June 2006


SCC Announces Spring Dean's and President's List - Southwestern Community College has announced the President’s and Dean's lists for Spring 2006. A total of 208 students made the cut for these prestigious honors. A total of 115 students achieved and maintained a 3.85 Grade Point Average (GPA), earning the honor of President's List. Another 93 students earned between a 3.50 and 3.84 GPA, placing them on the Dean's List. In order to be eligible for either honor, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 hours of courses under a curriculum program for the spring session. Students on the lists must not have any incomplete or failing grades. Those named . . > full story

Spanish for kids class - Parents and their children can learn Spanish together through two short courses at Fairview Elementary School sponsored by Southwestern Community College, July 5 through 14. >> more info

Art Enrichment for Youth - Kids from Jackson, Macon and Swain counties in age groups 9 through 11 and 12 through 14 can explore new and old craft traditions this summer in two week-long programs being offered by the Southwestern Community College's Heritage Arts Enrichment Program for Youth. >> details

Qualla-T and customer service - Through an innovative training program based on traditional Cherokee and Appalachian values, western North Carolina may soon be renowned for providing exceptional customer service to both visitors to the region and to local residents. Qualla-T Customer Service Training program provides participants with basic customer service skills and is appropriate for all organizations and businesses from hospitality and tourism to health care to county government. The program focuses on assessing customer service skills and priorities, building and maintaining a positive visitor friendly business atmosphere, communicating effectively with customers and co-workers, handling complaints and managing stress. >> full story

Spanish for teachers offered - Spanish for Teachers, an intensive two-week course, will be offered by Southwestern Community College at two locations in June. The course will provide formal skills for teachers to assist them in the communication process with Spanish speaking students in their classrooms. Content will focus on classroom management and building team skills with student/teacher activities. In addition, participants will develop cultural understanding of the Hispanic community within western North Carolina. >> full story

SCC shares Educo model - Southwestern Community College hosted its first Educo one-day training workshop recently with surrounding area community and four-year college instructors in attendance. SCC math instructors Rudy Beharrysingh, Melissa Halling, and Mary Bradley shared the Educo experience and its successes with other instructors interested in using the program to reach their students. Dr. Man Sharma, a teacher-researcher at Clark Atlanta University and founder of the Sharman Model, was present to share information about some new features of this internet-based mathematics instructional delivery system. >> details

Bali grads - Sixteen students from Bali graduated from Southwestern Community College with certificates in Hotel and Restaurant Management. The students have spent a year and a half here taking classes while working at High Hampton Inn in Cashiers. >> full story

Construction blueprint reading offered - Local building contractor Carroll Poindexter will teach an evening construction blueprint reading class through Southwestern Community College starting in June. >>details

May 2006

Former SCC President Norman Myers Retires from Missouri College >> details

Madden named to SCC Board - Edwin "Eddie" Madden Jr. was recently appointed and sworn in to the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees. Madden was named to the board by the Jackson County Commissioners to complete the term of his father, Ed Madden Sr. who resigned from the Board in March. >> full story

Ducks on the Tuck event in Jackson County - Over 2,500 little rubber ducks recently made their voyage from Depot St. Bridge in Dillsboro to the Ducks on the Tuck finish line on the Tuckasegee River at Western Builders, netting $16,000 for the New Century Scholars program. Taylor, daughter of Robert and Melissa Medlin of Tuckasegee, was the grand prize winner, taking home a Marshin scooter donated by Riverside Auto. Taylor is a first grade student in Debbie Hooper's room at Cullowhee Valley School. >> full story

State office honors SCC students for their academic achievements and leadership abilities - Two Southwestern Community College students were recently recognized at the ninth annual Academic Excellence awards luncheon in Raleigh as among the most talented students attending North Carolina's community colleges. Sherman Colvard of Bryson City and Bentley Robison of Sylva were selected to receive the honor based on their academic accomplishments and leadership ability. >> full story

See photos from May 10, 2006 Commencement Ceremony. Video slideshow also available.

