Pictured are members of the Blue Ridge Brass & Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums band and was featured in Mayland Community College Foundation and the Spruce Pine Main Street Program’s SummerStage concert events at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine.

                               “Evening Under the Stars”

Mayland Community College extends a special invitation to all of its alumni to the “Evening Under the Stars” concert at Riverside Park on Saturday, July 31, beginning at 7 pm.

This FREE concert will feature beach music and oldies by Gastonia-based party band, Coming Up Brass. The event is open to the public. Contributions will be accepted to benefit scholarships and programs at Mayland Community College.

“We hope to share some summer fun with our alumni and the community at large through this last concert in our SummerStage 2010 series,” said Laura Laughridge, Executive Director of the Mayland Community College Foundation. “The concert will help us launch an alumni registry in anticipation of Mayland Community College’s 40th anniversary next year,” Laughridge said.

The “Evening Under the Stars” concert coincides with Mayland’s annual Motorcycle Poker Run, which begins on July 31 at the Main Campus in Spruce Pine at 12:00 PM, and will conclude that evening at Riverside Park.

Those attending the concert should bring their own chairs and blankets. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the park.

The event is made possible by additional support from Spruce Pine MainStreet and the Phillips Family Foundation. Free shuttle parking will be provided by Mitchell County Transportation.

The Mayland Community College Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support, strengthen and advance the work of Mayland Community College. For more information about “Evening Under the Stars” or Mayland’s upcoming events, call 800-4-MAYLAND, ext. 209 or 311 or visit www.mayland.edu/foundation.

MCC Scholarships Presented

Mayland Community College students were recently presented with scholarships to continue their education. These students are GED graduates who chose to further their education at Mayland.

Mayland student Chad Buchanan was presented with the 2010 Rotary Club of Avery County College Scholarship.

Since completing his GED credentials in 2004 as a national honor graduate, Buchanan re-entered the Mayland Community College, maintaining a 3.8 GPA, working toward a college degree in Information Systems Technology.

Buchanan serves as a Mayland Student Ambassador and is the Student Government Association Vice President. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is always happy and willing to encourage others whether it is a student on campus, or a neighbor who needs a ride, someone to shovel snow, or to run an errand.

Buchanan says he loves Mayland and is thankful to be a part of the college’s student body. He appreciates the consideration and support of the Rotary Club of Avery County’s scholarship.

The Rotary Club of Avery County strives to serve the needs of the community, country, and world. Through the group’s commitment to serving others, the members make an annual commitment to fund a scholarship for a GED graduate desiring to pursue a higher education at Mayland.

The 2010 John Wesley Sides IV College Scholarship was given to Jesse LeBlanc.

The John Wesley Sides IV Scholarship was created in memory of Sides who was a honor graduate of Mayland’s GED class of 2004, and is given by his family.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, LeBlanc moved to Burnsville in 2005. He first came to Mayland in 2009 to earn his GED.

During the short time it took him to receive his GED credential, he impressed his instructors with his work ethic. His outstanding commitment to producing quality results and “going the extra mile” is also evident as he volunteers by baking cakes for Burnsville’s Youth Center where he also gives freely of his time to work with the younger children there, as well as assisting his disabled father and encouraging his mother who is also a Mayland student

Following his dream to one day start his own greenhouse business, LeBlanc maintains an excellent GPA in Mayland’s horticulture program.

“Being awarded this scholarship will allow me to remain a fulltime student at Mayland so that I may earn an Associate’s Degree in horticulture and obtain the knowledge to one day operate my own business,” said LeBlanc.

The Mary Jane Burleson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Mayland student Kayla Vinson.

Vinson, a single mother of three young children, completed her GED at Mayland in 2001, earning impressive scores at the top 6% of her graduating class.

At 16, Vinson received a blessing during a mission trip to the Dominican Republic where she was privileged to help lay the foundation for the first bilingual Christian school in the country. There, she also had the opportunity to serve in Bible School and medical clinic mission work.

“This was the most life changing experience I have ever had,” said Vinson of her mission trip experience.

After completing her GED, Vinson worked for two years at CNC Access, where she served mentally challenged children, and she also worked for Baxters Healthcare Inc.

