December 2006

Registration for Spring Semester is Fri, Jan 5
fine arts, Southwestern Community College is ready for the new year.

Registration for Spring semester is Friday, Jan. 5, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the Jackson Campus.

If you need training or if you are planning a new career, your local College of the Great Smoky Mountains has more than 40 programs designed to prepare you for employment or transfer to a four-year institution.

The first day of class will be Monday, Jan. 8. Textbooks can be purchased on the third floor of the Balsam Center beginning Jan. 4. Financial aid students may charge their books Jan. 4-12.

Intro to Gaming Industry to be offered
To train individuals for the gaming industry, Southwestern Community College will offer the course Introduction to the Gaming Industry in the college's spring schedule lineup. » details

See photos from Dec 15, 2006 Commencement ceremony

Community-wide Holiday Party for Kids held at SCC
With holiday ornaments on the trees, painted on the children's faces and decorating Christmas cookies, the Balsam lobby at Southwestern Community College filled with colorful festivities during the community-wide holiday party Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. » full story


Drake, Tribe receive national award
In a gala ceremony last month in Washington D.C., the Eastern Band of Cherokee and Drake Enterprises were recognized by the Council for Resource Development with the prestigious 2006 National Benefactor of the Year Award. This award recognizes those benefactors who have made a significant contribution to a local community/two-year college. » full story

Graduate story: Lynda Barker, Cosmetology
As Lynda Barker’s children leave for school in the morning, they "high-5” her as they count down the days. The three children and Barker’s husband, Steve, will be in the audience at SCC’s graduation cheering her on. The college’s first-ever winter graduation will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, in the Balsam Auditorium on the Jackson Campus. At 43, Barker will receive her degree in cosmetology. » read story

Community-wide holiday party held Dec 5 at SCC
The event, sponsored by the Jackson County Family Resource Center, Region A Partnership for Children, Dept. of Social Services and the Jackson County Public Library, featured crafts, music, games, prizes, finger foods and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Several SCC faculty and staff were among the volunteers helping make the very well-attended event such a spirited success. » full story

Pottery show and sale to be held Dec 8
Students and faculty of the Southwestern Community College Heritage Arts pottery program will participate in a show and sale of their work Saturday, Dec. 8, at SCC. The sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Balsam Center. » details

Culinary technology students prepare meal at Community Table
Southwestern Community College culinary technology students prepared the Blue Plate Special at Sylva's Community Table on Wednesday, Nov. 27, to an appreciative crowd of customers. » read full story

Students inducted into PTK honor society
Ten students were inducted into the Alpha Eta Nu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society Tuesday evening, Nov. 28, 2006 at Southwestern Community College during a candlelight ceremony in Myers Auditorium. » full story

SCC December Commencement - The students asked for it and they got it.
For the first time ever, Southwestern Community College will offer a December graduation. It will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, in the Balsam Building on the Jackson campus. » details

November 2006

Native American Festival held at SCC
Cherokee music, dance, language and history took center stage at Southwestern Community College Tuesday, Nov. 28, during a program sponsored by the SCC Native American Society. » read story and see photos

Building Sweet Holiday Memories
With the enticing aroma of freshly-baked gingerbread filling the room, Southwestern Community College culinary technology students applied their cooking and creative skills to building gingerbread houses. » read story and see photos

National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony - Nov 16
The SCC chapter of the National Technical Honor Society held the Fall induction of initiates on Nov. 16 on the Jackson Campus. To qualify for membership initiates are selected from the top 20 percent of their major program. Selected students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher who are carrying at least 12 hours of college level courses during the past three consecutive semesters are then nominated by the faculty for membership. » see photos


Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue visits SCC
Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, center, met with Southwestern Community College board of trustee members and personnel, as well as key community leaders, during her Wednesday, Nov. 15, visit to Jackson County. » full story and photos