Displaced workers Don and Tammy Smith graduate from SCC - Losing their jobs at Coats of North America was actually a blessing in disguise, said Don, left, and Tammy (right) Smith of Pisgah Forest. The couple graduated May 10 from Southwestern Community College with Associate of Applied Science degrees in Paralegal Technology. ““We’ve been able to upgrade our lives, not just economically but mentally, too,” said this couple now employed at Coward, Hicks and Siler law firm of Cashiers. >> full story

Physical Therapist Assistant and Emergency Medical Science students pinned >> full story

SCC Nursing Students pinned - Eleven students from Southwestern Community College were among 41 of the Region A Nursing Consortium Class of 2006 receiving pins during a candle lighting ceremony at Haywood Community College Tuesday, May 9. The Consortium includes students from SCC, Haywood and Tri-County Community College. In addition, Southwestern students received the two RANC 2006 awards. Korey Ramsey was chosen by his classmates as Student of the Year and Louann O'Dell was presented the Outstanding Student award by the faculty. >> full story

Graphic Arts students present portfolios - Seven Advertising and Graphic Design students at Southwestern Community College gave formal portfolio presentations at a public showing in Bradford Hall on Monday, May 8, thus completing their requirements for graduation. The impressing presentations brought praise and congratulations from instructors, administrators, family members and friends to Lindsey Turrentine of Tuckasegee, Amber Hughes of Franklin, Wren Haney of Robbinsville, John Cisneros of Franklin, Hether Pierce of Highlands, William DeVoe of Sylva, and Lisa Fisher of Cullowhee. >> full story

SCC students place at state meeting - Eight Health Information Technology second year students attended the 56th Annual NC Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA) in Charlotte last week. Funds for the trip came from money raised by the HIT club and from a Beyond the Classroom grant from Verizon. >> full story

SCC receives $950,000 grant - Through a grant of over $950,000, students at Southwestern Community College will soon take a giant step toward interconnectivity. In an announcement made today, officials at Southwestern celebrated the launch of a project that will combine the very best in technology with the college's unique student-centered culture to create a "high tech-high touch" learning environment for all students. >> read full story

Franklin graduate, Judy Pearson has a point to prove - When Judy Pearson walks across the stage to receive her diploma at Southwestern Community College’s graduation May 10 she has a point to prove. That point is - you really can “teach an old dog new tricks.” >> full story

Father and son graduate together - Father and son fraternity brothers, Dale Hall and his son Darren will graduate together at Southwestern Community College on May 10. While both are members of Phi Theta Kappa honor fraternity, each has very different future planned. >> full story

April 2006

Happy Retirement to Linda Talbott
>> see photos from her retirement
celebration held on April 21, 2006

Duck race to benefit New Century Scholars - April 29 - Hundreds of ducks will be dropped from the Depot Street Bridge in Dillsboro to see which one makes it to the finish line first at Western Builders. The little yellow rubber duckies, which go for $5 each, raise money to benefit Jackson County New Century Scholars. This year's 6th annual Ducks on the Tuck launches at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Local fishermen will release the ducks into the Tuckaseigee from the little wooden bridge across the railroad tracks and then catch them as they float down the river to Western Builders. >> full story

Radiography Induction - Members of Southwestern Community College Radiography Class of 2006 were recognized during an awards ceremony Thursday, April 20. Program coordinator Meg Rollins inducted the students during the 7 p.m. ceremony on the Jackson campus. >> see photos

Singing President - He may not make American Idol, but Southwestern Community College President Cecil Groves, third from left, was the crowd's Penny War Idol at SCC's Spring Fling Thursday, April 20, on the Jackson campus. Faculty, staff and students contributed pennies for their choice to sing with the band Commonfolk and Groves came out on top over contenders Peter Buck, Gary Dillard, Barrie Rogers and Ellen Heim. >> full story and photos of Spring Fling 2006

SCC faculty members receive mini-grants - Five Southwestern Community College faculty members recently received “Beyond the Classroom” mini-grants from Verizon to help their students engage in learning experiences outside the normal academic environment. Begun in 2003, the mini-grant program funds costs associated with travel, lodging, per diem for students to attend workshops, conferences, training and seminars. Faculty costs associated with accompanying students to these events are also eligible. Significantly, the participants must also acquire matching dollars through fund raising. >> full story

IT presentations set in May - Computers, computer skills, career changes, and what's new with computer technology will be covered in area presentations by Information Technologies curriculum instructors from Southwestern Community College in May. The instructors will present on new technology and the college's IT programs in Bryson City, Franklin and Sylva. >> details

