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A Better Life
When Sheldon Rozier first attended Heart of Georgia Technical College, he enrolled through the Fatherhood Program. The program, designed to help non-custodial parents support their families, is coordinated by Earnest Wade, a long-time friend of Rozier’s father.
Rozier, a graduate of Dublin High School, came to the program because he was employed in a job that paid well, but not consistently. The inconsistency of his income made paying his child support difficult. Wade encouraged him to get an education so he could earn a steady income that would help him support his family. The Fatherhood Program helps educate parents and equips them with skills to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Rozier earned a Computer Networking Degree, along with many specialized certificates in the computer field. He installed computers for a retail business and worked in Atlanta for a while before his mother told him of a job opening with HGTC. Rozier applied and was hired to work with computer networking at the school.
At HGTC, Rozier works in Help Desk Support. His responsibilities include maintaining connectivity of the servers, switches and routers to each of the personal computers. He also installs and implements new programs and updates for over fifty servers. He works with every computer lab at the Dublin campus and the sites in HGTC’s service area, which include six other locations. With over 200 computers at the Porter Center at HGTC, the Dublin campus has 600 computers on site.
Although Rozier deals with all kinds of computer problems in his position, he also builds computers for the school. He recently taught a class on A+ Certification at HGTC where students learn to build and repair computers. Rozier would like to continue his education; he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Networking in the near future.
“The Fatherhood Program works with people who want to help themselves. Sheldon Rozier is a quality person. He was willing to work to make a better life for himself and his children. If a person wants to help himself, I can help get him on the right track to a better life,” says Wade.
Making Business Work
Getting laid off from her position of seven years with Brown and Williamson gave Pauline Johnson the chance to do something she had always wanted to do…own a business. Although Johnson started Heart of Georgia Technical College in the medical field, she switched to Marketing Management to pursue owning a business.
The courses Johnson has taken helped prepare her to open a bakery in downtown Eastman, “I wanted to own a business and I love to bake, so I decided that was what I needed to do.” In October 2005, Johnson opened Hummingbird Bakery. Her classes prepared her for setting up her business by evaluating her market and making a business plan. She learned how to set prices for her products in order to cover her costs and make a reasonable profit for her market. Johnson uses her education every day, “I do an Excel report at the end of every day that helps me track my business. I learned how to prepare the report and how important it is to review my business from HGTC.”
Johnson’s daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth, work in the bakery every day. “It’s a family affair,” says Johnson. Her daughter Elizabeth is currently studying Accounting at HGTC. Johnson’s husband installed new flooring and made other repairs in the building where the bakery is located. Her father and step father helped her with start-up money.
Johnson has been a representative for the Student Council and was on the Dean’s List while at HGTC. She was nominated for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) and was recognized for excellent work ethics. She will graduate in March of 2006 and currently takes online classes to keep on track.
In 2005, Johnson was nominated by instructor Brenda Gilbert for the Tools for Outstanding Occupational Leadership Students (TOOLS) Award sponsored by Morris State Bank, the Livingston Family Foundation, and the HGTC Foundation. The program, directed by Laurie Wicker, provides needed tools to help students get a head start with some of the equipment and supplies they need to enter the workforce.
Johnson received a projector used for creating specialty cakes, along with an airbrush machine and digital camera and scale from the TOOLS program.
Johnson enjoys giving back to her community. She gives discounts to charitable organizations and cakes for raffles and other fundraisers. “A lot of the things I do here I learned at Heart of Georgia, like giving and advertising. I like to make my customers happy and make sure they walk out my door happy with my business.”
Commitment Pays Off
Christie Lee was anxious about going to college after being out of high school for ten years, but her determination to succeed has earned her a diploma in Medical Assisting from Heart of Georgia Technical College.
A graduate of Wilkinson County High School, Lee started school at HGTC after she was laid off from her position with a manufacturing company in Cochran. She had two children at the time and gave birth to her third while in school. Although she had challenges raising a family and going to school, Lee will graduate in March 2006 with good grades and a diploma qualifying her for a position in the medical field.
Allied Health Instructor, Susie Drew, is proud of Lee’s accomplishments, “I am impressed with Christie because of her determination and willingness to do what it takes to be successful. She is an asset to HGTC and the Medical Assisting Program because she is a model student. I have enjoyed helping her reach this stage of her life, and I want to thank her for trusting me with such an important task. She will succeed wherever she goes and she will definitely be an asset to her employer.”
