Frank Seaton receives statewide award for volunteerism
Frank Seaton, Jr., a Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation board member, received the Technical College Foundation Association’s Volunteer of the year Award for his nine years service to Heart of Georgia Technical College, the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation, and the technical college system of Georgia.
This prestigious award was presented during the 2006 Georgia’s Technical College System Leadership Conference held October 31 through November 2 in Savannah. The award is given annually to a volunteer from a college foundation for their work in the areas of resource development, friend-raising, and fundraising. Seaton is a partner in the accounting firm Thigpen, Jones, Seaton & Co., PC. He serves as the treasurer for the HGTC Foundation.
“The Dublin-Laurens Community knows the name Frank Seaton, and they know it means commitment, integrity, leadership, and community spirit,” said Laurie Wicker, HGTC director of development and HGTC Foundation executive director. Seaton joined the HGTC Foundation in 1997 not only as a board member, but as the treasurer for the non-profit organization. “He is our cornerstone,” Wicker said. “He keeps us on task. It is a pleasure to know and work with him.”
Little Ocmulgee EMC awards donation to HGTC
The Little Ocmulgee Electric Membership Corporation awarded the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation $4,705 towards funding for a fitness trail on the Heart of Georgia Technical College campus.
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 awarded a Round Up Grant in March 2006 to fund approximately a third of the project. The HGTC Foundation will fund the other third. “We are so excited to be able to implement a wellness program for our students and employees,” Wicker said. “The trail will also be a great asset to the community.” Pictured is Sandra McNeal and Janice Irvin presenting the donation check to Dr. Randall Peters and Laurie Wicker.
HGTC Foundation to award tools
The Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation will award tools to 14 Heart of Georgia Tech students on Friday, December 8, 2006.
The program is called TOOLS, Tools for Outstanding Occupational Leadership Students. This year marks the eighth awards program, bringing the total monetary gifts to students in our workforce to $230,000.
The program is made possible by the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation, the Morris State Bank, and the Louie & Evelyn Livingston Family Foundation.
The Heart of Georgia Tech Foundation is giving back to the community by preparing students to enter the workforce. Student recipients range from respiratory therapists to machinists. “What potential employees need to enter the workforce varies,” said Laurie Wicker, executive director of the HGTC Foundation. “So the tools awarded can range from state licensing fees to tool boxes on wheels.”
The recipients for 2006 are Amelia Clark of Adrian, criminal justice; Tracey Graham of Eastman, machine tool technology; Darren Huttoe of Cochran, automotive technology; Keith Jackson of Swainsboro, diesel equipment technology; Yolanda Kratz of Cochran, computer information systems; Charlotte Manyitabot of Dublin, practical nursing; Christy Meeks of Soperton, respiratory therapy; Jerry C. Mullis Jr. of East Dublin, respiratory therapy; Meghann Rickerson of McIntyre, applied business technology; Cherie Smith of Adrian, air conditioning technology; A. J. Thigpen of Rockledge, welding and joining technology; Rhonda Timmons of Dublin, early childhood care and education; Brandon Wood of McRae, air conditioning technology; and Phillip Young of Dublin, air conditioning technology.
Georgia’s School Counselors Enjoy a Taste of the Technical Colleges
More than 800 school counselors from all over Georgia got a first-hand look at many of the top programs offered by Georgia’s 34 technical colleges during a special ‘Taste of the Technical Colleges’ reception held Sunday evening in Savannah.
The Technical College System of Georgia sponsored the event to help kick-off the start of the Georgia School Counselors Association’s annual fall meeting at the Savannah Hyatt Regency Hotel.
“This isn’t your daddy’s old trade school anymore, and we want you to see why,” was DTAE Commissioner Mike Vollmer’s welcome to the counselors. The guests filled the hotel ballroom to enjoy food specialties created by the instructors and students from the colleges with culinary arts programs. Technical college presidents, instructors and staff were all eager to show booth after booth of technical education programs including aerospace, healthcare, and much more.
Representatives from Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Respiratory Care Therapy Program attended the event. “The demand for respiratory therapists is growing fast, and Heart of Georgia Tech was thrilled to present this exciting program for the counselors,” commented Beth Crumpton, HGTC’s acting president.
The ‘Taste of the Technical Colleges’ is a prime occasion for the Technical College System of Georgia to showcase the advanced college programs and the rewarding careers being created for Georgia’s 150,000 technical college students.