Law Enforcement Training programs to be offered at SCC - The fast moving profession of law enforcement demands cognitive and physical skills. Southwestern Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program provides individuals the training to meet those demands. This year, SCC offers two sections in their state accredited BLET program. >> more info

Blindly removing toxic waste - Employees of Zickgraf's Bryson City plant recently experienced the critical need for planning and communications in a 12-hour, two-week OSHA Safety class taught at Southwestern Community College's Swain Center. >> full story

SCC Students inducted into Phi Theta Kappa - April 11, 2006 - The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage academic achievement among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunities for the development of leadership and service, an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals, lively fellowship of scholars, and stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. To be eligible for membership in the Alpha Eta Nu chapter of Southwestern Community College, a student must be enrolled in a two-year degree-seeking curriculum; be a full-time student; achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 for two consecutive terms; and be nominated by a faculty member or advisor for displaying good citizenship and leadership abilities. >> see photos

President Lancaster honors students - “A community college’s purpose is to give a person, beginning at even the most basic level, a mind open to the world of possibilities and the confidence to go after them,” Martin Lancaster told the nearly 200 award recipients during a ceremony at Southwestern Community College Tuesday, April 4. Lancaster, president of the NC Community College System since 1997, was the keynote speaker at the Academic Awards Ceremony held in Myers Auditorium. >> full story

SCC student designs Labor Day logo - Southwestern Community College advertising and graphic design student Wren Haney displays his winning logo for the Town of Canton’s 100th Labor Day Celebration. The logo features a wagon wheel, the river, a mill and hard hat and proudly states “Canton, NC - A Town That Works.” >> full story

Early Registration - Students will have a chance to register for both sessions of summer school, as well as for fall, during early registration April 17-21 at Southwestern Community College. Registration will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jackson Campus. >> more info

Collecting Wisdom at Great Teacher Retreat - Based on the premises that teachers learn teaching best from one another, a group of Southwestern Community College instructors recently took part in a three-day professional development workshop March 23-25. David Gottshall, founder of the Great Teacher Movement, conducted the workshop, along with SCC facilitators Rudy Beharrysingh, Peter Buck, Linda Dyke and Laura Pennington. >> full story

SCC has a second member to the 100 Miler Club 
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 29, Dennis Wilkey completed his 53rd lap on the SCC Walking Trail. Dennis acknowledges that he may have finished second to Richard Middleton, but was quick to point out he was the "First Senior Citizen" on campus to join the 100 Miler Club. Congratulations, Dennis, on this accomplishment. >> more about the walking trail

SCC ranks first in state - Southwestern Community College took first place in the 2006 Upward Bound Scholar Bowl held at Surry Community College in Dobson on March 25. The students were presented questions from literature, science, math, current events and history. >> details

Students graduate from both their respective high schools and SCC this spring - Tiphany White, Justin Railsback, Darren Hall and Bethany Wilson have saved their parents thousands of dollars in college expenses. The frugal four did it by enrolling in Southwestern Community College's Current Enrollment Program through which they earned a free two year college degree while still in high school. >> full story

March 2006

Can You Sell to the Military? - A Lunch-N-Learn seminar on selling to the military will be held at Southwestern Community College's Jackson Campus in Bradford Hall, Room 100-A, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18. >> details

Marathoners from SCC - Southwestern Community College employees, left to right, Annette Kesgen, Tracy Chapple, Glen Hackney, Pamela Judson and Deb Klavohn recently finished the Virginia Creeper Marathon in Abingdon, Virginia. The 26-mile run was the first for Klavohn, second for Hackney and Chapple, third for Johnson and sixth for Kesgen. Also, Judson placed third in her age group in the March 18 Franklin Mountain Madness duathlon, running four miles, biking 18 miles and finishing with a two-mile run. >> see larger photo

Local New Century Scholars look back on first 10 years - Basketball great and motivational speaker Ronnie Carr will be the guest speaker during Southwestern Community College's New Century Scholars 10th anniversary celebration Thursday, April 6, on the Jackson campus. Addressing the NCS participants, Carr will focus on the importance of setting educational goals. Current and former New Century Scholars from Macon, Swain and Jackson counties, their families and the public are invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. event in Myers Auditorium. >> full story

