December 2005

Energy Savings Workshop for Business and Industry - Jan 12 & 13, 2006 - With energy costs rising, businesses and organizations want to keep those costs to a minimum. The first step in this process is to formulate an effective energy management plan. To this end, Southwestern Community College will hold “Energy Savings Workshop for Business and Industry” on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 12 and 13.   >> details

Culinary students help fourth graders - Southwestern Community College culinary technology instructor Ceretta Davis volunteered her time and that of her students, including Candace Woodard of Bryson City, left, in helping the fourth graders with the project. >> full story

NTHS Induction held Dec 1 - The Southwestern Community College chapter of the National Technical Honor Society held the Fall induction of initiates on Dec. 1 in the Jackson Campus auditorium. >> full story

SCC, Job Corps collaboration - In the near future, trees on Southwestern Community College's campus will be the focus of a selective pruning and trimming project. And while the college will gain this service gratis, a group of Oconaluftee Job Corps Center students will gain valuable skills training and experience. >> details

PTK Induction - Thirteen Southwestern Community College students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society on Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Myers Auditorium. Kirk Stephens, chapter co-advisor, inducted the officers into the local Alpha Eta Nu Chapter. >> full story

SCC’s Rocking Fifties Holiday Party -“I wonder what he’s got in the bag for me?” 5-year-old Callie Hester ponders as she sits on Santa’s lap. Santa, along with bags of goodies for all the little girls and boys, made a surprise visit to Southwestern Community College’s Rocking Fifties Holiday Party. Callie is the daughter of SCC’s new GEAR-UP director, Bill Hester, and his wife, Susan, of Bryson City.  >> see more photos of the Holiday Party

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Changes in the Redbird Cafe - For more than 6 years, the Food Service Department at WestCare Health System has provided food service on our campus in the facility known as the Redbird Cafe. Recently, the management at WestCare explained that due to some operational changes at the hospital, they felt they could not, at this time, continue operation of the Redbird Cafe. Therefore, they elected not to submit a bid for a new contract with us. As a result, the provider of our food service will be changing at the end of this semester and Sandra and her staff will be returning to the hospital.   >> full story

You don't want to miss this! - Marking the 64th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Southwestern Community College history instructor Duane Wesolick will give a presentation on the subject on Wednesday, December 7. Scheduled from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the program will be held in the auditorium of the Balsam Center. The program is open to the public.

HOSA Competition held Dec 1 at SCC - Representing the 11 counties of Buncombe, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania, 175 students competed in activities including career health displays, creative problem solving, job-seeking skills, extemporaneous, prepared and researched persuasive speaking and HOSA bowl. Students were also tested in the fields of CPR, sports, medicine, medical math and medical terminology. Regional winners advance to the state finals in spring. >> full story

November 2005

Stress Relief Seminar - Beat Holiday Season Stress - The Business Assistance Center at Southwestern Community College has a three hour seminar planned just in time to snatch you from the jaws of holiday stress. "Beat Holiday Season Stress", scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., will provide participants with valuable tools to overcome the pressures surrounding this busy time. >> details

Emergency responders participate in mock crash - The fire crews and others rushing to the scene knew this was a mock mass casualty incident planned for them by second-year emergency medical science students at Southwestern Community College, they participated as if lives were on the line. >> read full story in Asheville-Citizen Times

After Thanksgiving Shopping - SCC Foundation! Forget the Christmas shopping frenzy that starts next week. Sonja has a way for you to stay home, avoid the crowds and still purchase that perfect Christmas gift- one that will last a lifetime. >> details

Education is a gift for a lifetime - It’s the season of gift giving and Angie Miller suggests giving yourself a present. “Education is a gift for a lifetime,” said Miller, GED instructor at Southwestern Community College’s new Cashiers Center. “If you don’t have your GED, give yourself that gift. Or if you do have your GED and want to give the gift of your time, we need volunteers for the program, too.” >> full story

College Career and Planning Night at SCC sponsored by Rotary Clubs - Some 350 middle school students and their parents from Jackson, Macon and Swain counties crowded the auditorium at Southwestern Community College recently for College and Career Planning Night sponsored by Sylva, Bryson City, Cashiers and Franklin Rotary Clubs and SCC. Designed for New Century Scholars from the three counties, the event featured informational booths at which the eighth- through 12-graders learned about program majors at SCC and careers in a variety of fields. >> full story

Want to learn more about your computer? Check out the non-credit computer courses offered this winter at SCC's Macon and Cherokee Centers >> see list

