October 2009
October 27, 2009
Items of Interest About Gaston College
- Show your support by making a pledge or “Junk Your Clunker” during the WSGE 91.7 FM Fall Membership Drive Tuesday, October 27 – Tuesday, November 2. The station’s goal is to raise $50,000. Membership pledges can be entered online, paid in installments, or through payroll deduction. They have a special corporate rate membership for businesses. To volunteer or for more details on the fund drive, go to http://www.wsge.org/ or call Ben Dungan at 704.922.2233. Also, if old Bessie is having a little trouble starting these days, then it might be time to de-clunk your driveway and donate your car, truck, RV, boat, motorcycle or other vehicle to the Gaston College radio station. You’ll receive a great tax credit for the value of the vehicle and WSGE 91.7 FM gets a fantastic donation from a loyal listener. For more information or to make your pledge, call 704.922.6552 or 888-WSGE-CAR or Cathis Hall at 704.922.6552.
- Getting Paid to Talk: An Introduction to Voice Overs will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 6:30-9:00 pm, East Campus, Belmont. The class takes a realistic look at the components of building success as a voice actor for commercials to audio books. You will have the opportunity to hear demos from professionals and every student will have the opportunity to record a real script. The cost is $47. To register, call Marty at 704.922.6251.
- A film festival series featuring movies that embrace diversity will be sponsored by the Minority Affairs Committee. A 30 minute segment of the movie “When the Levees Broke,” by filmmaker Spike Lee, will be shown on Thursday, October 29 at 11:30 am in the Lena Sue Beam Auditorium, Dallas Campus followed by a moving discussion with Hurricane Katrina survivor Charlene Jones. Ms. Jones is a student at Gaston College. Also, movies will be shown on January 28, and March 18, 2010. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Erin Brassell at 704.922.6293.
- “Piece Work,” a theatrical production celebrating the ‘Dignity of Work,’ will be performed by the Touring Theatre of North Carolina on Thursday, November 5, at 11:00 am in the Myers Auditorium at the Gaston College Dallas Campus. Gaston College is sponsoring the performance as part of its Visiting Writers’ Series. The College is one of only ten community colleges in the state that has been selected to benefit from this exciting theatre piece. This theatrical production, which opened in late summer of this year, is on author Barbara Presell's highly acclaimed book also entitled Piece Work and was funded by the North Carolina Humanities Council and the American Express Foundation to create and perform the theatre piece. Ms. Presell will accompany the Touring Theatre and will entertain questions after the performance. The production was adapted by Brenda Schleunes, Producing Artistic Director of the Touring Theatre of North Carolina. The event is sponsored by the Gaston College Visiting Writers’ Series. For more information, call, Alicia McCullough at 704.922.6459 or mccullough.alicia@gaston.edu
- The Counseling Department will be hosting Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO) 2009 College Day on Friday, November 6 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in the Myers Center Campus Café, Dallas Campus. Representatives from over 22 colleges and universities will participate in this event including Appalachian State University, Belmont Abbey, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Catawba College, Fort Hays State University, Gardner Webb University, Gardner Webb University-GOAL Program, Johnson & Wales University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Montreat College - Charlotte Campus - School of Professional & Adult Studies, NC State University, Queens University of Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte – Hayworth College Graduate and Adult Admissions, Shaw University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Charlotte – Army ROTC, UNC Charlotte –Distance Education, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, University of South Carolina – Upstate, Western Carolina University, and Wingate University. Come by and meet with the various college representatives. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Alice Williams at 704.922.6222.
- Learn how to build green or upgrade a house with green features in a new seminar, Residential Building: Why Go Green? on Tuesday, November 10 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Dallas Campus. Mark Ingle, a Certified Green Professional, will lead this seminar that covers the practical side of green building. From everyday, easy to implement ideas, to resources for going green, Mr. Ingle will hold an open house to showcase his "green built" house at 3367 Quinlan Lane in Pumpkin Center on Sunday, November 8. The seminar cost is $27. To register, contact Beth Hollars at 704-922-6250 or hollars.beth@gaston.edu.
- The Forklift Train-The-Trainer seminar will teach employees in business, manufacturing, and industry how to train others to operate a forklift on Friday, November 13 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the East Campus, Room ECH 312, in Belmont. The training is based on the requirements of the OSHA Standard for experienced forklift (powered industrial) truck drivers. Also, the Basic Forklift Training Class will be held on Friday, December 4 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Room LIF 117, Dallas Campus. Gain the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to operate a sit-down counterbalanced, LP gas powered forklift. The seminar will contain safety aspects, operations, basic maintenance, and OSHA compliance issues. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn an operator’s certificate. The cost for both classes is $82.00 which includes the course manual. To register, contact Cynthia Cash at 704-922-6447 or cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.
