Balsam Computer Technology Center Opens

In what was described as an historic event for both the college and the community, A-B Tech marked the official opening of the $5 million Balsam Computer Technology Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 23.

President K. Ray Bailey said the three-story, 36,150 square-foot building is the first in Buncombe County to be completed with funding from the 2000 Higher Education Bond Referendum. The $3.1 billion bond package, the largest ever in the state of North Carolina, brought the college $14 million for construction of two buildings, Balsam and a new Hospitality Education Center, as well as several renovation projects.

“The impressive margin of victory in the bond referendum – 3 to 1 here in Buncombe County – indicated the strong commitment our citizens have to the educational and economic development opportunities A-B Tech provides to our region,” Kaye Myers, chair of the Board of Trustees, told the crowd gathered for the ceremony.

Dr. Sharon Morrissey, vice president of Instructional Services, said Birch Building, which previously housed the college’s computer programs, was never designed for that purpose and reached its capacity for labs about six years ago. She said Balsam is evidence of A-B Tech’s dedication to student success “because it was designed to give students hands-on experience with cutting-edge computer hardware and software and because it was designed to be an inviting place to study and learn.”

Dr. Joe Franklin, dean of Business and Hospitality Education, thanked faculty and staff who served on the design team and added that the new building will allow the college to offer computer training to more students than ever before.

Likening Balsam to a tool, Microcomputer Lab Coordinator Chris Smart said: “As we all know, tools require skilled users to accomplish a goal. We are fortunate to have many masters of their skills in this division that will put this tool to good use.”

Second-year student Kathy Mikolajczyk expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to attend classes in Balsam. “The instruction I have received, the technology I have used have always been excellent. Those are now combined with larger classrooms and work areas,” she said.

The ceremony also included the unveiling of a plaque in honor of A-B Tech Foundation Board member Jerry Dave, whose company, Dave Steel, adjoins the college and who donated about an acre for the Balsam project. Dave has a long history of service to the college, serving as vice chair and chair of the Foundation Board and endowing a scholarship in Engineering and Applied Technology in memory of his father in 1979.