HGTC Foundation awards first five Dr. Fred A. Smith Jr. Scholarships
The Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation awarded the first Dr. Fred A. Smith Jr. Scholarships Friday, April 4, 2008, at the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. Dr. Howard Abney (front R), dean of LOIC, is pictured on the front row (L-R) are four of the five recipients: Leah Davis, Jodi McCranie, Mamie Robinson, and Melissa Best. Back row (L-R): Beverly Brown, HGTC trustee; Eddie Selph, president of The Merchants & Citizens Bank; Janice Irvin, HGTC trustee; Paula Rogers, president of the Telfair Chamber of Commerce; Jimmy Ray, HGTC trustee; and Laurie Wicker, HGTC Foundation executive director.
The Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation awarded the first five Dr. Fred A. Smith Jr. Scholarships on April 4 at a presentation ceremony held at the Little Ocmulgee Instruction Center (LOIC) in Helena.
The scholarship was established earlier this year by The Merchants & Citizens Bank of McRae in memory and honor of Dr. Fredrick Augustus Smith Jr. The scholarship is based on financial need and is for students enrolled at the LOIC. Students receiving the scholarships are Bridgette Nelms of McRae, Leah Davis of Milan, Mamie C. Robinson of Alamo, Jodi McCranie of Helena and Melisa Best of McRae.
Dr. Smith was a lifelong resident of Telfair County. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1937 with a bachelor of science and received a doctor of medicine degree from Emory University in 1941. Dr. Smith was a veteran of World War II, serving as captain and surgeon in the Emory Medical Unit in Europe and North Africa. He was vice chairman of the Board of Directors of The Merchants and Citizens Bank, a member of the McRae Rotary Club, and active in the timber industry. He practiced medicine for 50 years in McRae and the surrounding area. Dr. Smith passed away on Jan. 15, 1999, at age 82.
The Foundation will award five, $50 Smith Scholarships quarterly. “The M & C Bank expressed an interest in helping as many students as possible,” said Dr. Howard Abney, dean of the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. “Even with the majority of our students on the HOPE grant,” Abney said, “they still need funds for books and supplies—which add up quickly.”
Scholarships create opportunities to change lives. Those interested in establishing a scholarship or donating to an existing scholarship, please contact Laurie Wicker at (478) 274-7878 or lwicker@heartofgatech.edu. The HGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
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Merchant & Citizens Bank establishes second
HGTC Foundation scholarship
The Merchant & Citizens Bank of McRae has partnered with the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation to provide scholarship opportunities for students enrolled at the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. This is the second partnership with The M & C Bank and the HGTC Foundation to offer local students scholarship opportunities. Last year the bank established the Chester Arthur Ryals, Jr. Scholarship which is awarded annually to a Telfair County High School graduating senior who plans to attend Heart of Georgia Technical College.
The new scholarship, Dr. Fred A. Smith Jr. Scholarship, will be awarded quarterly. Students in good academic standing who have a financial need are eligible for the scholarship. The Foundation will award five, $50 scholarships each quarter. “The M & C Bank expressed an interest in helping as many students as possible,” said Dr. Howard Abney, dean of the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. “Even with the majority of our students on the HOPE grant,” Abney said, “they still need funds for books and supplies—which add up quickly.”
The M & C Bank has established this award in memory and honor of Dr. Fredrick Augustus Smith, Jr. Dr. Smith was a lifelong resident of Telfair County. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1937 with a bachelor of science and received a doctor of medicine degree from Emory University in 1941. Dr. Smith was a veteran of World War II, serving as captain and surgeon in the Emory Medical Unit in Europe and North Africa. He was vice chairman of the Board of Directors of The Merchants and Citizens Bank, a member of the McRae Rotary Club, and active in the timber industry. He practiced medicine for 50 years in McRae and the surrounding area. Dr. Smith passed away on Jan. 15, 1999, at age 82.
“We are very pleased to partner with The M & C Bank to offer our students quarterly scholarship opportunities,” said Laurie Wicker, executive director HGTC Foundation. LOIC students interested in applying for the scholarship should contact Dr. Howard Abney or Penny Barlow at LOIC or may access a scholarship application on-line at www.heartofgatech.edu and select the Foundation link. The first scholarship awards will be made spring quarter.
Scholarships create opportunities to change lives. Those interested in establishing a scholarship or donating to an existing scholarship, please contact Laurie Wicker at (478) 274-7878 or lwicker@heartofgatech.edu. The HGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. |
