Oconee Electric Membership Corporation Foundation awarded the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation $4,000 towards funding for a fitness trail on the Heart of Georgia Technical College campus.

              The funding comes from a special program, Operation Round Up, where members of Oconee EMC round up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar to help support the Foundation.

              The purpose of the HGTC Foundation project is to develop a 20-station fitness trail. Wellness is an initiative identified in HGTC’s strategic plan. By implementing a fitness trail, HGTC will meet a goal of its five-year strategic plan.

              There is not a public fitness trail with exercise stations in the community. “The HGTC Foundation recognizes the need to make the HGTC campus a more fitness friendly environment,” said Laurie Wicker, director of development. “State funds are not available to implement a wellness program on campus; therefore, we are seeking private funds to create a fitness trail for the campus and community.”

              The Oconee EMC Foundation Round Up grant meets about a third of the project need. “The Foundation is seeking other sources to complete funding for the project,” said Wicker.

Eastman Student Wins First Place

in Manufacturing Appreciation Week Design Contest

Nikki Byrd, a ninth grader from Eastman, Ga., had lunch with over a thousand Georgia captains of industry last week.

Byrd, 15, won first place in the T-shirt category of the 2006 Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design contest. She received a $500 scholarship check at the MAW awards luncheon held at the Cobb Galleria. WXIA-TV’s Wes Sarginson was master of ceremonies.

Byrd, who attends Dodge County High School, said she’s considering a career in art, and so was very excited to find she’d won the competition. “I think I jumped up and down,” she added.

Thousands of students from around the state submitted design entries featuring Georgia manufacturers and their products. The three design categories were placemat, poster and t-shirt.

The awards luncheon was the culmination of MAW, celebrated this year April 17-21. Co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Department of Economic Development, MAW celebrates the manufacturing component of Georgia’s economy. According to the governor’s proclamation declaring Manufacturing Appreciation Week, nearly 10,000 manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, providing 447,777 jobs and generating more than $61 billion for the state’s economy.

This is the 12th year celebrating MAW in Georgia. This year’s sponsors include BellSouth; Georgia Power; Pattillo Construction; Habif, Arogeti & Wynne; the Georgia Department of Economic Development; and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute.

Heart of Georgia Technical College students and recent graduates had an opportunity to attend a Job Fair sponsored by HGTC and the Dublin Rotary Club.  Visitors were able to bring in their resumes and speak with representatives from various companies.  Pictured (l-r):  Randy Jackson, Bass Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center and rotarian; Lawton Davis, rotarian; Karen Core, rotarian; Jep Craig, HGTC vice president and rotarian; Richard Jones, HGTC board chair and rotarian; and Josh Durden, rotarian.  

Heart of Georgia Technical College pre-k students recently participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) HOP-A-THON.  This was the third year the students took part in the MDA cause. The MDA's disability awareness program teaches awareness about physically challenged children and their needs.  Each child received an activity book, blue ribbon sticker and a certificate of achievement, and they raised over $500 dollars.  

Scholarships awarded at Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center

Ten Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center Students have received the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center Technology Fee Scholarship from the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation for spring quarter.

Those receiving the award are Ashley Jordan of McRae, Gingerlee Spires of Eastman,  Teresa Williams of Alamo, Amanda Lasher of McRae,  LaWanda Jackson of Eastman,  April Roberson of Eastman, Jennifer Allen of Milan, Maria Tucker of Scotland,  Rosa Woodard of McRae,  and Mandy Barlow of Helena.

The Technology Fee Scholarship is awarded quarterly to students enrolled in a program of study at Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center (LOIC) of the Heart of Georgia Technical College. The scholarship is awarded to students who are in a good academic standing with the college.  The scholarship is also based on financial need and the amount of funds available for the award.

The HGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. If you would like to make a donation to support the technology fee scholarship, please contact Laurie Wicker at 478-274-7878 or 478-274-7627, or visit the Foundation website at www.heartofgatech.org.

Wilkinson County High School eighth grade students visited Heart of Georgia Technical College.  They toured the campus and heard presentations by several instructors.  Shown is one group as they listen to Kevin Corbin discuss the Criminal Justice Program at HGTC. 

HGTC Foundation awards McCullough Scholarship

              Dublin—The Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) Foundation will award the Alton Lee McCullough Scholarship at the West Laurens High School Honor’s Night on May 11 to Jason Bryce Moore of Dublin. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded in $200 stipends over five quarters.

              The Alton Lee McCullough Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior from the Laurens County School System who enrolls in a technical or industrial program at HGTC. The scholarship is given in memory of Alton Lee McCullough, a life-long resident of Laurens County. “Mr. Mac” was a retired vocational teacher, school administrator, and farmer. He was a Laurens County School Superintendent from 1965 to 1973 and in his capacity of superintendent was an advocate for the adjacent location of a comprehensive high school and technical school at the intersection of Interstate 16 and U.S. Highway 441—what we know as West Laurens High School and Heart of Georgia Technical College today.

              Moore will begin the diesel equipment technology program at Heart of Georgia Tech this fall. “I’ve always been interested in cars and trucks,” Moore said. “I took several classes in high school dealing with automobiles and enjoyed them.”

The Alton Lee McCullough Scholarship was established in August 2002.

HGTC Alumni to hold Annual Meeting

              Dublin—The Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) Alumni Association will hold its Annual Meeting Monday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Porter Center located on the HGTC campus.          

              The guest speaker for the dinner will be the HGTC 2006 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, Donna Davis. All alumni are familiar with the GOAL program. “We hope that by having the current GOAL winner speak, alumni will re-connect with the college,” said Sherry Kowtko, alumni association president. The Alumni Association will announce the 2006 Alumnus of the Year at the meeting.