Naturalist George Ellison will present workshop Dec 2
Naturalist, author, historian, and lecturer George Ellison will conduct a workshop on "The Natural History of the Blue Ridge Mountains" at Nantahala School on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. » details

SCC / Rotary Career Fair held Nov 9
"Every time a business promotes itself, it uses graphic design in some form," Southwestern Community College advertising and graphic design student Hether Pierce tells Mace Gibson during SCC/Rotary Club Career Fair Nov. 9. » full story

Scholarship awarded to nursing students
Arlene Bishop, president of Physically Challenged, Inc., presents the 10th annual Lockhart Follin-Mace scholarship to Southwestern Community College associate degree nursing students Jennifer Petosa and her husband Tony Camblor. » full story

Arts program to hold workshop
The Heritage Arts Institute of Southwestern Community College and the Consumer Sciences Division of the NC Cooperative Extension have joined forces to offer five workshops on Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2, at the SCC Swain Center. Called Smoky Mountain Crafts Work, it is designed to provide participants with a variety of craft arts sessions coupled with lunch and learn opportunities on marketing craft arts. The sessions will cost $90, which includes registration fees, materials, and lunch for both days. Participants can select from one of five two-day workshops to attend in basket weaving, clay, fiber arts, metal working or paper making. » details

Associate in Fine Arts program to be offered at the Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts (OICA)
The announcement came during a public meeting at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel at which representatives of the Tribe stated that the AFA would focus on Native American art and culture, most notably that of the Cherokee. "This will be the only such program east of the Mississippi and represents a progressive, landmark initiative for the EBCI," Principal Chief Michell Hicks said. "The Institute will provide an opportunity for existing artists to seek a higher vision and step up to train new artists, teaching them the traditional Cherokee ways." » read full story

Students recruited for OICA
A recruitment event for those interested in being the first students in the newly founded Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts (OICA) will be held Monday, November 20, 2006 at the Lift Café in Cherokee from 12 noon to 2 p.m. The institute will offer an Associate in Fine Arts curriculum program that will focus on Native American art and culture, most notably that of the Cherokee. The AFA program will be offered through Southwestern Community College. Students who graduate from the program will be able to transfer to WCU as juniors pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The focus will be on studio arts in visual, textiles, performance, cultural and technical studies. » details

Veterans Day Event
Private T. Walter Middleton of 803rd Engineer Battalion, B Company drifted somewhere between life and death, fighting to survive the infamous Battan Death March, followed by three and a half years as a Japanese prison of war during World War II. Now, as one of the few remaining survivors, Middleton, 87, will share his experiences as guest of honor during Southwestern Community College's Salute to Veterans 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in Myers Auditorium on the Jackson Campus. The program will also include a presentation on the Bataan Death March by SCC history instructor Duane Wesolick. » full story    » see photos

Ronald Poor Scholarship awarded
Adam Huggins, left, of Franklin, and Nicholas Bryant, right, of Clyde, have been awarded this year's Ronald W. Poor scholarship for electronics engineering technology majors at Southwestern Community College. » details

PTA - Drawing Conclusions
Young Andy Ledford, just 22 months old, attended Southwestern Community College recently. Andy, son of Chris and Amanda Ledford of Bryson City, attended SCC's Physical Therapist Assistant's pediatrics class to demonstrate his artistic skills to student Anna Wheeler and others in her class studying motor development of youngsters ages six months to four-and-a-half years. » full story

SCC volunteer clinical instructors
A group of graduates of Southwestern Community College’s Radiology program have not only become registered radiologists, they have gone on to share their knowledge and experience by becoming clinical instructors for the program. » full story

October 2006

Halloween photo gallery

December Commencement has been set
  A message from Dr. Couch

Macon student demos outdoor leadership
Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Club member Tyson Stager of Macon County demonstrated kayaking and camping techniques Friday, Oct. 20, on the Jackson campus. » full story