While at HGTC, Lee found time to serve as Vice President of her class and was recognized for having outstanding work ethics. She also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. She was recently awarded the Tools for Outstanding Occupational Leadership Students (TOOLS) in which she received supplies to help her get started in her career. Lee interviewed for the TOOLS award just one week after giving birth to her third child, and she returned to school prepared to move forward with her class. “I took my books to the hospital with me; I didn’t want to get behind because I would have to go to school for another quarter,” says Lee.
Lee has had the opportunity to use her skills with her sister who has cerebral palsy and her grandmother she helped care for. An aunt who is a registered nurse has been an inspiration to Lee, “She always tells me to keep working toward my career.” Lee is currently working with a local obstetric practice to earn credit for the required 240 clinical hours. She would love to continue in this field or work in a medical field that helps children.
Pictured (l-r): Susie Drew and Christie Lee.
Mother and Daughter Team Earn Diploma
Nancy Moore and her daughter Kristie love children. It was this love for children that drove both of them to pursue an education where they could acquire skills to translate this love could into earning potential.
As residents of Telfair County and graduates of the local high school, both women decided to enroll in Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center in the Early Childhood Program. Mother Nancy had worked with a manufacturing business for twenty years when the plant closed its doors. She always enjoyed working with the children at her church and thought she would like to learn more about them. Daughter Kristie had experience working in a daycare and wanted to get her education.
Both mother and daughter recently earned a diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Paraprofessional certificate. They attended both day and evening classes and often rode together. They also encouraged each other when classes got tough. “The classes were interesting,” says Nancy who graduated from high school in 1974, “I thought the classes would be really hard since I have been out of school a while, but they were interesting.” Due to an illness in the family, it took a little longer for them to get their education, but both are glad they stuck with the program.
Nancy and Kristie obtained good grades while in school and they were able to perform internships with pre-kindergarten classes in the Telfair County School system. They helped each other in and out of the class. Both feel called to work with younger children.
Working with children has also given Nancy and Kristie the chance to use the skills learned at HGTC. They both currently have jobs keeping children. They have been able to compare notes on their education as well as their experiences while working with young children.
Heart of Georgia Technical College congratulates Kathryn Bagley (Bleckley County) and Cristy Thomsen (Laurens County) for being chosen to begin cooperative (Co-op) employment with the VA Medical Center for the upcoming spring and summer quarters. The two are students in the Medical Office Specialist (MOS) Program at the College. When their co-op duties are completed, Kathryn and Cristy will return to HGTC to complete the requirements for their program of study. The co-op opportunity is available to two MOS students every six months. The students are judged based on job interview, grade point average, and completion of coursework at the school.
Pictured (l-r): Cristy Thomsen and Kathryn Bagley
HGTC National Technical Honor Society Inducts New Members
DUBLIN—The Heart of Georgia Technical College National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) inducted 46 new members on March 9, 2006. The National Technical Honor Society is an honor organization for outstanding students enrolled in occupational, vocational, or technical programs. The purpose is to promote service, leadership, honesty, career development, and skilled workmanship; to reward student achievement; to encourage and assist students in educational and career goal setting; to promote a stronger linkage between local technical institutions and business and industry; and to promote the image of technical education in America.
Candidates for NTHS membership are students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement, skill development, good character, leadership, honesty, and responsibility. Membership is open to students from all diploma and degree programs. Students may be nominated for membership based on the following criteria: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater, a minimum of 24 credit hours completed in a diploma or degree program, and demonstrated qualities such as dependability, worthy character, good mentality, credible achievement, and a commendable attitude.
Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president, addressed the group of recipients and congratulated them on being in the top 2% of the entire student body. She also thanked Maria Crooke and Beverly Forbes, club advisors, for their hard work and dedication to the National Technical Honor Society. Dr. Peters and Dean Becky Carroll then presented the group with their certificates.
