June 26 , 2007
GASTON COLLEGE RECEIVES $1 MILLION EDA GRANT
FOR THE DAVID BELK CANNON HEALTH EDUCATION INSTITUTE
DALLAS, NC . . . U.S. Senator Richard Burr and Gaston College President Patricia Skinner announced that Gaston College will receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration for the site work and construction of the David Belk Cannon Health Education Institute (HEI) on the Dallas Campus.
This is the first time in the college’s 43 year history, an EDA grant and federal grant of this magnitude has been received. This grant will be added to available construction funds for the building including a $1 million combined gift from the David Belk Cannon and Belk Foundations given to Gaston College earlier. The name of the building reflects this gift for the Health Education Institute complex. Also, funding from the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges contributed a $1 million Facilities and Equipment grant for construction.
In addition, Gaston County taxpayers showed their support by approving a $24.9 million bond referendum last November that earmarked $12 million to construct the health building.
“There are a number of people who assisted us through this grant process,’ said Gaston College President Patricia Skinner, “but Senator Richard Burr played a key role in connecting us with the EDA staff in Atlanta.” “Last year, a symposium on economic development was co-sponsored by Senator Burr and a number of companies from around the state. This workshop helped community colleges enhance their knowledge about the federal grants process and improve communication with federal officials on issues affecting community colleges.”
She added, “The Cannon and Belk families gifts were the largest single donation the college has ever received, and with that and the bonds that the voters passed last fall, we could have built one wing. But this last piece is really the cornerstone of the project. This money allows us to build the entire building all at once.”
Dr. Skinner also noted the support for the EDA application from Gaston Memorial Hospital and Carolina Medical Center- Lincoln.
The two-story, 83,000 square foot health building will include 12 classrooms, laboratories, shower and locker facilities, an auditorium, exercise areas, conference rooms, and office space. The facility will house the health programs currently offered at the college and provide space for expansion. Specific health programs and course to be offered in the new HEI are:
Health Promotion and Wellness, Associate Degree Nursing, LPN to RN Program, Medical Assisting, Nursing Assistant, Therapeutic Massage, and Dietetic Technician.
Working closely with local hospitals in Gaston and Lincoln Counties, Gaston College plans to increase its health programs and services and expand workforce development opportunities for students, and develop more jobs and economic opportunities for the region. Within a 3-year period the college plans to help educate more students in the fields of nursing and health care occupations and concentrate on the critical shortage of qualified health care workers. Also, it will establish a local career network for allied health and wellness professionals and expand cost effective continuing education for health care professionals.
The architectural firm of Pease Associates of Charlotte designed the David Belk Cannon Health Education Institute. Pease Associates has designed various projects in the area including the Allied Health Building at Western Piedmont Community College, the College of Health & Human Services as well as the Science & Technology Building at UNC-Charlotte, and the Student Health Center at NC State. The building will be located on the rotary inside the south entrance to the campus, facing Route 321.
Gaston College will be send out construction bids for the new health building in July. Construction is slated to begin in September 2007.with anticipated completion by February 2008.
June 26 , 2007
Gaston College Instructor and Student Win
Communicator Award of Excellence
DALLAS, NC . . . Dan McClellan, instructor in Broadcasting Production Technology, and student  Marc Mues have been awarded the Communicator Award of Excellence in the field of audio production. This is an international awards competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communication field. The Communicator’s prestigious Award of Excellence is presented to those entrants whose ability to communicate makes then best in their field.
Pollard Receives Spirit Award from Lincoln County
Coalition Against Child Abuse
DALLAS, NC . . . Robin Pollard, an Early Childhood Education instructor at Gaston College’s was recently honored by the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse for her volunteer service. Robin was  awarded the Spirit Award for her generous contribution and support with numerous activities including assistance with fund raiser, and getting information on child abuse to Gaston College students. She has been an employee of Gaston College for nearly 3 years.
June 26 , 2007
Taylor Retires After 25-years of Service to Gaston College
DALLAS, NC . . . After 25-years of service, Brenda Taylor a long-time, part time faculty member at Gaston College is retiring.  During a retirement celebration at the college (Right to Left) Betty Jones, Chair/instructor of the Medical Assisting Program and Phlebotomy, Brenda Taylor and Jane Duncan, Chair/Instructor of the Nursing Assistant Program show off a plaque of appreciation Taylor was given by the two departments, Medical Assisting & Nursing Assistant. Brenda, who is a Registered Nurse, has worked as a part-time instructor in the Medical Assisting & Nursing Assistant Department, and may possibly be the longest part-time faculty member to work for the college.
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