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2012 Graduation - Cause for Celebration
May 11, 2012 - Graduates were all smiles as Southern Crescent Technical College held the annual commencement ceremony at First Assembly of God Church in Griffin as students received their diplomas on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
This year, approximately 600 students completed requirements for diplomas or degrees from Southern Crescent Technical College with nearly 160 choosing to participate in Thursday’s ceremony. All students were recognized for their achievements with words of encouragement from President, Dr. Randall Peters and Sara Polk, SCTC Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership recipient.
Dr. Ivan Allen, Former Interim President of SCTC and President of Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins, was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony. He congratulated the graduates and urged them to continue on their path of success. He offered them words of support as they achieve success in both their personal and professional life.
The graduation ceremony was certainly a time for celebration as students were rewarded for both their achievements and sacrifices in their pursuit of educational goals and dreams. The graduates have worked diligently for this great accomplishment and should be commended for their dedication to education.
SCTC Student Named as Finalist for the TCSG Student of the Year
TCSG Finalist
Atlanta, GA—April 26, 2012 Sara Polk, a Business Management and Criminal Justice student from Southern Crescent Technical College was honored as one of nine finalists for the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2012 Student of the Year award during a dinner at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta on April 26.
The award is part of the system’s annual GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) program, which recognizes the best student at each of the state’s 25 technical colleges and a Board of Regents college with a technical division. “There are more than 190,000 students attending Georgia’s technical colleges, so it’s an exceptional accomplishment to be named a finalist for the Technical College System of Georgia’s Student of the Year award,” said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson. Polk has earned this achievement because she has excelled in the classroom and is a great role model for others at the college and in her community.”
Judging for the award starts at each college and continues on to the regional level. At the state level, the nine finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. At each step, the students are rated on their academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, involvement in their local communities, and future aspirations.
The competition for the award is intense, for not only is the state winner named Georgia’s technical college student of the year and ambassador for technical education, the student also gets the keys to a brand-new Chevrolet Cruze, presented by Chevrolet and the local Chevrolet dealers, long-time sponsors of the GOAL program.
About the TCSG: The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 25 technical colleges throughout the state serving more than 190,000 students. Affordable access to high-quality, 21st century technical education programs that lead to in-demand jobs is a big reason why enrollment at the TCSG colleges is up by almost one-third over last three years.
The system also manages Quick Start, the internationally-known economic development incentive that offers workforce training for new or expanding businesses and industries in Georgia. Quick Start is one of the nation’s oldest and most successful programs for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.
TCSG colleges offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, manufacturing technologies, aerospace, logistics, agribusiness, life sciences, energy and the environment, and much more. In addition, the TCSG oversees the state’s adult education and GED preparation and testing programs.
SCTC Foundation Drive “Fore” Education Golf Tournament a Success
April 24, 2012 – The Southern Crescent Technical College Foundation recently hosted the Drive “Fore” Education Golf Tournament at Sun City Peachtree in Griffin in partnership with Skanska, Inc. At the conclusion of the tournament, a check totaling $20,378.00 was presented to the Southern Crescent Technical College Foundation from money raised at this event.
The Lauderdale style tournament was held on April 23, 2012 and had 28 teams participating. The Impact Outsourcing Solutions team of Todd Feltman, Buster Franklin, Joe Brown, and Kelly Yielding took home first place. Second place went to Jesse Foley, Tim Taylor, Ryan Carter, and Kelvin Hall. Third place winners were Keith Wesley, Doug Wesley, Curtis Hardwick, and Buren Goss. Fourth place winners were Dan Carr, Ryan Galasso, David Black, and Polo Bascuut.
John Lloyd, Jim Shaw, Brian Karlowicz, and Curtis Hardwick each won Closest to the Pin titles and the Longest Drive prize went to Jesse Foley.