PTA students placed 1st in state quiz bowl
SCC's Physical Therapy Assistants Team placed first in the state PTA quiz bowl during the 2006 fall conference of the N.C. Physical Therapy Association held Oct. 7 in Greensboro. "This was the first quiz bowl that the North Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association has ever held," said Deb Klavohn, Southwestern's dean of health sciences. "Eight schools competed in the Jeopardy-style competition and we started off in the lead and maintained it throughout."  » full story

SCC students receive SECU scholarships
The State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, has presented $5000 scholarships to Katherine (Katie) Michelle Crane of Franklin and John Daniel Hall of Murphy, two Southwestern Community College students. » details

Here's to Making a Difference
As the national Make a Difference Day takes place this Saturday, Oct. 28, Southwestern Community College's Student Support Services has been involved in a Volunteering and Civic Involvement Program. This week, through the Adopt-A-Highway program, participants cleaned a stretch of North River Road running from Webster to Dillsboro. In a gesture of neighborliness and appreciation, the folks at the Chocolate Factory in Dillsboro support their efforts by providing fruit smoothies and mocha freezes to the group as they finish their project. » full story

Summer grads
Seventy-six students received degrees, diplomas and certificates at the Summer 2006 commencement ceremonies at Southwestern Community College. » full story

SCC adds Latent Evidence program
Latent Evidence, a new curriculum offered at SCC, is a concentration within the Criminal Justice Technology program. It is designed to provide knowledge of latent evidence systems and operations. Study focuses on local, state, and federal law enforcement, evidence processing and procedures. » full story

Board chair and vice chair reappointed
Conrad Burrell of Sylva has been elected for his seventh term as chairman of the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees and Melvin Penland of Franklin has been elected for a fourth term as vice chairman. » full story


Special Events Weekend - Oct 20-21
Friday, Oct 20: Fall Adventure Clinics and 80's Movie Festival
Saturday, Oct 21: SCC's First Annual Bike Fest
» details

Southwestern Community College Foundation, Inc.
Fall Foursome Golf Tournament
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - Highlands Cove
» see photos

NCS College Advantage Conference
Susan Burkhart, New Century Scholars high school coordinator for Swain County, signs William Houston's ticket admitting him to the NCS College Advantage Conference Thursday, Oct. 12, at Southwestern Community College's Jackson campus. Houston, an 11th grader at Smoky Mountain High School, said the conference helped him focus on narrowing down his options and choices for college. » read more

Free testing at the Health Fair October 26
Have your blood pressure checked and help accelerate a cure for blood cancer at the same time during the Health Fair Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Jackson County Community Services Building. Free blood pressure screening will be provided by SCC Nursing Class of 2007. The SCC nursing class is sponsoring the Health Fair, which will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. » details

Salt-firing techniques demonstrated
Chris Gray of Allen, Texas, will demonstrate salt-firing techniques and throwing techniques that enhance the salt-fired ceramic piece in a workshop at Southwestern Community College's Swain Center on Nov. 1. » details


Surveying Tech awards
Three Southwestern Community College surveying technology students from Jackson County have each been awarded $1000 scholarships from the NC Society of Surveyors Education Foundation, according to SCC surveying technology instructor Peter Messier. » details


SCC grad featured in magazine
SCC BLET graduate Jeff Postell, who nabbed Eric Robert Rudolph, is featured in the October edition of North Carolina magazine on pages 46-47 in the cover story- Special Report on Education. In the segment Postell recalls the million thoughts going through his head when he captured Rudolph but he "just remembered what he had been taught." » read story

SCC accepting lit magazine applications
Submissions are being accepted for the eighth annual Southwestern Community College Milestone, a publication designed to showcase local writers' and artists' talents. » details

Jackson students inducted into New Century Scholars at SCC
Sixty-two seventh grade students from Blue Ridge, Cullowhee Valley, Fairview Elementary, Smoky Mountain Elementary, and Summit schools were recently inducted into the New Century Scholars Program at Southwestern Community College. Students from Scotts Creek School were unable to attend and will be inducted on October 18. » full story