               “This will be a great time for alumni to visit, reminisce, and build a foundation for the future of the alumni association,” said Kowtko.

              All alumni, HGTC faculty and staff, and retired HGTC faculty are invited to attend. Cost for the dinner is $10. For more information, contact Patti Davis at 478-274-7627 or pdavis@heartofgatech.edu.

Sylvia Rozier named HGTC instructor of the year

Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) recently named Sylvia Rozier, Allied Health Assistant Department Chair and LPN Program Chair, as the 2006 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year.  Nominated along with Mrs. Rozier were Dr. Claire Livingston, Allied Health department chair; Mr. Johnny Howard, Welding instructor; and Ms. Karen Mountain, Business and Information Technology instructor.  The announcement was made by Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president.

Annually, the Technical College System of Georgia recognizes an outstanding instructor through the presentation of the Rick Perkins Award of Excellence.  Each technical college is invited to nominate a single individual from among its faculty for competition in this award.  Locally, the criteria for being nominated includes:  full-time credit or adult literacy faculty member with at least three years of service at HGTC; submission of a resume and lesson plan; presentation of a sample lesson; and participation in a panel interview.  

As HGTC’s 2006 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year, Rozier will compete among other technical college instructors at the local consortium level.  Consortia winners receive statewide recognition for their achievement, and then move to state-level competition.  Final state-level judging will occur in September.

Rozier received a diploma from Swainsboro Technical School in 1976; an A.S.N. Degree in Nursing from Middle Georgia College in 1983; a B.S. Degree in Nursing from Georgia College and State University in 1997; and a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Georgia College and State University in 2002.  Mrs. Rozier has also completed several specialized trainings and certifications, and her involvement in the community is very extensive.  She has been with Heart of Georgia Technical College for 17 years.

“It is truly an honor to be selected to receive this award, and I am proud to be the representative for Heart of Georgia Technical College for the Rick Perkins Award of Excellence.” Mrs. Rozier commented.  “My passion for my profession comes from the belief that nursing is a calling, and I love to see and encourage that passion in my students.”

Dr. Peters commented, “Mrs. Rozier is a dynamic teacher and leader who focuses on her students in a caring way.  Her enthusiasm and love for people shows as she is constantly making a difference in the lives of students. I am proud of all of our instructors, but I am especially proud to honor Sylvia Rozier as the HGTC 2006 Instructor of the Year.  She will represent us well.”

Pictured:  Mrs. Rozier and Dr. Peters

Heart of Georgia Technical College held a Latino Festival on May 6, 2006.  Visitors to the campus enjoyed entertainment, food, and fun, and were able to learn about the program offerings of the College. 

       

Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Care and Education Program at Heart of Georgia Technical College recently held a Music Fair and invited the HGTC pre-k students to visit the fair.  They made musical instruments, including bottle shakers, paper plate tambourines, rhythm sticks, and toilet paper shakers.  To close the activity the children marched around the room to music playing their instruments they made. Pictured:  Pre-k student, Jessie Logan, shows off her tambourine.

Morris State Bank employees recently attended an Excel class at the Heart of Georgia Technical College which was coordinated through the Continuing Education Division. For information on specialized training for your business or company, contact Jep Craig, HGTC vice president for economic development, at 478-274-7843. 

HGTC Alumni Association to honor outstanding alumni

             The Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) Alumni Association will hold its Annual Meeting Monday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Porter Center located on the HGTC campus.          

              The Alumni Association will announce the 2006 Alumnus of the Year at the meeting. Ten alumni have been nominated for the award. They are Crystal Eady of Eastman, Ragan Green of Dublin, Pauline Johnson of Eastman, Louis “Redd” Landrum of East Dublin, Penny Mackey of Dublin, Barbara Martin of Dublin, Jackie Morris of Dublin, Berkley Roundtree of Dublin, Latrice Sellers of Dublin, and Katrina Wicker of Cadwell.

              Each alumni nominated has proven to be exceptional in the community and work place. Nominees exhibit a positive attitude, have outstanding character, and have excellent work habits.

The guest speaker for the dinner will be the HGTC 2006 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, Donna Davis. All alumni are familiar with the GOAL program. “We hope that by having the current GOAL winner speak, alumni will re-connect with the college,” said Sherry Kowtko, alumni association president.

               “This will be a great time for alumni to visit, reminisce, and build a foundation for the future of the alumni association,” said Kowtko.

              All alumni, HGTC faculty and staff, and retired HGTC faculty are invited to attend. Cost for the dinner is $10. For more information, contact Patti Davis at 478-274-7627 or pdavis@heartofgatech.edu.

        Dan Marschke, a representative from the Permatex Company, recently provided a presentation to Heart of Georgia Technical College students.  Permatex is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of automotive maintenance and repair products.  Students from the Diesel Program, and other technical and industrial programs, attended the seminar.

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Practical Nursing Class of September 2006 participated in a Capping Ceremony on May 11, 2006.  Pictured are:  Back row (l-r):  Dorothy Pittman (Laurens), Kamica Roberson (Dodge), Audrey Sapp (Bleckley), Leigh Ann Ware (Laurens), Brooke Mann (Telfair), Sonya Davis (Telfair), Mary O. Gordon (Dodge), Samantha Meeks (Telfair),  Karen Roberson (Telfair), Wendell Wingo (Dodge). Front row (l-r):  Kimberly Gray (Bibb), Hardika Patel (Dodge), Lashay Campbell (Laurens), Lashanna Smith (Laurens), Nicole Hooks (Laurens), Karen Tyson (Laurens), Lindsay Coticchio (Johnson), and Sylvia Rozier, RN, MSN, instructor and program chair.