#1248 | January 30, 2012

SAVANNAH – Three chefs were honored for excellence at the Low Country Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chef’s President Ball & Award Dinner on Friday, Jan. 27 at Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Campus.

ACF of the Low Country’s Chapter President Ron Andrew recognized Anthony Gates as its 2012 Chef of the Year. Gates is Executive Chef at Spring Island and the treasurer of the ACF Low Country Chapter.

Savannah Technical College’s Department Head and Instructor of Culinary Arts Chef Jean Yves Vendeville was honored as the American Culinary Federation’s Low Country Chapter 2012 Chef Educator of the Year.

“Without my students, I would not shine,” said Chef Jean. “It is a pleasure to be here at Savannah Technical College.”

Culinary Institute of Savannah student Victoria Weygand was selected as the 2012 Student Chef of the Year. She is a member of the STC Hot Food Team and will graduate in May 2012 with an associate degree in culinary arts. Other STC students that were nominated for the award based on their work ethic, dependability, contributions to the community and student work were Cameron Harper, Joseph Poulin and Angela Real.

Vendeville has been with STC since December 2008 and has led student teams to two consecutive American Culinary Federation (ACF) Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and in 2011 in the Knowledge Bowl competition. Vendeville recently achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef. He also holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America. He is the vice president of the Low Country ACF Chapter.

The ACF Low Country Chapter is involved in continuing education and with its communities in Savannah and Statesboro, Ga., and in Bluffton and Hilton Head, S.C. Andrew announced that the chapter would give $500 to the Ronald McDonald House in Chef Frederick Nussbaum’s honor.

About the American Culinary Federation

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning more than 210 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States, with the Certified Executive Chef® designation the only culinary credential accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org. Find ACF on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ACFChefs and on Twitter @ACFChefs.

Savannah Technical College serves coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Savannah, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

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Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1247 | January 30, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is proud to announce that it has nominated Jared Dean as its 2012 nominee for the All-USA Community College Academic Team.

       Dean is a Criminal Justice major working on an AAS degree at STC’s Crossroads Campus. He has a 3.84 GPA, is a Phi Theta Kappa member and was on the Dean’s List Fall Quarter 2010 – Fall Semester 2011. He plans to transfer to Armstrong Atlantic State University in August 2012 to study economics. His ultimate career goals are to be a financial advisor and a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

      “Jared has exceeded even my best depiction of an excellent Savannah Technical College student, who appears to do all this easily, modestly and smartly,” said STC Speech Instructor Mel Mrochinski. “I have found his contributions major, his ameliorating abilities stellar and his approach to working with others absolutely gifted.”

      He is an aircraft attendant at Hunter Army Airfield that marshals all transient aircraft to temporary parking areas, provides ground support equipment for transient aircraft and operates heavy equipment on the flight line; loading cargo pallets and rolling stock onto military cargo planes. Also, he is a U.S. Army Reserve Senior Drill Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant. He considers his role of husband and father to his three children to be his really full-time job.

       “Before I made my decision to attend Savannah Tech, I entertained the notion of obtaining a degree through a college that would maximize my military training and experience in the form of ‘life credits,’” said Dean. “As a U.S. Army Reservist, I lack the functional equivalent experience of my active duty counterparts and Reserve MPs who are law enforcement officers in their civilian occupation. I feel it is my duty to offer my soldiers a certain level of knowledge.”

       Dean was recruited into the Army Reserves at the age of 17 and worked in the construction industry. In 2003, his reserve unit was mobilized to Fort Stewart, Ga., and he worked on Hunter Army Airfield as a Military Police Officer for two years. When he was de-mobilized, he was offered a job as an aircraft attendant from his knowledge of airfield procedures and equipment operation from his construction experience. In 2007, he was mobilized again – this time to Afghanistan. While there he was assigned as a supervisor of 120 soldiers. He took a writing course to justify editing reports from soldiers who had been – in some cases – writing police reports for 20 years.

       He made the decision to start school full-time after his daughter’s first birthday. “I wanted to provide a better standard of living for my family, set a better example for my children and leave a more significant legacy for my grandchildren,” said Dean.