Birdie Sponsors for the tournament included: Dixie Electric Company; Impact Office Interiors; Impact Outsourcing Solutions; Lord, Aeck & Sargent Architecture; Norcom, Inc.; Perkins-Shibaura Engines; Precision Concrete Construction, Inc./Argos; and United Bank Investment and Trust Services.
Two Local High School Students Win Statewide Art Contest
Atlanta, GA—April 19, 2012: Song Kang and Tamara Ferguson, both 12th graders from McDonough’s Union Grove High School, shared a stage with Gov. Nathan Deal today in honor of Georgia’s manufacturing industry.
Kang took first place and Ferguson received third place in the t-shirt category of the 2012 Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design contest. For their efforts, Kang received a $ 500 scholarship and Ferguson received a $100 scholarship check, presented at the MAW Governor’s Awards Luncheon at the Georgia International Convention Center.
Governor Deal
Kang’s talents are abundant as this is the third year she has won an award in the t-shirt competition; placing second in 2009 and first in 2011.
Gov. Deal congratulated all the winners of the contest, and praised the commitment to manufacturing they symbolize. “I really appreciate the fact that you would see it important to recognize these fine young folks,” he said.
Students from around the state submitted design entries featuring Georgia manufacturers and their products. The three design categories were placemat, poster and t-shirt.
Dr. Randall Peters, Southern Crescent Technical College president stated, “We were thrilled to be able to submit such exceptional artwork from these individuals and to have their artwork chosen to represent manufacturing in the state of Georgia. They are both talented young women and well-deserving of this honor.”
with Governor Deal
During the ceremonies, Gov. Nathan Deal named Georgia’s 2012 Manufacturers of the Year: Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in West Point in the large manufacturer category (more than 500 employees); Quad/Graphics’ facility in The Rock in the medium manufacturer category (150-500 employees); and Cartersville’s Applied Thermoplastic Resources in the small manufacturer category (fewer than 150 employees).
To underline his support for manufacturing and making Georgia the best place to do business, Gov. Deal used the opportunity to sign HB 386, the Georgia Jobs and Family Tax Reform Plan, before the awards presentation ceremony. HB 386 eliminates the state sales tax on energy used in manufacturing and provides a variety of tax cuts for Georgians.
Co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the awards luncheon is the highlight of MAW, celebrated this year April 16-20. This is the 18th year celebrating Manufacturing Appreciation Week in Georgia.
Student Appreciation Day – Fun for All
April 12, 2012 – SCTC students always welcome a break from classes, especially when they are treated to a day filled with food, fun, games, and prizes!
Student Government Association hosted the annual Student Appreciation Day on March 29, 2012 on the Flint River Campus and April 12, 2012 on the Griffin Campus. Students enjoyed barbeque lunch while participating in various games and activities, group exercise and hanging out with friends. Students were also able to participate in a car show and talent show and capped the afternoon off with an Open Mic Event. Students had a blast while indulging in everyone’s favorite - cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones!
United Bank Donates Scholarships to SCTC Adult Education
April 10, 2012, Griffin, Ga. – United Bank recently presented $950.00 to Southern Crescent Technical College to support Adult Education in the community.
The donation will fund 10 GED scholarships for residents of Butts, Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties. These scholarships are awarded by the GED facilitator in each county, and cover the cost of GED testing.
United Bank is proud to be a part of the GED program offered through Southern Crescent Technical College. Receiving a GED is a benefit for both the student and the surrounding community. Pike County GED student Kelsy Dawsey is a shining example of the rewards of getting a GED. U Kelsy recently received the EAGLE Spirit Award which is given annually to the EAGLE delegate that has been chosen by peers to represent Adult Education students statewide as an ambassador and spokesperson for literacy. After getting her GED, she is now attending Berry College and is pursuing a degree in biology with a double minor in chemistry and business. She plans to attend medical school upon graduation. Kelsy shared with United Bank how getting a GED changed her life stating, “Instead of looking back on my life and wondering what I should have or could have done, I am able to look forward to a future that I have the capability of molding.”
