September 2008

September 26, 2008

GASTON COLLEGE AND LOCAL PARTNERS PROVIDE BRICKLAYING TRAINING
TO AT-RISK YOUTH

Gaston College is teaming up with a private non-profit and county agencies to provide occupational training to a group of at-risk high school students. The Community Education Program at Gaston College in conjunction with Freedom House, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and Gaston County Schools will provide bricklaying training to 16-18 year olds attending Warlick Alternative School in Ranlo. The first class was held on Wednesday, September 24th, but actual hands on training will begin next Wednesday, October 1st from 8 to 11 am behind the school at 1316 Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia.

Six months ago, Beth Hollars, Director of Community Education was approached by representatives of Freedom House and the Department of Juvenile Justice looking for progressive, but practical suggestions to help with career training for juvenile offenders attending Warlick. Freedom House is a local program that sponsors the PORT program which is funded by the juvenile crime prevention program. The program provides support to children that get involved in the juvenile justice system.
Ms. Hollars enlisted the support and participation of Gaston College journeyman masonry instructor, James Booker.
“When we began planning for this project, I suggested the bricklaying training because our instructor, Mr. James Booker is such an inspiration,” said Hollars. “Mr. Booker is such a role model. He’s a self-made businessman who has seen what happens to young men without direction. He is a fantastic instructor and is a great motivator!

She added, “We have an amazing team of professionals who care about these young men and who are committed to this partnership. For whatever reason, some of these students have been in trouble with our legal system. We all feel it is important to intervene, if at all possible. We believe they are smart, motivated and want an opportunity to learn so they can improve their lives,” she said.

Warlick Principal, Denece Farris, said, “We are thrilled for our students to have this opportunity. This is a skill that could help land future jobs for many students. It also allows our students to experience a class with an instructor from Gaston College. This may be the step to help a student decide to try post high school education. The students at Warlick Learning Community Middle and High School are great kids who need opportunities in a smaller learning environment. This endeavor is a wonderful way to show our kids they do have a future and that people are here to help them. We are very excited for our students and extremely grateful to Gaston College, Spake Concrete, Bob Stauss, President, Diamondback Demolition, Inc., and the Department of Juvenile Justice for this partnership.”

After obtaining the necessary approvals to get started, the team began securing donated materials. Principal Farris worked with the school’s staff to define selection criteria for the bricklaying course. Gaston College will pay the instructor and loan the mixer to the site for the duration of the class. CE instructor, James Booker, and Derrick Harris, counselor at Freedom House, obtained donated materials from Spake Concrete. Also, with the owner’s permission, Harris obtained donated brick by picking up discarded brick at a mill that was being torn down for the project. Carol McManus, Chief Court Counselor with the Department of Juvenile Justice, is working with both Freedom House and Warlick to help provide support for the teenagers in the program.

“We’re excited about this program because it will teach these students a good trade and help them to become economically effective in this economy,” said Harris. They will learn some of the most fundamental things, like developing a strong work ethic, respectfulness, dignity, self accomplishment, and self esteem. Also, they will learn how to function in this society as good citizens.”

Plans for a spring bricklaying class are already in the works at Gaston College and Warlick Learning Community Middle and High School.

For more information, call Beth Hollars, Director of Community Education at Gaston College, 704.922.6250 or email: hollars.beth@gaston.edu and Denece Farris, Principal, Warlick School, 704.824.3012 or email: dfarris@gaston.k12.nc.us.

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September 12, 2008

GASTON COLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER PARTICIPATES IN STATE STRATEGY SESSION HELD FOR BIONETWORK GRANT RECIPIENTS

Expanding services to businesses involved in biotechnology was the focus when representatives from the Gaston College Small Business Center (SBC) and seven other Charlotte region community colleges comprising the Biotechnology and Life Science Consortium met Thursday, September 18th at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Concord. They discussed the next steps for the Phase III funding they recently received from the NCCCS BioNetwork Innovation Grant Program. Phase III project goals, already in place, are concentrated at the Small Business Centers located at each community college. The SBC’s help business owners capitalize on the emerging biotechnology industry through product development, by providing supplementary goods and services, and offering the required market-driven training. Phases I and II were also funded through the BioNetwork to support the eight community colleges covering 12 counties: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union through the consortium. The colleges have conducted extensive research to identify and survey businesses that are actively engaged in the Biotechnology and Life Science process, or have the capacity to support the industry.