SACS Liaison to visit campus November 21, 2005 - Dr. Michel Johnson, Associate Executive Director for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, who is Southwestern's official SACS liaison, will be on campus Monday, November 21, 2005, for a series of meetings to review the status of Southwestern's reaccreditation efforts. >> details

Former Chief Robert Youngdeer featured at Veteran's Day Celebration - “I’m proud my blood is part of the red in our flag,” World War II veteran Robert Youngdeer of Cherokee said during SCC’s Veteran’s Day Celebration Thursday, Nov. 10. >> full story

Chadwick Receives Project Management Professional Certification From The Project Management Institute - Matthew Chadwick, admissions officer at SCC, has earned the designation of Project Management Professional. Chadwick received that designation from the Project Management Institute, the world’s leading not-for-profit professional association for project management. >> read more

Survey validates SCC academic excellence - The results of a nationally recognized survey taken by Southwestern Community College students give a very positive picture of the quality of education they are receiving from the college. >> full story

New Public Safety Director - Curtis Dowdle has his hands full. He's the new director of Southwestern Community College's Extension Education and Public Safety Training Center. He's also an instructor for the center, a position he's held since 1993. And the Franklin native is a volunteer fireman, a job he has filled for the past 12 years. >> full story

SCC Swain Center Takes New Direction - Southwestern Community College’s Business Assistance Center has moved from the Macon Center to the Swain Center and will take a new direction in support of heritage tourism and arts. >> full story

New Student Orientation will be held Wednesday, Nov 30 - Samuel Seiler of Sylva and his mother Sandra Seiler learn about the medical programs available at Southwestern Community College during an Open House for prospective students held Nov. 3 on the Jackson campus. Seiler, a senior at Smoky Mountain High School, told Barbara Putman, right, dean of arts and sciences, that he is interested in the two-year Emergency Medical Science program, with options to transfer to a four-year college. New student orientation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 3-5 p.m., followed by a financial aid session from 5-7 p.m. >> see photo

Veteran's Day Celebration - Nov 10 at SCC - World War II Marine Veteran Robert Youngdeer, former Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, will be the featured speaker during Southwestern Community College’s Veteran’s Day Celebration Thursday, Nov. 10. Sponsored by SCC’s Native American Society, the event will be held at 11 a.m. in the Bradford Hall Student Lounge on the Jackson Campus. >> details

SCC Cashiers helps New Orleans professors continue classes - By D. Frank Smith - Cashiers Crossroads Chronicle Staff - In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the University of New Orleans received an outpouring of support and assistance from state, national and international universities and now the Southwestern Community College Cashiers Campus is one of them. Sandra Hartman, a summer resident of Cashiers, extended her annual visit into fall when Hurricane Katrina washed away her workplace in New Orleans. A professor of management at the University of New Orleans, Hartman has returned to Cashiers and now teaches her classes online thanks to help offered by the Cashiers branch of Southwestern Community College (SCC). >> read full story

University of New Orleans courses beaming from SCC Cashiers Center - When Katrina wiped out New Orleans, the hurricane also wiped away the face of education at the University of New Orleans. But now, thanks to a college in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, that face beams a new look. Those beams shine through cyberspace as Southwestern Community College helped UNO get up and running with online courses via the Internet. Education at UNO has technologically changed forever, according to UNO professor Sandy Hartman, who now conducts her executive management classes through SCC’s Cashiers campus. >> read full story

October 2005

New Century Scholars from Jackson County inducted - Sixty-two seventh grade students from Blue Ridge, Cullowhee Valley, Fairview, Scotts Creek, Smokey Mountain and Summit Charter schools were recently inducted into the New Century Scholar Program during a ceremony at Southwestern Community College. Students, their families and friends, and educational officials from Jackson County and SCC celebrated the occasion with a cookout and awards ceremony. >> full story

See photos from the SLA Halloween Bash 2005

Placement test offered at SCC Macon Center - Placement tests for admission to Southwestern Community College will be offered at the SCC Macon Center on October 26 and November 2 and 7. The College Placement Test is required for enrollment in curriculum classes at SCC and will be offered at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. >> more info

Nature Trail Expanded - As part of a service project, Southwestern Community College personnel and students extended the campus nature trail, which will soon be completed for community use. >> read story