Vinson, who carries a 3.7 GPA in her classes at Mayland, is currently working on her prerequisites for the Nursing Program. She plans to earn her RN and then continue medical training to become a midwife, a dream that has been in Vinson’s heart for many years.

Because she is a shining example, an outstanding successful college student, a devoted daughter and mother of three, and an exemplary member of her community she was chosen for this scholarship.

The Mary Jane Burleson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2003 in memory of the late Mary Jane Burleson, a local resident and beloved champion of higher education. This scholarship was established by the family and friends of Mary Jane, and has helped make the promise of higher education a reality for many deserving graduates in the years since.
 

Pictured is MCC’s 2009-2010 Excellence in Teaching award recipient Janet Colvin with MCC’s board of trustee chair Sam Ray, Jr.

Colvin Receives 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award

Mayland Community College instructor Janet Colvin was awarded the 2009-2010 Excellence in Teaching award for her work at the college. Colvin teaches science courses at Mayland.

“It's always a positive thing to know your efforts are recognized,” said Colvin. “My students that go on into the nursing program have been coming back to me for years and thanking me for preparing them so well. Their encouragement and feedback help me keep improving the classroom experience. This recognition by my peers and coworkers further validates what I already believed about the quality of the learning experience I provide my students.”

Colvin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Chemistry from Delta State University and a Masters of Art degree in Higher Education/Teaching in Biology from Appalachian State University.

She is also a Registered Medical Technologist, MT (AMT), through the American Medical Technologists organization that required additional education, training, and the passing of a registry board examination.

Colvin has spent 30 plus years working in health care related fields including as a MT in clinical laboratories and as a Wellness Coordinator/Educator as well as worked with Child Safety.

She also worked as a Lab Manager, Asst Lab Manager, and Microbiology Section leader, and as a generalist technologist before being employed at Mayland.

Colvin began teaching as an adjunct instructor for approx two years before moving to a full time instructor.

"Janet is very deserving of the Teaching Excellence Award because of her extraordinary commitment to our students” said Mayland Vice President of Instructional Services Dr. Rick Garrett. “She works to ensure the success of each one and incorporates a variety of learning strategies into her instruction so that she is effective with diverse learners. Beyond the classroom, Janet is very involved in college and community events and activities. We are proud to have Janet represent our faculty for Teaching Excellence and we appreciate her service to our students, our college, and to our communities."

Colvin says that teaching is her way of giving back to a profession that meant a great deal to her.

“At this point in my life, teaching is my passion,” said Colvin. “It's very satisfying to know I am helping prepare tomorrow's heath care workers.”

Colvin also is involved with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“I got involved with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars after my husband died,” said Colvin. “His doctors said his cancer was caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam. I joined the LAVFW as a way to remember his, and my father's, service to this country and what it ultimately cost him.”

Colvin is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Post 4286 in Newland, and a Life member of the LA. She currently serves as the District 15 President and is a member of the NC Council of Administration.

“I served as soloist at the NC convention this year and will do so again next year,” said Colvin who has had five years of classical voice training. “The LAVFW is an organization dedicated to serving veterans, active duty service personnel, and their families. We ‘honor the dead by serving the living.’"

She is also the chairwomanman of the committee for the NC LAVFW Department’s website: www.lavfwnc.org

Come join our growing student body at MECHS (Mayland Early College High School)!  Pictured left to right:  Lindsey Haun (standing), Emry Daniel, James Carson (standing) and Makayla Brewer.

MECHS Busy Preparing for Upcoming Year

The Mayland Early College High School (MECHS) staff represented MECHS at the North Carolina Summer Institute in Durham.

“I am so excited about beginning our new year with purpose, promise and understanding,” said Angela Burleson, MECHS Principal. “New Schools Project hosted the Summer Institute where over six hundred educators met and shared ideas, experiences and suggestions.”

Among the guest speakers at the week-long conference were: Walter Dalton, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, Dr. Sam Houston, President & CEO of NC Science, Mathematics & Technology Education Center, Dr. Bill Harrison, Chairman of the NC State Board of Education, Burley Mitchell, Former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, Dr. Tony Wagner, Co-Director of the Change Leadership Group at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Howard Lee, Executive Director of the NC Education Cabinet.