Drew Hamilton award presented at SCC
Joey Shuler, a Smoky Mountain High School senior and New Century Scholar, has been named the recipient of the Drew Hamilton Award of Excellence for 2006. This award is presented annually to a New Century Scholar who demonstrates exemplary character, academic ability and dedication to community service. It is given in honor of the late Drew Hamilton who was selected as a New Century Scholar in 2000 as he entered the seventh grade. His mother, Margaret Hamilton, presented the award to Shuler at the recent NCS awards ceremony at Southwestern Community College. » full story

Team In Training to attend SCC Health Fair
A representative of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® is coming to Sylva. And through her, area residents will have the opportunity to learn more about this, the world's largest endurance sports training program at the SCC Health Fair scheduled Oct. 26 at the Jackson County Community Services Building. Adrienne Boueres, Team in Training campaign coordinator in Asheville, will offer information and answer questions about the program that raises funds to fight blood diseases. » full story

September 2006

Race 4 Literacy
A bright red race car is the symbol of both the Race for Literacy program at SCC and for the sponsors who have backed the program. The car built by Kip Cochran, owner of Carolina Performance, has brought attention – and support – to the Race 4 Literacy at a number of events in Jackson and Macon counties. The sponsors have made GED/Adult High School scholarships possible. » full story

Students named Nursing Education Scholarship/Loan Program recipients
Students were chosen by the selection committee as the 2006-07 recipients for the Nursing Education Scholarship/Loan Program . . » full story

Small Business Seminar - How to Sell to the Government
Each year the federal government purchases over $2 billion in goods and services in North Carolina. The Southwestern Community College Small Business Center, in conjunction with the NC Military Business Center, will host a lunchtime seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 11, to give an overview of government opportunities for small businesses. Participants will learn how a business can sell to the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies. » details

Congratulations Rose !
Rose Hooper, SCC's Public Information Officer married her high school sweetheart.
» read their story



Student Services Open House
SCC will hold a Drop-In for Financial Aid and Admissions on October 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. for people interested in enrolling for the Spring 2007 semester. Sponsored by the college's Student Services Office, the event will be held in the Student Services offices located in the Balsam Center. » more info

Accelerated Real Estate course
Starting in October, Southwestern Community College will provide a fast track to a career in Real Estate through its new weekend Accelerated Brokerage Preparation course. Scheduled from October 14 through November 19, the intensive 6-weekend program will prepare candidates for the North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Exam. The class will meet on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the SCC Macon Campus Annex. » details

SCC to offer tree pruning workshop
Southwestern Community College will offer a tree Pruning and Landscape Installation workshop on Saturday, October 7, at the SCC Macon Center at the Macon County Courthouse. The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. » details


Macon students inducted into New Century Scholars
Sixty-two seventh grade students from Macon Middle, Highlands and Nantahala schools, representing the class of 2012, were recently inducted into the New Century Scholars Program at Southwestern Community College. » full story

Swain New Century Scholars Inducted
Twenty-eight Swain County sixth graders got the opportunity to receive a college education, tuition free, Tuesday, September 12, when they were inducted into the New Century Scholars program at Southwestern Community College. » details

SCC at Macon County Fair
Six-year-old Emily Madison McCrackin, daughter of Adam and Christy McCrackin of Clayton, GA, tries her hand at throwing on the potter’s wheel with the help of Hank Shuler, Southwestern Community College director of Extension: Business and Industry, at SCC’s booth at the Macon County Fair. Shuler worked throughout the fair to give young people the opportunity to try pottery making which is part of SCC’s Heritage Arts Program curriculum. » full story

SCC Foundation golf tournament set for Oct 4
Danny and Margie Allison show Sonja Haynes (right), SCC Foundation director, the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado truck their company will give to whomever makes a hole-in-one at the Foundation’s annual golf tournament at Highlands Cove resort on October 4. » full story


SCC Instructor published -
A manuscript by Southwestern Community College nursing instructor, Barbara E. Connell, MSN, RN, BSN, has been accepted for publication in MEDSURG Nursing, The Journal of Adult Health, the official journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. » full story

Constitution Day event held Sept 15
Caitlin Willcox, left, a home-schooled high school student who is dual enrolled at Southwestern Community College, studies her copy of the U.S. Constitution distributed by SCC history instructor Duane Wesolick, center, as part of the college’s celebration of Constitution Day Friday, Sept. 15. Wesolick also presented a power point presentation on Watergate, which he called “arguably the worst constitutional crisis in modern history.” SCC student Robert Wiltz of Sylva, right, said Wesolick’s program “made me realize the pressure President Richard Nixon was under during all those events that led up to his resignation in 1974.” » full story

SCC to offer Viticulture
Basic Viticulture, a course on growing grapes to sell, to start a small vineyard or for personal use, will be offered at the Southwestern Community College Macon Annex on Tuesday evenings from September 19 through November 7. » details

SCC to hold Constitution Day event
On Friday, September 15, Southwestern Community College will celebrate Constitution and Citizenship Day with a special presentation on arguably one of the worst constitutional crises in modern history - Watergate. The 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. program will be given by Duane Wesolick, SCC history instructor, in Myers Auditorium in the Balsam Center. Wesolick is known for his lively, informative and interesting presentations. » full story

SCC Foundation launches drive
A lot of people at SCC feel terrific lately – and they’re sporting T-shirts to proclaim it. The reason for this elated sense of well being is simple; they contributed to the SCC Foundation fund drive. » full story

SCC to offer Spanish for Bankers
SCC will offer a Spanish language class for bankers in Bryson City, Franklin and Sylva on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., September 28 through November 16. The 24-hour class will cost $55 per person for registration fees and the book to be used in the class. Spanish for Bankers is designed for front line employees who serve Hispanics. As a result of taking the course, employees will have a basic knowledge of the banking vocabulary. The class will also cover cultural issues. » more info

August 2006

McMahan appointed to SCC Board
Brian McMahan was recently appointed and sworn in to the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees. He was named to the board by the Jackson County Commissioners. McMahan is chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners and is also assistant chief of security at Balsam Mountain Preserve. » full story

Constitution and Citizenship Day to be held September 15, 2006
» more info

SCC awards Frogge scholarship -
Jeremiah Chatham of Sylva is the recipient of the Barbara Frogge Scholarship at Southwestern Community College for the 2006- 2007 academic year. » details

President speaks on SCC growth -
Addressing faculty and staff for the opening of the academic year at Southwestern Community College's annual Professional Development Day, Dr. Cecil Groves, president, told his audience that the college is facing the beginning of a "very exciting new year as construction plans begin on a new face for the Jackson campus."  » full story

See photos from the Welcome Back Event on August 30 - sponsored by the Student Leadership Association.

SCC accepting lit magazine applications -
Submissions are being accepted for the seventh annual Southwestern Community College Milestone, a publication designed to showcase local writers' and artists' talents. » details

Successful GEARUP Academy -
More than 80 parents and students returned to Macon Middle School on Aug. 17 to celebrate the conclusion of the Southwestern Community College’s Gear Up Summer Math and Science Academy. » more

College Fair for high school students - Sept 5 -
Admissions representatives from over 60 colleges from across North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia will be on hand at Southwestern Community College on September 5 to speak with local high school and SCC students about attending their colleges. Scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Myers Auditorium, the event is open to all high school juniors and seniors in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, as well as SCC’s students.  » full story

Jackson County students receive scholarships
» details

Varnedoe-Timmons Paralegal Scholarship -
Husband and wife Cy and Carolyn Timmons of Macon County have established the Varnedoe-Timmons Paralegal Scholarship at Southwestern Community College. The purpose of the new scholarship is to “provide a deserving student financial help to pursue a career in this field.” » full story