Fall President's List and Dean's List Students Named - Eighty-nine students were named to the President’s List at Southwestern Community College for Fall Semester 2005 and 97 were named to the Dean’s List. 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.   >> details

Join the SCC Foundation for a "A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline" on Saturday, April 8 at 6 pm in Myers Auditorium. This musical tribute traces the late star's footsteps from her early honky-tonk days and radio fame through her rise at the Grand Ole Opry and triumphs at Carnegie Hall and Las Vegas. Tickets are $30. Call Sonja Haynes at 586.4091, ext 218 for reservations. Sponsored by SCC Foundation and Drake Enterprises. >> see photos from event

Home-Based Businesses: A Popular Option - Once called “cottage industries,” home-based businesses are gaining in status as rapidly as they are gaining in popularity. Many start-up entrepreneurs are deciding to start from home because of the low overhead costs, flexibility and convenience. Some business owners simply don’t see a reason to consider other locations. For Signature Brew, a coffee company located in Sylva, home is the perfect place from which to conduct business. Owner Pam Haddock consciously avoided a commercial location from the beginning. >> full story

Skyland Architectural Woodworks benefits from safety training - A group of Skyland Architectural Woodworks employees recently participated in an OSHA authorized General Industry Safety training program at Southwestern Community College. The Sylva company is taking part in the NC Community College System's New & Expanding Industry Training Program. The program supports manufacturers in training the workforce in order to remain competitive by developing specific needed skills. It is open to expanding companies and new companies recruited to the region. >> full story

SCC Heritage Arts Institute to offer basket making - Beginning in March, local basket maker Debra Mills will serve as instructor in the first basket weaving class to be offered through Southwestern Community College's new Heritage Arts Institute. The class will meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 20 through April 21. The course is designed for the beginner and intermediate weaver. Participants will complete several projects designed to provide them with a variety of skills in traditional and contemporary basket making. >> details

New SCC Heritage Arts Institute to Offer Pottery Courses - In March local potter Joe Frank McKee will teach courses in two pottery methods, Basic Wheel and Basic Handbuilding. Both courses are offered through Southwestern Community College's new Heritage Arts Institute. >> details

IT students teach elementary students web skills - Students in Jodi Marr and Jessica Cline's Multi-Age classroom (Clubhouse Academy) at West Elementary School in Swain County recently needed help putting information about a class project on the Internet. They got it from another group of students, the Information Technology and Web Technology students at Southwestern Community College. >> full story

February 2006

Winners annouced - SCC's first ever Academic Challenge competition >> read story and see photos

SCC receives software donation - Southwestern Community College and Drake Enterprises have teamed up in an effort that can provide the college's students with career opportunities and the Franklin corporation with needed employees. >> full story

Academic Challenge - February 16 - You could win a $4,500 scholarship to Southwestern Community College in the college's first-ever Academic Challenge which will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, on the Jackson campus. >> details

Learn more about SCC's Medical Laboratory Technology On-line program >>see video clip

The HIT Club is having an Afghan Raffle. Proceeds will pay for annual trip to NCHIMA Convention. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. See members of the HIT class for tickets. Drawing will be held Monday, February 13, 2006. >> details

Everyone likes a great t-shirt and a group of our Nursing students have a wonderful one to sell. Cara MacDonald, a second year RANC Alternate Schedule student, has designed a most unusual t-shirt that she and her classmates are selling to raise funds for their Pinning Ceremony. >> details

The Culinary Arts Club will be taking orders for 2 Layer - Heart Shaped Valentine's Cakes. Orders should be placed by Wednesday, February 8th until 3:00 p.m. >> details

January 2006

Discover marketing tactics - Discover 101 Killer Marketing Tactics in a rapid-fire, information-packed seminar Feb. 10 offering marketing tips that range from common-sensical to offbeat. Author and talk show host Winn Henderson, seminar presenter, draws on his years as host of his syndicated radio show, Share Your Mission, for the two-part presentation in Macon and Jackson counties. It's the second of the First Friday Seminar Series sponsored by Southwestern Community College, the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. >> details

Energy Workshop benefits Area Schools and Companies - The Center for Business and Industry of Southwestern Community College completed an Energy Savings workshop January 12 and 13 at the SCC Swain Center in Bryson City. The presentation by instructor Charles Krug was developed from a grant received from the U.S. Department of Energy, Education and Research Services Inc., and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The theme of the workshop was “Retrofitting older buildings to reduce energy costs.” >> full story

