June 2008
June 26, 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.
June 26, 2008
A PICTORIAL VIEW OF PERU
The Gaston College Study Tours Program recently visited the city of Peru. During the one-week tour, participants traveled to attractions and cultural centers in a variety of cities and sampled the exquisite and diverse array of Peruvian food. One of the most educational and breathtaking places on the trip was the city of Cusco, the ancient Inca capital in the Andes which is located around 10,000 feet above sea level. The unique characteristic of this city’s millennial Peruvian past is displayed in its architecture, history, and art, and renowned regional warmth and hospitality of the South American people.
On the last tour to the country, students participating in the program distributed school supplies to shanty town children at Las Dunas, Peru. Gaston College students donated over 1,000 toothbrushes and a large supply of toothpaste. The group, led by Bob Blanton, Director of the Study Tour Program, paid a visit to Santiago de Surco. The group met the mayor, Juan Manuel del Mar, and discussed past successful college and high school student exchanges that have been made between Gastonia and Surco. Plans for future student exchanges were also discussed.
The next Gaston College Study Tour will be headed to exciting Buenos Aires, Argentina, along with a visit to South America's most beautiful waterfall (Iguazu Falls, in the jungle on the Brazilian border) November 22 – November 29, 2008. For more information, contact Bob Blanton at 704.922.6339 or Blanton.bob@gaston.edu.
Back to top
June 23, 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
June 1, 2008
DR. JIM R. WATSON IS APPOINTED AS MEMBER OF
GASTON COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Gaston College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim R. Watson, Ed.D. as a new member of the Trustee Board.
 He is the former Superintendent of Lincoln County Schools and is a currently on the faculty at UNC-Charlotte. Dr. Watson was selected by the Lincoln County Commissioners as a representative to serve a four-year term on the Board.
Dr. Watson, is a native of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He holds a number of education and professional credentials including a B.S, Western Carolina University, M.A. and Ed.S, Appalachian State University and Ed.D, UNC-Charlotte.
He began his career as a Special Education teacher and Head Football Coach with East Wilkes High School in Ronda, NC, from 1975 – 1978 until he was appointed as Assistant Principal. He served in this capacity for one-year before taking a position as Principal of the Center for Developmental Resources, a Special Education School in Yadkinville, NC. In 1983, he became a consultant to Supervisors and Teachers with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) in Raleigh, NC where he served for three years. In 1992, Watson joined the Gaston County School District where was Principal at three schools, Church Street School, Brookside Elementary School and Cherryville High School. In 1997, he was hired as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction with Lincoln County Schools, and in 2001, he was appointed as Superintendent by the Lincoln County Board of Education to head the nearly 12,000 student school district. He served as Superintendent for six years until his retirement.
Dr. Watson is now a fulltime faculty member in the College of Education at UNC- Charlotte. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Watson says he’s looking forward to serving on the Board of Trustees of Gaston College. “The North Carolina community college system provides opportunities for our citizens to continue their education and acquire the skills necessary for the 21st century job market,” says Watson. “Gaston College has served both Gaston and Lincoln Counties well during its history and continued growth and expansion of programs will further help to meet the needs of our region. Specifically in Lincoln County I am very excited to see the new science building nearing completion, and I look forward to learning ways we can better serve the fast growing eastern part of our county.
Dr. Watson is the author and contributor of several books and a variety of journal articles. He holds professional memberships and offices with North Carolina and nationally affiliated organizations like Phi Delta Kappa and the American Association of School Administrators. His awards and honors are many; he is the recipient of the Regional Superintendent of the Year, 2006 and Region 4 Superintendent of the Year, Relay for life, American Cancer Society, 2007. Additionally, his community and civic activities include; President of the Lincoln County Family YMCA Board of Managers; Board of Directors, Executive Board and Chairman Personnel Committee, Carolina Trust Bank; Member of Lincolnton Kiwanis Club, Past President; and a member of Boger City United Methodist Church.
He lives in Lincolnton with his wife Teresa, who is vice president for Administration at Carolina Medical Center Lincoln, and 4-year old son, Cory.
Back to top
|