The following students were inducted into the NTHS. First row (l-r): Dorothy Pittman (Laurens), Dena Coleman (Laurens), Amanda Schrader (Dodge), Yolanda Kratz (Bleckley), Kimberly McCrimmon (Laurens), Tammonla Jordan (Laurens), Leigh Gierka (Laurens), Sonja Jackson (Johnson). Second row (l-r): Wendy McLoon (Telfair), Kimberly Livingston (Telfair), Tina Taylor (Dodge), Hardika Patel (Dodge), Lora Witte (Bleckley), Janet Melvin (Dodge), Whitney Dixon (Laurens), Kathryn Bagley (Bleckley), Pamela Howard (Laurens), LaTonia Brantley (Johnson), Donna Davis (Bleckley), Amelia Clark (Laurens). Third row (l-r): Amy Walls (Telfair), Kayla Hall (Laurens), Krisi Young (Laurens), Morgan Tapley (Baldwin), Dennis Sikes (Bleckley), Heidi Tanner (Dodge), Jennifer Lowery (Laurens), Melvina Gray (Laurens), Kathryn King (Bleckley). Fourth row (l-r): Angela DiFazio (Laurens), Brian Rowland (Laurens), Ethel Bloodworth (Bleckley), Sylvia Baker (Dodge), Chris Kersey (Laurens), Marion Taylor (Johnson). Not pictured: Leslie Rozier, Melinda Dulmage, Christie Jones, Rhonda Lucas, Silas Shepherd, Karla Jones, Amanda Mullens, Michelle Anderson, Sara Roberts, Amy Williamson, Jeffery Hobbs.
A Solid Foundation
Marsha Tyson, Executive Director of Georgia Cooperative Health Education Program (CHEP), enrolled at Heart of Georgia Technical College over twenty years ago to take accounting courses. She earned a certificate in Accounting while there. Her education at HGTC proved to be a solid foundation to build upon that would help her achieve success over the years.
Tyson was working for the Internal Revenue Service when the Dublin office closed. She began working with Carl Vinson VAMC with the CHEP program. “I’ve always been one to write down my goals. One of my goals was to be executive director of CHEP one day,” Tyson says. She set about to achieve this goal by enrolling in classes at Middle Georgia College and later Georgia Southern University. She also took online courses from several other schools.
Tyson was able to work while she earned her degree using her experience and the education she received from HGTC. “I can’t say enough good things about HGTC, I’ve used the skills I learned there throughout my career,” says Tyson.
During HGTC’s twentieth anniversary, Tyson was selected as one of twenty graduates to be spotlighted.
Local Student Wins Award
Middle Georgia College recently awarded Crystal Eady the Allison Goff Award for overall excellence. The award is one of four given by the Business Department to students. Recipients are selected based on grade point average and credit hours in course of study.
Eady started her education at Heart of Georgia Technical College, where she is now employed as Admissions Assistant. She earned a diploma in Computer Information Systems while at HGTC and has put her skills to work while continuing her education.
Brooka Hutcheson, Admissions Recruitment Specialist at HGTC, is pleased with Eady’s award, “Crystal is a great inspiration to HGTC students. She is able to assist them through the admissions process with personal experience that they trust. Crystal is always willing to try something new and is continuing to think of new ideas to assist in making entrance into technical college smooth for students. I think the example she has set by linking technical college with further education is something to share with others. She certainly deserves this honor.”
A graduate of Dodge County High School, Eady was selected for the National Technical Honor Society while at HGTC. She earned the Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) Certification after graduation.
Eady has earned an associate’s degree in Applied Science and is working toward a bachelor’s degree. She maintains above a 3.80 grade point average while working full-time and being a single mother.
Eady grew to love teaching when she had the opportunity to help other students while at HGTC. The example set for her by the instructors influenced her decision to pursue teaching.
Plans for the future are to finish her degree and teach at the high school or college level in the business or technical field. “Heart of Georgia really gave me a leg up on my courses taken at Middle Georgia College,” says Eady.
Education Brings Good out of Bad
What might have seemed like a stroke of bad luck for Norman Johnson, has turned into an opportunity to work in a field he enjoys. In 1993, Johnson earned an electronics diploma from Heart of Georgia Technical College and went on to work for eight years in office machine repair. In 2001, he was injured on the job and could not go back to work in this position.
Finding himself out of a job, Johnson decided to enroll at HGTC again. This time he entered the Computer Information Systems program. His education and experience in electronics made studying computers a natural fit. This program teaches skills necessary to install and maintain small networks at home, as well as help maintain medium to large corporate networks.
Johnson completed the requirements for the CIS-Networking Specialist Diploma and currently works as a Help-Desk Technician at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. He has certifications in CompTIA Network and Industry Certification. He has passed the first two tests needed to obtain the Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Certification. He plans to earn more certifications and continue his education upon graduation from HGTC. Johnson realizes that computers are constantly changing which means continuing his education to keep up with those changes.
