September 2007
September 21, 2007
GASTON COLLEGE RECEIVES DUKE ENERGY GRANT
Dallas, NC….Gaston College’s Engineering and Industrial Technologies division is celebrating a recent grant award of $249,789 from the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program to purchase CNC (computer numerically controlled) milling and turning machinery.
Duke Energy has recognized that even though the Carolinas have top-rated community and technical college systems, budgetary constraints present a challenge for them. Duke Energy’s Community and Technical Grant Program provides a financial boost that helps enable college systems to extend their expertise, to provide rewarding opportunities for students, and ultimately, to help revitalize manufacturing in the Carolinas.
The Machining Technology department, in consultation with industry partners, determined there was a strong need to upgrade the college’s lab. Until now, the machinist program was dependent on computer simulators, with a limited number of actual CNC machines to learn on. This grant will purchase the additional equipment that qualified and experienced CNC programmers are expected to operate.
Trainees with this experience are almost guaranteed to have good-paying, steady employment. In a recent publication on msn.com that listed the occupations predicted to have the greatest shortage of qualified workers in the next five-10 years, machinists and CNC programmers were outnumbered only by nurses.
Steve Stokes, chair and instructor of the Machining Technology, expressed gratitude to his advisory board of industry partners who lent active support to this grant proposal to ensure its success. He announced that he expects to have the new equipment installed by the end of the fall 2007 semester, and noted that it will be available in spring 2008 for customized retraining of the area’s machine shop employees, as well as for the students enrolled in the college’s machining technology programs.
Dr. Patricia Skinner, president of Gaston College, thanked Duke Energy and spoke about the importance of its grant program to economic development in the region. “This is our second big grant from Duke,” she said. “The first grant was to build a biotechnology lab, and was based on the conviction that, if we had the workforce capacity, the jobs would follow. Obviously, we wouldn’t have gotten this second grant if that investment hadn’t panned out—in fact, there’s more biotechnology activity in this region than we ever imagined!”
“But the difference with this second grant,” she continued, “is that the jobs are already here. There simply are not enough qualified machinists to fill them. I’m hoping with this announcement to convince young men and young women that, despite all the mill closings they may have read and heard about, manufacturing is alive and well in our community. Gaston College can prepare students for high-skilled, high-demand careers with lots of opportunities for personal and professional growth. More people should seriously think about becoming CNC machine operators or programmers.”
For more information about Gaston College’s Machining Technology programs, contact Steve Stokes at 704-922-6395, or stokes.steve@gaston.edu.
Note:
Foundation For The Carolinas administers the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program. The Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation serving the philanthropic needs of donors and a broad range of charitable purposes in North and South Carolina. Visit The Foundation online at www.fftc.org.
September 17, 2007
Items of Interest at Gaston College
The Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting an essay contest for Gaston College enrolled curriculum students in honor of U.S. Constitution Day. The essays will be due on Friday, September 21, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. in Room 205 of the Myers Center on the Dallas Campus. There will be three prizes: 1st for $100; 2nd for $75; and 3rd for $50. To pick up entry forms and rules or for more information, contact Juliet Laughlin at 704.922.6312.
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A class on Small Engine Repair will be offered September 20 through
November 29 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Dallas Campus. The cost is $60, plus a $12 usage fee. Call 704.922-6251.
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The Gaston College Board of Trustees will hold its scheduled meeting on Monday, September 24, 2007, at 4 p.m. in the Myers Center Board Room, 2nd floor, Dallas Campus.
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The Adult High School /GED Graduation will be held on Friday, September 28 at 7 p.m. in the Myers Center Auditorium, Dallas Campus. A total of 257 students completed graduation requirements. For more information, call 704.922.6545.
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Starting Monday, October 1st, the Student Services Division and the Bookstore will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 704.922.6541.
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The Gaston College Human Resource Development program will be represented at the Fall Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3 at the North Carolina Army National Guard Armory, 2100 Robinwood Road. This event is sponsored by the Gastonia Gaston County JobLink Career Centers.
