July 2008

July 21, 2008

GASTON COLLEGE OPENS THE BRENARD DALTON DRIVING TRACK AT DEDICATION CEREMONY

For twenty years law enforcement and emergency services agencies in Gaston and Lincoln have only dreamed of having a dedicated public service driving track for in-service training. Now after years of discussion and planning, Gaston College in colaboration with four Gaston County agencies have constructed a new 124,000 square foot driving track to fully prepare area law enforcement officers and emergency personnel for road duty.

A dedication ceremony for the The Brenard Dalton Public Safety Driving Track will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 10 am on the Dallas Campus. The new facility is named for Brenard Dalton who is a longtime supporter of Gaston College. A sign commemorating the naming of the driving track after Dalton has been installed at the entrance of the facility on Emergency Services Memorial Drive.

Last month, Board of Trustee members unanimously voted to name the access road leading to the driving track. The road was named Emergency Services Memorial Drive in tribute to Randy Pendelton, an officer with the Gaston County Police Department and other area officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Officer Pendelton was killed during a vehicle pursuit.

“Brenard Dalton has been a supporter of Gaston College for twenty five years,” says Dr. Patricia Skinner, president of Gaston College. Over the years, he has supported the college in various ways including as a member of our Board of Trustees and on the Gaston College Foundation Board of Directors.”

She added, “His most recent gift is truly a vote of confidence in Gaston College and our mission to serve the people of Gaston and Lincoln counties. Brenard Dalton recently made an unrestricted commitment of $250,000 to the Gaston College Foundation, allowing us to use the money where it is needed most. In recognition of this gift and Brenard’s eight years of service as a Trustee during which time he was instrumental in the establishment of the Regional Emergency Services Training Center, the Gaston College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name this driving track in his honor.”

The Regional Emergency Training Center (RESTC) provides basic, continuing, and advanced training in all areas of emergency services - fire rescue, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.

While the track is named for Mr. Dalton, funding from Gaston College, Gaston County, the Gaston County Police Department, the Gaston County Sheriff's Office, and the Gastonia Police Department actually paid the construction costs. Also, the City of Gastonia's Engineering and Electrical provided in-kind gifts that prepared the track for training.

Brenard Dalton grew up in Cleveland County and graduated from Wake Forest University. He settled in Gaston County, operating a trailer and container sales and rental business. The family-owned 321 Equipment Company is celebrating 40 years of operation and provides storage containers for a variety of businesses and individuals.

Mr. Dalton has made continued education for youth his life-long project. In addition to his contributions to Gaston College, he is a charter member of the board of Directors of the National Portable Storage Association of Kansas City, an organization that he helped establish. He has served as president of the Noon Optimist Club where he has been a member since 1971. He was a member of the Gaston Skills Board for 22 years and chairman for a term. He is a charter member of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gaston Board of Directors where he has provided scholarships and other assistance.

He and his wife Beth live in Belmont. They have one son Bryan, daughter-in-law Shelia and grandchildren Victoria and Matthew.

Following the dedication and driving track demonstration, a reception at the Albright Public Safety Building is scheduled. The dedication is open to the public.

Back to top

July 21, 2008

GASTON COLLEGE LINCOLN CAMPUS LEADS EFFORTS TO FLY OZONE ALERT FLAGS IN LINCOLN COUNTY

The Lincoln Campus of Gaston College is the first public or private agency in Lincoln County to fly ozone awareness flags alerting area residents to high ozone alert days. These orange and red flags are part of the ozone awareness efforts by Gaston Metropolitan Planning Organization and North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Lincoln County.

When air quality index values are in the 101 to 150 levels, orange flags will alert members of sensitive groups (seniors, children, and those with asthma) to the high level of air quality index and the possible need to limit outside activities. Red flags signal air quality index values of above 151 and all people may begin to experience health effects. The Charlotte Observer noted that the region is ahead of its usual pace of high ozone days. The region’s ozone forms mostly from vehicle, power plant and industry emissions but hot, sunny stagnant weather can drive up the reading on some days.