       The All-USA Community College Academic Team is presented by USA TODAY and the Phi Theta Kappa and is sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group. Each spring 20 students are selected to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship and medallion. Team members will be recognized at the American Association of Community Colleges Convention (AACC) on April 23, 2012.

       The Coca-Cola Foundation, along with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes the New Century Scholars. The top-scoring student in each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 scholarship. In addition, one student from a chapter in one of the six sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa chapters exist will be awarded. New Century Scholarships will be presented at the AACC Convention.

       The Coca-Cola Scholarships Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team. Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship; 50 students will be named Silver Scholars, each receiving a $1,250 scholarship; and 50 students will be named Bronze Scholars, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship. A state may have multiple gold, silver and bronze scholars.

       Dean was also nominated to receive the Guistwhite Scholarship and the Hites Transfer Scholarship.

      Savannah Technical College serves coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Savannah, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

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Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1242 | January 6, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will offer general information sessions about GED^® testing at 10 a.m. on January 9 and February 8 and at 2 p.m. on January 25 and on February 22. The one-hour sessions will be held at the STC Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road in the Academic Commons Building, Room B126.

      “The information sessions will help anyone thinking about testing, currently testing, or studying for the GED^®,” said STC’s Executive Director of Adult Education Jermaine Whirl. “We’ll provide information on opportunities and options available to students after receiving their GED^®.”

     STC offers testing sites at its Savannah (bi-monthly) and Liberty County (quarterly) Campuses. The exam is 7.5-hours in length. Applicants may pay $95 for the full exam (all five parts), or pay $19 for each part of the exam (writing, social studies, science, math, and reading). Applicants must register one week in advance for the exams. The GED^® is currently offered as a paper/pencil exam at Savannah Technical College. Beginning Spring 2012, it will also be offered as a computer-based test in addition to the paper/pencil exam.

     The information sessions will cover resources to prepare for the exam. These resources are available online, in the STC library, local bookstores, and in the Savannah Technical College’s Adult Education preparation program.

     “Adult Education and GED^® programming are vitally important to the Savannah Community,” said Housing Authority of Savannah’s Director of Resident Services Yolanda Fontaine. “Increasing one’s level of educational attainment and building stronger skills is key to helping individuals and families reach their self sufficiency goals. Savannah Technical College’s on-campus facility and satellite locations such as ours at the Housing Authority of Savannah enhance our community’s overall access to success.”

     According to the 2010 GED^® Testing Program Statistical Report, the exam has a national average pass rate of 72.4 percent. To help students successfully pass the exam, Savannah Tech’s Adult Education GED^® preparation program provides free instruction. There are no admission costs for GED^® preparation courses.

     In FY2011 (June 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011), 2,600 students attended an adult education program in one of STC’s four county areas, and 1,048 students obtained their GED^®. Additionally, 67 percent of STC’s graduates began a college-level program at Savannah Tech. There are also dual enrollment opportunities for some certificate programs in which a student may work on their GED^®, while working to obtain a college certificate.

     For more information about the GED informational sessions, contact Savannah Tech’s GED^® Chief Examiner Tracy Allen (912.443.5825 or tallen@savannahtech.edu).

     Savannah Technical College, the region’s leading provider of market-driven, quality technical and adult education, has been meeting the needs of its community for more than three-quarters of a century. Building on a tradition of partnership, pride and service, the college serves nearly 5,000 students each semester in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties, offering more than 70 certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in fields ranging from automotive technology to surgical technology and from marketing to computer information systems to culinary arts and beyond.

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For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1246 | January 25, 2012

SAVANNAH – Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson, Savannah Technical College’s President Dr. Kathy Love and honored guests celebrated the groundbreaking of STC’s new Aviation Training Center at the Crossroads Campus today.

     “The Technical College System of Georgia is committed to ensuring that the state’s aviation industries, including corporate leaders like Gulfstream, have access to a steady pipeline of highly-trained technicians with the specialized skills that are required in the fields of aircraft assembly and maintenance,” said TCSG Commissioner Jackson. “Savannah Tech’s new Aviation Training Center is part of that commitment, and soon it will be home to state-of-the-art training that will lead students on pathways to great jobs and successful careers in this all-important industry.”