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The Life Skills Department of Gaston College will be hosting an International Festival on Friday, October 5, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the Life Skills building on the Dallas Campus. The event will feature food, arts, crafts, entertainment, and educational demonstration. It is free and open to the public.
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A Visual Harvest, an annual juried art exhibition, is presented by Gaston College and the Gaston County Art Guild, October 18 - December 7 in the Jeanne Rauch Gallery.
Gallery Hours are Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The opening reception for the exhibit is on Thursday, October 18th from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building, Dallas Campus. For more information contact Gary Freeman at 704.922 .6344 or email freeman.gary@gaston.edu.
For program information students need to check with their high school guidance counselor or contact Kimberly Wyont, Director of Educational Partnerships at Gaston College at 704.922.6482.
Congratulations to the Practical Nursing Program who recently graduated its largest class of 36 students on August 1, 2007.
September 13, 2007
The Gaston College Child Development Center Earns a Prestigious 5 Star Rating
The Gaston College Child Development Center has earned a prestigious 5 star rating from the North Carolina Division of Child Development. The center received a perfect score in all areas based on program and education components, sanitation, and compliance history. Also, an additional point was given to the center for their low staff turnover in the last 2 years. The classrooms were randomly selected for the state licensing assessment.
Gaston College Child Development classrooms were randomly  selected for the state licensing assessment. Early childhood teachers who participated in the audit were (Pictured left to right):
Theresa Cope and Patty Fisher, 4-year old teachers, June Galloway, Toddler teacher (12 - 24 months), Michelle Scarlett, Director, Laura Warren and Rhonda Slifer, Toddler teachers (12 - 24 months).
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September 7, 2007
The Gaston College to Host Photography
and Art Exhibits in 2007 - 2008
Gaston College will be hosting photography and art exhibits through out the 2007 – 2008 school year. The work of local and regional emerging and professional artists will be exhibited on the Dallas campus at the Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building or the Beam Gallery, Dewey F. and Prue K. Beam Center for Visual Arts. Also, a broad range of temporary exhibitions will be scheduled complimented by lectures, gallery talks, and visiting artists accompanying classroom and studio work
Exhibits scheduled in the Jeanne Rauch Gallery are as follows:
September 28, 2007
“America the Beautiful and Beyond”, a photography exhibit by Dr. Gene Maloney. The exhibit contains over 90 panoramic images of scenic locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. A reception will be held on Thursday, September 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the gallery.
October 18 ‑ December 7, 2007
“A Visual Harvest”, an annual juried art exhibition presented each fall by Gaston College and the Gaston County Art Guild. The opening reception will be held Thursday, October 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.
January 7 – February 22, 2008
“James Biggers and Friends”, features art dedicated to Black History Month curated by nationally known artist James Biggers, adjunct art instructor at Gaston College.
Biggers is a native of Gastonia who learned to paint murals with his mentor and uncle, Dr. John Biggers, an internationally respected artist. The exhibit is coordinated by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee.
March 10 - April 30, 2008
“Women’s' Art Exhibition”, will feature the work of ARPA-Inside Out, a collection of work by artists from the Southeast. This exhibition is comprised of ceramics, sculpture, painting, and mixed media and will be on display as a salute to Women’s History Month. The artwork of Ms. Paula Smith, a ceramic and sculpture instructor at Gaston College will be included in this collection. Ms. Smith’s art has been shown at various galleries in North and South Carolina. This event is coordinated by the Gaston College Minority Affairs Committee.
The gallery hours for the Jeanne Rauch and Beam Gallery are Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule a tour or for more information, contact Gary Freeman at 704.922.6344 or email freeman.gary@gaston.edu.
*NOTE: The Jeanne Rauch Gallery in the Rauch Fine Arts and Science Building has approximately 1,100 square feet of floor space and 150 linear feet of wall space. The exhibition space includes a foyer and corridor gallery that looks into a large, enclosed gallery with light oak floors and off-white painted walls. The ceiling height is twelve feet to thirty feet with indirect natural light and excellent state of the art track lighting. The main gallery space overlooks a natural forest and opens onto an outdoor plaza at the rear of the building.