The colleges include Catawba Valley CC (Hickory), Central Piedmont CC (Charlotte), Cleveland CC (Shelby), Gaston College (Dallas/Gastonia), Mitchell CC (Statesville), Rowan-Cabarrus CC (Salisbury), South Piedmont CC (Polkton), and Stanly CC (Albemarle).
Matthew Meyer, BioNetwork Director, said, “Charlotte is a growing area in the biotech field. With Kannapolis helping to build the momentum, it is imperative that the NCCCS BioNetwork is there to support our colleges at this time of expansion.” “These are exciting times for the whole of the Charlotte region,” said Kathy Almond, Stanly Community College SBC Director, and one of the recipients of the Phase III grant from the NCCCS BioNetwork. Almond added, “This grant from the BioNetwork will help our cluster of community colleges generate stronger ties to the Life Science industry and further education of our communities about the possibilities available to them.” Brad Rivers, Director, Gaston College Small Business Center, said “The Charlotte region's SBC's have been working with the Biotechnology and Life Science industries for the last three years. The Phase III project's chief goals are to help the Charlotte region's existing and prospective small business owners and entrepreneurs take full advantage of the economic opportunities created within biotechnology and life sciences, particularly those spurred by the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis; and, to continue to increase public awareness of opportunities for business creation and employment in biotechnology and life sciences.”

He added, “Estimates are that the ripple effect throughout the Charlotte region will be 5 - 6 jobs for each research job created at the NCRC. The potential of 6,000 research jobs at the NCRC equates to 30,000 to 35,000 additional jobs within the region.

Gaston College was the first community college in the Charlotte economic region to offer curriculum courses for college transfer students in biotechnology and genetics. 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. Gaston College’s Dallas Campus is also 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 then 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.

About the BioNetwork:
BioNetwork is a cost effective, successful community college entity that connects community colleges across North Carolina. It provides the specialized training, curriculum, and equipment necessary to develop a world-class workforce for the biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the life science industry. BioNetwork provides much-needed resources to community colleges to improve their capacity to meet the current and future workforce needs of this growing industry.

About the Charlotte region BioBusiness service hub:
The BioNetwork BioBusiness service hub provides business development support to start-up and small biotechnology and life science businesses in partnership with Community College-based Small Business Centers. For more information about the Gaston College Small Business Center, contact Brad Rivers at 704.922.6449 or email rivers.brad@gaston.edu and Vernon Shoaf, Manager, BioNetwork BioEd Center, at 704.922.2228 or shoaf.vernon@gaston.edu.

September 12, 2008

The Student Government Association Sponsors Voter Registration Drive and Other Fall Activities At Gaston College

The Gaston College Student Government Association will be sponsoring a number of activities during the fall semester at Gaston College.

• A Voters Registration Drive will be held on Monday, September 15 - Thursday, September 18, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Myers Center surrounding courtyards and breezeways on the Dallas Campus.

• A Fall Festival is scheduled on Tuesday, October 21 at the Lincoln and East Campuses and Wednesday, October 22, Dallas Campus. Time to be announced.

• On Hands of Wax Day, students will make keepsake casting by creating a wax mold of their hands on Monday, October 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Dallas Campus.

• Students will partner with the Community Blood Center to sponsor a Blood Drive on Tuesday, October 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Myers Center, Room 160, Dallas campus.

• The SGA will hold a holiday charity drive to collect non-perishable items to help families in need for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Students will collect can goods, boxed food, and other items from Monday, November 10 - Friday, November 21, 2008. Collection locations to be announced.

For more information on these and other SGA activities, call Ernie Charles, Coordinator of Student Programs at 704.922.6312 or charles.ernie@gaston.edu.

September 4, 2008

ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT GASTON COLLEGE

• The photography exhibit “Pinscapes” by Michael Hensdill is on display through September 26, 2008 in the Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building, Dallas Campus. A reception and Gallery Talk will be held on Thursday, September 4, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Jeanne Rauch Gallery. Mr. Hensdill is a photo instructor for Gaston College and is a photo editor for the Gaston Gazette Newspaper. To see his work visit http://photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=378279. For more information on the photography exhibit or to schedule gallery tours, call 704.922.6344.
• The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm for 2008-2009 per the following schedule: September 10th, October 8th, November 12th, and December 3rd, 2008; January 21st, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, and May 6th, 2009. For more information, call Charles Wilson at 704.922.6428.
• Computer classes for the absolute beginner or the more experienced computer user will be offered at all three of the college’s campuses. Courses to be offered are as follows:
• Computer for the Absolute Beginner
  Dallas Campus, Mondays and Thursdays, September 15 – 29th, Lincoln Campus, Monday, September 15 and October 20th, and East Campus, Belmont, Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 2 -16th.
• Microsoft Excel
  Dallas Campus, Mondays and Thursdays, October 20 – November 10th and East Campus, Mondays and Thursdays, October 20 - November 10th.
• Microsoft Word
  Dallas Campus, Tuesdays, October 7 – November 11th and Lincoln Campus, Tuesdays, September 23 – November 4th. The cost for these classes is $59.00
  
  How to Take an On-line Course
  East Campus, December 02 – December 16th. The cost is $17.
  For more information on classes offered through the Community Education Program, call 704.922.6251.
  
