February 2008
February 20, 2008
ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE
- Gaston College is seeking nominations for the 2008 Altrusa Award of Excellence.
The award recognizes Gaston College employees who have made a significant contribution to the educational success of students, and demonstrated a love for lifelong learning both on and off campus. Nomination forms and award criteria are available online. Forms are also available in the Morris Library on the Dallas Campus, at the Lincoln Campus and East Campus information desks, or by calling 704.922.6511. Completed nomination packets must be received in the Gaston College Foundation office by March 1. For more information, call the Gaston College Foundation at 704.922.6511.
- The Small Business Center with the Belmont Chamber, will be co-sponsoring, a seminar "Winning Sales Techniques for the Non-Salesperson" on Monday, March 3 from 2:p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at East Campus, Harney Hall, Room 230 in Belmont. For more information, call Brad Rivers, Director, Gaston College's Small Business Center at 704.922.6449 or email: rivers.brad@gaston.edu.
- Spanish for Educators will be held in March at two Gaston County Schools awarding 1.5 CEUs for Teacher Renewal Credits. The locations are: Ashbrook High School, 2222 S. New Hope Road on March 4 – May 13th (no class on April 8th) from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and Brookside Elementary, 1950 Rhyne Carter Road on March 6 – May 15th (no class on April 10th) from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Classes are open and available to educators of Gaston County Schools. To register, use the Gaston County Schools Workshop Registration System. If you need more information, call Shannon Long, Staff Development Coordinator, Gaston County Schools, 704.824.2828 or Beth Hollars, Director of Community Education, Gaston College, 704.922.6250.
- The Creative Writing Program at Gaston College welcomes award winning poet David E. Poston on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m., in the Morris Library, 2nd Floor on the Dallas Campus. He will select readings from his newest book Post Modern Bourgeois Poetaster Blues with a book signing to follow. In 2007, he won the Randall Jarrell/Harperprints poetry chapbook competition for his manuscript.
Mr. Poston has published poetry in various journals and anthologies, including, Iodine Poetry Journal, Main Street Rag Asheville Poetry Review, English Journal, the 2007 Kakalak Anthology of Carolina Poets, and Earth and Soul: An Anthology of North Carolina Poetry. His previous chapbook, My Father Reading Greek (1999), won the Union County Writers' Press national competition. His work has also won recognition
from the Writers' Workshop of Asheville and the Southeastern Writers' Association. He lives in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he and his wife Patty both teach at the Highland School of Technology. For more information, call Scott Temple at 704.922.6311 or email Temple.scott@gaston.edu.
- E-Notary is a new three-hour course being offered at Gaston College. The three-hour course covers the technology that allows documents to be electronically signed and notarized. Also, information about the approved electronic notary solution providers will be covered. You must already be a commissioned Notary in North Carolina.
Classes are scheduled: March 11, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.; April 5, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, and May 6, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., all at the Dallas Campus, and April 8, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., East Campus, Belmont. The cost is $50. The course textbook is available at the Gaston College Bookstore. To register, call 704.922.6251 or 6250.
- Gaston College in celebration of Women’s History Month will present “The Work of ARPA: Inside Outside, featuring artists from the Southeast on March 10 – April 30 in the Jeanne Rauch Art Gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building on the Dallas Campus. This exhibit is comprised of ceramics, sculpture, painting, and mixed media. The artwork of Ms. Paula Smith, a ceramic and sculpture instructor at Gaston College will be included in this collection. Ms. Smith’s art has been shown at various galleries in North and South Carolina. This event is sponsored by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee. For more information on the exhibit, call Paula Smith at 704.922.6343 or email: Smith.Paula@gaston.edu. To schedule tours, call Gary Freeman at 704.922.6344 or email: Freeman.Gary@gaston.edu.
- The Gaston College Career Day will be held on Wednesday, March 12, from 9:30 until 12:00 noon in the Myers Center Auditorium. This annual event is for employers and students. For more information, call 704.922.6525.
