More than 200 people attended Wake Tech’s first Plus 50 Expo at the Northern Wake Campus, with workshops on entrepreneurship, financial planning, computer training, health and wellness, and more. Dr. Allen Mask of WRAL’s Health Team was keynote speaker. The free event was open to all but designed especially for those 50 and over.

In October 2014, Wake Tech associate professor Lee Wittman traveled to Angola to train doctors on emergency response and deliver medical equipment and ambulances to remote village clinics. Wittman teaches in Wake Tech’s EMS program and is an international consultant and trainer in emergency medical services.

In July, students in Wake Tech’s popular Simulation and Game Development program presented original game designs at a Student Showcase on Main Campus – with industry representatives on hand from some of the Triangle’s 40+ video game companies. In April, Wake Tech helped organize the East Coast Game Conference at the Raleigh Convention Center – a three-day event that is the largest gathering of video game professionals on the East Coast.

Surgeon and world-renowned researcher Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, spoke at the Perry Health Sciences Campus as part of Wake Tech’s STEM Speaker Series. Atala’s current research focuses on growing new human cells, tissues, and organs.

Student Government Association members got in line for haircuts in the Wake Tech Cosmetology Salon – to help cosmetology students get hands-on experience. President Scott stopped by for a trim! Nearly 100 students are enrolled in Wake Tech’s associate’s degree program in cosmetology.

Wake Tech’s Small Business Center (SBC) encouraged “shopping local” on Small Business Saturday®, November 29. About half the nation’s private sector workforce (60 million workers) and 47% of the North Carolina workforce are employed in small business. Wake Tech’s SBC has assisted hundreds of new and expanding enterprises in Wake County.

Wake Tech engineering students faced off in a “Rube Goldberg” competition on Main Campus. Competitors worked in teams to create a device that could pop a balloon in five or more steps, using gravity, mechanics, sound waves, light, or electricity. The students are working toward the Associate in Science Engineering (pre-major) degree and planning to transfer to four-year institutions.

Artsfusion, held on Main Campus in April, showcased student talent in creative writing, visual arts, culinary arts, and music. Culinary students and professional chefs matched skills in a competition sanctioned by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Students won three gold medals, 13 silver, and 24 bronze. Former Wake Tech baking instructor Kelly Bellmore won gold and Best in Show. Artsfusion began in 2014 when Fine Arts and Culinary programs teamed up to highlight students’ creativity.