Un-Sung Heroes of the Front Desk

       Our front desk personnel are DeKalb Tech’s unsung heroes. They play an important role in “first impressions” of our technical college.

      If you haven’t met the Newton Center’s front desk staff, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Shelby Cope and Polly Sturdivant who work the morning and afternoon shift, respectively. They are required to be knowledgeable about our locations, departments, class offerings, calendar and staff.

      Their responsibilities far surpass greeting our guests and answering the phone. Shelby and Polly make vehicle reservations, return calls, make appointments for Work Ready testing, observe and help enforce policies and procedures, route students, disperse mail, grade tests, data entry, help assemble training materials, proofread, and other related tasks. “It is a joy to be a part of the DeKalb Tech family and to greet the many visitors and students with a smile as they come in for training or classes,” said Cope in her cheerful voice.

      While I admire all of their talents, I am most appreciative of their listening ear. They always take time to ensure caller satisfaction. Shelby and Polly are respectful and attentive to the occasional, angry customer who needs someone to listen and connect them to the right person.  It is not uncommon for the Vice President’s office to receive commendations on their customer service. “It is always a pleasure when the front desk gets positive feed-back from visitors and callers,” said Sturdivant who always makes sure each call ends on a happy note.

      Shelby and Polly have the gift of encouragement and we are fortunate to have them on our team.  Be sure to let them know how much you appreciate their service to DeKalb Technical College.

 Submitted by Economic Development Programs

Susan Wright in the Virtual Classroom – ELLUMINATE

     To keep students engaged and on the right track to learning corporate

Susan Wright - Instructor

accounting, Susan Wright, accounting instructor is in the virtual classroom – ELLUMINATE.  Elluminate sessions will be held each week for ACC 1103 on-line students.  The next session is set for Tuesday August 10, 2010 at 5:00 pm.   During session the instructor fielded questions about Corporate Accounting: Formation and Paid-In Capital, Earnings & Distribution and Long-Term Liabilities and Investments.  If want to join in this virtual classroom, call Susan Wright at 404-297-9522 ext. 1191

Steven Kimani Wins Honor

         Please help me in extending a heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Steven Kimani, BAS student, who was informed today that he is one of 500 students selected nationally as a recipient of the 2010 Home Depot Scholarship.  This scholarship is worth $1,000.00 to Mr. Kimani, and also another $1,000.00 to DeKalb Tech. for the purchase of tools and training aids.

         Mr. Kimani’s work at DeKalb Technical College has been of the highest quality and I’m certain he will be highly successful in the building automation field or in whatever he chooses to do in the future.

         Congratulations Steven!  We are extremely proud of your achievement!

Newton Center Extends Welcome

        The Newton Center is a state-of-the art facility conveniently located 25 miles east of Atlanta off Interstate 20 at Exit 92 in Covington, Georgia. Executive boardrooms, multipurpose classrooms, the elegant atrium, conference center, exhibit hall, and newly built auditorium are available for your conference and event needs.

Newton Conference Center

           Our beautifully manicured grounds and architecture have attracted trade shows, conferences, job fairs, seminars, retreats, weddings, receptions, banquets, reunions, graduation/birthday parties, and fashion shows.

            While the Newton Center offers all of the amenities of urban Atlanta, it provides a comfortable escape from the hassle of downtown congestion. Televisions, VCRs, projectors, Internet connection, and on-site technical support personnel are available to aid in the success of your event. The Atrium with the winding staircase and marble foyer is an elegant location for receptions, special presentations, banquets, and weddings.

                  The Conference Center is ideal for training sessions, meetings, banquets and retreats with full AV capabilities. A kitchenette is easily accessible for catered meals, as well.  We have many other executive boardrooms or classrooms that will accommodate small to large meetings.

            We are proud to announce the opening of the Newton Center’s largest rental space.  Renovation is nearing completion and will be available in September. Now is the time to reserve your upcoming holiday events and luncheons.  

            We look forward to helping you make your events memorable and stress-free. For complete information, please contact Dawn Wolff at 770.784.3003 or email wolffd@dekalbtech.edu.

Ramp Up For Success!!!

Economic Development announces RAMP UP: The Regional Advanced Manufacturing Principles to Update Performance. Students can RAMP UP their skills by participating in our industrial training programs.  

