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Students in the Air Conditioning Program at Heart of Georgia Technical College recently attended a seminar sponsored by C C Dickson, an air conditioning parts wholesaler located in Macon. The topic of the seminar was “TracPipe Gas/Flexible Gas Piping.” The students and faculty enjoyed the very informative program.

The Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) organization at Heart of Georgia Technical College recently held election of officers for 2009-2010. PBL is a national organization for business and information technology students. It provides opportunities to develop vocational competencies for business occupations and promotes a sense of civic and personal responsibility. Pictured: (Standing Back, l-r) Walter Jones, treasurer (Laurens); Oshika Stanley, vice president (Laurens); Dietra Clemons, parliamentarian (Bleckley). (Seated Front l-r): Tammy McCoy, president (Johnson); Patricia Thomas, secretary (Laurens).

Written by: Jason Halcombe, Courier Herald

The conversation could have come across a touch trivial—the focus was on a bubbling fountain in the main foyer—but the genuine interest by both parties wasn't fained at all.

And much like the fountain in question, its owner, LaQuinta owner and operator Phil Patel, has traveled here, there and everywhere before ending up just in front of the bubbling structure in his new hometown of Dublin.

Unlike the fountain, which was designed for a singular purpose, Patel's journey from Zambia to England and eventually to Laurens County was designed to prepare Patel for any number of purposes and successes he might encounter; education being at the center of each one of his journeys.

Which is why Patel, check in hand only moments earlier, became one of the newest members of the Heart of Georgia Technical College Trustees and also contributed more than $2,000 toward the HGTC Foundation.

"The support of community members and business owners (like Phil) is crucial," said Dr. Randy Peters, President of HGTC. "We couldn't do it without their support."

Nearly four decades prior, when Patel was all of 12 years old, the young boy that became synonymous with supporting Dublin and Laurens County got a bit of a helping hand from his father. From humble beginnings in a small African nation, Patel was sent to study in England just as his father had done before him.

Patel's father had been afforded a similar opportunity by his father, eventually becoming a CPA before returning to Zambia (according to Patel, with one pound and one ticket home).

And it was during Patel's stay in England that he met wife Melanie, who joined him when the couple decided to take a chance and open a hotel in the small town of East Dublin some 5,000 miles across the ocean.

"From where we were with my grandfather, who owned five acres of farmland to me running a successful business we're only three generations removed," Patel said. "...And one of the main things I wanted to impress (with this donation) was education. If you have a good education, you can get a good job, and in turn you can have a good life. All of our schools in the district, as well as the college and the Heart of Georgia have the latest technology and facilities.

And with those you can get a good job and a good life."

Patel has also impressed those same lessons on his two children, Jiten, who is currently working on a masters degree, and Priya, who is studying to become an air traffic controller.

"Phil's message about education is spot-on," Peters said. "There are not enough resources out there to do it alone. We have to create a network of friends and businesses like Phil's that help meet the needs of our students."

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation recently invited physicians to attend an open house at the College to tour the Allied Health Department. Shown is Randall Peters, HGTC president, and the group visiting the Surgical Technology Program.

Wendy Fennell, human resources team leader at Parker Hannifin Corporation, presents a $1000 check to the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation. Penny Mackey, president of the HGTC Foundation, is shown accepting the check.

HGTC Drafting Program for The Creative-Minded

Using computer-aided software, students in Heart of Georgia Technical College’s drafting program are shaping their own careers and professional destinies.

The program, which includes three technical certificates of credit and a diploma, teaches students the ins and outs of preparing blueprints and drafting on the path to working professionally in the field. Through the program, students have the opportunity to see their designs come to life — from start to finish.

“We teach them how to take parts … and draw blueprints to go back into production,” Kathy Lindsay, HGTC drafting instructor said.

The HGTC drafting program features technical certificates of credit — each a year-long program — auto computer aided design operator, drafting technician and drafting assistant. There’s also a drafting technology diploma, which stresses mechanical drafting.

The certificates of credit are new to the program, geared at those who are interested in the field but don’t want to spend two years in a course of study.

“Those TCCs [technical certificates of credits] are perfect for that,” said Lindsay.

Within each course of study students learn how to measure points, use computer aided design software and recreate blueprints. Students learn everything from how to read basic blueprints to more advance study in construction. Lindsay says the skills are beneficial in just about every area — from small-scale renovation projects to large-scale construction work.