NCS College Advantage - SCC Open House Nov 3 - “What? You don’t have to take the SAT to get into Southwestern Community College?” Jordon Stevens, a student at Smoky Mountain High School, and other New Century Scholars from Jackson, Macon and Swain counties learned that and other “insider” tips during the NCS College Advantage Conference held Oct. 13 on the SCC campus. Patti Wilson, New Century Scholars coordinator for Jackson County, punches Stevens’ ticket admitting him into sessions on how to apply for financial aid and how to receive free services. Prospective SCC students can receive the same information during Southwestern’s Open House scheduled Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Balsam Center lobby from 5 to 7 p.m. >> full story

SCC Summer President's - Dean's List Announced - SCC has announced its President’s and Dean’s Lists for Summer 2005. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve and maintain a 3.85 Grade Point Average (GPA), be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours of courses under a degree-seeking program for the semester, and must not have any incomplete or failing grades. Being named to the Dean’s List signifies that a student has achieved and maintained a 3.50 GPA in addition to the other requirements as stated. >> see list

SCC, School Districts sign agreement - An historic agreement was signed recently by Jackson, Macon and Swain county school districts, Cherokee Central Schools and Southwestern Community College. Acting in accord, the five joined to provide an Interactive Television Video (ITV) System for their students, staff and communities. >> read full story

Health Fair at SCC on November 1 - A Health Fair for the public will be held at Southwestern Community College Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by the second year evening Registered Nursing students, the event will be held in Balsam Center with a number of area health and safety organizations participating. >>details

SCC Open House - November 3 - An open house for anyone interested in learning about program majors and financial aid possibilities at Southwestern Community College will be held Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Balsam Center lobby from 5 to 7 p.m. >>more info

Golfing for Scholarships - First place gross round team in Southwestern Community College’s 17th Annual Fall Foursome Golf Tournament were, from left, Gary Ramey, Steve Peak, Sue Bumgarner and Gary Peak. The Captain’s Choice event was held on the links of Highlands Cove and raised more than $10,500 for scholarships for students attending SCC. >> full story

SCC Foundation Golf Tournament - October 3, 2005 - See photos

Drew Hamilton Award presented to Shandy Conley, a student at Blue Ridge School - Shandy Conley, a Blue Ridge High School senior and new Century Scholar, has been named the recipient of the Drew Hamilton Award of Excellence. >> full story

Macon County students inducted as New Century Scholars - Sixty-four seventh grade students from Macon Middle, Highlands and Nantahala schools were recently inducted into the New Century Scholar Program during a ceremony at Southwestern Community College.  >> full story

Swain New Century Scholars Inducted - Thirty seventh-grade students from Swain County were inducted into the New Century Scholars program during a recent ceremony at Southwestern Community College.  >> full story

September 2005

SCC Professional Development - The Great Teacher Retreat - A group of Southwestern Community College instructors recently took part in a three-day professional development workshop conducted by an internationally known leader in the Great Teacher Movement. The Great Teacher Retreat was held at Balsam Mountain Inn.  >>full story

New SCC Cashiers Center Grand Opening - A piece of a major game plan came together Tuesday, Sept. 27, with the opening ceremonies for the new Southwestern Community College Cashiers Center. Located at 217 Frank Allen Road, the center and its expanded resources drew praise from Cashiers area residents, county and local officials, SCC representatives and others who attended. Area dignitaries called attention to the collaborative effort that made the facility possible. >> more

See photos from the SLA Welcome Back "Summer Meets Fall" concert held Sept 22

Two Reasons to Celebrate - Kenny Gregory of Sylva had double reason to celebrate during Southwestern Community College’s Summer Meets Fall Celebration Sept. 22.    >>full story

Bradley receives certification - Mary Bradley of Cherokee recently received certification as a Developmental Education Specialist from the Kellogg Institute for the training and certification of Developmental Educators. Bradley, math instructor at SCC, was one of 45 educators selected from across the United States each year to participate in this certification process. Kellogg certified developmental educators number fewer than 800 in the field. >> full story

SCC Cashiers Center Open House - The public is invited to an open house at the new Southwestern Community College Cashiers Center on Tuesday, September 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served.   >> full story

Walking Trail Work Day - Friday, September 16 - (see photos)

Constitution Day program commemorating the Sept. 17, 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution to be held at SCC on Friday, Sept 16 - With the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution approaching Sept. 17, Southwestern Community College history professor Duane Wesolick will reveal the controversies and compromises behind the Constitution. Using PowerPoint, Wesolick will present the story of the Constitution in a program on SCC’s Jackson campus Friday, Sept. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in Myers Auditorium. The presentation is open to the public.  >> full story