      The 29,152-square-foot building at STC’s Crossroads Campus will have a 5,000 square foot hangar plus labs and classrooms. The Aviation Training Center is projected to open in 2013 and will meet the requirements of the FAA Part 147, which govern aviation mechanic schools. The building was designed by James W. Buckley and Associates, Inc. and is being built by Pope Construction.

     “I am thrilled that Savannah Technical College will be able to strengthen our commitment to our aerospace industry partners by providing expanded aviation technology programs in a new state-of-the-art aerospace training center,” said President Love. “As a leader in hands-on training for Coastal Georgia, it is our responsibility to teach students specialized skills that will benefit our local employers.”

     Savannah Tech’s Aircraft Technology Department offers several programs of study that prepare students for careers in aircraft structures manufacture and repair, luxury craft cabinetmaking, and aircraft electrical equipment repair andinstallation.

     “General aviation contributes more than $150 billion to the U.S. economy and employs more than one million people,” said Ira Berman, senior vice president, administration and general counsel, Gulfstream Aerospace. “This new Aviation Training Center, which strengthens an already longstanding and fruitful relationship between our organizations, will further ensure that Gulfstream has a steady pool of highly qualified and motivated applicants.”

     The Aviation Training Center will feature four training labs. In the Powerplant Lab, students will learn how to tear down and rebuild reciprocating and turbine engines. The Airframe lab will include all aspects of airframe composition from landing gear to hydraulic/pneumatic systems, to fuel and electrical systems, as well as flight controls, rigging and non-destructive testing. The Aircraft Structural lab will work with sheet metal and cabinet making. There will also be a Composite Lab that will have an autoclave, which is a big oven that is used to cure composites. One of the classrooms will be used as an electronics and avionics training lab for the electrical technology students. The hangar features a hoist and will have abundant natural light with the windows near the ceiling. Five additional classrooms, office space and a workroom are also included in the building’s design.

     Aircraft structural technicians build new equipment and conduct repairs. Manufacturing work is based on customer orders in a team assembly environment and is generally hourly with growth to become a manager. Repair work is needed for all types of aircraft (old and new) and is dependent on customers needing repairs and is paid hourly on an as-needed basis.

     Luxury craft cabinetmakers and aircraft electrical assembly techs typically work in manufacturing plants and service centers. Cabinetmakers install and repair various types of cabinets, counter-tops and furniture in new and owned aircraft. Aircraft electrical assembly techs install electronics equipment and wiring into new aircraft. Both of these sets of skills may also be applied to build or maintain luxury yachts.

     Government contracts are being negotiated with aerospace suppliers, which may potentially increase employment demand by several hundred to thousands of individuals in the next few years.

     Local employers require these skills to grow their business and need qualified entry level employees in the areas of luxury craft cabinetmaking and electronics and avionics systems to meet their business demands.

For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Liberty Campus Info Session: 6PM * January 26 | Next Class begins February 18

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is now offering its Commercial Truck Driving Certificate Course as a weekend class at the Liberty Campus in Hinesville, Ga. There will be an information session about the class at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Liberty Campus (100 Technology Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313, Room 113).

      According to the Georgia Department of Labor Bureau, the average salary for a commercial truck driver in Liberty County is $32,000 annually. These jobs are in high demand and require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

     Students may enroll now for the 15-week class that will meet on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. from February 18 through May 27, 2012. The Commercial Truck Driving certificate program provides basic training in the principles and skills of commercial truck operations. The program is based on the definition of a truck driver as one who operates a commercial motor vehicle of all different sizes and descriptions on all types of roads. At the completion of the program, the student is administered the Georgia CDL Skills Exam.

     Prospective students must be at least 18 years old; 21 years of age is required for interstate travel and some companies require drivers to be 25 years of age. Students must not have been convicted in the past seven years of a DUI, leaving the scene of an accident or more than three moving violations (no more than eight points on a license). They must also pass a Department of Transportation drug screen and physical and be able to pass COMPASS placement testing.

     Savannah Tech offers Commercial Truck Driving at its Effingham and Liberty Campuses. The weekend class is only offered at the Liberty Campus in Hinesville, Ga. For more information about the class call 912.443.5859 or visit www.savannahtech.edu.

