the Who's Who of American Junior Colleges in 2006.

For the second straight year, students in the Advertising and Graphic Design program have stretched their imaginations to vie for a chance to have their artwork selected to promote the fifth annual Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in Chatham County, N.C. After 15 presentations were made recently to festival organizers, the work of nine students made the cut and will grace a variety of media to publicize the festival, scheduled for late April.

In all, the winning students' designs will be prominently featured on a poster, handbill, program cover, publication ads, t-shirts and bumper stickers in print runs numbering approximately 100,000. The student-designed campaign blitz will blanket the Triad of North Carolina and beyond, according to instructor Denise Archuleta.

"What we like best of all is that the Shakori Festival is willing to share our students' credit," said instructor David Davenport.

Each type of media produced will bear a logo that says, "Designed by Students at Alamance Community College." Selected were the artwork of Kim Van Wieren, poster; Whitney Cox, handbill; Greg Mullis, program cover; Amy Danner, print ads; Trey Foster, print ad; Jazmine Baynes, print ad; Heather Harden, print ad; Beth Glidewell, print ad; and Yvonne Jones, t-shirts and bumper stickers.

This project is one of several in which graphic design students compete to have their piece selected in an actual publicity campaign. Davenport said he deliberately gave only a week for the students to put together their artwork for the Shakori Festival campaign in order to give them a taste of the kind of deadline pressure they can expect in real jobs.

Shakori is a non-profit music festival that brings together a diverse array of about 50 bands that perform everything from African to Cajun to bluegrass. "It is culturally-rooted, a genuine international mixture, and includes lots of dance tradition as well," said Jordon Puryear, festival organizer. "It is for all ages, a real family event."

Five of Alamance Community College's Culinary Technology students found themselves speechless on February 2 and it wasn't because Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring. Rather, it came in the form of a generous benefactor who decided to give a boost to the remainder of their college careers.

Sam Burst, a major contributor to The H. Joseph Schoeneck Memorial Endowed Fund for ACC culinary students, presented each student a scholarship that covers their culinary education--namely, the current semester's expenses through graduation this coming July. They are Kari Skrivan of Durham; Robert Winther of Mebane; Zachary Brady of Mebane; Tammy Grubb of Graham; and Howard Allen of Chapel Hill.

The five students are members of the ACC Culinary Team, a volunteer group of students that competed in a regional culinary competition on February 10. Team members try out and work long extracurricular hours under the guidance of Instructor-Chef Brian Bailey to perfect their culinary skills in preparation for competition with students from across the Carolinas including Johnson & Wales Culinary University in Charlotte.

Burst, who resides in Atlanta and is a division sales manager for Genentech Inc., the premier Biotechnology company, chose to honor the memory of his brother-in-law, Joe Schoeneck, with major contributions to the endowment with a stipulation that funds be used to underwrite the ACC Culinary Team's annual competition. Last fall, Burst provided additional funding for equipment to support the culinary team adding a little more competitive edge. Burst and Doris Schomberg, ACC Culinary Technology department head, together with Becky Schoeneck, ACC instructor and widow of Joe Schoeneck, wanted to support motivated students who seek a profession in culinary arts and accept additional challenges like the ACC Culinary Team to improve their skills.

With this scholarship befalls responsibilities, including the promise to give a culinary demonstration at a local high school and assist at least one ACC Foundation event. The five students were asked to sign a contract stipulating their agreement. "When you receive a gift," Burst told the students during a public announcement, "you should take that as a responsibility to give back to the community."

Prior to the announcement about the scholarships, the five students were busily conducting a timed run-through for this Saturday's competition. The five team members came to ACC's Culinary Technology program for a variety of reasons: Kari Skrivan began taking culinary classes as a dual enrolled student while still at Jordan High School in Durham. Kari will complete an associate of arts degree in the university transfer program this spring and complete her associate in applied science degree in culinary technology this summer. Currently employed at Nana's, a restaurant in Durham, Kari was born in Hong Kong and became a naturalized citizen after her family moved to Illinois. Kari plans to complete a four-year degree at UNC Greensboro in hotel and restaurant management. Her dream is to own a specialty restaurant. Robert Winther joined the U.S. Marines right out of high school in 1988 and fought in Desert Storm. Robert has said, "This ended up being one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I learned integrity, respect, honor, and became a better human being." While taking a full course load at ACC, he has held down a full-time job. The Mebane resident looks forward to a career in the food industry where he expects to become a productive and successful chef.
Zachary (Zach) Brady credits his experience on the culinary team as one of the best opportunities available in the culinary program. Zach grew up in a military family and lived in many different places including Hawaii. He works part time at B. Christopher's Bistro in Burlington. The Mebane resident says he would like to move back to Hawaii and utilize his culinary training and skills one day.
Tammy Grubb of Graham became interested in the culinary industry when she worked as a cook while studying journalism at UNC Chapel Hill. After working for 20 years as a journalist she was ready for a break and the food industry was a natural choice. While completing her studies at ACC she is working at Spice Street, a restaurant in Chapel Hill. Tammy says "My ultimate dream is to own and work in my own restaurant. I want to work to exercise my creativity and to make a difference in the world around me--to make someone's day better with a tasty meal and a friendly smile."
Howard Allen, of Chapel Hill, is the only student selected to serve on the culinary team more than once. He was a member of last year's team. Howard earned a "best of show" medal for a cake in professional competition in Charlotte last fall. He is very dedicated to perfecting his skills and takes every opportunity to gain culinary experience. Howard works at Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill.

ACC has recruited more than two dozen students to serve as mentor-tutors to adolescents at a local middle school and to GED students at the College as part of a national pilot program. Student To Student is a two-year project developed through the University of North Carolina's Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education (SCALE).

With ACC selected as one of six national sites for this project, 25 ACC students were recruited, underwent 15 hours of training, and currently are serving as mentors, role models, and peer tutors with students at Woodlawn Middle School in Alamance County, and with GED students at ACC. The College's mentor-tutors are working with the students to increase literacy skills, attitudes, and behaviors as well as encourage them to continue their education and training past the high school level. The goal is to develop and pilot a comprehensive Student to Student training model that college student tutors around the nation can use to support students in need in their communities.

To pilot one of the six programs, ACC was awarded $7,500 through UNC-SCALE and the UPS Foundation for the first year of the grant. Involved in coordinating the program at ACC are Reggie Turner, director of special programs; and Laura Coffee, director of basic skills.

Recruiting the ACC students last fall was relatively simple, said Turner. "I went to the campus clubs and made a pitch to the students. Some of the student clubs require their members to do voluntary work, so that made it easy. And these recruits were enthusiastic."

The ACC students underwent 15 hours of training. Several of the mentor-tutors have been named to the President's List and Dean's List, but all had to be academically sound. The original idea was to pair the ACC recruits only with adults studying for their GED (General Educational Development) diploma who needed extra help, but the concept quickly expanded. "When we were looking at the students most in need of being paired with mentor-tutors," said Turner, "our research told us that adolescence is where the gap is."

Woodlawn Middle School was selected because one of the ACC students recruited was already acting as a tutor at the school and recommended it. The targeted Woodlawn students were located through teacher referrals and parental approval. The ACC students are providing between one and a half to two hours of tutoring and mentoring per week with both Woodlawn Middle School students and adults in the College's GED program.

"My learner Ben and I have been getting along well," said ACC mentor-tutor Michael Aruthur. "In each session we have together, his willingness to cooperate increases exponentially. One of the most rewarding experiences I've had with Ben was when I helped him with his algebra homework one afternoon. I noticed that a few of his answers were incorrect, so I explained the concepts to him again, and showed him what he was doing wrong. By the end of his assignment, he had grasped what I had taught him, and was producing correct answers entirely on his own. I know I'm not changing the world, but mentoring provides me with a feeling that I'm doing something which truly matters."

ACC student Nancy Augustine is mentoring with an adult GED student at the College. "Mentoring is an awesome opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life, as well as your own," she said. "I learn something new and valuable from every session, on both an educational and interpersonal level. My student and I have a lot in common, and I enjoy working with her. She's intelligent and I have complete faith in her ability to succeed in any goal she decides to pursue."