Norman credits HGTC with giving him the tools needed to succeed in his field of study, “Going to HGTC has been the absolutely best thing I’ve ever done. The instructors are dedicated to the success of their students and are willing to go the extra mile for you. I would encourage anyone wanting to make a change in a job they are in, or anyone interested in a quality education to try HGTC. The opportunity for a career is here.”
 
Students in the Early Childhood Care and Education program at Heart of Georgia Technical College held an Art Show. The HGTC pre-k students visited each station and participated in sheet painting, bubble wrap art, bird seed art, and many more activities.
Wicker Awarded Scholarship
The 43rd Association of Fundraising Professions (AFP) International Conference on Fundraising will be held April 2-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference will provide more than 125 sessions in 13 different specialty tracks in fundraising.
The AFP Greater Atlanta Chapter sponsored scholarships to attend the International Conference. Laurie Wicker, director of development for Heart of Georgia Technical College, received one of the scholarships. The scholarship provides the conference registration fee valued at $595.
AFP has 26,000 members and more than 170 chapters throughout the world. The association fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.
Little Ocmulgee Donates to the Heart of Georgia Technical College
Little Ocmulgee EMC (LOEMC) recently donated approximately $4800 to the Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) to assist students in paying for the recently imposed technology fee required by the state each quarter. HGTC students in the Laurens, Telfair and Wheeler counties will be able to utilize these funds to pay the $35 technology fee.
LOEMC General Manager Arnold Horton presented Laurie Wicker, HGTC Director of Development with the donation made possible through recent legislation from the state of Georgia. In the 2005 session, legislation was passed that allowed unclaimed capital credits to be used for educational or economic development purposes instead of returning the funds to the state.
Little Ocmulgee EMC is proud to be able to assist our local area HGTC students with this expense. This is another way LOEMC continuously strives to serve the local communities.
Students in the Radiologic Technology Program at Heart of Georgia Technical College recently attended the Atlanta Society of Radiologic Technologist Students and Radiographers’ Seminar and Educators’ Conference. The seminar topics included: Modalities Imaging, Trauma Imaging, Digital Imaging, Patient Assessment, Emergency Codes, Learning Styles, Equipment Maintenance, and Pathology. Pictured are students who attended: Seated: Kim Smith, Patti Kight, Nichole Fountain, Jessica Gorrell, Erica Hardeman. Standing: Mike Burns, Tonya Powell, and Ben Shepard. Not Pictured: Jean Hinson, Dena Dukes, Teresa Hooks, Jason Lyles. Roslyn Johnson and Stephanie Morris, HGTC instructors, also attended the conference.
Representatives from Hot Rod Magazine were recently on the campus of Heart of Georgia Technical College to talk about careers in the automotive industry and to promote the 2006 Hot Rod Power Tour. Students from HGTC, West Laurens High School, and Wilkinson County Schools were in attendance.
Love for Computers Leads to Career
Wade Todd always knew he wanted to work with computers. He got his first personal computer at age nine. He began working with the software, but he also developed an interest in the hardware of the machine.
A graduate of East Laurens High School, Todd enrolled in Heart of Georgia Technical College the fall quarter following his graduation to pursue his interest. He will graduate at age 19 with a diploma in Computer Information Systems (CIS).
The CIS program at HGTC is only two years old, but the demand for graduates is strong. The program provides hands-on networking experience, along with the fundamental knowledge to succeed in the CIS field. Several students enrolled in the classes are graduates of four year colleges who desire to prepare for the Industry CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. Cisco is the largest manufacturer of network infrastructure equipment used to create local and wide-area networks.
Todd is currently taking evening courses while working at Flexsteel where he works in networking, repair and any issues relating to the software and hardware of computers. “Wade is very enthusiastic about his work. He comes in eager to do whatever needs to be done with confidence and knowledge in his field of study. His work here can only benefit Flexsteel as he continues to learn and gain experience,” says Lisa Giddens of Flexsteel.
Wade was able to pass the A+ Certification for computer repair without taking the class. Wade has also earned certifications in Network Plus, and CCNA. He loves to troubleshoot computers and has not run into anything on the job that he was not prepared to deal with.
At HGTC, Wade found the instructors to be very helpful and willing to go the extra mile in time and energy to help students succeed. The equipment at the school was a big plus as well, “We have equipment for all students and the teachers are very hands on. They will work with you on getting your labs done and are willing to stay extra hours to help.” He also feels the program is a great way to get a quick education that will prepare the graduate for a career in the computer field.