- The Stars and Stripes Fall Fest, featuring a fun-filled day of activities and a variety of informational booths and displays for Gaston College students, will be held at the Lincoln Campus on Tuesday, November 10 from 9:00 am -1:00 pm, the Dallas Campus on Wednesday, November 11 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and the East Campus on Thursday, November 12 from 5:00 -7:00 pm. This event is sponsored by the Student Government Association. For more information email: government.student@gaston.edu.
- The Gaston College Visiting Writers’ series will present Brittney Blaskowitz Prichard, poet and author of “Lessons in Disaster” on Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 pm in the Morris Library, 2nd floor. She will do a poetry reading and book signing. A presentation especially for students will be held earlier in the day at 11:00 am, Room 215, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Dallas Campus. Prichard currently teaches English and American Literature at Gaston College and Central Piedmont Community College. She recently won third place and people’s choice in the 2009 South Carolina Poetry Initiative Single Poem Contest. Her poems and book reviews have appeared in North American Review, Peeks and Valleys, Main Street Rag, andelsewhere. “Lessons in Disaster” is the winner of the 2008 South Carolina Poetry Initiative Chapbook Contest published through Stepping Stone Press and the University of South Carolina. She received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte where she studied with Bob Hicok, Cathy Smith Bowers, Claudia Rankine, Alan Michael Parker, and others. Ms. Prichard lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, Jon, and their three cats Nada, Chester, and LMNOP. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 704.922.6459.
- Poet and author, Kenneth Gilliard, Jr., will present beautiful poems of religious fervor to enlighten, inspire, and strengthen one’s faith in a presentation and book signing on Wednesday, November 18 at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, at the Morris Library, Dallas Campus. He will be reading from his book “To God be the Glory: The Poet Transformed” a collection of Christian poems that radiates a message that we should be thankful for everything – for each brand new day and for the gift of life. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Morris Library at 704.922.6359.
Morris Library
- JobsNOW 12 in 6 Fast Track Education and Training Programs helps Gaston and Lincoln County residents complete job training as quickly as possible. The target audience is primarily displaced workers, but is available to all qualifying adults. A JobsNOW 12 in 6 Informational Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 4 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am in the David Belk Cannon Auditorium (room # 119). This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Anita Sanders at 704-922-2276.
- The Massage Certificate Class will begin Monday, January 11, 2010. This is the continuing education class that runs for 14 months and will meet in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 – 9:00 pm and one Saturday a month from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. By completing this class, a graduate is eligible to take the license exam and apply for a massage license in the state of NC. Also, the Pathways to Massage Class will start Wednesday, November 14 and Saturday, December 19. To register, contact Monica Phillips, Director of Therapeutic Massage Program at 704-922-2270 or phillips.monica@gaston.edu.
- With support from Gaston College, the Gaston Workforce Development Board is sponsoring Pro-Net Gaston, a networking group for Displaced Professionals in the financial sector and other business areas including Information Technology Managers, Human Resources Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Call Center workers, and Sales Managers. The group will meet each Wednesday through the middle of December from 10:00 am – 11:30 am in the auditorium, East Campus and Textile Technology Center, 7220 Wilkinson Boulevard, Belmont. The series will feature face-to-face networking sessions, on-line website networking, and twitter. Also, a new informational presentation will be held each week for this group, including job search, interviewing techniques, and networking at this level. To register, contact Linda Miller at 704.266.5005 or igmiller@co.gaston.nc.us.
Congratulations to:
WSGE 91.7 FM and Carolina Beach and Shag Dj’s will be presented a CAMMY Industry Appreciation Award at the 2009 Carolina Beach Music Industry Awards on Saturday November 14 at 4:00 pm in the Spanish Galleon, North Myrtle Beach. The award will be presented by Peter D. Carpenter, President of the organization, as a thank you for the station and their many years of wonderful programming and support of Carolina Beach Music. For more information, go to
www.carolinabeachmusicawards.com.
The staff of the Morris Library, Dallas Campus, who has served over 59,107 visitors from 2007-2008 and 66,405 for 2008-2009. The number of items circulated (includes books, audiovisuals periodicals and interlibrary loans) were 6,401 for 2007 – 2008 and 7,265 for 2008-2009. Also, the number of database searches (includes NC LIVE, ProQuest Nursing Journals, SIRS Researcher and GALE Literature Resource Center) was 36,598 for 2007-2008 and 48,189 for 2008-2009. The number of library instruction classes taught by the library’s reference librarians was 130 classes (2,287 students) for 2007-2008 and 158 classes (2,815 students) for 2008-2009.