ACC's other mentor-tutors this year are Jesse R. Alvarado, Seneka Bowser, Robert Clark, Brandon Curry, Sara Dodson, Muhammad Gaye, Kendrik Gilliam, Kristen Hall, Dante Ireland, Amanda Lackey, Elizabeth Leon, Ronald Miller, Tony Mims Jr., Amy Oliver, Marcos Rubio, Kyle Saffie, Brandy Sharpe, Siti Sherrill, Angela Tully, Claudia White, Elitha Williams, and Heather Wolff.

ACC and GKN are collaborating on a training program made possible by a $235,512 grant from Duke Energy.

The grant funds from Duke Energy Carolinas, Inc. provided new machining equipment and software, installed in December, that will move ACC's established Machining Technology program to state-of-the-art status mirroring that used by its collaborative partner, GKN Driveline, Inc., as well as at other machining companies in the area. Training on the new equipment also will allow GKN to create several new positions and retain 50 in its recently expanded operation.

"This enhancement to our machining program will allow us even more opportunities to provide technical training to GKN and other such businesses in Alamance County so that they may grow and expand, thus hiring more trained workers and upgrading their current workforce," commented Jeff Bright, ACC's assistant to the president for Business and Industry Training.

The new Machining Technology courses using the new equipment are being implemented this semester. The Duke Energy Community College Grant Program was established to fund training efforts to recruit new and retain existing industries in the Duke Power North Carolina service area, with emphasis on grants to community and technical colleges.

Some selected ACC students have reason to smile because they already know where they are headed after graduation. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has guaranteed the enrollment of 21 students in fall 2007 and 10 in fall 2008 through a new agreement called C-Step.

C-STEP is a new partnership between UNC and three community colleges--ACC, Durham Technical Community College and Wake Technical Community College. Through C-STEP, qualified students are guaranteed eventual transfer admission to UNC if they earn an associate degree and maintain a 3.00 GPA. The most recent submission deadline for C-Step was in September 2006. Interested students had to submit a personal essay and obtain at least two recommendations by instructors. A committee comprised of UNC, Wake Technical Community College, Durham Technical Community College, and ACC officials selected the students. These students will be headed to UNC as long as they meet academic guidelines and are actively involved in the program's activities.

Planning to enroll at UNC in fall 2007 are Matthew Berry, Ali Cengiz, Sophia Hanson, Bryan Lunsford, Chris Mabry, Amandalin Rehburg, Regenia Spangler, Angela Tully, Karie Vaughn, Denise Wallace, and Brian Woodard. Currently in their first year at ACC and planning to enroll at UNC in fall 2008 are Nancy Augustine, Kevin Bak, Seneka Bowser, Brandi Garrett, Deborah Gudenkauf, Kristina Janey, Andrew Kennedy, Kari Overaker, Josh Walker, and Troy Worden.

"Remember that many applicants, no matter how good a student they are, sometimes don't get accepted due to enrollment caps," said Perry Hardison, one of two C-Step counselors at ACC, along with Melinda Rouse. "If you're chosen for C-STEP, you're automatically in at Carolina as long as you maintain a 3.00 GPA and earn your associate's degree at ACC. That takes a lot of pressure off of you already."

C-STEP is not a scholarship program, but family income is a criterion in the selection of community college students for the program. Generally, the ideal candidate is a strong student whose household income falls at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, according to the C-Step brochure. Accordingly, UNC "will meet 100 percent of every admitted C-STEP student's demonstrated need through grants, scholarships, and loans."

Underwriter of C-STEP is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. UNC Chapel Hill became one of a few universities in the U.S. to receive the initial grant of one million dollars, the bulk of which is used for personnel and administrative costs to operate C-STEP.

The ACC students who will attend UNC beginning next fall will have the added benefit of staying in touch with one another through periodic social gatherings, a time when questions will be answered by UNC C-STEP coordinators.

"C-STEP seeks to transition each class of community college students to university life," said Minda Brooks, assistant director of academic advising at UNC, during a visit to ACC last fall. "The idea is that if you are happy socially, you will do well academically. And if you're doing well academically, you'll be happy socially." "This collaboration we have with ACC is going to help everybody who is interested in coming to Carolina," said UNC's Brooks.

Alamance Regional Medical Center (ARMC) of Burlington, N.C. and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Inc. (LabCorp) were presented with the first annual Business Partner of the Year Award by the Alamance Community College Foundation in December 2006. The purpose of the award is to provide public recognition for area businesses that provide outstanding support to ACC students and employees.