KIA Donates Two 2012 Optimas to Southern Crescent Technical College
April 5, 2012, Griffin, Ga. – Southern Crescent Technical College was presented the keys to two 2012 Kia Optimas this week in a ceremony at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) facility at West Point. Kia made the presentation to SCTC President Dr. Randall Peters for use in the Automotive Technology programs.
“It is our pleasure to make these donations,” said Randy Jackson, KMMG’s vice president of human resources and administration. “Exposing the students of this region to new automotive technology will be a big benefit for those students and also for KMMG as we look to continue hiring the best of the best team members committed to building world-class, high-quality vehicles.”
“We are most appreciative to KMMG for their generous donation to Southern Crescent Technical College,” said Dr. Randall Peters, president of SCTC. “These vehicles will greatly enhance our students experience by providing them with the latest automotive technology and allow them hands-on exposure to the complex technologies on today’s cars. Kia has been a great partner to the Technical College System of Georgia since arriving in this State and we truly appreciate this generous donation to our College.”
Kia previously donated a 2011 Sorento vehicle to SCTC in 2010 as part of an overall donation to the Technical College System of Georgia.
There are currently 241 students enrolled in the associate degree, diploma and technical certificate automotive technology programs on the Flint River Campus and Griffin Campus locations of Southern Crescent Technical College.
Kia first announced it was going to build an automotive manufacturing facility in Georgia in 2006. The Kia Georgia Training Center, operated jointly by Kia and Georgia Quick Start, opened its doors in 2008, and since then, KMMG has hired more than 3,000 team members who now produce the Kia Optima, Kia Sorento, and the Hyundai Santé Fe.
Upson County's Quad/Graphics Named Manufacturer of the Year
Atlanta, GA – April 2012: Gov. Nathan Deal today presented The Rock’s Quad/Graphics with the award for Manufacturer of the Year in the category of 151-500 employees.
Quad/Graphics won the award “For its commitment to excellence in manufacturing, community service, and economic growth in Upson County,” according to the remarks read when the award was announced.
Quad/Graphics, one of the world’s leading printers of catalogs and magazines was founded in 1971 by the Quadracci family in rural Wisconsin.
“It was the pledge of our founder, Harry Quadracci, that our team at The Rock would stay committed to Georgia,” said Eric Steinbach, Quad/Graphics corporate vice president of operations for magazines and catalogs. “They have exceeded Harry’s expectations and are the prime reasons for our business success in Georgia.”
Following the path of his father, a pioneer in the printing industry, Harry V. Quadracci built Quad/Graphics from an 11-person team running a rented press and a borrowed binder, into the world’s second-largest provider of print and multichannel solutions.
“Quad’s success is about partnership – without partners, this would not be possible,” said Jeff Stribling, Quad/Graphics plant director. “Thank you to Quick Start for training our employees and making them tech savvy; and thank you to Southern Crescent Technical College for continuing improvements in education.”
Dr. Randall Peters, President of Southern Crescent Technical College stated, “This award reflects on the leadership of Quad Graphics, as well as their active participation in their community. This year marks the 18th annual Manufacturer’s Appreciation Week, meaning that Quad Graphics is only the 18th company in the history of Georgia to be recognized in this fashion. This is an honor reserved for only the best of the best and we are proud of the Quad Graphics team and certainly pleased about our close and continuous relationship with them. I look forward to many more years of partnership with such high performing professionals.”
Three manufacturers are chosen each year in categories based on the size of their employment – 150 or fewer, 151-500, and greater than 500. The other award winners were Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in West Point and Cartersville’s Applied Thermoplastic Resources as the state’s 2012 Manufacturers of the Year.
The annual awards luncheon, held today in Atlanta, is the highlight of Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week, which is co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
To underline his support for manufacturing and making Georgia the best place to do business, Gov. Deal used the opportunity to sign HB 386, the Georgia Jobs and Family Tax Reform Plan, before the awards presentation ceremony. HB 386 eliminates the state sales tax on energy used in manufacturing and provides a variety of tax cuts for Georgians.