Back to top

July 16, 2008

ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE

• Register for credit classes for the fall semester now through July 23rd.
  Late registration will be held on Monday, August 18th. Also, Registration for non-credit classes for adult learners will begin on Monday, July 21st. For more information, go to our website at www.gaston.edu.
• “Public Sector Resources for Private Business” is a free workshop that will be held for public business, industry and private non-profit organizations on Wednesday, July 23rd from 9 am to 12 noon, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Dallas Campus. To register, call Pat Bailey at 704.862.7867 or Diane Metcalfe at 704.922.6448.
• Dedication ceremonies for the Brenard Dalton Public Safety Driving Track will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 10 am on the Dallas Campus. This new driving track will be used by area law enforcement agencies for in-service training. The dedication is open to the public.
• Register now for Camp Discover @ Gaston College. This new summer camp for middle school students will be held July 28 -31st from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the Gaston College Dallas Campus. The 4-day camp will introduce students to a variety of educational programs and possible professional opportunities and help them discover their future career path. The cost is $75.00. For information, call Beth Hollars at 704.922.6250 or 6251 or email hollars.beth@gaston.edu.
• This fall, a series of Health and Physical Education courses will be offered to stress the importance of health and physical activity and the role it plays in individual, family and community health. Courses to be offered include:
  Personal Health and Wellness, First Aid and CPR, Fit and Well for Life, Physical Fitness,
  Yoga I, and Yoga III. To register or for more information, call Jesus Medina at 704.748.1077 or email: medina. jesus@gaston.edu.
• The Small Business Center is offering a series of free seminars for business owners and current or prospective entrepreneurs this fall. The seminars will cover Marketing, Legal Issues, Business Planning, Recordkeeping, Tax Issues, and Insurance Issues for Small Businesses. Call 704.922.6447 or visit http://startabiz.gaston.edu.
  

Congratulations to:

• John Anderson, Director of the Textile Technology Center, and staff microscopists, Stan Hovis and Linda Morgan who were interviewed for the upcoming television program “Modern Marvels: UNDERWEAR" The segment will air on the History Channel this Thursday, July 17th at 9 pm Eastern time.
• The Lincoln Campus of Gaston College for being the first agency in Lincoln County to fly ozone awareness flags alerting area residents to high ozone alert days. The use of orange and red flags is part of the ozone awareness efforts by Gaston Metropolitan Planning Organization and North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Lincoln County.
• Bradley Whitlock, an Adult High School Instructor, was selected to participate in the State Community College System’s Holocaust in Education Training in May 2008 in Washington. The training is an effort to assure that Holocaust Education is incorporated in Basic Skills Programs in NC so that citizens do not forget the importance of the events in History and the dangers that hatred and prejudice are to a nation.

Back to top

July 10, 2008

ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE

• The college is offering courses throughout the summer to provide options in Notary training. To obtain a commission as a Notary Public in North Carolina the following classes will be scheduled:
  * July 9 -10 from 5:30 to 8:45 pm, Dalpiaz Student Success Center and
  * July 10 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Room 208, Dallas Campus;
  * July 19th from 8 am to 2:30 pm, Harney Hall, East Campus;
  * July 22nd - 24th from 5:30 to 8:45 pm, Room 201, East Campus;
  * August 5 -7 from 5:30 to 8:45 pm, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Room 208,
  Dallas Campus;  and
  * August 12 – 14 from 5:45 to 9 pm, Lincoln Campus.
  The e-Notary (electronic Notary) class will be held Saturday, July 19 from 9 am to 12 noon, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Room 211, Dallas Campus. This course will provide training on the technology and information on approved electronic notary solution providers that allows documents to electronically signed and notarized within a secure environment. You must be a commissioned Notary in North Carolina before you a take this course. The cost is $50.00 per class. Textbooks can be purchased at the Gaston College bookstore.