Based in the industrial lab at DeKalb Tech’s Newton Center, the classes are customized for the individual and range from 16 to 40 hours. Each participant has three months to complete the class at their own pace. Directed Instruction is a non-credit program and does not require an application fee. 

Topics include Basic Electrical Concepts, Electrical Motor Control, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Basic Mechanical Skills, Basic Mechanical Devices and Maintenance, PLC I, PLC II, Instrumentation, Variable Speed Drives, Human Machine Interface(HMI), Industrial Wiring and Schematics.

The lab is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Students enjoy the flexible hours that do not interfere with their work schedule.

Instructor, Gerald LaFontaine brings a wealth of knowledge he obtained from working in the Pulp and Paper Industry for thirty years. A subject matter expert in the electrical and mechanical field and graduate of UGA, LaFontaine traveled throughout the northern hemisphere gaining valuable skills as he observed how people from other countries maximized performance by applying different methods. LaFontaine has been a fulltime instructor for DeKalb Tech for the past 13 years. Students draw on his valuable years of experience in the mechanical and electrical field.

“Employers are seeking skilled candidates in their labor force,” said LaFontaine. “Students who come through our programs compete more effectively in the job market. Employers are looking for cost effective ways to upgrade the skills of their employees.  We can customize training to include specific components  used in their manufacturing process.”

Our lab includes Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers that includes PLC 5 up through the ControlLogix. We use PanelView Plus HMI, Allen Bradley PowerFlex 700 Variable Speed Drive,  1336 Impact Variable Speed Drive, and a PowerFlex 40.

For more information, contact Gerald LaFontaine at 404-297-9522, extension 5000, lafontag@dekalbtech.edu; or Business and Industry Coordinator Diane Doehrman, 404-297-9522, extension 5029, doehrmad@dekalbtech.edu.

A Smile Goes A Long Way

Thomas Boersma

With so much negativity around us these days, sometimes we fail to acknowledge the small things that have such a big impact on our day-to-day lives. 

I think about this every morning when I climb out of my car and tramp across the parking lot to DeKalb Tech’s CEC Adult Literacy building on Buford Highway where I teach adult ESL.  I think about it because I’ve come to realize that my days at CEC always seem to start off on a positive note.  Granted, I’m generally a cheerful person, but a grouchy snarl or ignored greeting can put a “kink” in my cheerful attitude in a nanosecond.

That never happens at the CEC building on Buford Highway though.  Every morning as I close in on the entrance to the building, I’ve come to count on the building door flying  open and Tom (I don’t even know his last name..) emerging with his great big beaming smile and booming voice offering  a jovial  “good morning, Jan.”

Tom doesn’t start only my day off on a good note.  He starts everyone’s day off well.   As I climb the stairs to my second floor classroom, I can still hear his booming cheerful greetings and well wishes echoing up the stairwell.  “Hello”…. “Good morning”….  “Have a great class” he says as he welcomes teachers and students alike.  And, while I can’t really see it, I can still hear and feel his smile — all the way up to the second he floor.  

One might not think that so few words and a beaming smile could have such remarkable impact.   But, they do.

Jan Bequeath - Author

DeKalb Technical College Photography Class

DTC Photo Class

            Recently several budding photographers from Madison took part in a Digital Photography class presented by DeKalb Technical College.   The classes were held at the college’s newest center  located at 150 E. Washington Street. 

 

       During the two day class participants studied the technical, composition, light, color and artistry aspects of digital photography.  Students ventured out of the classroom to photograph the sites of downtown Madison. “We are able to look at typical things, like the fountain or flag, with more interest now.” said one of the students.

          The students were given an assignment to photograph “eyes” during the weekend.  Several beautiful photographs were presented. The instructor, Mandi Singer, critiqued each photograph and discussed ways to improve it. “The class gave me a practical way for taking pictures. I can not wait to use what I have learned while I am on my vacation this year!” said another student.

Recently, several members of Madison’s community participated in a Digital Photography class presented by DeKalb Technical College at their newest campus located at 150 E. Washington Street.

During the two day class, participants studied the technical, composition, light, color and artistry aspects of digital photography.  Students ventured out of the classroom to photograph the sites of downtown Madison. “We are able to look at typical things, like the fountain or flag, with more interest now.” stated one of the students.

