#1275 | April 27, 2012

Atlanta – Savannah Technical College’s (STC) Culinary Arts Department Head and instructor Chef Jean-Yves Vendeville is the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Instructor of the Year for 2012. High honors were also awarded to STC’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) student of the year Kathryn Hoyt as one of the top four finalists in the TCSG GOAL competition.

 TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson made the announcements during a banquet for the system’s top instructors and best students at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta on April 26. He presented Vendeville with the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction and a $1,000 check. Hoyt was honored as one best of the best out of the 190,000 TCSG students statewide. All of the top 26 students, each representing one of the TCSG technical colleges, received new iPads.

 “Jean-Yves is so very deserving of the award as the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2012 Instructor of the Year,” said Jackson. “His dedication to instruction and his passion for the field of culinary arts has positively impacted the lives of so very many students at Savannah Technical College. I join with his colleagues from throughout the Technical College System of Georgia in congratulating him on this outstanding honor, and we thank him for his strong commitment to technical education.”

 Judging for the Rick Perkins Award starts at each college and is followed by a regional competition. At the statewide level, six finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. The selection criteria include teaching experience and innovative learning techniques, leadership and community involvement, and a strong commitment to the technical education mission of the TCSG.

 “I am so proud of Chef Jean Vendeville and of our GOAL student Kathryn Hoyt,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “They represent the very best that the Technical College System of Georgia has to offer.”

 For the next year, Vendeville will serve as the TCSG’s ambassador for technical education instruction.He will make numerous appearances around Georgia and speak about the many education opportunities offered by the technical college system. He will also be honored by the Georgia General Assembly and receive a personal commendation from the Governor.

 “I would like to say a big thank you to the Technical College System of Georgia,” said Vendeville. “I have had a long career of work all over the world and have won many awards. However, no other award in my career has touched me more than this award today. I thank my students for believing, for following me. When I tell them, ‘Follow me; let’s go all the way up here.’ This is exactly what they did.”

 Under Vendeville’s leadership, the enrollment for STC’s culinary arts program has increased 130 percent since 2008. Now, there are more than 200 enrolled with new classes offered. This spring he opened another teaching kitchen in Effingham, Ga. Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have each earned national American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification under his leadership. He has embedded many aspects of sustainability into the program including an on-campus organic vegetable garden, an herb garden, and a composting site.

 According to his committee chair, the Culinary Institute of Savannah, offering ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts, is the “best in the U.S.A.,” and it has gone “well over and above the standards and expectations for a technical college teaching facility.” The committee recommended that the program receive the maximum accreditation time of seven years, when the average is three years.

 At the 2012 ACF Southeastern Regional Conference, Vendeville received the top ACF award – the President’s Medallion. This award is the ultimate honor for a lifetime of commitment and service to the standards and excellence ACF exemplifies.

 Vendeville was recently named Chef Educator of the Year by the Low Country Chapter of the ACF. He has led student teams to win three consecutive American Culinary Federation (ACF) Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and back-to-back wins in the Knowledge Bowl competition in 2011 and 2012.

 He has achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef and holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America.

 He is developing his first book, entitled Croquembouche: The Art and Technique. His book will focus on pastry and desserts, prepared in traditional French technique. It will include 250 color photographs and recipes of his creations. His book is slated for publishing this year by Taylor and Francis of London and will be distributed internationally.

Hoyt is anticipated to graduate in 2012 with a diploma in dental assisting from Savannah Tech. She works now as a dental assistant with Pediatric Dentistry of Savannah and is a volunteer with the Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic.

 “Technical education provides everyone with the opportunity for a great education by offering the skills and ethical training needed to prepare students to enter a competitive job market,” said Hoyt. “By providing quality, affordable education, the TCSG enhances the lives of its students as well as Georgia’s economy.”

 The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) provides oversight for the Rick Perkins Award program through the System Office’s programming staff, the presidents’ Academic Improvement committee and the state planning committee. This year, instructors at the TCSG colleges will educate and train more than 190,000 students.

 Learn more about the STC Culinary Arts program by “liking” Vendeville at www.facebook.com/chefjeanvendeville.

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#1274 | April 20, 2012

Early Childhood Education Student Wins Gold

SAVANNAH – A team from Savannah Technical College recently competed in a SkillsUSA Georgia competition in Atlanta, Ga. The STC team brought home a gold medal and three bronze medals.

     Students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations like electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts. Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations, and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by industry.

      Yuolanda Carey, a STC Early Childhood Education student, won gold in the SkillsUSA Georgia competition. In addition to pursuing an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Carey also serves as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. She is currently the secretary for the student organization Liberty Campus Association for the Education of Young Children (LAEYC). After earning an associate degree this fall, she plans to continue her education to ultimately earn a master’s degree and become a middle school social studies teacher.

     Carey competed with six others who attend different technical colleges in Georgia.To win gold, she had the highest score in each of the four areas: interview, 50-question test, writing and presenting a lesson plan and on how well her presentation reading a book to the judges. She will represent Savannah Tech and the State of Georgia in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Competition, in Kansas City, Mo., in June 2012.

      For the auto technology refinishing competition, there was a combination of hands-on demonstrations and 50-question written exams to test the students’ ability to estimate value of damage on and repair a vehicle. STC Automotive Collision Repair student Quentin Barnett prepared a metal fender for refinishing, mixed a unique color of paint, blended the paint onto the metal fender and applied a clear coat onto the entire panel to mask the vehicle. Upon graduation from STC, Barnett plans to own a body shop. He earned bronze in the automotive refinishing technology competition.

     Michael Velasco, a Sacramento, Calif., native, a military dependent and a first-year computer support specialist student at Savannah Tech earned a bronze medal in the computer maintenance technology competition. His tests were based on finding solutions to PC-related issues. The competition consisted of a written test, an oral interview and a 10-station, round-robin repair and fix work bench. Upon graduation, Velasco, plans to work in programming and animation.

     Marie Calleon won bronze in the nursing competition. She completed the written test and was interviewed. Then, she did the skills test, which consisted of foot and nail care; blood pressure, pulse and respiration; emptying a foley catheter, measured the output and provided peri care. She is excited about being in the LPN graduating class of 2013. Upon graduation, Calleon plans to go to RN school wherever she and her military husband are stationed.

     SkillsUSA Georgia is the Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in Architecture, Construction, Communication and Transportation (ACCT), Cosmetology, and Public Safety Pathways in Georgia’s secondary schools.

     SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. At the heart of this mission are SkillsUSA’s core values: integrity, responsibility, citizenship, service and respect.

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#1273 | April 19, 2012

 SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is offering two ten-hour basic refresher courses: one for basic math skills and one for pre-algebra. Both will be offered through STC’s Professional Continuing Education in the mornings at the College’s Crossroads Campus in the Crossroads Business Park off I-95. The cost of each course is $159 per person. A corporate introductory rate of $1,000 is available for a group of 10-15 students.

 No Fear Math: Many times basic mathematics causes problems for higher level mathematics. Topics in this course include mathematical computations and conversions utilizing whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, percentages, acquiring familiarity with measurement of liquids, solids, metric and English measures, and calculations of averages, angles, perimeter and area of objects. This course meets from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The next course will be May 14-18. It will also be offered June 18-22 and July 9-13.

 No Fear Pre-Algebra: This class is a great opportunity for those who have not had math instruction, have not used math skills for several years or are getting ready to take an entrance exam or a certification exam. Topics in this course include: arithmetic, geometric, and exponential patterns; algebraic expressions (coefficient, variables, constants, equation in words); evaluating algebraic expressions; combining like terms; multiplying and dividing monomials; multiplying and dividing polynomials; graphing X-Y Points; solving one-step equations; basic geometry; and measurements. This course meets from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The next course will be offered May 21-25. It will also be offered June 25 – 29 and July 23-27.

      To register for either course and for payment, contact Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.5808 or rjohnson@savannahtech.edu. 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.

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

#1272 | April 19, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will offer the EPA 608 Refresher Course and Computerized Certification Testing for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) on Friday, May 25, 2012. This course will benefit technicians wishing to take the next step in their career, which will enable them to purchase refrigerants.

     The two-hour refresher course begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012 at STC’s Liberty Campus (100 Technology Drive, Hinesville, Ga., 31313). The test begins at 10 a.m., also on May 25, at Liberty Campus. Please note, late arrivals will not be allowed to sit for the test in Lab 109.

     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, May 4, 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 June 22, July 13 and August 24 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 registration and payment information for the refresher course/testing, please contact: Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.5808 or rjohnson@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. 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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For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1271| April 18, 2012

SAVANNAH – Whether a student wants to be a firefighter or crime fighter, all roads now lead to Savannah Technical College’s Crossroads Campus for public safety training.