“Anyone who is making something has some sort of CAD,” said Lindsay.

Students enrolled in the program are diverse in their career objectives, she noted. Some are already working in specialized fields, while others are simply artistically inclined or have an interest in construction.

“We’re getting more and more younger students,” said Lindsay of the growing number of students who are already interested and familiar with three-dimensional design. “It’s a shorter learning curve for them.”

Some students even complete the program and eventually enroll in pre-engineering at Georgia Southern University or the Savannah College of Design.

“This kind of gives them a leg up,” said Lindsay.

Graduates frequently work professionally in manufacturing and construction.

While enrolled in the program, HGTC drafting students also apply their newfound skills in the community, working on service projects for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, all in an effort to see their blueprints come to life.

“It’s an incredible opportunity,” said Lindsay of the program. “It’s a win-win.”

Annual GED Awards Luncheon Honors Georgia’s Adult Learners

(Atlanta) – Heart of Georgia Tech’s GED testing center is one of nine testing centers recognized with the GED Award of Exemplary Performance. GED examiners accepted the award at the annual Georgia Adult Education Conference in Atlanta. Of more than 100 testing centers across the state, three centers in each of three categories – small, medium, and large – received plaques for having administered the GED exam to the largest number of test-takers. The HGTC center is in the medium category.

HGTC chief GED examiner Tammie Williams accepted the award. Others attending the conference from HGTC were alternate GED examiner Roger Byrd; Dean of Adult Education Dahlia Allen; instructors Patsy Jones, Corshea Thomas, Elaine Pittman, Gwen Hentz and Catherine Davis; and secretary Veronica Rodriguez.

Some of Georgia’s best and brightest GED recipients, as well as the educators and staff who helped them to achieve their goals, were honored by the Technical College System of Georgia’s Office of Adult Education during the state’s annual GED awards luncheon October 28 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta. The gathering celebrated the exceptional achievement of the state’s GED recipients and highlighted the outstanding service provided by the staff members of the statewide GED testing centers.

In addition to the GED Award of Exemplary Performance, other award categories were the GED Student of the Year for Youth Challenge, Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) and the senior citizen Golden EAGLE programs.

More than 1.1 million Georgians over the age of 25 are without their high school or GED® diploma. Many face considerable odds against achieving personal success, including a greater chance of being incarcerated. Their likelihood of suffering from low self-esteem is higher, and most will earn an average of $9,000 less a year than a high school graduate.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Last year, almost 20,000 Georgians changed their lives for the better and improved their job potential by earning their GED diploma. They discovered that a GED diploma is an important step to achieving the opportunity and success that they deserve.

Last year, the Technical College System of Georgia’s Office of Adult Education enrolled more than 95,000 students in adult education programs. The 19,696 adult education students who earned their GED diploma last year increased their combined earning potential by almost $144 million dollars.

“The amount of hard work and perseverance put forth by Georgia’s adult learners to overcome life’s obstacles and obtain their GED is inspiring to us all,” said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson. “I congratulate our student winners for their outstanding achievements, and I thank the state’s GED testing center staffs and adult education instructors for their commitment to lifelong learning. As our students will tell you, success can come at any time and any age, and it’s never too late to get your education.”

“Our adult education instructors and GED examiners have done a very good job of impressing on our students the importance and the value of a GED diploma. Clearly, their efforts have paid off. This award recognizes their hard work,” commented Dr. Dahlia Allen, HGTC dean of adult education.

For information on GED testing at Heart of Georgia Tech, please call (478) 274-7848 or 274-7787.

Pictured (l-r): Dahlia Wren, HGTC President Randall Peters, and Tammie Williams.

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored a Talent Show for students on November 4, 2009. Participants sang, played the piano, and the guitar. The winner of the $100 first place prize was Tyrone Thomas of Chauncey.

HGTC Foundation Welcomes New Trustees

Matt Sweat and Calvin Yawn were welcomed to the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees at the November 3, 2009 meeting. Mr. Sweat is employed with First Laurens Bank in Dexter and Mr. Yawn is the Director of the Eastman Housing Authority. The Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises private funds to support the college, its programs and its activities. Pictured (l-r) Jeff Davis, IV – vice president, HGTC Foundation Board of Trustees; Calvin Yawn, Matt Sweat, and Penny Mackey - president, HGTC Foundation Board of Trustees.