• The Gaston College Small Business Center is offering a two-part session on QuickBooks Pro for Beginners on Tuesday, Oct. 7th and October 14th and QuickBooks Pro Intermediate on Tuesday, October 21st and October 28th from 6 – 9:00 pm, Room 212 at the Gaston College Lincoln Campus. The cost for each course is $89.00. Seating is limited to the first 20 people who register for each program. To pre-register, contact Cynthia Cash at 704-922-6447 or cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.
• The Department for EMS Education is hosting a Department of Homeland Security Disaster Preparedness Program entitled “EMS Operations and Planning for Weapons of Mass Destruction” from Friday September 19th through September 21st, 2008 at the Regional Emergency Services Training Center, Albright Public Safety Building, Dallas Campus. This 3-day course is designed to increase the preparedness and response capability of EMS responders within the local community. A variety of multiple hands-on scenarios will be provided to reinforce critical thinking skills and knowledge of CBRNE initiatives - chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive events, and all hazards approach to disaster response. A member of The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) of the Texas A&M University System will instruct the course, funded through the Department of Homeland Security. The course is free and open to North Carolina EMS, Fire, Emergency Management, Healthcare Staff, and Volunteer Departments. To register or for additional information, contact Kent Spitler, EMS Education Director, at 704-922-6249 or spitler.kent@gaston.edu.
• The Gaston College Board of Trustees will hold its monthly board meeting for 2008 -2009 on Monday, September 22 and November 24, 2008; January 26, March 23, May 18, and June 22, 2009 at 4 pm in the Myers Center, 2nd Floor Boardroom, Dallas Campus.
• The Corporate Education Program is offering a selection of courses for industry and manufacturers including:
• The Six Sigma Green Belt will be held September 23rd, October 7th, and 21st, November 4th and 18th and December 2nd, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Dallas Campus, Room DSC 219. The registration cost is $1454.00.
• A Forklift Train the Trainer class will be held on Friday, September 26th, 2008 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (1 hour lunch break) in the Pearson Life Skills Building, Room 117, Dallas Campus. To take this course you must have taken Basic Forklift Training. A Basic Forklift Training will be held on Friday, November 7th from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (1 hour lunch break), Pearson Life Skills Building, Room 117, Dallas Campus. The registration cost for both classes is $67.00 which includes the cost for the manual that is provided that day. To register, call 704.922.6447 or email cash.cynthia@gaston.edu.
• Supervision I will be offered on October 7th, 9th and 14th and Supervision II on October 21st, 23rd, and 28th from 6:00 - 9:30 pm, Dalpiaz Student Success Center (DSC), Room 206, Dallas Campus. The registration cost for each course is $52.00. You must purchase the textbook “The New Supervisor's Survival Manual" which is available at the Gaston College bookstore.
  
• Come “Travel Around the World” celebrating the unique customs of people from around the world at The International Festival at Gaston College. This family event featuring a variety of booths, displays, demonstrations, and activities for children and adults will be held on Friday, October 10th, 2008 from 10 am to 2 pm on the Dallas Campus. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Leah Mackey at 704.922.6318.
• WSGE 91.7 FM, Gaston College’s radio station, will hold its next membership drive starting Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm and ending Saturday, November 1 at 7:00 pm.
• Photo sessions for curriculum student ID’s will be offered August 20th - November 19th on Tuesdays from 9 – 11 am and 1 – 3 pm and Wednesdays from 9 – 11 am and 4 – 6 pm at the Campus Police Office, Room 125, Pharr Trade & Industrial Center, Dallas Campus. Students registered for the fall semester must bring a drivers license or state issued ID and a computer printout of their class schedule or an Adult High School/GED approval form or proof of name on approved list for clinicals.

Congratulations to:

Dr. Kristine Blankenship, Dr. Marty Hartsell and Melanie Ochs faculty members in the Vet Tech program. The 2008 Vet Tech class has a 100% pass rate on their national exam. This is a great accomplishment and the first time for the Vet Tech program.

The Licensed Practical Nursing Program graduated the largest class in the college’s history spring semester. A total of 38 students graduated for the two-year program.

The Associate Degree Nursing students currently have a 94% Board passing rate with a few students still to take the exam.

Beverly Davis, Department Chair of the LPN program, was just elected to the North Carolina Board of Nursing for the LPN Educator position. This is the regulatory body for nursing in the state of North Carolina.

A new Community Education class is starting this month at Counterpoint, a facility that provides psychosocial rehabilitation and community based services to adults with intellectual disabilities in Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln Counties. Thank you to Charlotte Johnson and Lisa Woodall of Gaston College who met with Moe Gibson, Counterpoint Program Supervisor, to start the course.

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