A similar ‘Taste’ was held earlier this year in Atlanta for the state legislators. “Our hope was that this ‘Taste of the Technical Colleges’ would serve to better inform Georgia’s school counselors about the unlimited potential that lies within technical education,” said Vollmer. “Judging by the number of ‘wows’ and the ‘thank yous’ that we heard, I think we did just that,” he added.
Pictured: Natalie Smith, respiratory care technology program chair, and students Carmen Maddox and Deborah Jackson.
A Future and a Hope
When Amy Pileggi was born, the doctors did not give her parents, Nick and Debbie, much chance for her survival. But the Pileggis had faith that their daughter would not only live, but live to be a blessing to them and others.
Pileggi, now a student at Heart of Georgia Technical College, was born with Spina Bifida, a condition where the spinal cord, brain, and/or their protective coverings are not completely developed. There are varying degrees of the resulting nerve damage and many patients have learning disabilities.
A charming young lady, Pileggi has not let her disability define her. She speaks eloquently and confidently about her goals and desires. It is easy to forget she has a disability. Pileggi has proven her parents’ faith many times. She graduated from West Laurens High School in 2005 and enrolled at HGTC shortly after where she studies Early Childhood Education. She has accomplished her goals even though she has endured twelve surgeries and was in a full body cast for two years.
Pileggi realized her love of teaching through a Child Development Class at West Laurens High School. The students worked w/pre-k kids on the campus of the high school and in her junior year, Pileggi had the chance to work with special needs children. “I love seeing the kids grow and develop,” she says. After her graduation from HGTC, she would like to work with a public pre-k program with special needs children.
HGTC’s Early Childhood Education Department Chairman Gail Brooks is proud of Pileggi goals and accomplishments, “I have known Amy since birth. I have seen her grow up in church at Dudley Baptist. She is an inspiration to everyone she encounters. In class she is very helpful to others especially in the computer lab. She is quick to offer assistance to the older ladies who are not as computer savvy as she. She is a very determined young lady with such a giving heart for others. Even though she has some physical limitations, she is always prepared and eager to offer encouragement to those around her. I know she will be a great asset to any daycare center or as a paraprofessional especially to children and the parents of children with special needs.”
Pileggi is committed to helping others and to setting an example for all around her of her faith and determination. She has done volunteer work at Easter Seals, and is very active at her church where she has participated in youth musicals, Vacation Bible School as a teacher, Sunday School teacher and any other area she felt she could make a difference. She has also worked with Babies Can’t Wait in a clerical capacity. She has been asked to speak about her disability.
With her eye on the future and her heart set on helping others, Pileggi is pressing forward as she always has. Her drive and determination are helping her accomplish her educational goals, while she is being equipped to make a difference in families of children with disabilities.
John Edenfield, human resources manager at Parker Aerospace, presents a check to Laurie Wicker, director of development at Heart of Georgia Technical College. The donation to the HGTC Foundation supports initiatives of the college.
Heart of Georgia Technical College Practical Nursing students recently participated in a capping ceremony. Pictured front row (l-r): Deb Thomsen, HGTC instructor; Sarah Davis, Laurens County; Kisses McDuffie, Telfair County; Shontel Walker, Laurens County; Stacy Mann, Telfair County; Muriel Edwards, Pulaski County; Crystal Bentley, Laurens County. Back row (l-r): Cathy Zipperer, Emanuel County; Toni Bryant, Laurens County; Tracy Spires, Dodge County; Deborah Cordry, Johnson County; Crystal Cooper, Johnson County; Staci McGowan, Telfair County; Toluwalope Alabi, Cobb County.
The Heart of Georgia Technical College Student Government Association recently donated $5000.00 to the Dublin-Laurens County Habitat for Humanity. HGTC has partnered with Habitat on the last two houses that were built. HGTC faculty and students in the air conditioning and electronic programs provided on-site installation. Pictured
(l-r): Beth Crumpton, HGTC acting president; Staci Elerson, HGTC student government historian/reporter; Anika Kinsey, HGTC student government treasurer; Latasha Davis, HGTC student government president; Tracy Kinney, Habitat director; Rickey Walker, HGTC student life and retention specialist.