     Savannah Technical College serves coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Savannah, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

#1244| January 20, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah proudly presents its premier 2012 Chef’s President Ball and Award Dinner on Friday, January 27, 2012 in the Eckburg Auditorium at the Savannah Campus. The awards dinner is hosted by the Chefs of the Low Country chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and will recognize the chapter’s Chef of the Year and Student Chef of the Year and other honorees.

     The business-attire event is open to the public and begins with a reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person – wine is included. Call 912.443.5792 for reservations by Thursday, Jan. 26. Please pay by check (payable to ACF Chefs of the Low Country) or cash at the door.

     The four-course menu begins with Salmon Three Ways: Alaska Sockeye, Smoked Salmon and Gravlax Salmon Mousse. A garden and herb salad will be served with garlic and shallot vinaigrette. The main course is described as The Ultimate Short Rib served with mashed potatoes, haricot verts, Swiss chard and baby carrots, garnished with Salsify. Dessert is a rum baba with rose petal ice cream and fresh berries. Assorted petit fours will also be served.

     STC’s Culinary Institute of Savannah is led by Department Head and Instructor of Culinary Arts Chef Jean Yves Vendeville. Chef Vendeville has led student teams to two consecutive ACF Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and in 2011 in the Knowledge Bowl competition. Vendeville recently achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef. He also holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America.

     STC offers ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts through the Culinary Institute of Savannah. The college currently enrolls 200 students in culinary arts programs. For information, visit http://www.savannahtech.edu/.

     Savannah Technical College serves coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Savannah, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

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Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1243 | January 17, 2012 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Practical Nursing Program will host a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., (NLNAC) site review for continuing accreditation of its practical nursing program on January 25 – 27, 2012.

     The public is invited to meet the visit team and share comments about the program at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, at the Savannah Campus (5717 White Bluff Road, Academic Commons 126).

     Written comments are due to the NLNAC by January 20, 2012. Please send comments directly to: Dr. Sharon Tanner, CEO, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 or via email: sjtanner@nlnac.org.

     Savannah Technical College, the region’s leading provider of market-driven, quality technical and adult education, has been meeting the needs of its community for more than three-quarters of a century. Building on a tradition of partnership, pride and service, the college serves nearly 5,000 students each semester in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties, offering more than 70 certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in fields ranging from automotive technology to surgical technology and from marketing to computer information systems to culinary arts and beyond.

#1242 | January 10, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is now offering the EPA 608 Refresher Course and Computerized Certification Testing for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) technicians wishing to take the next step in their career, which will enable them to purchase refrigerants.

     The two-hour refresher course begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2012 at STC’s Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Suite 100). The test begins at 1:30 p.m., also on February 10, at the Crossroads Campus. Please note, late arrivals will not be allowed to sit for the test.

     Since November 14, 1994, Section 608 of the Federal Clean Air Act requires all technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of appliances containing regulated refrigerants be certified in proper refrigerant handling techniques. EPA-Approved Section 608 certification is required to service building air conditioning and refrigeration systems. HVAC technicians are allowed purchase any refrigerant in containers greater than 20 pounds once they earn the EPA-approved 608 certification.

     The $85 registration fee includes a study guide, two-hour refresher course and certification testing. This fee is non-refundable. The deadline to register and pay for the course and test is noon on Friday, January 27, 2012.

     To register for the course and test and for payment, contact Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.5808. Credit and/or Debit Card payments may be made via telephone. Money order, personal or cashier’s checks made payable to Savannah Technical College will only be accepted at the Crossroads Campus.

     Upcoming EPA 608 refresher course and tests are scheduled for April 13, June 15 and August 17 with registration due two weeks prior to the course/testing date.

For questions about the refresher course, please contact:

Bob Barringer (Industrial Technology) 912.443.5866 or rbarringer@savannahtech.edu

For questions about scheduling course/test for registration, please contact:

Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.5808 or rjohnson@savannahtech.edu.

     Savannah Technical College, the region’s leading provider of market-driven, quality technical and adult education, has been meeting the needs of its community for more than three-quarters of a century. Building on a tradition of partnership, pride and service, the college serves nearly 5,000 students each semester in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties, offering more than 70 certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in fields ranging from automotive technology to surgical technology and from marketing to computer information systems to culinary arts and beyond.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu