GC Press Release 2009

Gaston College Press Releases

March 2009

March 31, 2009

ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE

“Your New Game Plan” Tips to Improve Your Game will be held for Gaston College students and alumni Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3 from 9 am -12 pm, Lobby/Reception Area, Lincoln Campus, 511 S. Aspen Street in Lincolnton. This fair is designed to help Gaston College students improve their professional image, prepare for a job interview and to obtain a job. Information booths will be available to provide assistance with resume preparation, cover letters, interview tips, hair, and much more. For more information, contact Juanita Gunnell at 704.748.1065 or gunnell.juanita@gaston.edu.

The Morris Library is having its annual magazine sale through Tuesday, March 31. All magazines and journals are just .25 cents each. Many titles are not only great for pleasure reading, but for school projects, craft ideas, recipes, and more. For a listing of titles, visit the library's website: http://www.gaston.edu/library/periodicals.htm. For more information, call 704.922.6358.

The Business and Information Technology Division is offering two career readiness seminars for Gaston College students. The Resume and Cover Letter writing class will be held Friday, March 27 from 12:30 - 1:45 pm, Room CET 45, and Interviewing Techniques is scheduled for Friday, April 24 from 12:30 - 1:45 pm, Room CET 45. To pre-register, contact Michelle E. Byrd, Associate Dean, Business and Information Technology, 704.922.6268 or byrd.michelle@gaston.edu.

Gaston College students can now complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by using the telephone. This new initiative is geared toward students who have limited or no access to the Internet. This will also be very helpful to students with limited computer skills. Students can simply call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) and indicate that they would like to fill out their FAFSA over the phone. The Customer Service Representative (CSR) will input the data into the online FAFSA and submit it for processing. The process takes 25-30 minutes and the CSR will supply the student with a confirmation number. IMPORTANT: The same information that is needed by the student to fill out the FAFSA online is also needed to fill it out over the phone. Remember, applying for federal student aid is always free. If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 704-922-6227.

The deadline to submit scholarship applications for the 2009-2010 academic year is Tuesday, 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.

Summer Advising and Registration for returning students is April 1 - 8 (ending at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 8th) In-person registration hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 6:30 pm and Friday 8:00 am - 3:30 pm. For more information visit www.gaston.edu.

The Child Development Center at Gaston College will celebrate the Week of the Young Child, April 19 -25, 2009. This year’s theme is “Bring Communities Together for Children-Children Bring Communities Together”. For more information contact scarlett.michelle@gaston.edu or call 704.922.6426.

Gaston College will be participating in the Community Foundation’s “Run For The Money” fundraising event on Saturday, April 18. Gifts received through the Community Foundation will provide mini-grants for Gaston College faculty, staff and students. All gifts up to $10,000 will be matched if they are received by the April 24 deadline. For information, contact bajorek.sylvia@gaston.edu or call the Community Foundation at 704.864.0927.

Information sessions for the Business Fast Track Program at Gaston College will be held on Monday, April 20 at 6 pm, Room 31, Comer Engineering Technologies Building, Dallas Campus, and Wednesday, April 23rd, 6 pm, Room 118, East Campus, Belmont. The Fast Track program enables students to earn an associate’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or Logistics in two years by taking Traditional classes two nights a week and enrolling in online courses. A sequence of business courses will be offered at the East Campus in Belmont on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm and end no later than 10:00 pm. For specific program schedules go to www.gaston.edu and click on Fast Track Programs Admission Information or call Michelle Wray at 704.922.6268 and Karen Jenkins at 704.922.6263.

Come learn what 'biotech' means and how it is relevant to your business, your community and your life at the workshop, "Biotechnology for the Non-Scientist", hosted by Gaston College in conjunction with the Charlotte Region's Small Business Centers as part of a Biotechnology BioBusiness Grant. The session will be held on Monday, April 20, 2 to 4 pm in the Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building, Dallas Campus. Gaston College’s biotechnology & life sciences program will cover a brief introduction to the science behind the industry; describe biotech-related products, businesses, & jobs; and involve you in a discussion of how these all fit together for the future of our community. The hands-on session is free and is limited to the first 20 people who make reservations. Call Cynthia Cash at 704.922.6447 or email at cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.