Bill Gomory, ACC Foundation president, presented the awards. The selection criteria for the awards included volunteer service and leadership provided by employees of the business to ACC; learning opportunities provided for ACC students by the business; number of ACC graduates hired by the business; and level of philanthropic support.

ARMC. Accepting the award for ARMC was John Currin, CEO. Nursing department head Alma Thompson and instructor Susan Reed nominated ARMC for the award. ARMC's partnership with the College is extensive and includes the following:
*Many ARMC employees, including CEO John Currin, serve on the ACC boards, including the Nursing Advisory Committee. ARMC healthcare professionals serve as guest lecturers for allied healthcare students, and the hospital offers workshops to nursing faculty for re-certification.
*ARMC provides the majority of clinical experiences for ACC nursing students, and the hospital nursing staff helps faculty with instruction during clinicals.
*Since 2005, ARMC has hired 26 ACC nursing graduates.
*ARMC's total contributions to the ACC Foundation, ARMC Endowed Scholarship Fund and endowed chair are valued at more than half a million dollars.

LabCorp. Accepting the award for LabCorp was Dr. Jim Kilgore. Pam Hall, department head of Medical Laboratory Technology and the Phlebotomy program at ACC, nominated the company. Among LabCorp's notable aspects of its partnership with ACC are:
*Two full-time LabCorp employees serve as adjunct faculty for the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) and Phlebotomy programs, and several LabCorp scientists serve as guest lecturers for ACC students. Four administrators serve as committee members of the College's Medical Lab Technology Advisory board.
*LabCorp was integral to the initiation of the Medical Laboratory Technology degree program in 1988. The company provides a classroom, faculty offices, a state of the art laboratory, and microscopes for the MLT and Phlebotomy programs. Medical Laboratory Technology students do mini-rotations through different departments at LabCorp. *LabCorp has hired 112 MLT graduates since 1990. LabCorp also hires students from other ACC programs, such as Biotechnology.
*LabCorp's total contributions, including the LabCorp Endowed Scholarship Fund and an endowed chair, are valued at approximately one million dollars.

ACC has inducted seven new student ambassadors to join three senior ambassadors for the 2006-07 academic year. All the students were nominated by faculty or staff and were selected as ambassadors by a screening committee. Their backgrounds offer a range of life experiences. Two are military veterans, four are changing careers after layoffs, seven hold full-time jobs, and five are parents. All are dedicated to their education at ACC and are focused on future goals and careers.

The program was established in 1987 by the ACC Foundation and 190 students have represented the College since then. Their duties as ambassadors include representing ACC at public events on and off campus, helping conduct tours for prospective students, and providing a link between the College and the local community.

"Being an ambassador helps prepare these individuals to step up to leadership roles at the college and beyond," said Natalie Miles, advisor.

This year's group includes:

Josea Daye is a father of three and a graduate of Durham High School. Josea served in the U.S. Marine Corps honorably for four years. Josea was employed with Westpoint Stevens before his job was discontinued in 2005. At that time Josea chose to come to ACC on Trade Adjustment Act funding. He opted to study Automotive Technology because of his interest in cars. Josea would like to own an automotive repair shop in the future.

Tara Furges, originally from Person County, is the mother of three children ages 8 to 15. Tara is studying Office Systems Technology and is on the Dean's List. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and served as a graduation marshal. In addition to her studies, Tara is a work study student in Student Development and is employed as an assistant store manager at a local retailer.

Sharon Go is originally from the Philippines, and came to Los Angeles in the early 1990s. After graduating from high school, Sharon enrolled in technical school and earned a degree in hospitality management. However, her dream has always been to be a nurse. Sharon is married with two children and is enrolled in the evening Associate Degree Nursing program at ACC. She attributes her positive ACC experience to the friendly faculty and staff, who have fostered her success and growth as a student.

Donte Ireland is a graduate of Cummings High School. After graduation, he worked at Westpoint Stevens. When the plant closed in 2005, Donte found himself at a crossroads and chose to make a new educational start at ACC, majoring in business administration. While at ACC, Donte has been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and has been listed in the President's List for three semesters.