The students were given an assignment to photograph “eyes” during the weekend. Several beautiful photographs were presented. The instructor, Mandi Singer, critiqued each photograph and discussed ways to improve it. “The class gave me a practical way for taking pictures. I can not wait to use what I have learned while I am on my vacation this year!” said another student.

DeKalb Tech’s summer schedule offers Community Spanish, Scrapbooking, Adult CPR and First Aid, Caring for your Parents, How to Start your Own Business, OSHA Safety, Servsafe, Beginning/Intermediate /Advanced Digital Photography, Genealogy, SAT/ACT Test Preparation, Microsoft Office 2007 to include Introduction to Computers, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.  If you are interested in taking any of these classes or have suggestions for future class topics, contact Diane Doehrman at the college: 404-297-9522 extension 5029 or doehrmad@dekalbtech.edu.

DeKalb Tech’s summer schedule offers Community Spanish, Scrapbooking, Adult CPR and First Aid, Caring for your Parents, How to Start your Own Business, OSHA Safety, Servsafe, Beginning/Intermediate /Advanced Digital Photography, Genealogy, SAT/ACT Test Preparation, Microsoft Office 2007 to include Introduction to Computers, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.  If you are interested in taking any of these classes or have suggestions for future class topics, contact Diane Doehrman at the college: 404-297-9522 extension 5029 or doehrmad@dekalbtech.edu.

EMS Students Work for Charity

DeKalb Tech EMS students during PB&J Drive

EMS Students from DeKalb Technical College joined with Bank of North Georgia in a food-raising drive in recent days. This is the third annual PB&J drive in which the community donated more than 1000 pounds of peanutbutter and jelly.

PB&J Food Drive

The food will be donated to local food banks. “The students obtained this amount by going to area stores and homeowner association and asking for donations. I am very proud of our students and the instructors that lead them,” said Dr. Richard Wieser, Chairman of the Department of Public Safety and Security at DeKalb Tech.

Proud Of Our Own – Vernice Lawson

Vernice Lawson - Graduate

Human Resources -

      It is graduation time here at DeKalb Technical College and we are pleased to announce that one of our teammates, Ms. Vernice Lawson, graduated this month with honors and received double degrees.  Ms. Lawson is a proud member of DeKalb Tech’s Class of 2010, and of course, Ms. Lawson was not the only DeKalb Technical College employee who graduated on Saturday but since we have blogging rights this week, we decided to brag about her while blogging.

Ms. Lawson applies 200% to all that she does.  She applies herself totally to whatever project is set before her and always rises to the challenge.  One of the first lessons that instructors like to share with their students is the ten most important work ethics or characteristics that are sought by employers worldwide and they are:  appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, organizational skills, productivity, teamwork and respect.  Ms. Lawson is the embodiment of all these qualities.  She is always immaculately put together, always punctual, utilizes critical thinking, means what she says, very productive and respectful and always participates in some DTC activity, so much so that she was torn by the decision to walk at the graduation or help out behind the scene.  Of course, Vernice style – she did both.  We will not go astray by following in her footsteps.  She is human resources personified. 

We continue to proud of all our DTC graduates but we are especially proud of you, Vernice!

New Protection for DTC Community

DTC Police Chief Mike Blouin (right) swears in officers Christopher Albers(left) and Rod Benson (center)

You may have noticed a new look and feel around DeKalb Technical College.  The “look” is men and women in blue and the “feel” is that feeling of having more security in and around campus.

    With the beginning of July comes a new beginning in police patrol at DeKalb Tech.   The college’s police department used to consist of Chief Mike Blouin and Assistant Chief Melody Hutcherson.  Now the size of the force has exploded to six sworn police officers and 30 security officers.   The previous security was a company contracted to keep an eye on things.   The new police force are all DeKalb Technical College employees who have a vested interest in this campus.  “By having our own staff we will be able to increase the safety and security on campus.  We will be raising our presence and lowering the potential for problems,” says Chief Mike Blouin.

     In recent years campus security has become an important part of college life.  Emergency notification procedures and creating a safe learning environment are top priorities for many campuses around the country.  DeKalb Tech is now poised to provide excellent police protection with a force that is approaching 40 police and security officers.