Heart of Georgia Tech welcomes Hispanic community to Latino Festival
Piñata, dancers, and a mariachi band will be just part of the fun when Heart of Georgia Technical College sponsors its first Latino Festival next month. Saturday, May 6, will be a day for families to come to the HGTC campus to learn what the college has to offer while enjoying activities for adults and children.
The festival opens at 11 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. All the activities are free. The mariachi band, Los Arrieros, will begin playing at 11 a.m. At noon, Dr. Pablo Santamaria, the honorary festival chairman, will officially welcome visitors to HGTC. The Latin dancers in costume will perform immediately afterwards and again later in the day.
Children will have two opportunities to break a piñata, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. They can have their faces decorated with designs, play bingo and dominoes, enjoy an art activity, hear stories read and take home a complimentary book. They can get a complimentary identification tag made that includes their picture. They and their parents can learn about the stars and the sky at the Star Lab and enjoy such free refreshments as popcorn and soft drinks.
Adults are invited to explore Heart of Georgia Technical College. Many interpreters will be on hand to translate and guide them around the campus where they can see demonstrations of some of the programs taught at HGTC. For example, they will be able to explore the classroom with the instructor who teaches heating and air conditioning repair and make greeting cards in the business and information technology department. They can have their blood pressure and blood sugar tested and be weighed and measured in the allied health department. They will find enrollment applications printed in Spanish and English and interpreters to explain the enrollment process and educational opportunities available to them at the college.
Visitors to the festival will be invited to register for door prizes to be given away in drawings to be held twice that day at the center stage.
Heart of Georgia Tech President Randall Peters said that he wants the members of the Hispanic community in the region to know that they are welcome at Heart of Georgia Tech. He invites everyone to come to Heart of Georgia Tech, 560 Pinehill Road, Dublin GA, to attend the festival, enjoy the day and get to know their friends at HGTC. For additional information, please call Mary at (478) 274-7763.
HGTC Students Attend PBL Competition
 
Members of the Heart of Georgia Technical College Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) organization recently attended and competed at the District Conference and Competition which was held in Valdosta, Georgia. Those in attendance were: Brandy Brady (Laurens), Dennis Sikes (Bleckley), Cynthia Ussery (Laurens), Katie Thompson (Laurens), Shawna Padgett (Laurens), Angela Moore (Dodge), Yolanda Kratz (Laurens), Winston Bolen (Laurens), David Northrup (Laurens), Heidi Tanner (Dodge), Laura Wilson (Laurens), and Teresa Dean (Bleckley). The results are as follows:
Angela Moore 2nd Computer Concepts
1st Networking Concepts
Dennis Sikes 3rd Computer Concepts
2nd Networking Concepts
Winston Bolen 3rd Networking Concepts
Yolanda Kratz 2nd Accounting Principles
2nd Visual Basic Programming
Brandy Brady 2nd Marketing Management
HGTC PBL Chapter 3rd Battle of the Chapters
PBL is a national organization for business technology and information technology students. PBL provides opportunities to develop vocational competencies for business occupations. PBL also promotes a sense of civic and personal responsibility. District, state, and national competitions are open to students in this organization. Phi Beta Lambda members are also involved in various community and charitable endeavors as well.
Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president, commented, “These students exemplify the caliber of education that is on-going at Heart of Georgia Technical College. I, as well as the entire faculty and staff, congratulate them on their success.”
Over 60 teachers from the Wilkinson County middle and high schools recently had an opportunity to tour Engelhard. The tour was coordinated by Alissa Jacques, the Heart of Georgia Technical College Stay in School Grant coordinator.
The teachers were welcomed at the Engelhard Training Center, where they were introduced to several members of the Engelhard administration and shown a brief safety video. They were given an idea of the occupations which are utilized at Engelhard. The presenters gave a brief introduction on Engelhard, and shared the types of math, reading, and problem solving skills that are needed to work at the company. They stressed the relevancy of classroom skills to industry needs. The teachers will now be able to go back into the classroom and share valuable information with their students.
Employees from Dublin Glass and Window Company in Dublin recently attended a 10-hour OSHA Safety Training course at Heart of Georgia Technical College. Johnny Hilton, a certified OSHA instructor, taught the class which was held through the HGTC Continuing Education Division. For information on OSHA or other specialized training, contact Jep Craig, vice president for economic development, at 478-274-7843 or jcraig@heartofgatech.edu.
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