Malleaka Miller is a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands who moved to the mainland at age five. Malleaka was a N.C. Scholar at Orange High School and received a full scholarship to Fayetteville State University. Malleaka opted to stay close to home and chose ACC because of its low teacher-to-student ratio. Malleaka is now enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program.

Bently Pagura is a graduate of Graham High School and has continued his education at ACC for several years. He has completed courses in electronics and University Transfer, and has earned certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. He is now enrolled in the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration program. He is the father of three children and is a full-time employee of General Electric. Bently is a SGA representative at the state level.

Alison Tiano is a second-year student in the University Transfer program. She plans to transfer next year to study nursing at UNC Chapel Hill. Alison made the decision to return to school after graduating from Chapel Hill High School ten years ago. Alison attributes her success at ACC to her husband, friends, and the nurturing environment at the College. She currently has a 4.0 GPA. Senior student ambassadors are:

Crystal Brannan, a returning ambassador, is a 2000 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in sports science. After graduation and a career in retail, the Sanford native longed to get back to her farming roots. Once she earns her degree in Horticulture Technology from ACC, Crystal plans a career combining her sports background and her love for the outdoors and interest in horticulture. She aspires to start a non-profit organization that focuses on urban/rural park redesign.

John Cheek is an Alamance County native and graduate of Cummings High School. After a long career in a local business that experienced severe cutbacks, John was forced to change careers. He chose ACC after speaking with several friends who were enrolled. John is a Dean's List student anticipating a career in criminal justice.

Angelo Robinson is a native of Georgia and a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He is married and the father of five children. Angelo currently is a youth minister counseling at-risk children. Angelo also designs his own clothing line. After completing his University Transfer requirements, Angelo plans to earn his bachelor's degree in graphic arts.

ACC's Career Transitions program, which provides 100 hours of instruction to laid off workers, has won an Honorable Mention in a competition sponsored by the N.C. Community College Adult Educators Association, Inc.

Each year the NCCCAEA sponsors Innovation Awards for unique programs that come under the continuing education umbrella. One overall winner and two honorable mentions are awarded at each fall's conference.

Career Transitions, coordinated by Robert Windham, began last winter providing unemployed workers who lost jobs through NAFTA with instruction in computer keyboarding, resume writing, note taking, financial aid, as well as introductions to a variety of curricula available at ACC. Since then, more than 120 of those students have enrolled full-time at the College, many stating that the program relieved their fears about going to college decades after last setting foot inside a classroom.

An equipment grant submitted by ACC to BioNetwork has been fully funded in the amount of $51,139 that will further advance the College's Biotechnology program, according to department head Bill Woodruff.

The grant money will go toward the purchase of three large, one-liter bioreactors capable of growing cells from mammals, an activity currently impossible with the program's present bioreactor. The new equipment will replace the program's outdated and worn out bioreactors now in use.

"The modernization of our bioreactor units will provide our graduates with a new set of skills that will be more in-line with the modern scientific workplace," explained Woodruff. "The acquisition of these new skills will be invaluable to them as they seek employment in the ever burgeoning field of bioprocessing and biomanufacturing. With this knowledge, our graduates will be more valuable to industry employers."

Until now, ACC's Biotechnology students have been limited to bacteria-only growth in the one-liter volume equipment. They have been unable to train in large-scale culturing that exists in the bioprocessing workplace. With the addition of the new, larger-scale one-liter bioreactors, training will expand to include the addition of mammalian cell culture growth capability. The growth of cells from mammals will permit the flexibility of providing a seed culture large enough to inoculate the 15-liter bioreactor that ACC already owns and operates.

Alamance Community College's Horticulture Technology students keep rolling along in successes this fall, winning ribbons at the North Carolina State Fair and winning first place at a state community college competition.

N.C. State Fair. A team of 15 students and two part-time instructors, led by department head Justin Snyder, entered the garden competition at the state fair in mid-October, installing their entries during fall break. They won first place in the Swiss Family Robinson division, a project they had been working on since last March. The garden was designed by student Michelle Bowman. The team took second place in the Uncle Wiggly Childrenâ€s Garden division, missing a blue ribbon by only two points. Fair representatives called Snyder after the competition had a last minute cancellation and asked ACC's program to fill the spot.