MECHS staff that attending the workshop included Burleson, Liz Silvers, Elaine Wyatt, Mike Lahm and Jeff LaVoie.

Mayland Early College High School is an expansion of our three county high schools, which delivers a program based on responsibility, relevance, rigor, respect and relationships.

Students are ONLY accepted as incoming freshman and must commit to one year at MECHS. Upon completion of the five year program, students will graduate with their high school diploma as well as have the opportunity to earn their two year Associate’s in Arts degree; all at no cost to the parent.

Twenty-nine students have been accepted for the Fall 2010 school year. Two events have been planned for incoming Freshman.

On Friday, July 30, a Parents Night will be held on campus beginning at 6 pm. Additionally, on Tuesday, August 4, all early college students will meet at 6 pm to meet one another and learn about their new school and opportunities.

While selections have been made for the upcoming school year, it is still NOT TOO LATE! If interested in the Mayland Early College program for your child for the 2010-11 school year, please contact us at our new phone number in our new facility at (828) 765-1401 or email aburleson@mayland.edu. You can also learn more about our program through our website at mechs.mayland.edu.
 

The Mayland Community College Foundation awarded Emily Robinson of Yancey County the first Intelligent Choice Scholarship. Pictured is Executive Director of the Foundation Laura Laughridge, Robinson, and MCC President Dr. Suzanne Owens.

‘Intelligent Choice’ Scholarship Awarded at Mayland

The Mayland Community College Foundation awarded Emily Robinson of Yancey County the first Intelligent Choice Scholarship. 

Robinson is the daughter of Chris and Martha Robinson of the Newdale Community and is a 2010 graduate of Mountain Heritage High School. She is enrolled at Mayland Community College and will begin classes this fall. 

To coincide with Mayland Community College’s “Intelligent Choice” enrollment campaign, the MCC Foundation began offering three $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties. 

Recipients of the scholoarships must be ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class, and must enroll as a full time student at Mayland in the fall immediately following their graduation. 

The purpose of the Intelligent Choice Scholarship is to attract and support high quality, ‘choice’ students from all three counties in Mayland’s service area. 

“Students and their families need to know that Mayland can offer them a quality education, specialized services, support and a nurturing atmosphere, all for an affordable price,” said Dr. Suzanne Owens, Mayland Community College President.

For information about scholarship opportunities at Mayland or to find out how you can help, contact the Mayland Community College Foundation at 1-800-4-MAYLAND, ext. 209 or 311. 

The Mayland Community College Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation whose mission is to support, strengthen and advance the work of Mayland Community College.

Priority registration for the fall semester will be held July 19-23. The college will be closed on Fridays during the month of July. Visit www.mayland.edu for more information.

                  Basic Law Enforcement Training Graduates
Mayland Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program recently had 14 cadets who graduated from the program. Pictured are cadets on the front row from left to right Waylon Watts, Jason Winters, Eddie Buchanan, Timothy Clawson, Joshua Hernandez, Sarah Robins, and Cecil Hobson. On the back row from left to right are Travis Bagwell, Casey Turbyfill, Charlie Bradley, John Cropper, Brett Hoilman, Adam Hopson, and Jason Phillips.  The class began on August 24, 2009.

MCC Announces Spring 2010 President’s List

Administrators at Mayland Community College recently announced the names of students receiving academic distinction for Spring Semester 2010.

President’s List students are those who earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average (GPA) and completed at least 12 credit hours:

Isaiah B. Aldridge, Billy F. Aycoth, Johnny L. Banks, Justin A. Barnhill, George A. Beauvais, Jr., Jonathan L. Beck, Stacy L. Berry, Tommie S. Buchanan, Patricia J. Buesser, Paul Chakmakis, Heather N. Christian, Randy E. Conn, Tammy R. Connor, Brittany E. Daeges, Regina M. Daniels, Crystal G. Dellinger, Misty P. Dotts, Cesar A. Flores, Brian E. Franklin, Kelly D. Gibson, Megan B. Gilley, Kristie D. Gross, Donald T. Guiton, Sarah J. Hall, James N. Halley, III, Arthur L. Hames, Linda R. Harmon, Jordan V. Hobart, Marsha L. Hoilman, Thomas R. Holland, Teresa Y. Honeycutt, Carrie H. Hughes, Hannah E. Johnson, Seth A. Johnson, Tricia M. Johnson, Christopher L. Jolly, Sarah E. Kneen, David T. Knowles, Jennifer T. Laws, Jesse Z. Le Blanc, Marjorie L. Mason, Roland W. McBride, Brittany K. McCormick, Cindy M. McCurry, Michael D. McGriff, Jennifer E. Miller, Mark A. Mitchem, Cynthia M. Mullinax, Brittany D. Murdock, Tammy M. Nanny, Darrah H. Noble, Tony G. Osborne, Rhiannon M. Peterson, Jackie L. Puckett, Ginger G. Rathbone, Dennis L. Rhoads, Joshua J. Robinson, Steve R. Robinson, Steven K. Scharf, Robert W. Smithey, David H. Street, James K. Stuart, Frank J. Szymelewicz, Paul C. Tumey, Michael R. Tye, Jr., Beverly A. Ward, Sandra C. Whitson, Ashley N. Wiseman, Jerri E. Wiseman, and Cynthia L. Woody.

MCC Announces Dean’s List for Spring 2010

Administrators at Mayland Community College recently announced the names of students receiving academic distinction for Spring semester 2010.

Dean’s List students are those who earned at least a 3.5 grade-point-average (GPA) and completed at least 12 credit hours:

Aaron J. Autrey, Nathaniel L. Avery, Dustin S. Bailey, Wanda A. Battisti, Jessica W. Biddix, Michael E. Bradley, Chad C. Buchanan, Gregory L. Bullard, Rebecca J. Burleson, Clint A. Carlson, Jessica K. Clark, Ricky E. Clark, Derek S. Cox, Sondra M. Crocker, Taylor S. Dellinger, Cesar G. Estrella, John L. Evans, Darrell D. Forbes, Taylor N. Fox, Larry E. Fuller, Regina S. Gardin, Jimmy D. Gibby, Amber G. Higgins, Allison N. Huskins, Sharon F. Huskins, Jackie M. Hyatt, Johnny R. Isaacs, David M. Jackson, Amanda D. Jones, Ashlyn M. Kirkpatrick, Kayla E. Knecht, Joy K. Laws, Ethan G. Ledford, Edward G. Long, Alan K. McClendon, Marvin R. McDonald, Bertram N. McElhiney, Jr., Edmund L. McGill, Billy D. Michael, Julie D. Ollis, Charles J. Rhyne, Brandy M. Roberts, Anthony Rodriguez, Amberly R. Rogers, John H. Slaughter, IV, Angela R. Sparks, Elizabeth T. Sparks, Ricky T. Stafford, Taylor W. Suggs, Darrell S. Sullins, Jacob V. Suttoni, Christine Z. Swann, Jason S. Thomas, Nicholas J. Walker, Devin Washington, Holly N. Webber, Sarah E. Williams, Jermaine F. Wilson, Gaelle M. Wolff, Amanda L. Woodby, and Jeffrey D. Wright

MCC Announces Honor Roll for Spring 2010

 Administrators at Mayland Community College recently announced the names of students receiving academic distinction for the Spring 2010 semester.

 Honor’s List students are those who earned at least a 3.5 grade-point-average (GPA) and completed at least 6-11 credit hours: 

 Christine V. Adkins, Kodie Aldridge, Stacie H. Allen, Lauren E. Avery,  Anthony Balbuena, Clayton A. Banner, Emily B. Banner, Jessica L. Banner, Harvey D. Bates, III, Richard L. Beall, Kathryn E. Benfield, Ronald B. Bishop, Lahna E. Bland, Patricia L. Boone, Tiffany D. Boone, Jay F. Brake,