The Gaston College Languages and Literature Department will present national award winning Hip Hop poets Slam Charlotte on Monday, April 20 at 7 pm in the Myers Center Auditorium, Dallas Campus. Slammaster “Bluz,” also known as Boris Rogers, leads the team of poets who are two time national champions. Bluz is ranked thirteenth in the world as an individual slam poetry champion. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Alicia McCullough at 704.922.6459 or mccullough.alicia@gaston.edu.

The Third Annual Second Chance Prom for Adult High School and GED students will be held on Friday, April 24 from 7 to 10 pm in the Myers Center Café, Dallas Campus. This year’s theme is "Capture the Magic". Tickets will be on sale March 30 to April 15. The cost is $10.00. Tickets may be purchased in the Life Skills Building, Dallas Campus and Life Skills Office, Lincoln Campus. For more information, call 704.922.6548.

March 19, 2009

GASTON COLLEGE HOSTS WORKSHOP ON BIOTECHNOLOGY
FOR THE NON-SCIENTIST

Gaston College is hosting a workshop "Biotechnology for the Non-Scientist" on Monday, April 20, 2:00 - 4:00pm, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Bldg., Room 242, Dallas Campus.

North Carolina is ranked number 3 as a national leader in the biotechnology field, but what does that mean for communities across the State? Come learn what 'biotech' means and how it is relevant to your business, your community and your life. The biotechnology and life sciences workshop led by Dr. Anat Lev, Gaston College's Biotechnology Coordinator, will cover a brief introduction to the science behind the industry; describe biotech-related products, businesses, and jobs; and conclude with a discussion of how these all fit together for the future of Gaston and Lincoln counties, and the Charlotte Metro area.

In 2006, Gaston College became the first community college in the region to offer biotechnology and genetics courses for college transfer students. Currently, the college offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in biotechnology in collaboration with a consortium of community colleges. The college is also offering a bio-processing option in the Industrial Engineering Technology AAS program which is a totally unique program in North Carolina. Also, Gaston College is the home of the BioNetwork BioEducation Center that researches best practices in employer-driven training and continuing education short-courses in biotechnology across the country and abroad. The center on the Dallas Campus generates and distributes multi-media presentations to enhance the biotechnology curriculum offered in North Carolina, including expanding a network of video conference-based science labs throughout the state.

By collaborative agreement with neighboring community colleges, there are now 60 students enrolled in a new 1+1 Associate of Applied Science degree in Biotechnology. Gaston College has also received grants to provide week-long biotechnology workshops to area community college science faculty and biotechnology program coordinators, as well as a few K-12 teachers and their students in the Gaston and Lincoln county schools.
This workshop is free and open to the public but seating is limited. To pre-register, contact Cynthia Cash at 704.922.6447 or email cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.

March 13, 2009

GASTON COLLEGE OFFERS SUMMER CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Now is the time to get serious about selecting summer camps. Gaston College will host three camps for students in elementary, middle and high school living in Gaston and Lincoln County.

The Child Development Center will host Summer Camp 2009 for children ages
6 – 12 years old, June – August 2009 on the Dallas Campus. Camp activities will include swimming, bowling, movies, Dairy Queen, pizza parties, visits to city parks, Dallas Library, arts and crafts, music and movement, and a wealth of guest activities. To register or for more information, call 704 922-6427.

Camp Discover @ Gaston is a 4-day summer camp program for rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders, July 27 - 30, Monday – Thursday, from 8:30 – 11:45 am. This is an exciting and inspiring summer camp experience that will introduce middle school students to a variety of educational programs and potential professional opportunities available at Gaston College. A variety of hands-on activities will also help each middle schooler discover the importance of higher education and assist them with choosing a future career path. Students will participate in a variety of exciting activities in many different educational programs available at Gaston College, including Vet Tech, Fire Safety, Emergency Medical Services, some police work, the arts and much more. The cost is $80.00. Applications are available through middle school counselors and will be available on the Gaston College website at www.gaston.edu in the coming weeks. To register or for more information, call Beth Hollars at 704.922.6250 and 704.922.6251 or email hollars.beth@gaston.edu.