SCC Fall Faculty "Great Teacher's Retreat" - Sept 12 - 14, 2005 - (see photos)

SCC solution to rising gas prices - John Duncan said he has the solution to rising gas prices. This GED online instructor at Southwestern Community College suggests taking classes online so you don’t have to buy expensive fuel that’s in limited supply locally and escalating in price. “The ability to take classes at home takes on a whole new meaning in this gas crisis,” said Duncan. >> read full story

SCC offers Motorcyle Safety course - Three sessions of a Basic Motorcycle Rider course will be offered by Southwestern Community College on September 23, 24 and 25, October 7, 8 and 9, and October 14, 15 and 16 at SCC's regional Public Safety Training Complex in Franklin.  >> details

Student Support Services program receives $1 million grant - SCC's Student Support Services program has received a grant for over $1 million to help students stay in college, graduate and transfer to four-year institutions if they choose. Funded by a Department of Education Title IV Education source, the grant will make it possible for the college to continue this initiative for another four years.  >> read more

August 2005

PN Grads - Ten Southwestern Community College students graduated from the Practical Nursing program in August. They make up the second graduating class of PN students since the program began in 2003.  >> full story

State Employees' Credit Union Foundation presents scholarships - SECU Foundation, funded solely by State Employees' Credit Union's (SECU) membership, has presented $5000 scholarships to Courtney Gibson of Andrews and Bonnie Gail Stiwinter of Franklin, who are attending SCC this fall. Gibson is a Human Services Technology major and Stiwinter is majoring in Office Systems Technology.  >> full story

Dwight Wiggins who has retired after 31 years at SCC is going to stay to fill several important roles - After 31 years at Southwestern Community College, Dwight Wiggins is beginning a new career. Recently retired from the college, Wiggins has accepted the position as assistant to the person who is filling his former post, who in turn was previously his assistant.   >> full story

Kirk Stephens has received certification in Homeland Security - Kirk Stephens, Southwestern Community College cyber crime technology instructor, has received certification in Homeland Security. The designation, which comes from the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, cited the Webster resident as “one of a select group of professionals who have demonstrated, by virtue of experience, training, knowledge, skill and education, a total commitment to Homeland Security. The requirements for recognition attest to your personal integrity and professional accomplishments.”  >> full story

See photos from New Student Orientation / Registration on August 17

SCC’s nearly $6 million grant will support GEAR UP activities - SCC has received the largest grant in the college’s history, according to SCC president Cecil Groves, who said the nearly $6 million will be directed to public schools in the college’s three-county service area. The six-year, $992,697 per annum award from the U.S. Department of Education will be used for GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.   >> read more

Faculty and staff receive service awards - SCC honored 34 people with service awards during the opening session of the college’s Fall 2005 Shared Practices Conference. “The college welcomes the opportunity to recognize the great value of the continued service and loyalty among this dedicated and committed group of employees,” Dr. Gene Couch, vice president for Instruction and Student Services, said. “You have made and make this college what it is today, and we thank you.”  >> full story

Fall 2005 Shared Practices Conference - Technology was the focus of Southwestern Community College's Fall 2005 Shared Practices Conference held Aug.15 - 17 for all the college's employees. Addressing the college via a video presentation, SCC president Dr. Cecil Groves opened the conference, noting the appropriateness of the focus on technology. He stated that SCC is a leader in the field and cited as an example the college's role in the formation of Balsam West Fiber NET that ensured the college's position at the forefront of a $10 million high-speed fiber optic infrastructure for Western North Carolina.  >> full story

See photo gallery of SCC's Shared Practices Conference and faculty and staff bowling tournament - August 15

Macon Campus Groundbreaking held August 10, 2005 - As the shovels pierced the dirt Wednesday morning, Aug. 10, ground was broken on a new “center of activity for Macon County.” That was the way Rep. Roger West, House District 120, described the Siler Road property soon to become home of Southwestern Community College’s Macon Campus. >> full story

SCC's new Cashiers Center - SCC's Cashiers Center has moved to a new location that almost doubles the space available for classes and other services. The new building, located at 217 Frank Allen Road, includes 4,054 square feet with a 540-square-foot garage which will be converted to a crafts lab this fall. The building is the former Nichols home which was purchased by Jackson County for SCC's use as a center for the people of the Cashiers area. >> full story

Students can register Aug. 11 for Macon classes - Students in Macon County can now begin their community college degree this fall in Macon County when registration is held Thursday, Aug. 11, at Southwestern Community College’s Macon Center. >> details