- Gaston College is now accepting scholarship application for the 2008-2009 school
Year. The deadline is March 31st. For applications, visit www.gaston.edu or call the
Gaston College Financial Aid Office at 704.922.6227.
Congratulations to:
The 2008 Instructors of the Year at Gaston College. The following individuals were chosen by their peers from each academic division. The instructors are: Hisayo Tokura-Gallo, Arts & Sciences; George Hendricks, Engineering and Industrial Technologies;
Mary Clemmer, Business and Information Technology, and Judi Thackston, Health Education. Each of these winners may choose to compete for the "2008 Gaston College Instructor of the Year" and a $750 prize by submitting a written composition and doing an oral presentation to a selection committee. The Gaston College Instructor of the year automatically becomes the candidate Gaston College will submit to the "North Carolina Community College System 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award."
- The Gaston College Textile Technology Center, in conjunction with BL Consulting is sponsoring a series of seminars to assist textile firms improve productivity, quality, and to increase the knowledge and skill base for their associates. “The Manufacturing Workshop Series” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Campus, 7220 Wilkinson Boulevard in
Belmont. The next set of workshops are: Improving Weight Variation and Autoleveller Optimization in Yarn Manufacturing on Wednesday, March 19th and Textiles 101 – Basics of Yarn Manufacturing on Thursday, March 20th. For more information, contact John Anderson, Director, Textile Technology Center, 704.825.3737, ext 254 or email: anderson.john@gaston.edu.
February 18, 2008
JAMES BIGGERS AND FRIENDS ART EXHIBIT CONTINUES
“James Biggers and Friends” Art Exhibit, a mixture of art mediums including paintings, ceramics, and sculpture is on display through February 22 and features over 50 pieces of art work.
This multifaceted exhibit was curated by nationally known artist and adjunct instructor at Gaston College, James Biggers. Biggers, a native of Gastonia who learned to paint murals with his mentor and uncle, the late Dr. John Biggers, has worked closely with the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) on several projects and has held teaching positions in public schools, colleges and a museum within the state of North Carolina. His works have been exhibited across the State and he has collaborated on several murals with his uncle, John Biggers, including two 30’ tall murals in the O’Kelly Library at Winston-Salem State University, “Origins” and “Ascension,” murals at Hampton University, Virginia from 1990 through 1992, and in the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh.
Artists featured in the exhibit include: Carroll Saunders, painter; Nellie Ashford-Rawls, collage painter in folk  tradition; Dr. James E. Neal, painter; Melvin Leon Woods, sculptor and ceramicist; Roy Lindsay Woods, eclectic artist; Sandra Biggers Byers, painter in folk tradition; and John Biggers, painter and Geometric artist. Artists who were a part of the exhibit but not pictured are T’Afo Feimster, painter and sculptor, and Donald L. Michael, graphic artist/designer and printmaker.
Also, the work of the late Dr. John Anansa Thomas Biggers a native of Gastonia was on display. John Biggers was an artist with great versatility as a painter, sculptor, graphic artist, printmaker, muralist, and educator. His paintings and drawings hang in museums and private collections in the U.S. and Europe. Many of his works are widely considered to be the finest painted by any artist of his generation. Biggers created works that draw upon the experiences of African-Americans in the rural South to illustrate and celebrate the richness of diversity and the commonality of all human experience. He spent the last years of his life as the Chair of the Art Department at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, where he directed a program that has produced many of America's most prominent black artists, art historians and teachers. His last art exhibit was in collaboration with his nephew James Biggers at Gaston College in 2001.
The exhibit, coordinated by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee, is on display in the Jeanne Rauch Gallery Monday – Thursday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information or to schedule tours, call Gary Freeman at 704.922.6344 or freeman.gary@gaston.edu. Also, view information on artists through the
Gaston College website www.gaston.edu or at
http://www.gastoncollegeafricanamericanart.blogspot.com/.