Workshop - January 26 - Preparing for Your Future in the Professional World - The Learning Assistance Center is pleased to announce a new workshop: "Preparing for Your Future in the Professional World." Deborah Thomas, one of SCC's adjunct instructors and an LAC Learning Consultant, developed the workshop in response to wishes expressed by students in classes and in the LAC. The session focuses on appropriate appearance, good hygiene, appropriate language, good work habits, reliability, compliance (with rules and policies), respect, courtesy, tolerance, ethics, loyalty, and self-motivation. >> more info

Seminar: How to market a small business - A three hour seminar, on how to market a small business with little or no money will be presented at Southwestern Community College’s Swain Center in Bryson City on Tuesday, February 7. Sponsored by SCC’s Business Assistance Center, “Developing Your Business Image” will be led by Linda Rozelle, a popular marketing consultant, speaker, graphic artist and cartoonist. She will help participants discover the image their business currently projects and introduce them to a variety of ways to mold that image. >> details

NEW - Footnotes Cafe - on the Jackson Campus of SCC If you've worked at the same place for most of your career, planned on retiring from the company but suddenly found yourself without a job, you can identify with Randall Williamson. >> full story

Every day is a welcome challenge, says Kimberly Clarke-Johnson who uses her graphic arts skills to design catalogs, post cards and other publications for an Ohio-based doll auction company. >> full story

Ready to test your knowledge? Southwestern Community College announces its first-ever Academic Challenge which will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, on the Jackson campus. First-place winners will receive five semesters free at SCC, along with a $1,000 book budget, for a total value package of $4,500. >> details

Parker Young: Legal Issues in Higher Education - If a college group or club wants to demonstrate on campus, are they guaranteed that right under the first amendment?     Parker Young, a nationally-renowned higher education legal issues expert, answered that question and many more for college personnel during a Legal Issues in Higher Education forum at Southwestern Community College on Thursday, Jan. 5.      "Yes," Young told the educators, "students are guaranteed the right to demonstrate. However, the college can specify a valid time, place and manner." For instance, Young explained, the college can tell the group exactly where they may demonstrate and the specific day and time they may do so. >> full story

Leon Jones, former Cherokee Chief and SCC Board of Trustees member dies >> read newspaper articles

Two receive Poor Scholarship - Christopher Allen Bouchonnet of Franklin and Cindy Bryant of Bethel are the two 2005-2006 recipients of the Ronald W. Poor Scholarship for Electronics Engineering Technology. Sponsored by the Quinn Theaters, Inc. of Sylva, the scholarship is for electronics engineering technology majors at Southwestern Community College who were not receiving financial assistance for tuition from other sources. It was named in honor of Poor, SCC program coordinator for electronics engineering technology. >> full story

Ready to start the New Year off by getting fit? “Southwestern Community College’s newly-expanded walking trail is ready to help you keep those New Year’s resolutions of getting - or staying - in shape,” said Paul Wolf, SCC outdoor leadership director. The 1.87-mile loop around campus includes deep woods, scenic vistas, as well as sidewalk areas near campus buildings. >> full story

SCC staff receive degrees - Employees Julie Voorhees of Franklin, Coordinator of Procurement and Inventory; Christy Deaver of Waynesville, Registrar; and Matthew Chadwick of Sylva, Admissions Officer, enjoy a moment of celebration after fall commencement exercises at Western Carolina University December 17. Voorhees and Deaver each earned an MA in Education and Chadwick earned a Master Degree in Project Management. >> details

Residential Construction Estimating course starts Jan 10 -
Participants will learn to develop a logic flow in estimation and understand the management objectives that need to be accomplished with an estimate. In addition, they will gain knowledge of the language and terms used within the industry, C.S.I. #'s, symbols and the conversions still required to complete an estimate through critical thinking.  >> details

SCC's Student Ambassadors collect coats and other items for the needy - A number of people will be warmer this winter thanks to students, faculty and staff at Southwestern Community College. During the past month, donations of coats, clothing, blankets, as well as food have been collected at the college to provide these necessities to SCC students and for use by area relief agencies.   >> full story

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

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