Motorcycle Rider courses being offered - A Basic Motorcycle Rider course will be offered by Southwestern Community August 12, 13 and 14 and again on August 26, 27 and 28 at SCC's regional Public Safety Training Complex in Franklin. Only one slot is left in the August 12, 13 and 14 class.   >> more info

New Criminal Justice curriculum called Latent Evidence Technology to be offered at SCC Now students at Southwestern Community College will find themselves closer to solving the crime. They can receive hands-on analysis of fingerprint classification and identification and learn how to record, cast and recognize footwear and tire tracks. The skills are offered under a new criminal justice curriculum called latent evidence technology. Students may pursue an associate of applied science degree or a certificate. >> details

See Photos - Commencement Ceremony held August 4, 2005

Commencement stories - Summer Commencement August 4

Tourism presentation at SCC August 23 - "Natives, Newcomers and Summer People: Tourism, History and Culture in North Carolina" will be the subject of a presentation at Southwestern Community College on Tuesday, August 23. ( . . details)

Re-election of Conrad Burrell and Melvin Penland as chairman and vice chairman of the SCC Board of Trustees  - Conrad Burrell of Sylva has been elected for his sixth term as chairman of the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees and Melvin Penland of Franklin has been elected for a third term as vice chairman.   >> full story

Three SCC board of trustees sworn in at quarterly meeting - Three Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees members were sworn in at the recent quarterly meeting of the board - Harvey J. Hyatt of Bryson City , Melvin Penland of Franklin , and Kate Welch of Bryson City.   >> read full story

SCC to break ground August 10 for new Macon Campus -“An exciting milestone in the life of Southwestern Community College” takes place Wednesday, August 10, according to Connie Haire, vice president of the SCC Macon Campus, when ground is broken for the new facility. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the building site located at the end of Siler Road in Franklin.   >> full story

July 2005

Interested in a career in health sciences?
Several vacancies remain open in Southwestern Community College’s programs, according to Deb Klavohn, SCC’s dean of health sciences. While registration for fall semester is Aug. 18, Klavohn urges perspective students to apply now since vacancies are filled on a “first come, first served” basis. >> more

See photos from SLA's summer event - Cheeseburger in Paradiso - >>see photos

Fundraising Workshop - August 17
With fewer dollars available to non-profits and other organizations, fundraising has become increasingly competitive – and challenging. Through an upcoming Southwestern Community College workshop led by a grants writer with over 16 years experience, participants can gain skills with methods that bring results. >> details

Apply Now ! With Fall registration at Southwestern Community College set for Aug. 18, now is the time for perspective students to apply. “We need students to get their applications in to us as soon as possible to set the process in motion,” said SCC Dean of Student Services Phil Weast who plans “to make applying to SCC as easy as possible.” >>full story

Summer Commencement set for August 4 - Southwestern Community College has 73 candidates for summer commencement on Thursday, Aug, 4. The graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in the Balsam Center Auditorium on the Jackson Campus. In lieu of a commencement speaker, a video produced by Wayne Sutton will be shown that highlights students’ activities over the past year. >> full story

18th Annual WNC Fire, Rescue, EMS & Law Enforcement College is being planned for September 9-11, 2005. All classes are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration forms should be submitted before August 26. >> more info

Macon Campus bid accepted - Southwestern Community College moved one step closer to realization of an SCC Macon Campus July 14 when the college’s board of trustees awarded a $5.8 million contract for construction of the proposed facility. Low bidder Perry Bartsch Jr. Construction Company of Asheville received the contract on the 27,568 square-foot building and will begin construction within 30 to 45 days. The anticipated completion is August 2006, according to project manager George Stanley. >> details

SCC student Nathan Hall turns satisfying job into a career - Nathan Hall found employment in a satisfying job four years ago. Then he set his sights on turning a job into a career. In 2001 Hall went to work at Burns Land Surveying in Sylva. “I found out early on that you can do a lot of the work associated with a land surveying company,” Hall said, “but if you want to go very far in the field, you have to have a license to become a professional surveyor. So I decided to enroll in Southwestern Community College’s surveying technology program.” >> full story    

Melvin “Pete” Penland reappointed to SCC Board by the Macon County commissioners to serve a third four-year term on the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees. Penland, a native of Franklin and a retired president of Franklin Insurance Agency, has served on SCC’s board since 1997 and currently holds the office of vice-chairman.
>> read story

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