February 11, 2008
ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE
- A jazz concert and lecture/demonstration by the talented flautist Galen Razzaq will be held on Wednesday, February 13th at Gaston College. He will give a brief talk, demonstration and a CD giveaway at the “Notes at Noon” session at 12 noon and an evening musical performance with his band at 7 p.m. Both performances will be held in the Myers Center Cafeteria. The evening concert will feature the passionate and melodic sounds of jazz with Galen and his band members Reggie Buie, piano, Gerard Benson, Bass and Jacuba Griffin, drums. This concert is sponsored by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee, Student Government Association, and Gaston College Foundation. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 704.922.6200.
- Gaston College in celebration of Women’s History Month will present “The Work of ARPA: Inside Outside, featuring artists from the Southeast on March 10 – April 30 in the Jeanne Rauch Art Gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building on the Dallas Campus. This exhibit is comprised of ceramics, sculpture, painting, and mixed media. The artwork of Ms. Paula Smith, a ceramic and sculpture instructor at Gaston College will be included in this collection. Ms. Smith’s art has been shown at various galleries in North and South Carolina. This event is sponsored by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee. For more information on the exhibit, call Paula Smith at 704.922.6343 or email: Smith.Paula@gaston.edu. To schedule tours, call Gary Freeman at 704.922.6344 or email: Freeman.Gary@gaston.edu.
- The Altrusa Award of Excellence recognizes Gaston College employees who have made a significant contribution to the educational success of students, and demonstrated a love for lifelong learning both on and off campus. Gaston College is seeking nominations for 2008. The deadline to submit completed nomination packets must be received in the Gaston College Foundation office by Tuesday, March 1st. Nomination forms and award criteria are available on the Gaston College website at www.gaston.edu. Forms are also available in the Morris Library on the Dallas Campus, at the Lincoln Campus and East Campus information desks, or by calling 704.922.6511. For more information, call the Gaston College Foundation at 704.922.6511.
- The deadline to submit scholarship applications for the 2008-2009 academic year at Gaston College is Monday, March 31st. Scholarship awards can range from $250 to more than $2,500 each through the Gaston College Foundation. More than $150,000 in scholarship assistance is available to students through the Gaston College Foundation. For applications, call the Gaston College Financial Aid Office at 704.922.6227.
- The GED/Adult high school graduation is scheduled for Friday, April 4th at 7 p.m. in Myers Center on the Dallas Campus. Nearly 60 students are expected to participate in this year’s ceremony.
- The Second Annual Second Chance Prom for Adult High School and GED students is scheduled for Friday, April 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. in Myers Center Café. Tickets for the prom will go on sale Monday, March 17th. Donations of prom attire are still needed for students. A Goodwill Truck will be located at the Pearson Life Skills building at the Dallas Campus on Friday, March 28, 2008. For more information, call 704.853.5328, ext. 251 or email: morrow.joy@gaston.edu.
- The Health Education Department at Gaston College will host their annual Health Fair on Thursday, April 24th from 11a.m.-1 p.m. in the Myers Center breezeway of the Dallas Campus. There will be many types of displays and booths available with information on health, nutrition, and exercise. Also, chair massages, yoga demonstrations, cosmetology demonstrations, and other community related booths will be available to provide helpful information. Students, faculty and the general public are invited.
- The Creative Writing Program at Gaston College welcomes award winning poet David E. Poston on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m., in the Morris Library, 2nd Floor on the Dallas Campus. He will select readings from his newest book Post Modern Bourgeois Poetaster Blues with a book signing to follow. In 2007, he won the Randall Jarrell/Harperprints poetry chapbook competition for his manuscript.
Mr. Poston has published poetry in various journals and anthologies, including, Iodine Poetry Journal, Main Street Rag Asheville Poetry Review, English Journal, the 2007 Kakalak Anthology of Carolina Poets, and Earth and Soul: An Anthology of North Carolina Poetry. His previous chapbook, My Father Reading Greek (1999), won the Union County Writers' Press national competition. His work has also won recognition from the Writers' Workshop of Asheville and the Southeastern Writers' Association. He lives in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he and his wife Patty both teach at the Highland School of Technology. For more information, call Scott Temple at 704.922.6311 or email Temple.scott@gaston.edu.