Jo-ne Bourassa, science instructor at Heart of Georgia Technical College, recently presented a paper at the Georgia Education Research Association Conference in Savannah. The paper was entitled, “The Use of Distributed Intelligence in the Formation of a Peer Mentoring Group.” Mrs. Bourassa was also elected as a Student member at large for the GERA Board.
Local Instructor Wins State Award
Heart of Georgia Technical College Nursing Instructor, Sylvia Rozier, was recently awarded the Harlon Crimm Award at the annual Lighthouse Institute held in Augusta.
The award was voted on by attendees of the Lighthouse Institute which includes winners of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction and one delegate from each technical college in Georgia. The Harlon Crimm Award is presented to the instructor who best exhibits the enthusiasm of a technical college instructor.
Rozier won the Perkins award when she was named Instructor of the Year at HGTC. She joined the staff sixteen years ago after leaving the nursing field, “I thought I can make a difference one patient at a time, or I can make a difference in the lives of a group of students who can go out and make that difference.”
In 1999, Rozier was honored by her peers by being selected Instructor of the Year for the state of Georgia in 1999.
The Lighthouse program objectives are to recognize and reward effective teaching in Georgia’s technical colleges, give outstanding instructors an opportunity to share their effective teaching techniques, and to offer exposure to national innovations in teaching. “I had the opportunity to interact and meet with the most creative and motivated instructors in the State of Georgia. I have always felt that technical college is not a second choice for a college education. Technical college is “The Choice” of education for those who want to Live It, Breathe It, and Be It!”
Beth Crumpton, Acting President of HGTC, is pleased with the recognition Rozier has received, “This award presented to Ms. Rozier is most deserving! This lady has given her very heart and soul to the profession of nursing and nursing education. Not only is her excitement shown in the classroom in the delivery of instruction, but also in many community endeavors. Ms. Rozier exudes a positive attitude, is a natural-born leader, and displays enthusiasm for her teaching profession. I congratulate her on the well-earned and well-deserved award of recognition.”
HGTC Meets Employer’s Needs
When Jeff and Jennifer Davis decided to open a new business, they wanted to settle in their hometown of Dublin. Jeff had years of experience working for someone else in Internet Technology when they opened Alterra Networks. An IT solutions provider, Alterra focuses on designing, building, and maintaining of data networks and the associated hardware and software components.
When looking for employees to staff the business, Davis needed a pool of pre-qualified job applicants who could step in and contribute immediately. The applicants would need training in Computer Information Systems (CIS), specifically with a minimum of Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training. Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in Internet Technology hardware. Davis was able to find these very specialized skills in two graduates of Heart of Georgia Technical College, “We need our employees to be Cisco certified, and that is where having a resource like the Heart of Georgia this close to home is extremely beneficial to us.”
Alterra employees Sheldon Rozier and T. J. Mahoney are both graduates of the CIS Program at HGTC and are CCNA certified. Alterra requires these skills to design networks for communication within a business; some networks are linked between different offices and even different states. E-mail, payroll/Human Resource systems, inventory and accounting are some of the network applications Alterra’s clients need. An area of major concern among data networks is security. Alterra sells, installs, and maintains Web filtering software, antivirus software, and firewall solutions.
Alterra is the type of business generally found in larger cities such as Atlanta, but Jeff and Jennifer are committed to living in Dublin and to being a great employer. “All of our employees live in the community and we have been blessed to have good people on our team. We are always looking for highly educated, certified individuals with good people skills,” says Davis.
Heart of Georgia Technical College to host Annual Festival of Trees
Heart of Georgia Technical College in Dublin will host the Festival of Trees during the holiday season. Approximately 40 tree sponsors, from the HGTC six-county service area, have been secured to decorate trees in their respective business/industry specialty.
Special events planned in conjunction with the Festival of Trees include “Jingle Bell Jam Day” on December 2, 10 am – 2 pm. On this day, the public is invited to come out and view the trees and enjoy entertainment and refreshments. Mrs. Claus and the elves will be on hand reading stories to children and presenting a book to all children who attend. Gingerbread House Decorating will be available at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, for the first 75 children, ages 5 – 10, who attend. Children will be decorating a non-edible gingerbread house and will be able to take it home with them. And, Santa will be arriving at 11 am to ride the Santa Train with visitors. The entertainment schedule is as follows:
Fancy Dancer Performers, 10 – 10:30 am
The Knightingales, 10:30 – 11:00 am
Trinity Christian School Ensemble, 11:00 -11:30 am
Wilkinson County FCA Praise and Worship Team and
High School Chorus, 11:30 – 12:00 noon
South Dodge Elementary Washboard Band, 12:15 – 12:45 pm
Vision of Praise, 12:45 – 1:15 pm
Telfair County Concert Band, 1:30 – 2:00 pm
December 11, 12, 14, and 15, from 6 – 8 pm, Liberty Baptist Church will be presenting a Live Nativity. The HGTC Porter Center will be open for public viewing of the trees and hot chocolate will be served to visitors during the hours of the Live Nativity.