The Beam Gallery in the Dewey F. and Prue K. Beam Center for Visual Arts (CVA) has approximately 600 square feet of floor space and 60 linear feet of carpet covered wall space. The gallery is a large, open space with a smaller, partially enclosed space at one end. Ceiling height is nine feet to sixteen feet with indirect natural light and track lighting.
Also, The Art Department and the Student Art Club mount a Student Art Show & Sale in the fall and a juried Student Exhibition in the spring. Time and dates are to be announced.
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September 4, 2007
GASTON COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. PATRICIA SKINNER SELECTED
TO HEAD NC ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENTS
DALLAS, NC . . . Dr. Patricia Skinner, Gaston College President, was recently elected to a  one year term as the President of the North CarolinaAssociation of Community CollegePresidents (NCACCP). She is the 3rd woman to serve as president of the 58 member association.
The purpose of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents is to promote the growth, progress and general welfare of North Carolina’s community colleges through the unified efforts of the presidents. The association provides a mechanism and process for involving the presidents and their institutions in making system-wide decisions. Also the group assists colleges with special problems, promotes and encourages professional integrity, and personal growth and development.
“This position will afford me with great insight in the workings of the state government as they relate to the North Carolina Community College System,” said Dr. Skinner. “There are a number of critical issues facing community colleges in the state. My three top priorities will be to work with the state board and trustees association, help with the orientation of new presidents, and focus on legislative and funding priorities. The latter includes the review of the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) funding formula and the development of criteria and processes for facility grants.”
As NCACCP president, she will serve as a member of the Policy Committee of the State Board, liaison for the NC Community College Trustees Association, and the NC Community College Leadership Program. She also will serve on the interview panel for the finalists for the new president of the NC Community College System.
Dr. Skinner became president of Gaston College in August of 1994. A product of the community college system, Dr. Skinner began her education at Lake Michigan College and went on to earn several advanced degrees from Western Michigan University. She became a lifelong Buckeye fan when she received her Ph.D. in higher education administration from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Skinner’s career began in the classroom as an instructor of business, office administration, and management at colleges and universities in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Before coming to North Carolina, she served as vice president of academic and student affairs at Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio.
Since coming to Gaston College, Dr. Skinner has focused on improving the quality of the learning environment by raising funds for new and renovated facilities, enhancing faculty and staff salaries, and obtaining grants for special initiatives, including a $1 million grant from the Department of Commerce (EDA) for the Cannon Building. This marks the first time in the college’s 43 year history that an EDA grant or federal grant of this magnitude has been received. Her focus on economic and workforce development led to the development of the BioNetwork BioEd Center at the College. Her ultimate goal has always been providing the highest quality learning experiences and opportunities for students. During her tenure at Gaston College, several new buildings have been completed, two new campuses have been added, and enrollment has increased significantly.
She has a strong commitment toward the community in which she serves, was recognized as Gaston County’s Woman of the Year and also received the 2005 Athena Award from the Gaston Chamber of Commerce. The Gaston College Board of Trustees renewed Dr. Skinner’s contract at its meeting on Monday. According to Randy Vinson, Board Chair, “We are very pleased with the College’s performance under her fine leadership. Just last November the College was able to pass the $24.9 million bond referendum, creating an excellent building plan that is in place. In addition, enrollment has increased to over 30,000 students annually.”
He also added, “Two of our programs received national recognition last year. The Business and Information Technology Division received national accreditation making Gaston College the only community college in the state to hold this honor. The Early Childhood Education Program earned national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. In addition, our Early Childhood Development Center recently received a prestigious 5 star rating from the NC Division of Child Development.
”The NCACCP officers for 2007-2008 are Dr. Patricia Skinner, President (Gaston College), Dr. Stephen Scott, Vice-President (Wake TCC), Dr. Ron Lingle, Treasurer (Coastal Carolina), Dr. Robert Keys, Secretary (Rockingham CC), and Dr. Don Reichard, Past President (Johnston CC).
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