Installation will provide internet access and connect donated computers in Learning Center at Mary Calder

SAVANNAH – The 10 students enrolled in the Savannah Tech – Woodville Tompkins dual enrollment Cisco program will soon have a chance to put their networking skills to work for a good cause – installing a Local Area Network (LAN) at The First Tee of Savannah Learning Center at Mary Calder. At the same time, they will see the power of a community coming together to support learning – all equipment and supplies for the activity have been donated.

The installation will take place on Wednesday, March 9, from 9 am – noon at the Learning Center at Mary Calder Golf Club, located at International Paper Mill, 1201 West Lathrop Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31415. 912.238.7108.

“One of the things we always try to do is make our learning relevant for students,” says Berthenia M. Williams, Regional Director of the Cisco Networking Academy at Savannah Tech. “Getting them exposed to real-work situations helps students understand how, what they’re learning in the classroom fits into a work environment.” The class, led by Sharon Stallings and Stephanie Brown-Rhett, Cisco Local Networking Academy Instructors at Woodville Tompkins, will make cables to set up the LAN that will connect ten computers at the Learning Center.

Barbara Essig, Executive Director of The First Tee of Savannah, stated “Students that come to our after school program need access to technology and the internet for their studies. Now we’ll be able to offer our support for children who may not have a computer at home. Having access to technology will help us bridge the digital divide. We wouldn’t have been able to provide this without the donated equipment and services we’re receiving.” In addition to the students’ work, the Chatham County Board of Education donated 12 computers and cabling supplies were donated by Joe Torres, President and CEO of Trison Services Technologies, Inc.

Savannah Technical College has been a Regional Cisco Networking Academy since 2000 and offers Cisco certificate and diploma options.

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has won two gold, one bronze and one award of merit for its marketing efforts as recognized by the Higher Education Marketing Report in its 26^th Annual Educational Advertising Awards competition, marking the 8^th consecutive year the college has earned this acclamation.

Winning gold are the Want More? poster and the White House to Main Street Tour commemorative booklet. Winning bronze is the Employment Empowerment Expo poster; earning an Award of Merit is the Gateway Brochure. All four winning entries were designed by bighouse graphix; the White House to Main Street Tour commemorative booklet featured photography by Russ Bryant photography; Gail Eubanks, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Marketing for Savannah Technical College, was the creative director.

This year, more than 2,500 entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from all fifty states and several foreign countries. Judges consisted of a national panel of higher education marketers, advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals and the editorial board of Higher Education Marketing Report.

Hot Food Team wins silver, finishes second

SAVANNAH – For the second consecutive year, Savannah Technical College’s culinary arts program has gained recognition as one of the top four programs in the country, winning the American Culinary Federation’s 20^th Annual Knowledge Bowl competition for the Southeast Region of the US. The team will move on to the national competition in Dallas this summer.

“It was a great showing by Savannah Tech,” says Chef Jean Vendeville, department head and instructor of culinary arts. “Once again we will have a team competing at the national level with a very good chance to win the championship. They are that good.” The Savannah Technical College Knowledge Bowl Team is coached by Valarie Barnes and includes:

Joshua Lopez                      Claudia Harper                    Angela Real

Jocelyn Brently                   Cassandra Gillmore

The team competed in a Jeopardy-style competition, beating teams representing Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. This is the first time that Savannah Tech has participated in the Knowledge Bowl competition.

The Hot Food Team won silver, finishing in second place behind Asheville-Buncombe Technical College from Asheville, NC. “They had their best showing as a team,” says Chef Vendeville, “but they lost to a very strong college.” Last year, Savannah Tech’s Hot Food Team won the regional competition and earned a silver medal at the ACF national competition.

The Culinary Institute of Savannah at Savannah Technical College is fully-accredited by the American Culinary Federation and offers day and evening culinary programs at the college’s Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road.

Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education recognizes successful Adult Education/GED graduates

SAVANNAH – Last week in Atlanta, officials from across the state gathered as the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) honored the best and brightest adult education students. Danielle Speer is the 2011 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) for Savannah Technical College.She attended classes at the college’s program at the Army Education Center in Hinesville, Georgia, and received her General Educational Development (GED) test diploma in October, 2010. Speeris currently enrolled in the college’s cosmetology program at the Liberty Campus. Her career goal is to graduate and open her own hair salon.

Danielle Speer is married to William Speer who is a soldier with the 3^rd Infantry Division (M) at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and is currently deployed with his unit in Iraq. She returned to the Adult Education program after her husband deployed and has discovered great teachers who were willing to help her with her studies and the final GED exam. She credits her teachers with providing her the confidence to do well.

She enjoys reading in her spare time and now is an active volunteer with the same Adult Education program where she was a student.

Savannah Technical College offers Adult Education/GED preparation in locations throughout Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. For information, call 912.443.5446 or on the web http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/GED_Adult_Education .

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College proudly announces its schedule of activities for Black History Month at the Liberty Campus. Sponsored by the Student Activities Council, all events are free and open to the public unless indicated. For more information, please contact the Liberty Campus at 912.408.3024.

 

Ongoing throughout the month:

Black History Trivia Contest coordinated by the Campus Library.

Student Essay Contest, with entries displayed on February 22 (all day)

 

Black History Celebration: Living Wax             February, 22 from 11AM

Students and staff members in period costume representing Black History personalities will be located throughout the campus; when approached, they will identify themselves and share information about their famous American.

 

Community Information Fair                             February 22 11 AM – 1 PM

Businesses and community organizations will be on hand distributing information about the services they offer.

 

African Americans: A Diverse History              February 22 6 PM

speech by Hinesville Mayor James Thomas, Jr.

The celebration that evening will also include a performance by the God’s Anointed Now Generation (G.A.N.G.) Singers who recently performed at the State Capital.

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STC offering assistance with online FAFSA application

SAVANNAH – For some students, completing the online application for financial aid each year is a daunting task – but one made easier this month because of assistance provided by Savannah Technical College as a part of its FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS MONTH activities. On all campuses, staff members in Financial Aid will be available to assist students.

“Because we’ll be looking at aid for classes beginning with summer term, it is important for students to have already filed their 2010 income taxes,” says Financial Aid Director Faith Anderson. The Summer term begins June 21, 2011. Students are encouraged to bring their completed 2010 income tax return with them for assistance.

At the Savannah Campus, students can get individual assistance on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the month of February from 9 AM – noon and from 2-4 PM. Assistance will focus on completion of the online FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for 2011-12. For information, call 912.443.5700.

At the Liberty Campus, students can participate in a Financial Aid Lunch and Learn, February 9. Two sessions will be offered 11 AM – noon; and, noon – 1 PM. At the sessions, students will learn how to apply for financial aid and will review new information affecting VA and other financial aid. Additionally, Liberty Financial Aid staff members will hold FAFSA Workshops on February 15 & 16 and February 22 and 23. Workshop times (all days) are 10 AM – noon and 2-4 PM. For information, call 912.408.3024.

At the Effingham Campus, students can get individual assistance with completion of the online FAFSA on Mondays from 1-3 PM; Tuesdays from 9 – 11 AM; and Wednesdays from 3-5 PM. For information, call 912.754.2880.