Congratulations to:
The Phi Beta Lambda student chapter who raised the most money for the March of Dimes "Bowling For Babies" event with other Western Division PBL Chapters in Statesville. The Gaston College PBL members also won the First Place Team award medal in the event for bowling, and the All-around award/Plaque for bowling. For the combined events, the team collected nearly $215 for the March of Dimes.
February 8, 2008
Gaston College Breaks Ground on David Belk Cannon
Health Education Institute
Representatives from The Belk Foundation, The David Belk Cannon Foundation, North Carolina Community College System, and U.S. Department of Commerce, joined Gaston College President Patricia Skinner and members of the Gaston College Board of Trustees recently in a groundbreaking ceremony for the David Belk Cannon Health Education Institute on the Dallas Campus. The construction is being funded by a combination of private donations, bond funds approved by Gaston County voters, 2000 Higher Education NC Bonds, and state and federal grants. 
(L to R)Dr. Patricia Skinner-President Gaston College;
Mr. Philip Trader-U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration; Ms. Barbara Voorhees-Chair, Gaston College Board of Trustees; Ms. Sharon Starr-Dean of Health Education, Gaston College; Mrs. Nancy Porter-Former Dean of Health Education, Gaston College; Mr. Frank Matthews-Chairman, David Belk Cannon Foundation and Trustee, The Belk Foundation; Mr. Kennon Briggs-V.P. Business & Finance, NC Community College System
The new 83,000 square foot facility will cost approximately $13 million and will provide the necessary space to expand the nursing program and support new health programs at Gaston College. The building is named in honor of the late David Belk Cannon. In 2004, The Belk Foundation and The David Belk Foundation joined together to honor his memory by donating $1 million to the college for this project. The gift, one of the largest in the college’s 40-year history, spearheaded fundraising efforts for construction of this major building that is expected to be completed late next year.
February 7, 2008
NC Community College System President Elect
Visits Gaston College
Scott Ralls, who has been selected as the next President of the N.C. Community College System and Gaston College President Dr. Patricia Skinner  recently toured the College’s East Campus and Textile Technology Center in Belmont. The East Campus Classroom Building is currently undergoing construction renovations so more curriculum classes can be offered allowing students to work toward degrees, and to enhance building accessibility for citizens in Belmont and eastern Gaston County. Also, the improvements will help expand the number and variety of workforce development courses and training. Gaston County bond funds are being used for the renovations.
Mr. Ralls will succeed H. Martin Lancaster, who retires effective May 1 after 11 years as System President. Ralls will begin his service at the System Office on April1. The North Carolina Community College System enrolls more than 800,000 students in 58 comprehensive community colleges. Gaston College is one of the largest community colleges in the system with over 20,000 students attending annually.
February 6, 2008
Gaston College President Dr. Patricia Skinner is featured panelist at N.C. Cable Telecommunications Association Meeting
Dr. Patricia Skinner, President of Gaston College will be a featured speaker and panelist at the presentation at a videotaped discussion focusing on The Future of Community College in North Carolina. The hour-long session will be held today, Wednesday, February 6th at 8 p.m. at the Ulmstead Hotel in Cary, NC.
The discussion is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research, the North Carolina Cable Telecommunications Association, and Time Warner Cable. The session is part of the North Carolina Cable Telecommunications Association’s annual meeting and will serve as the biennial event for members of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy and Research.
Also featured on the panel with Dr. Skinner will be Scott Ralls, who will become President of the N.C. Community College System in May; Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, Chair of the State Board of Community Colleges; and Dr. Tony Zeiss, President of Central Piedmont community College,
The program will be broadcast statewide at a later date on Time Warner and other TV systems and is expected to be viewed by more than 1.5 million cable TV subscribers.
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