Catawba College officials have learned that the college’s application to participate in the Kakehashi Project: Youth Exchange Project with North America Student Creators Exchange Program has been accepted. The Kakehashi Project is one of the programs administered by the Japan Foundation.
Dr. David Fish, associate professor of music and chair of the music department at Catawba College, submitted the application on behalf of the college. It will allow 12 Catawba students who are enrolled in the popular music program and Fish, who directs that program, to participate in the exchange during June. The student will spend 10 days in Japan making and recording popular music with their Japanese counterparts.
In March 2015, a group of Japanese popular music students will visit Catawba for a similar exchange experience, also to be funded by Kakehashi Project.
Salisbury Academy will host its annual spring Scholastic Book Fair next week. The theme is We Love Reading in honor of Valentine’s Day.
The fair will be held in the Media Center Monday, Feb. 10, through Thursday, Feb. 13, from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Parents, friends and the community are welcome to attend. Please check in at the front office. Salisbury Academy is located at 2210 Jake Alexander Blvd. N.
Livingstone College will be celebrated at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. The theme is “You Can Get Life From a Stone at Livingstone; Re-Branding HBCUS With a 21st Century Curriculum and Community Partnerships.”
This public program will present the Livingstone College Concert Choir and the Livingstone College Gospel Choir, directed by Dr. DeVaughn Miller, music and theater arts department chair. Dr. Joan Harrison is the accompanist.
Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins Jr., president, will introduce the culinary arts degree program, the re-start of the College Farm , plans for a 21st Century Student Health Center and internships for students.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College recently moved three technical programs to the college’s Cabarrus Business and Technology Center (CBTC) on Highway 29. Electrical systems technology, electronics engineering technology and construction management technology programs are now housed with the air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technology (AHR) and information technology (IT) departments.
The move is three-fold, according to Dr. Hasan Naima, dean of the college’s engineering and business technologies programs. First, the move will accommodate the bond projects taking place on North Campus. Secondly, each program is receiving updates. Third, consolidation in a single location makes sense because of how the division’s certificate program is structured in conjunction with AHR and IT.
Naima explains that certifications are “stackable.” The more a student adds, the better his or her workplace qualifications, and the higher their potential salary.
Combining the five programs in one central location helps create … accessibility, Naima says. “We have to work smart. Innovation is utilizing what you have in a new approach.”
The electrical program is now in one wing of the CBTC. The existing AHR area was once two classrooms, but is now one space filled with all sorts of industry equipment used for hands-on learning.
The electronic engineering and electrical programs share one lab, and the electronic engineering program has its own dedicated lab. These programs often overlap, according to Naresh Arora, program chair of electronics engineering.
In the shared lab, students learn about AC and DC power, along with digital and analog signals. They learn to use devices which troubleshoot many types of electronic equipment.
All of this troubleshooting can now be simulated via computer, but it’s important to learn on the actual equipment, too, Arora says. Students also build virtual circuits on the computer.
Naima says that an advisory committee of area business professionals works with the CBTC to inform training and certification options.
Even with the shifting of programs, Naima says he still needs more space. “Our program is growing.”
Tractor Supply Co. has announced the second annual Growing Scholars program in partnership with the National FFA Foundation. Last year, Tractor Supply customers donated $362,324, resulting in 284 scholarships awarded to FFA members in their pursuit of a college degree.
The Growing Scholars program will be supported nationally by each of the more than 1,245 Tractor Supply and Del’s Feed & Farm Supply stores Feb. 14-23, which includes National FFA Week. Tractor Supply customers can donate $1 or more at store registers during the checkout process to support local FFA chapters and their members. Ninety percent of funds raised through Tractor Supply’s Growing Scholars program will be used to fund scholarships for FFA members. The remaining 10 percent of donations will benefit state FFA organizations.
“The funding we received from our customers last year was incredible,” said Tractor Supply President and CEO Greg Sandfort.
To be eligible for the scholarship program, students must be current FFA members and either high school seniors or a freshman, sophomore or junior college student seeking a two- or four-year degree or other specialized training program. Major areas of study will also be considered when determining scholarship recipients.
Tractor Supply has been a sponsor of the National FFA Foundation for 27 years. The National FFA Foundation is the fundraising arm of the National FFA Organization, which provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 579,678 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,570 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Franklin Heights Christian Academy will have an open house on Monday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. at 526 Wright Ave., Kannapolis.
Laura McGee from Parents for Educational Freedom, Raleigh will speak to parents on their eligibility for the NC School Opportunity Scholarship.