HGTC library open to community

In addition to offering access and assistance to students, Heart of Georgia Technical College’s library is now open to the public.

The HGTC library, located in Louie Livingston Hall, is available to students and staff as well as members of the community with computer and Internet access, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and other resources.

“At the present time the public can utilize our resources within the library,” said HGTC main librarian Wendi Morris.

Additionally, the library carries more than 48,000 e-books with full text availability and nearly 15,000 other media resources within the library including print, non-print, VHS and DVDs, as well as subscriptions to 84 different magazines and professional journals.

“We have a lot of magazine subscriptions,” said Morris.

While books and materials cannot be checked out of the library by members of the public, they are available for use within the library.

The library’s collection includes a number of New York Times bestsellers, Morris noted, compiled by the college through a concerted effort to gain new titles. Children’s books are also available, though all children must be accompanied to the library with an adult.

“Our collection is fairly new,” Morris said. “We have purchased most of it in the past 18 months.”

Small meeting rooms are also available, which can be booked for clubs and community meetings. Library computers are also available to the public, as well as copier and fax access and a coffee area.

Members of the community may also utilize the college online encyclopedia access through Galileo, which Morris noted is an excellent resource for high school-based research. “A lot of what you would need is right here,” she said.

Library hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information or to book a meeting room, call (478) 275-6593 or e-mail Library@heartofgatech.edu.

Pictured: Wendi Morris (standing), director of HGTC Library Services; Christine Dowd, librarian; and HGTC students Stephen Allen and Tommy Jones.

HGTC students at LOIC receive scholarships

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 fall quarter.

Those receiving the award are Barbara Grant of Glenwood, Shuntese Rorie of Eastman, Johnny Floyd of Alamo, Katherine Hart of McRae, Chasity Chapman of Alamo, Sally Freeman of McRae, Kiara Daniels of McRae, Kandice Green of Alamo, Michael Dover of McRae, and Jonathan Sellars of McRae.

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 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 Jenny Shuman at 478-296-6117, or visit the Foundation website at www.heartofgatech.edu.

HGTC Foundation awards Dr. Fred A. Smith Jr. Scholarships

Five Heart of Georgia Technical College students received the Fred A. Smith Jr. Scholarships for fall quarter.

The scholarship was established 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 Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center located in Helena.

Students receiving the scholarships are Barbara Grant of Glenwood, Chastity Chapman of Alamo, Kandice Green of Alamo, Johnny D. Floyd of Alamo, and Katherine Hart of McRae.

Scholarships create opportunities to change lives. Those interested in establishing a scholarship or donating to an existing scholarship, please contact Jenny Shuman (478) 296-6117 or jshuman@heartofgatech.edu. The HGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

HGTC Pre-K take Halloween Walk

HGTC grad sets example on the path to new career

Erica Jones wasn’t where she wanted to be in life when she enrolled at Heart of Georgia Technical College, and she knew she wanted something more. She also knew she wanted to set a sound example for her daughter with regards to the value of a good education.

“I am enrolled at HGTC because I wanted a better job and a better education for myself,” she said. “I realized that education was everything. I wasn’t where I wanted to be in life, and I had to make a decision and choice that would be beneficial to me as well as my daughter. I also wanted to set an example for my daughter that education is everything.”

To set the right example, she enrolled in HGTC’s business office technology program to become a medical office specialist. A working mother and student, she relied on her mother as both an example and a mentor.

“She has always been an inspiration to me,” she said of her mother. “She reared all four of her children, held a full-time job and a part-time job, as well as attended school. She has always been there for me. She taught me to never give up on my dreams, and she is also one of the reasons I obtained my diploma at HGTC.”

A 1997 West Laurens High School graduate, Jones previously worked for the state in the medical field as well. She says she chose the medical office specialist’s field because she enjoys helping others.

Jones completed a co-op at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center while still a student at HGTC, an experience that opened the door for her to earn a full-time position upon graduation last fall. She says she finds the work fulfilling, having the opportunity to assist Veterans while working at the VA.

Jones counts her HGTC experience as a blessing that allowed her to set the example she desired for her daughter and changed her life for the better.

“You can’t go wrong with enrolling,” she said. “It is a great learning experience. The teachers are great, and you may have the opportunity to acquire a full-time job in the process.”