Robert G. Branch, Sr., Angela D. Briggs, Cynthia D. Briggs, Kevin A. Bryant, Ashley C. Buchanan, Cheryl L. Buchanan, Ariel A. Byrd, Michael Capellupo, Dawn L. Carmack, Sheena R. Carpenter, Margie A. Carroll, Michael C. Carroll, Jenny C. Carroway, Jessie L. Carver, Jared D. Clark, Alecia D. Coffey, Holly M. Coffey, Meredith M. Condrey, Aaron C. Cox, Ryan A. Cox, Scarlett J. Cox, Matthew E. Cranford, Caroline E. Crenshaw, Ashley M. Crowder, Pamela F. Crowder, Denton B. Curtis, Peggy S. Dale, Bobby J. Davis, Anita B. Dowd, Austin W. Duncan, Glenn C. Duncan, Eric D. Early, Kristin T. Earp, Daniel J. Edney, Paul M. Edwards, Christina R. Ensley, Celeste Fender, Devon K. Fero, Travis W. Fisher, Jacob L. Fox, Amanda S. Franklin, Cherilyn A. Franklin, Jared R. Frye, Christopher G. Garland, Courtney M. Garland, Connie T. Gilpin, Jelinda L. Glenn, Loren Green, Tonya R. Greene, Kyle F. Griewisch, Zebulon J. Griffith, Lester K. Gunter, Rebekah L. Hagerman, Vanessa R. Hall, Steven L. Hass, Jr., Amy A. Hoilman, Christopher W. Hoilman, John W. Hopler, Myria A. House, Lori A. Houston, Brittney N. Howell, Autumn K. Hudgins, Linda H. Hudgins, Cynthia D. Hughes, Tammy M. Jackson, Amy P. Jaynes, Rebecca M. Jones, Sally D. Jones, Taylor M. Jones, Mikael D. Kehoe, Jason V. Kinnison, Chelsea Kneen, Taylor C. Lacey, Jerica L. Ledford, Casey S. Lee, Catalina Lehmann, Dustin A. Leininger, Gerald W. Lyons, Megan C. Mahoney, Miguel A. Maldonado, Melissa A. May, David W. McGrew, Kyran E. McKinney, David S. McLintock, Ronald W. McMahan, Kemberly E. McWilliams, Deborah A. Miller, Alex E. Moore, Jessica A. Morgan, Thomas A. Nelms, Stacey L. Newman, Angelica M. Nichols, Keith A. Nichols, Melanie T. Nichols, Heather M. O'Shields, Sandra G. Parker, Kayla A. Pate, Mitchel R. Perry, Rebecca E. Perry, Ashley D. Peterson, Kacey N. Phillips, Cecil J. Polly, Mark T. Polsgrove, Amber N. Potter, Leah S. Powell, Robin R. Powell, Daniel D. Price, Larry D. Pryor, Kendra M. Puckett, Jessica A. Puleo, Mark S. Quick, Jeffrey A. Raines, Allyson S. Rathburn, Nancy M. Ray, Crystal R. Riddle, Kayla B. Robinson, Marla J. Robinson, Ramona G. Robinson, Stacie M. Robinson, Wesley S. Robinson, Denise D. Self, Brian P. Sheedy, Brittany L. Shelton, Ian K. Shuemaker, Jessica A. Silver, Wris T. Skenandore, Christopher A. Smith, Khadija R. Smithers, Robert J. Spicer, Melissa M. Staubitz, Mark A. Stewart, Joshua I. Swink, Carissa E. Teal, Frank L. Tollie, Corbin N. Turbyfill, Tria S. Turrou, Courtney L. Vance, Kayla M. Vinson, Janessa E. Waterman, Jessica D. Waycaster, Raquel N. Webb, Samantha L. Webb, Melissa A. Whitson,Melissa M. Winspear, Jessica L. Wiseman, Sara E. Wiseman, Justin D. Wright, Michael L. Young, and Ronald E. Youngblood, Jr.

The Mayland Community College Workforce Development Get R.E.A.L. youth program had several participants who completed their degrees this spring. Those included Ayla Archer Associates in Art graduate, Brittany Creasman- Associates Degree in Nursing graduate, Crystal Hicks Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration graduate, Joy Laws Associates in Human Services graduate, Jessica Atkins- Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration graduate, Kasey Barnett who earned her Diploma in Medical Assisting, Kayla Robinson-earned a certificate in Esthetics Technology and Megan Mahoney who also earned a certificate in Esthetics Technology.Also, MCC’s Workforce Development Get R.E.A.L. youth program participants who earned their GED in June included Paul Branton, Alexis Nason, and Kristal Dalton-Pryce. Congratulations to all who reached their educational goals! Pictured is MCC GED grad Paul Branton.