The Gaston College HEROES 2009 Summer Camp is for rising 10th – 12th graders (for the 2009-2010 school year), interested in healthcare careers. The camp will be held June 22 – 25 from 9 am - 3 pm on the Dallas Campus. Students will interact with healthcare professionals, tour a healthcare facility, meet other health career students, and participate in an array of medical science workshops that will introduce them to various careers in healthcare. To apply, students must live in Gaston or Lincoln County, have a 2.5 or higher GPA and have parent/guardian permission. The registration fee is $25 which must be submitted with the application by Wednesday, April 15. Applications are available through high school career development coordinators, Gaston College’s camp coordinator at jones.betty@gaston.edu or by calling 704-922-6377 to have a packet mailed.

March 6, 2009

GASTON COLLEGE EXPANDS COURSE OFFERINGS
IN THE EAST LINCOLN AREA:
OPEN HOUSE FOR COMMUNITY ON MARCH 12TH

Gaston College will host a “Meet and Greet” session on Thursday, March 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Charter School/High School Campus, (off Highway 16) 7834 Galway Meet and Greet Session Lane in Denver. The event will provide the opportunity for the community to meet Gaston College representatives from the Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education, Allied Health, Business and Information Technologies, and Industrial Technologies program areas, learn more about current and future program offerings, and to receive information about admissions, financial aid, and counseling services available to students enrolling in degree programs. Adults interested in applying to Gaston College to pursue a degree will have the opportunity to apply online during this special event.

"About 15 representatives from various areas of the college will participate in this event,” said Dr. Linda Greer, Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development. “This festivity will serve as the "Kick Off" for our adult classes to be offered at the Lincoln Charter High School in Denver starting this month. We are very appreciative to Dave Machado, Chief Administrator, for making this beautiful facility available to Gaston College for this special event and for the College's ongoing series of credit and non-credit classes."

Beginning this month, several non-credit (continuing education) classes have been scheduled and additional information on these courses will be available to those attending the “Meet and Greet” session or by visiting the Gaston College website at www.gaston.edu.

The "Meet and Greet" session is free and open to the public. For more information,
call 704-748-1054.

March 3, 2009

ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE

* In celebration of Women’s History Month, Gaston College will present “Other Worlds” featuring work of Margery Loudon Moody, March 9 – April 24 in the Jeanne Rauch Art Gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building on the Dallas Campus. An artist reception is scheduled Thursday, March 12 from 12 noon – 1:30 pm with gallery talk starting around 12:30 pm for about 20 minutes. This exhibit features over 20 paintings and collages. The event is sponsored by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee and Art Department. For more information on the exhibit or to schedule tours, call Gary Freeman at 704.922.6344 or email: Freeman.Gary@gaston.edu.

* The Languages and Literature Department will present award winning journalist and author Chris Lamb on Wednesday, March 11 at 7 pm in the Myers Center Auditorium, Dallas Campus. Lamb will discuss his book, “Lessons of History: Jackie Robinson Confronts Jim Crow”. This event is free and open to the public. On Thursday, March 12, he will talk and read to Gaston College students from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm in Room, 215, Dalpiaz Student Success Center. For more information, contact Alicia McCullough at 704.922.6459 or mccullough.alicia@gaston.edu.

* Gaston College will be expanding its course offerings in the East Lincoln area effective March 2009 by offering a variety of non-credit classes in the areas of Notary Public, Teacher Renewal, Computer Applications, Spanish for the Work World, art, cooking, and financial planning. These classes will be available at the Lincoln Charter School/High School Campus in Denver. Other sites in the East Lincoln area offering Gaston College classes include the Pumpkin Center Fire Department and the East Lincoln Community Center.

A Gaston College "Meet and Greet" session will be held on Thursday, March 12 from 4 to 6 pm at the Lincoln Charter School/High School Campus (off Highway 16), located at 7834 Galway Lane in Denver. The event will provide the opportunity for the community to meet Gaston College staff and instructors from various areas of the college to learn more about current and future program offerings and to receive information about admissions, financial aid, and counseling services available to students enrolling in degree programs. Adults interested in applying to Gaston College will have the opportunity to apply during this special event. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the "Meet and Greet," call 704-748-1054.

* The Gaston College Small Business Center will sponsor a free workshop to assist small businesses with the how to’s of surviving the current, stormy ecomonic climate. “Business Success in Tough Times” will be held on Tuesday, March 17 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Classroom Bldg., Room 118, East Campus in Belmont. Discover the secrets to business success in economic downturn and become skilled on how to keep your business going and to hold your own during tough times. No pre-registration is required. Contact Brad Rivers, 704.922.6449 or email: rivers.brad@gaston.edu or Cynthia Cash, 704.922.6447 or email: cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.

* The Minority Affairs Committee presents Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, the first African American student to integrate Harding High School in Charlotte. She will discuss her experience with desegregation in 1957 on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm, Myers Center Auditorium, Dallas Campus.

* The Adult High School/GED graduation is scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 7 pm in the Myers Center Auditorium on the Dallas Campus. Over 50 students are expected to participate in this year’s ceremony.
* Introduction to Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) will be held on March 24 and Introduction to Statistical Programmable Logic Controller (SLC) and Micrologix will be held on March 25 at the McNaughton-McKay Electric Company, 1408 Castle Court, Gastonia. The March 24 workshop is an introductory level course focusing on the basic PLC concepts and terminology. The March 25 workshop is an introductory level course focusing on the basic SLC-500 concepts and terminology. Seating is limited to 12. For more information or to register, call 704.922.6447.

* The Dedication and Open House of the Jerry W. Cochrane Science and Technology Center will be held Thursday, March 26 at 3:30 pm, Lincoln Campus, 511 S. Aspen Street, Lincolnton. This event is open to the public.

* The Business and Information Technology Division will be offering two career readiness seminars for Gaston College students starting in March. The Resume and Cover Letter writing class is scheduled for Friday, March 27 from 12:30 - 1:45 pm, Room CET 45, and Interviewing Techniques will be held on Friday, April 24 from 12:30 - 1:45 pm, Room CET 45. To pre-register, contact Michelle E. Byrd, Associate Dean, Business and Information Technology, 704.922.6268 or byrd.michelle@gaston.edu.

* Gaston College is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2009-2010 academic year. Scholarship awards can range from $250 to more than $2,500 each through the Gaston College Foundation. More than $100,000 in scholarship assistance is available to students through the Gaston College Foundation. The deadline is March 31. For applications, call the Gaston College Financial Aid Office at 704.922.6227.
* Summer Advising and Registration for returning students is April 1 -8 (ending at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 8th) In-person registration hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 am-6:30 pm and Friday 8:00 am-3:30 pm. For more information visit www.gaston.edu.

* A 30th Anniversary Celebration for the Gaston College Study Tours Program will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 5:30 to 7 pm in the Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building, Dallas Campus. A photo exhibit of Dr. Gene Maloney will be on display in the gallery April 27 – May 15. Both events are free and open to the public.

* North Carolina is a national leader in the biotechnology field, but what does that mean for communities across the State? Come learn what 'biotech' means and how it is relevant to your business, your community and your life at the workshop, "Biotechnology for the Non-Scientist", hosted by Gaston College in conjunction with the Charlotte Region's Small Business Centers as part of a Biotechnology BioBusiness Grant. The session will be held on Monday, April 20, 2 to 4 pm in the Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building, Dallas Campus. Gaston College’s biotechnology & life sciences program will cover a brief introduction to the science behind the industry; describe biotech-related products, businesses, & jobs; and involve you in a discussion of how these all fit together for the future of our community. The hands-on session is free and is limited to the first 20 people who make reservations. Call Cynthia Cash at 704.922.6447 or email at cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.

* The Third Annual Second Chance Prom for Adult High School and GED students will be held on Friday, April 24 from 7 to 10 pm in the Myers Center Café, Dallas Campus. This year’s theme is "Capture the Magic". Tickets will be on sale March 30 to April 15. The cost is $10.00. Tickets may be purchased in the Life Skills Building, Dallas Campus and Life Skills Office, Lincoln Campus. For more information, call 704.922.6548.

* Gaston College will be participating in the Community Foundation’s “Run For
The Money” fundraising event on Saturday, April 18. Gifts received through the Community Foundation will provide mini-grants for Gaston College faculty, staff and students. All gifts up to $10,000 will be matched if they are received by the April 24 deadline. For information, contact bajorek.sylvia@gaston.edu or call the Community Foundation at 704.864.0927.

* Gaston College 2009 Graduation will be held on Thursday, May 14, 7 pm, James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center, UNC Charlotte Campus, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC. Guests of Gaston College graduates are invited.