Newspapers / Firestone News (Gastonia, N.C.) / Dec. 1, 1958, edition 1 / Page 5
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DECEMBER, 1958 Tire$tone S3SWi PAGE 5 FIRESTONE TEXTILES PRESIDENT AT DEDICATION Gaston Tech In New Quarters ☆ it W. A. Karl’s Talk At dedicatory ceremonies here November 7, Gaston Technical Institute was seen as a pioneer venture in educa tion and a way-maker for a state-wide system of technical junior colleges. Leaders in education and industry came to Gastonia for At GTI Program the program which launched the school m its new quarters ® on property donated by the Firestone Company, At the program, some 40 great things to come for the In senior staff members of North stitute. Carolina State College’s school of engineering sat in a body, as the educators paid tribute to the donor company and forecast A FOOT SAVED Joseph Cote of Twisting (Syn thetic) has believed in the merits of safety shoes ever since he came South from Worcester, Mass., and began working at Firestone nine years ago. His recent experience with a chain saw occasioned a special testimonial for safety footwear. While operating the saw on a logging job near his home at Alexis, it slipped and ripped across the toe of his shoe. The metal plate saved his left foot from injury. When he brought in the dam aged shoe for this photograph, he pointed out, "I always keep a new pair in reserve." Heading the group were Dr. William C. Friday, president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina, and W. D. Car michael Jr., vice president. Fire stone Textiles president, W. A. Karl, made formal presentation of the property. Valued at $200,000 when it was donated two years ago, the property was renovated at a cost to the state of an additional $200,000. It now provides facili ties enabling the school to turn out engineering technicians. En rolled are 156 students from 57 counties of North Carolina and three other states. The company’s gift of the buildings and land was cited by one official “as a good example of how industry has come to the aid of education in North Caro lina.” W. A. Karl, Firestone Textiles president, was here from Akron in November, to make formal presentation of the plant’s dormi tories property as the new home of Gaston Technical Institute. Citing its new facilities, Mr. Karl saw the school as “facing a great future of service to the people and industry.” Sgt. Charles L. Waldrep and his family spent a few days re cently with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Waldrep. His mother is a cloth inspector. Sgt. Wal drep has been transferred from his Marine post at Camp Le- Jeune, N. C., to Twentynine Palms, Calif. There, he has be gun a two-year course in mis siles. For the trip to California, Sgt. Waldrep and his family were accompanied by Mrs. Jennie Collins. Following is a portion of the text of his talk: This is a historic day for the institute and for Firestone. Our company has always been a be liever in education. This is best demonstrated in the Firestone scholarship program for children of employees, which calls for granting of a minimum of fifteen four-year scholarships each year. The number has never been be low 19 and has totaled as many as 29 in a single year. There are 93 students now in college under this scholarship program. Six students have been from the Gastonia area. Of these, Claudette Kayler and Carl Stew art have already graduated. Those in college now are Forrest Eaker, Peggy Davis, Bobby Sel lers, and Michael Stroupe. Property Offered To University When it was learned that the Gaston Technical Institute was out-growing its facilities. Fire stone surveyed the dormitories property and concluded that it would be suitable, and would provide the space required. It was offered as a gift to the Greater University. I know we are all happy that it was ac cepted. Through the division of col lege extension under the direc tion of North Carolina State Col lege, Gaston Technical Institute will now be able to serve better the added number of students in search for higher education. Since the Division of College Extension first set up courses in the spring of 1947 and establish ed the school in 1952, growth has been spectacular. Gaston County is most fortun ate in having also the North Carolina Vocational Textile GOING PLACES. . . SEEING THINGS December Sparkles With Travel Suggestions Sunshine and Christmas decorations are not the only things that give sparkle to life across the mid-South in December. A full calendar of special events of interest to Firestone travelers makes the twelfth month a time for sightseeing and visiting—especially in North Carolina. Travel information service of Plant Recreation is always ready to make helpful suggestions for your off-job time on-the-go. In North Carolina by mid-December over 4,000 lights are burning on the world’s largest living Christmas tree, at Wilmington. Christmas is ac companied by a round of sports and social events for vacationists and homefolks. Projecting into the following month, there is another Yuletide— Old Christmas, at the village of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, January 5. IN THE western part of the State, Tryon is as famed as a winter resort as it is for summer at tractions. Its unusual “Thermal Belt” makes win ter climate milder than that of the surrounding area, although it is located in the mountains at an elevation of more than 1,000 feet. Horseback riding and hunting are big attractions there, though the excellent golf course and the beauty of the village and surrounding country make it equally popular with those who do not wish to ride and hunt. From the Sandhills it is only a three-hour drive to the Southeastern Coast, where fine fish ing is enjoyed the year around. The plant travel information service offers this suggestion for an interesting trip: On December 17 at Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk on the Northeastern Coast, ceremonies will commemorate the 55th anniversary of powered flight. Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first successful powered flight near these small com munities on December 17, 1903. Honoring their achievement, hundreds of North Carolinians and visitors from other states gather at Wright Brothers National Memorial just before Christ mas each year for Aviation Anniversary cere monies. This year’s observance will feature a fly-over of modern aircraft at Wright Memorial, which overlooks the all-year seashore vacation- land of Dare County. THE MEMORIAL to powered flight is 75 miles south of Norfolk, Va. You may drive to it by US 17 or 158 to Elizabeth City, N. C., and then by US 158 to Kill Devil Hills. There is bus service to the memorial. You may visit the memorial from 8:30 a.m., to 5 p.m. daily. Wright Brothers National Memorial is administered by the Na tional Park Service of the US Department of the Interior. Among distinguished visitors at the dedication of Gaston Technical Institute were (from left): Robert Lassiter, who repre sented Governor Luther Hodges; Dr. W. C. Friday, president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina; W. A. Karl, president of Firestone Textiles; and Dean J. H. Lampe of the School of Engi neering of NC State College. School near Belmont. The cur riculum applies especially to the textile industry and does not conflict with that of Gaston Technical Institute. You can be proud of the growth of the North Carolina Vocational Tex tile School. I am sure it will not be long before GTI will have at tained the same level of im portance in the state, and per haps lead the way to similar schools in other areas. A World Dependent Upon Science Today, more than at any time in the past, we are living in a world dependent upon science. The State College Record of June, 1956 pointed out, “This demand (for technicians) ex ceeds that for engineers by ap proximately eight to one, but technicians have heretofore been unable to receive their training in the South.” Gaston Technical Institute is providing just that training and with these splendid facilities, it will be in an even better position to serve this area, providing an opportunity for students to learn basic science, and to make avail able to industry well-trained technicians. This area has been primarily devoted to the production of textiles, but in recent years there has been a diversification of industry that embraces com plex manufacturing procedures requiring more engineers and more technicians. Industrial Progress At Firestone This industrial progress can best be emphasized by recalling our experience here in Gastonia. When we purchased the plant in 1935, there were no paved streets; parking space held less than a dozen cars; and most of the homes were without bath rooms. What do we see today? Fine paved streets, houses with modern conveniences, parking facilities at our plant for nearly 300 cars per shift. That is prog ress, but there is more to the story . . . Before World War II, Fire stone decided that its employees should have opportunity of home ownership. A plan was developed to allow purchase of the homes workers lived in. We are happy to say that while sales were temporarily interrupted by the war, all houses have long since been sold. The best reward is the way the owners have im proved and are maintaining their properties. Firestone not only believes in education—it believes in im proved living standards for its employees. Both conditions make for better citizenship and community relationships. I express deep regret that Mr. Raymond C. Firestone, presi dent, and Mr. J. E. Trainer, ex ecutive vice president, were not able to attend these dedication exercises. But they join me and the Firestone company in proud ly presenting this property to the Greater University of North Carolina. We wish its affiliate— Gaston Technical Institute and its graduates—a great future of service to the people and to in dustry in this community and this area. She Played Music For Own Wedding When Harriet Joyce Redding became Mrs. John O. Van Dyke on November 19, nuptial music for the ceremony was provided by the bride herself. The daugh ter of Earl Redding, Shop, and Mrs. Redding of Main Office, played organ selections by tape recording. The Van Dykes were married at Love Valley Baptist Church in the Dixon School community, near Kings Mountain. After a wedding trip to Ashe ville, Mr. Van Dyke left for a term of service in the US Army. His wife returned to Boone and Appalachian State Teachers College where she is a senior, majoring in education. Mrs. John O. Van Dyke
Firestone News (Gastonia, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1958, edition 1
5
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