Register by mailing or faxing in the registration form found at www.gaston.edu/images/coned.atpl.pdf  Please call Beth Hollars at 704-922-6250 for mail-in or fax-in instructions.  In person registration is also available on the Dallas Campus in the first floor reception area of the Dalpiaz Building every Tuesday from 1:30-5:30 p.m.  and Wednesday from 8:00 am to 12 noon.  In-person registration at the Lincoln Campus is available in Room 102 every Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• You can earn an associate’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or Logistics in two years through the Business Fast Track Program. The new program, which will begin this fall, enables students to take traditional classes two nights a week at Gaston College’s East Campus along with online courses.
  A sequence of business courses will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending no later than 10:00 p.m. An information session for the program will be held Tuesday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 201 of Harney Hall at the East Campus of Gaston College, Belmont, NC. For program specific schedules go to www.gaston.edu and click on Fast Track Programs Admission Information or call Betsy H. Jones at 704.922.6262 and Karen Jenkins at 704.922.6263.

• Returning and new students can register for credit classes for the fall semester, now through July 23rd. Classes start Wednesday, August 20th.

• A workshop on Public Sector Resources for Private Business will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd from 9 am to 12 noon, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Dallas Campus. This workshop is free and open to private and non-profit business and industry. To register or for more information, call Pat Bailey at 704.862.7867 or Diane Metcalfe at 704.922.6448.

• Dedication ceremonies for a new public safety driving track, that will be used by area public safety agencies for in-service training, will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 a.m. on the Dallas Campus.  The Brenard Dalton Public Safety Driving Track is named in honor of Brenard Dalton, a longtime supporter of Gaston College, who helped to establish the Regional Emergency Services Training Center (RESTC), which provides training in all areas of public safety including fire and rescue, emergency medical services, and law enforcement."  The dedication is open to the public.

• The Pinning Ceremony for the Practical Nursing Program will be held on July 30, 2008 at 7 pm in the Myers Center Auditorium, Dallas Campus.

• An Open House for the Lateral Entry program will be held on Saturday, August 9 from 9 – 11 am in the Garrison Auditorium, Dallas Campus.  Registration will begin at 8:30 am. This program is for teachers who hold a lateral entry license but need specific additional course work to become certified to teach by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  Two courses will be offered every 8 weeks, thereby completing the 18 semester hour’s credit within two semesters. Then the schedule will be repeated every year so that the program participant may elect to take one course at a time.  Most of the courses will be offered online via the Internet. To register, call, 704.922.6311.

• The Board of Trustees will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, August 25th at
  4 p.m., Myers Center, 2nd floor board room, Dallas Campus.

Congratulations to:

New Staff Senate Officers Mike Horvath, President; nd Sandy Hamilton, Kim Beam, Jon Kokos, Karen Less, David Sparrow, and Kim Watson, all Staff Senate Representatives. They will be serving a two-year term beginning July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2010.   

Back to top

July 7, 2008

The Gaston College grounds crew selected as the winners of WBTV Breakfast Club

The Gaston College grounds crew, (l to r) David Sparrow, Ed Stroup, Willie Froneberger, Scott Edwards, Darrell Dockery, and Michael Dellinger have been selected as the winners of WBTV Breakfast Club.

Amy Dellinger, an employee of Gaston College and wife of the crews’ supervisor, Michael Dellinger, sent in the winning email explaining why the group should win breakfast from Bojangles. On the upcoming August 1st morning newscast between 6:45 and 7 am, this photo will be shown and the winning email will be read by WBTV Morning News Anchors, John Carter and Barbara Pinson.

Also, a gift card from Bojangles will be mailed to the college so they can purchase breakfast for the grounds crew. The winning email said, “My husband and I are employees of Gaston College. Michael is the Grounds Supervisor and has 3 full-time and 2 part-time employees that are responsible for 180 acres. These men work hard in extreme weather conditions, never complaining and are always eager to do whatever is required of them. Please consider these wonderful men as your choice to win a breakfast from Bojangles. Thank you.”

Back to top

July 2, 2008

Register Now For Fall Classes At Gaston College
July 9 - 23rd

New and returning students can register now for fall semester classes at Gaston College, July 9 – 23rd. Registration hours are Monday through Thursday, from 8 am to 6:30 pm and Friday from 8 am to 11:30 am. Registration will end Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:30 pm.