“Heart of Georgia Tech is very excited about this year’s Festival of Trees event. With the increase in tree sponsors, our campus will be more festive than ever. The public is invited to come out and enjoy viewing the trees and take part in the activities associated with the festival,” commented Jenny Shuman, marketing coordinator.
Tree sponsors are Advocates for Alzheimer’s Care, American Homepatient, Angie’s Nail Salon, Area Residence for Kids, Bank of Dudley, Bella Flowers and Gifts, Care One Home Health, Caring Companions, Citizens Bank of Laurens County, City of Dublin, Coca Cola Bottling Company, Cracker Barrel, Dublin Artists’ Guild, Dublin Artists’ Guild Youth, Dublin Junior League, Dublin-Laurens Chamber of Commerce, Dublin-Laurens Habitat for Humanity, Dublin-Laurens Recreation Authority, Duncan Tire Company, Easter Seals of Middle Georgia, Farmers Home Furniture, Farmers State Bank, First Laurens Bank, Garrett Industries Fence Company, Heart of Georgia Technical College, Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation, Heart of Georgia Technical College Pre-K, Home Depot, Home Instead, Kroger, Liberty Baptist Church, Little Ocmulgee EMC, Medical Center, LLP, Mohawk Industries and Communities in Schools, Morris State Bank, NOW Magazine, Oconee EMC, Parker Aerospace, and Susie Dasher Elementary.
Sponsors of the Festival of Trees event are the Heart of Georgia Technical College Marketing Department and the Heart of Georgia Technical College Student Council. Friends of the Festival are: The Courier Herald, Liberty Baptist Church, Kroger, and Coca Cola Bottling Company, and the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation.
Trees are on display in the DuBose Porter Center located on the Heart of Georgia Tech main campus in Dublin. All events associated with the Festival of Trees are free and open to the public. For more information, call 478-296-6117.
Dreams Realized One Step at a Time
Teddy Okafor has big dreams. He is patiently moving toward his dream of owning and managing a Dialysis Center or Nursing Home. Born in Nigeria, he moved to the United States after being accepted at Kent State University of Ohio into the Pre-Pharmacy program.
Okafor later changed his major to Public Health Administration with a minor in Chemistry. At that time, he transferred to the University of Toledo. After college graduation, he moved to Atlanta where he worked as an Assistant Manager of a retail pharmacy. His desire to own his own business led him to the Dry Cleaning business where he worked as owner/manager for fourteen years.
A desire to return to the medical field and continue to move toward his dream led Okafor to Heart of Georgia Technical College where he studied Licensed Practical Nursing. “I wanted a change and that required more education. In my search of a school, I wanted a small town college that had a lot to offer academically and HGTC fit the profile,” he says. “I loved everything about the college and the nursing program. The instructors were great and I would definitely recommend the college to anybody.”
While at HGTC, Okafor lived in Eastman during the week and in Atlanta on the weekend to be with his family and work at his part-time job at Dekalb Medical Center. He now works at a state prison as a Staff LPN.
Okafor has plans to continue his education, “The nursing field is wide open and is here to stay. I plan to go back to school and become a Registered Nurse. Then I will pursue my dream of owning a Dialysis Center or Nursing Home.”
HGTC alumni plans trip
The Heart of Georgia Technical College Alumni Association invites all alumni and friends for a Great Georgia Aquarium Adventure. The HGTC Alumni Association is sponsoring a day trip to the Georgia Aquarium on February 19, 2007.
The group will travel by chartered bus to the aquarium for a day of fun. Cost for the trip is $35 per person.
For more information on the trip contact the HGTC Alumni Association at (478) 274-7627 or go to the college website, www.heartofgatech.edu, and select the Alumni link. Deadline to register is January 29, 2007. |