"We had only three days' notice to design and install the Uncle Wiggly garden before the fair started," commented Snyder. "So it was a matter of some very long 12-hour-plus days by our group."

Planning for the garden competition started in March with students in Landscape Design classes. They chose one design submitted by a horticulture student, and began growing and finding plants for the garden located behind the campus greenhouse. Installation of the garden began at the state fair grounds in Raleigh in August and continued until the fair opened. Snyder said this year's gardens had more than 35 horticulture students helping with the construction, design and installation.

Competition of the Carolinas Horticulture students won first place overall at October's Community College Horticulture Competition of the Carolinas held at Wilkes Community College. ACC's students achieved an overall score of 927, with the second place college scoring 902 points. Of eleven events in the competition, ACC students finished first in six of those.

The students who won their competitions were Nathan Roach, plan reading; Michelle Bowman, plant sensitivity; Steve Ray, plant layout; Don Sandoval, paver installation; James Moore, fertilizer; and Monika Jaramillo, pruning. Other ACC students who competed as part of the team were Daniel Jenkins, Phillip Chandler, Bobby Gerringer, Keith Bird, Lili Nava, Howard Tash, Crystal Brannan, Jessica Fox, Samantha Wagstaff, Michelle Bowman, and Anne Kirkpatrick.

"All of our students worked extremely hard," commented department head Justin Snyder. "We had no students finish lower than third in their respective events."

It's all about the training. Tony Holland will not argue that point. He knows first hand how important it is for patrol police officers to make skillful decisions in crisis situations. In 1993, then-First Sergeant Holland was one of the initial police officers to respond to the scene of a tragic shooting and hostage situation at New Market Square in Burlington. Holland was the only on-duty law enforcement officer in the immediate vicinity at the time, putting him in charge of other off-duty officers who responded during the early stages of the scene.

"It was definitely my training that contributed to confidently taking charge," recalled Holland. "While it was regrettable that the suspect had already killed his girlfriend at the site, we were able to ultimately apprehend him with no officers being hurt."

Holland, now retired after 30 years with the Burlington Police Department, has brought his expertise and years of experience to organize a new program absorbed by ACC under Continuing Education called Law Enforcement In-Service Training. The classes Holland is putting together this fall are directed at improving the skills of law enforcement officers in Alamance County who already have several years of experience under their belts.

"When I was on active duty with the Burlington Police Department," he explained, "we received lots of training in crisis incidents. Today that training is usually reserved for highly skilled SWAT teams or the like. That's well and good, but very often it is the patrol officer on the street who is first to respond to these events. We want to train them in dealing with these kinds of things until back-up arrives."

But it is not only patrol officers who will receive training through this program. Veteran officers who are mandated by the state to obtain additional training in various areas will receive it through the College. Holland said the law enforcement in-service training program was deemed necessary as a result of talks between ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman and local law enforcement.

Holland is the latest expert addition to ACC's fast-growing law enforcement training program that began two years ago with the College's acquisition of the BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) program. Holland's experience is extensive. He began his career with the Burlington Police Department as a patrol officer, then became a first sergeant. In the patrol division, he was promoted to lieutenant. From there, he moved to the training division for several years and later worked in communications. He also spent two years tackling drug offenders in the vice division. When he retired after 30 years, he left as a captain.

During his years with Burlington, Holland said he received a steady diet of in-service training, often traveling to classes in other parts of the state. "What I'm putting together now through the College runs along the same lines," he said. "But now we can bring all law enforcement in Alamance County together for this training without needing to go so far. Our intention is to make these classes state of the art."

As coordinator, Holland networks with local law enforcement agencies about the kinds of classes needed. He also recruits expert instructors from these agencies and locates appropriate classroom sites. None of the classes in this program will be taught on the ACC campus, although Holland has an office here.

Holland is excited about the classes he is developing for this fall. The "Officer Incident" class will provide patrol officers with training in decision-making that is needed during the first ten minutes of a situation such as a shooting. Holland has hired Captain Mike Williams of the Burlington Police Department as instructor. The two veterans worked together in vice, as well as on a first responder team. "Mike is trained to go into houses, and capture suspects. He's a real expert," said Holland.