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October 9, 2009
Items of Interest About Gaston College
The Gaston College Morris Library is highlighting various books and videos on Gaston
County history and Gaston County cities and towns during the month of October. The display is located on the 1st floor of the library. For more information, contact Jody Mosteller, Evening Librarian, at 704.922.6359.
Information on Student clubs and organizations will be available on Club Day, Tuesday,
October 20 from 10 am to 2 pm on the Dallas Campus. Information on the college’s 16 clubs will be available at a display booth area in the Myers Center Breezeway, Dallas Campus. For more information, call Ernie Charles at 704.922.6312.
A seminar on new air quality requirements for auto body repair shops will be held
Thursday, October 22, from 2 - 5:00 pm at the East Campus and Textile Technology Center, in the Classroom Building, ECC 118, 7230 Wilkinson Blvd., Belmont. The session will focus on how new federal environmental rules will affect auto body shop painters, managers, and owners, and other small businesses in related fields. Key topics discussed include an explanation of the rule, new equipment and training requirements, and how technology and best management practices can improve your business. Also, attendees will receive tips on how to comply with these requirements while saving money and protecting their health. This seminar will be taught by small business staff and others from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Those who attend will also receive individual assistance and complete Environmental Protection Act-mandated notification forms prior to the January 11, 2010 deadline. This free seminar is sponsored by the Gaston College Small Business Center and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. To pre-registration or for seminar specifics, contact Cynthia Cash, 704.922.6447 or cash.cynthia@gaston.edu
Gaston College is a partner of the JobsNOW 12 in 6 initiative, a fast-track job training
program that will help Gaston and Lincoln County residents complete job training as quickly as possible. The target audience is displaced workers, but the training is open to all qualifying adults. For more information on the JobsNOW initiative, please call 704.922.2276.
The Small Business Center and the North Carolina Bar Association’s NC LEAP are
sponsoring workshops on Bankruptcy and Alternatives. A panel of volunteer lawyers from NC LEAP (North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program) will discuss your alternatives. They will cover the ins and outs of bankruptcy, foreclosure, out-of-court reorganizations, and the tax implications of the various alternatives for companies facing present or impending financial distress. The event is free and open to the public. Sessions are scheduled as follows:
Charlotte – October 14, 2009 – 1-3 pm, call 704-330-4223
Fayetteville – October 28, 2009 – 2-4 pm, call 910-672-1145
Greensboro – November 5, 2009 – 12 Noon-2 pm, visit http://www.nussbaumcfe.com/
Wilson Community College – January 19, 2010 – 6-8 pm, call or e- mail:
252-246-1209 or 252-246-1232 or sbc@wilsoncc.edu or pkillette@wilsoncc.edu
Asheville – January 26, 2010 – 6-8 pm, visit http://www.abtech.edu/sbc/
The Gaston College Visiting Writers’ series will present Brittney Blaskowitz Prichard,
poet and author of “Lessons in Disaster”. She will do a poetry reading and book signing on Tuesday, November 10 at 7 pm in the Morris Library, 2nd floor. A special presentation only for students will be held earlier in the day at 11:00 am. Prichard currently teaches English and American Literature at Gaston College and Central Piedmont Community College. She recently won third place and people’s choice in the 2009 South Carolina Poetry Initiative Single Poem Contest. Her poems and book reviews have appeared in North American Review, Peeks and Valleys, Main Street Rag, and elsewhere. Lessons in Disaster is the winner of the 2008 South Carolina Poetry Initiative Chapbook Contest published through Stepping Stone Press and the University of South Carolina. She received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte where she studied with Bob Hicok, Cathy Smith Bowers, Claudia Rankine, Alan Michael Parker and others. Ms. Prichard lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, Jon, and their three cats: Nada, Chester, and LMNOP.
Learn about the practical side of green for residential building at a new seminar,
Residential Building: Why Go Green? on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Dalpiaz building, Room 208, Dallas Campus. The seminar, lead by Mark Ingle, founder of Ingle Builders, Inc., will cover every day, easy ways to implement ideas to resources for going green.
Mark is a Certified Green Professional with the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) who has been building houses for over 25 years. One of his latest projects is at 3367 Quinlan Lane in Pumpkin Center. The cost is $27 per person. Seating is limited. To pre-register and for more information, contact Beth Hollars at 704.922.6250.
A new workshop, “Doing Business with China,” will be held in November at the East
Campus, 7220 Wilkinson Boulevard in Belmont. This highly informative and practical seminar will examine issues surrounding contracts and negotiations, translation hurdles, economic policy, and foreign trade investment. Also, other issues to be addressed include cultural differences, social motivation awareness, and the perception of Americans. The cost is $32 per person. Seating is limited. To pre-register and for more information, contact Beth Hollars at 704.922.6250 or 6251.
Beautiful poems of religious fervor to enlighten, inspire and strengthen one’s faith will be
presented by author and poet Kenneth Gilliard, Jr. in a presentation and book signing on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009, at 11 am and 5 pm, Morris Library, Dallas Campus. He will be reading from his book “To God be the Glory: The Poet Transformed” a collection of Christian
poems that radiates a message that we should be thankful for everything – for each brand new
day and for the gift of life. This event is free and open to the public. For more information go to www.xlibris.com/togodbetheglory.
The College has a Fitness Room in the new David Belk Cannon Building on the Dallas
Campus. Students who are currently enrolled in Physical Education Department classes 110, 111, 117, 118 or 119 can now use the Fitness Room. Individuals can begin using the facility immediately following the Orientation Session.
The Fitness Room is open as follows:
Mondays: 7:00 – 9:00 am & 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Tuesdays: 7:00 - 9:00 am & 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Wednesdays: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursdays: 7:00 – 9:00 am and 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Fridays: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
There are Locker Rooms/Showers available for use. For information on orientation sessions and guidelines to use the fitness room, contact Juanita Gunnell at 704.922.2254 or Jesus Medina at 704.922.2272.
Earn three semester hours of college transfer credit in only eight weeks by taking a late
start class in World Civilization I (History 111-DC66) offered online October 21 – December 17, 2009. This is an opportunity to complete your general education requirements working from your home or on the road. You must attend the orientation on Wednesday, October 21 at 1 pm, Craig Arts & Sciences Building, Room 122, Dallas Campus to attend the class. Registration begins now. For more information contact, Sid Sowers at 704.922.6314 or sid.sowers@gaston.edu.
Got a question? Take advantage of our new on-line service "Ask GC". Receive quick
answers to frequently asked questions. Visit www.gaston.edu/askgc for more information. For more news and information about Gaston College, check out Channel 21 on Time Warner Cable or visit our website at www.gaston.edu.
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October 7, 2009
New Officers Are Elected To Lead
The Gaston College Student Government Association
Students at Gaston College have elected new officers to lead the Student Government Association for 2009-2010. The  SGA encourages student leadership and participation in the concerns and activities of the college. Also, the group acts as the students’ voice and represents their interests. SGA has many functions, some of which include: budget, advocacy, supporting student clubs and organizations along with programming and events.
This group is comprised of elected officers and senators who receive support from advisor Ernie Charles. (Left to right) The officers are Elena Gann, secretary; Ernie Charles, advisor and student activities coordinator; Dean Llewellyn, vice-president; and Shelia Burris, president. All Gaston College students are invited to attend meetings, which are held on Wednesdays at 4 pm in the Myers Center, Room 218. For further information, contact the SGA office at 704.922.6472.
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October 5, 2009
ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE
The Morris Library will hold its annual book sale beginning Monday, October 5 through
Friday, October 30 on the Dallas Campus. An assortment of books will be available for purchase on various subjects. The sale is open to the public. For library hours or more information contact the circulation desk at 704.922.6359.
The Gaston College Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is now recruiting new members! Please join us at one of our informational sessions on October 7 at 11:30am or 12:45pm in CET 160. Phi Beta Lambda, the college division of Future Business Leaders of America, is one of the premier student business organizations in the world. PBL (www.ncpbl.org) isn't just another student group; it gives members the opportunity to learn, travel, and grow as a business professional. In today's highly competitive business environment it takes more than just a degree to succeed. It requires business savvy, leadership skills, and technical knowledge. By taking advantage of the many programs that Phi Beta Lambda offers, students acquire the skills that will set them apart from the average graduate. PBL and PBL partners also offer thousands of dollars in scholarships each year. Students have the opportunity to compete at a local, state, and national level representing Gaston College at leadership conferences and competitive events. For more information or a membership application form, contact Dr. Joe Keith (PBL Advisor) at keith.joe@gaston.edu.
The Student Government Association will sponsor a Blood Drive on Tuesday, October 20 from 10am to 2pm in the “Blood Mobile” located behind the Myers Center Auditorium. For more information about SGA activities call Ernie Charles, Coordinator of Student Programs at 704.922.6312 or charles.ernie@gaston.edu.
Students in the Cosmetology program, including Huskins students, will be attending the "Fashion Focus" Hair Convention on Monday, October 26 from 9am-4pm. Students will commute to the Charlotte Convention Center to experience platform performances from some of the biggest talents in the business. They will learn about new cutting techniques, client consultation advice, marketing ideas, salon management tips, and getting inspired by seeing the latest trends. For more information, contact Catherine Cunningham at 704.922.2271 or cunningham.catherine@gaston.edu.
WSGE 91.7 FM is kicking off its Fall Membership Drive on Tuesday, October 27 – Tuesday, November 3. The station’s goal is to raise $50,000. Membership pledges can be entered online, paid in installments, or through payroll deduction. They have a special corporate rate membership for businesses. To volunteer or for more details on the fund drive, go to
http://www.wsge.org/ or call Ben Dungan at 704.922.2233. Also, you can donate your car or truck to WSGE 91.7 FM and receive a tax credit for the value of the vehicle. For more information, contact Cathis Hall at 704.922.6552.
A staged adaptation of Piece Work, Barbara Presnell's collection of narrative poems about North Carolina textile millworkers, will be at Gaston College on Thursday, November 5 at
11am in the Myers Center Auditorium, Dallas Campus. The performance will tour 10 community colleges in the state affected by mill layoffs and closures. Teachers at the community colleges hosting Piece Work will incorporate selected poems into a multidisplinary curricula. Students attending performances will meet Presnell during a question-and-answer
period after each performance. The production was adapted by Brenda Schleunes, Producing Artistic Director of the Touring Theatre of North Carolina. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Alicia McCullough at 704.922.6459 or mccullough.alicia@gaston.edu.
If you are thinking about building or upgrading a new home, consider economical ways of “going green”. Learn about the practical side of green building at a new seminar, Residential Building: Why Go Green? on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, Dalpiaz building, Room 208, Dallas Campus. The seminar, lead by Mark Ingle, founder of Ingle Builders, Inc., will cover everyday, easy ways to implement ideas to resources for going green. Mark is a Certified Green Professional with the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) who has been building houses for over 25 years. One of his latest projects is at 3367 Quinlan Lane in Pumpkin Center. The cost is $27 per person. Seating is limited. To pre-register and for more information, contact Beth Hollars at 704.922.6250.
The Gaston College Study Tours Program will embark on an exciting tour to Paris & Provence, France on November 22-28. For more information contact Bob Blanton at 704.922.6339 or email blanton.bob@gaston.edu.
Got a question? Take advantage of our new on-line service "Ask GC". Receive quick answers to frequently asked questions. Visit www.gaston.edu/askgc for more information. For more news and information about Gaston College, check out Channel 21 on Time Warner Cable or visit our website at www.gaston.edu.
Congratulations to:
All 33 graduates of the 2009 Practical Nursing program had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Thanks goes to Beverly Davis, department chair, fulltime staff Phonzie Childers and Leslie Pressley, as well as the part time faculty members for this great accomplishment.
Also, the 2009 Therapeutic Massage class had 100% pass rate on the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards Massage and Bodywork License Examination. Congratulations to the 9 graduates, Monica Phillips, Program Coordinator/Instructor, and the part-time faculty for their success.
Rosalind Welder, Dean, and the faculty and staff at the Lincoln Campus who have gotten the Fall 2009 semester off to a big start at the Lincoln Campus serving more students than ever before! The duplicated headcount is 2,966 which is up 38% from the previous fall semester. There are 1,381 credit students enrolled in one or more of the 140 courses offered at the campus. Thanks to everyone for their hard work in getting these students through the admissions, testing, advising, and registration processes, and in class.
The Associate Degree Medical Assisting Program was recently awarded continuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). Much thanks goes to Betty Jones, Chair/Instructor, and her staff on this accomplishment.
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October 2, 2009
Gaston College Proudly Displays US Flag Flown Over Ground Zero
Dennis Crosby, Director of the Criminal Justice Academy at Gaston College was presented with a U.S. Flag that flew over Ground Zero by retired New York Police Department officer, Michael Schoonmaker, in remembrance of 9/11 which occurred eight years ago in New York City. After the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings that killed hundreds of police, fire, and EMS workers on 9/11, Mr. Schoonmaker and members of his precinct took this flag down from atop their stationhouse and took it to Ground Zero. This flag (worn and dirty from flying at Ground Zero) was presented to Mr. Schoonmaker upon his retirement. He is currently employed by the UNCC Campus Police and is attending a basic law enforcement class at Gaston College to obtain his NC Criminal Justice Certification. Schoonmaker is the class president, and has loaned his flag to be displayed in the BLET classroom throughout the remainder of their training and it will also be displayed at the class graduation in December. For more information, contact Dennis Crosby at 704.922.6596 or crosby.dennis@gaston.edu.
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