Literacy on the rise -
It was a different world in 1968. Walter King was 16 and looking for a new lease on life so he joined Job Corps. He said it was the best choice he ever made in his life. On a recent trip to the LBJ Job Corps Center in Franklin, King, a machinery operator in Pulaski, Va,. for the past 31 years, said, “If the students who are now at LBJ would only realize what an opportunity they have before them, they would not let anything stand in their way to make the most of themselves.”  » full story

Second Annual Bowling Tournament -
Everyone had a great time at the Second Annual SCC Bowling Tournament Monday evening (August 14, 2006) at Thunder Lanes in Sylva. And some even came away with trophies! The Unholy Rollers rolled over the competition to take first place in the tournament. » full story and photos

Professional Development Day 2006 -
SCC employees gathered for 2006 Professional Development Day Monday, (August 14) an event that balanced information, learning, fun and food throughout the day. » full story and photos

See photos - New Student Orientation held on August 16

Hooper Scholarship awarded -
Former WestCare Health System radiologist Dr. Robert L. Hooper presented the Dr. Robert L. and Freda B. Hooper Scholarship. The scholarship is open to radiology and medical sonography students who demonstrate scholastic promise and maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. » details

Service Awards -
Twenty-nine employees were recognized for years of service to the state during Southwestern Community College's recent annual Professional Development Day activities.
» full story

SCC earns "Superior" grade for performance -
Southwestern Community College has earned the designation "Superior" based on the college's achievement in 12 performance areas. The North Carolina Community College System has established the measures to evaluate the success of the state's 58 community colleges. The performance of each community college on these measures is documented in the annual Critical Success Factors Report. » full story

SCC Sonography pinning -
The Southwestern Community College Class of 2006 sonography students took part in a pinning ceremony on July 25 at SCC. » details

SCC programs restructured -
SCC has restructured its Information Technology programs to better meet the demands of the workplace. "And we’ve restructured it to better prepare our students for jobs in that workplace. It’s vital that they be prepared for what they can expect when they get out in the field,” Scott Cline, IT instructor, said. » read full story

A sign of getting ready -
Roosevelt Manuel, left, and Tim Palmer of Allison Outdoor Advertising paint the entrance sign at Southwestern Community College in preparation for fall semester which begins Aug. 18. The brilliant blue is called reflex blue, according to Manuel, who prefers painting in the cool of the evening. The three brick columns at this campus entrance sign symbolize the college's three-county service area. » story

College opportunities for high school students -
With the start of the school year, high school students face many decisions. Questions of what courses to take, what clubs to join, and what other activities to fit into their school day loom ahead. Now they have another decision and a far reaching opportunity to consider; they can choose to fit part of their college years into their high school days. » full story

SCC students to appear in film -
When Bentley Robison enrolled in the Surveying Technology program at Southwestern Community College, he never imagined he would become an actor in a film. But this summer he and three of his classmates, his instructor, his boss, and another employee took part in the filming of scenes for a documentary about the Blue Ridge Parkway commissioned by the National Park Service. "It was quite a learning experience," Robison said. "Not only did we get to see what happens behind the scenes during a filming, we also got to apply what we had learned in class about the history of surveying." » full story

See Photos - Commencement - August 3

Lt. Ellith McFalls BLET Scholarship established -
The Lt. Ellith McFalls Basic Law Enforcement Training Scholarship at Southwestern Community College has been established by the McFalls family. An SCC Criminal Justice graduate, Lt. McFalls died unexpectedly in March. The 44-year-old native and lifelong resident of Jackson County worked for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for the last 17 years. He was a member of the Sheriff’s Emergency Tactical Team.
» full story

Making it legal - Paralegal certification -
North Carolina Paralegals are receiving new professional recognition, and Southwestern Community College is leading the way in preparing students for this exciting career path. » details

SCC Nursing students received their pins -
Alternate Schedule Region A Nursing students from Southwestern Community College took part in a pinning ceremony July 30 at Haywood Community College. » full