Another class will put patrol officers on the road. Known as PIT, or Precision Intervention Technique, this course will teach a maneuver to safely conclude high-speed pursuits by bumping the rear quarter panel of a perpetrator's vehicle that causes it to spin, allowing officers to apprehend the driver. The ACC Foundation is currently soliciting for the donation of useable vehicles for this training, to be conducted at the Virginia International Raceway.

"We've all seen on television how pursuits can get out of hand," says Holland. "PIT training is a way for officers to control their environment without endangering themselves or other drivers on the road. ACC is the only community college offering this type of program."

Veteran officers, who have been employed in law enforcement for many years, will have the opportunity to take a refresher course on courtroom testimony skills. Holland is recruiting a prominent local judge and a Raleigh attorney to participate. "The instruction for this class will focus on mannerisms and speech," explained Holland, "showing officers how to leave out police jargon that can confuse juries. Sometimes older officers will forget how to testify because they don't do it as often anymore. By having an attorney teach this class, they can objectively see the officer's shortcomings and instruct how to be better at it."

Holland will also offer Detention Officers School, a five-week course on the various aspects and skills necessary to work at a jail. Holland, who currently is employed as a reserve deputy with the Alamance County Sheriff's Department, was certified as a detention school director last May. This course of study will cover physical fitness, legal aspects, and how to transport inmates. It will also deal with using pepper spray and tasers to tame an out of control prisoner.

"Alamance County detention officers are authorized to carry both tasers and pepper spray," said Holland. "We will train them in the use of these weapons, then it's dependent upon the particular agency if their deputies are allowed to use them or not. But we want our students to know how to use them."

Holland said the Detention Officers School course will be comprised of different blocks of instruction that will provide the students with knowledge to pass and take state exams. "They are allowed only three deficiencies in their tests," he added. "If they don't pass, their jobs as detention officers are really on the line."

Holland also is developing a class in crime scene processing photography slated to begin in November. Another unique aspect of the program is Holland's intention to develop communication and friendships among patrol officers from the police departments in Burlington, Elon, and Graham, as well as from the Alamance County Sheriff's Department.

"Going through these in-service classes together will give them a chance to get to know one another," said Holland. "This can be very important when you have various agencies arriving on the scene simultaneously and needing to work together as a team."

Holland said ACC's new program is possibly the only one being taught through any community college, and certainly the only one facilitated in the North Carolina Community College System.

Five culinary students won medals in professional competition in September at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Competition at the Greensboro Coliseum, sponsored by the Triad ACF Chapter. Competing in the Professional Pastry division because no student competition exists, the students each baked specialty cakes ranging from wedding cakes to a fondant iced pound cake with Marzipan roses. This was the first culinary competition any of the five students had entered.

Student chef Howard Allen earned a silver medal and Best of Show recognition, earning him a $100 prize. Roberta Szuch, Madaline Faucett, Danny Conklin, and Kari Skivran each earned a bronze medal. All five are enrolled in the third level baking course at ACC under instructor Marvin Kimber.

"ACF competitions are very difficult and are judged by master chefs who proved themselves earlier in their own careers by winning gold medals in these same competitions," explained Doris Schomberg, Culinary Technology department head. "These students were competing against a perfect score of 40 points rather than against one another. The more points you earn, the higher your award."

All of ACC's student chefs work part-time in the industry while studying during the day. Howard Allen works at the Holiday Inn in Chapel Hill and dreams of becoming a master chef one day. Madeline Faucett works in the pastry department at Alamance Country Club where she works alongside ACC culinary graduate Tina Rogers. Danny Conklin works at Delancy's Restaurant under another ACC culinary graduate, Joanie Younger. Roberta Szuch works in the pastry department at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. Kari Skivran works in the pastry department at Nana's in Durham.

ACC culinary instructor Brian Bailey walked away from his own competition with a silver medal in the ACF Professional Chefs Hot Foods division, pitting his skills against other professional chefs in a hands-on cook-off that was critiqued by three master chefs. Chef Bailey's demanding entry, prepared within a one-hour time frame, proved all the more difficult due to unexpected circumstances. Halfway through the competition, a propane stove literally blew up in his face and an electric cook surface failed when he was about two-thirds from the conclusion. Still, Bailey's high skills kicked in, preparing his four plates in 30 seconds, making up for the four minutes he ran over his production time.