The college has over 90 programs of study available offering a wide range of classes. Courses are available in the day, evening or online, making it easy for students to attend a class before or after work or take an online course from the comfort of their home. Some of the new programs to be offered this fall include: BioEthics, Cosmetology, Business Fast Track Programs, and Export Operations. Also, you can learn more about the AAS and Certificate program offerings in Biotechnology and Industrial Engineering Technology with BioProcessing Option as well as shorter training programs offered through our corporate and continuing education division.

Audrey Sherrill, Director of Counseling at Gaston College, says “Our counselors and other well trained staff can provide a variety of services that students often do not realize or take advantage of. We are ready to assist new and returning students through the admission and registration process with a review of educational planning, career options, and academic program opportunities.” Sherrill added, “We encourage students to visit either the Dallas or Lincolnton locations to discuss college options with an admission specialist or a counselor.”

Our financial aid specialists will also be available to assist students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. In 2006-2007, Gaston College awarded over $5.5 million in financial aid and scholarships to Gaston College students. We have a diversity of financial aid and scholarship assistance available for students. Also, a tuition payment plan is available that allows tuition, fees, and books to be paid in monthly installments.

Gaston College has three convenient locations available to take classes: the Dallas Campus, 201 Highway 321 South in Dallas; the Lincoln Campus, 511 South Aspen Street in Lincolnton, and East Campus and Textile Technology Center, 7220 Wilkinson Boulevard, Belmont.

See the Fall Schedule for course listing. Classes begin Wednesday, August 20th

Back to top

July 2, 2008

GASTON COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES NAMES NEW DRIVING TRACK FOR BRENARD DALTON

The Gaston College Board of Trustees today announced the naming of a new Public Service Driver Training Track that will be utilized by area law enforcement agencies for in-service training. The Brenard Dalton Public Safety Driving Track is named in honor of Brenard Dalton, a longtime supporter of Gaston College who helped to establish the Regional Emergency Services Training Center (RESTC) which provides basic law enforcement training.

Dr. Patricia Skinner, President of Gaston College says, “Mr. Dalton’s generous contribution has helped the college build a new driving track that will help our instructors better prepare our students for everyday and emergency driving situations, and make in-service training more convenient and cost efficient for local law enforcement training. This new facility will aid in the continued growth and strengthening of our law enforcement programs.”

Mr. Dalton recently made an unrestricted commitment of $250,000 to the Gaston College Foundation to support the driving track project. The College received the first installment of $50,000 in May. Inclusive of Mr. Dalton’s commitment, Gaston College and local city and county law enforcement have made contributions to build the 126,400 square foot track helping to defray the $753,271 cost. A sign commemorating the naming of the driving track after Dalton will be installed at the entrance of the facility.

Dalton served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Gaston College from 1983 – 1991 and also served on the College Foundation board for two years.

A local businessman, Dalton started a Trailer & Storage Container Sales & Rental business, 321 Equipment Company of Gastonia in 1966, which he still owns today. He opened Dalton Truck Service in November of 1968, which is still in operation in
Gastonia.

He and his wife Rebecca Patterson live in Gastonia. They have one son Bryan, his wife Sheila, and two grand children, Victoria and Matthew.

Dedication ceremonies for the driving track will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 10 am
near the driving track area. The dedication is open to the public.

Back to top

July 1, 2008

GASTONIA DELEGATION REPRESENTS IN GOTHA, GERMANY

(Left to right) Ken Todd, Gastonia Sister City Board Member; Bob Blanton, Gastonia Sister City Board Member; Gastonia Mayor Jennie Stultz; June Gray, Gastonia Sister City Board President; Dr. David Kirlin, Gastonia City Council Member, and Joe Carpenter, Gaston County Commissioner, take a moment to enjoy the scenery in the main square of the old city area of Gotha, Germany.

Last month the official Gastonia delegation to Gotha, Germany represented Gastonia as part of the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the city’s first Sister City agreement with Gotha in 1993. Of the delegation, Blanton and Carpenter were among the original delegates who visited Gotha in December of 1992. Gotha delegates have visited the campus of Gaston College on several occasions in the past.

Back to top