     Prospective students are invited to learn more about public safety training through the Peace Officer Academy, Criminal Justice and Fire Science training on Tuesday, May 1 from 2 to 4 p.m.and from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Pkwy, Ste 100, Savannah, GA 31407).

      Instructors and students will be available for tours of the facilities and to provide information regarding each program. There will be demonstrations of the new obstacle course utilized by the Peace Officer Academy cadets, and prospective students and guests will be able to test their skills with the Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS), as well.

 Peace Officer Academy

The Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become competent law enforcement officers. The program spans two terms and utilizes classroom instruction pertaining to criminal justice theory and the prevailing principles of modern law enforcement, as well as practical application of pertinent enforcement skills.College coursework contains the entire Georgia Peace Officers Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. In addition to 42 hours of college credit, successful completion of the program will provide the student with 700 hours of P.O.S.T. training and the state-certification necessary to be a peace officer in Georgia. Also, POA graduates may transfer all of their POA coursework into the Criminal Justice Associate Degree program. The Academy has a 98-percent placement rate for graduates.

     It is never too early to apply and interested candidates are strongly encouraged to start the application process as soon as possible. For more information about the Academy, please contact Claire Pimentel at 912.443.5191 or cpimentel@savannahtech.edu.

 Fire Science

The Fire Science programs of study are designed to prepare graduates for success in a fire and emergency service environment. These programs provide students with leadership skills to be successful in progressing through the ranks of the fire and emergency services. The program includes an associate degree, diploma and different levels of certifications.

      STC’s new Firefighter I Certification is the first step to becoming a firefighter. STC’s new fire science classes are convenient to work schedules with most taught online. Hybrid classes offer practical hands-on training at various fire departments. Also, the program accepts applicable ProBoard certifications and NFA/GFA training for college credit. Call 912.443.3386 for more information.

  Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice program offers an associate degree, diploma and a certificate. The program emphasizes a combination of Criminal Justice theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. The Criminal Justice field offers thousands of career opportunities in the three components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, as well as careers in private security.

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

#1270 | April 17, 2012

College to collect batteries for recycling on Friday, April 20

 SAVANNAH – Earth Day Savannah will use clean energy to power many of its vendor booths this year thanks to Savannah Technical College’s photovoltaic generator. The generator has enough stored power to power up to 10 laptops or five televisions simultaneously. It will run from 11AM until 3PM on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

     Unlike a fuel-powered generator, the 120 Volt 20 AMP AC output solar generator runs without a carbon footprint and provides power without making a sound.

     To learn more about solar power, enroll in STC’s photovoltaic systems hybrid class this summer with evening and online classes. Students will learn techniques and methods on how to install residential and commercial photovoltaic systems. For more information about the class, call 912.443.5859.

Battery Recycling Drop-Off: 8AM – 12PM, Friday, April 20, 2012 Last year, Savannah Technical College collected more than 2,000 pounds of recycled batteries through the college’s partnership with Huntingdon Restoration, Inc. in a battery recycling effort for Earth Day. On Friday, April 20, the college will serve as a drop-off location for crank batteries, like those used in cars, boats, lawn mowers or generators. Smaller consumer batteries will also be collected from 8 a.m. until noon in the rear parking lot of the Savannah campus, 5717 White Bluff Road.

      Companies and individuals looking to recycle larger batteries are encouraged to contact HRI directly for pickup or for a location capable of handling larger batteries. The phone number is 912.234.2798 or by email at info@hribatteries.com

      Proceeds from the battery collection will benefit the American Red Cross.

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

#1269 | April 13, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Graduate Terri Love was selected as the LPN of the Year for the State of Georgia at the Annual Georgia Association of Nurses in Long-Term Care Meeting held March 23, 2012 in Stockbridge, Ga.

      “We strive for high standards and professionalism in the field of Nursing,” said STC Nursing Program Director Asha Anumolu. “We congratulate Ms. Love on her outstanding honor for excellent service and dedication to her patients.”

      Love is the education coordinator and facility nurse for Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center and implemented its first CNA mentor program. She has served as Clinical Classroom Instructor for South College, Memorial Hospital and Georgia Regional Hospital. She also assisted and developed the CNA program for Chatham County Outreach Program and was asked to participate in regulatory accreditation for the Savannah Chatham School – Woodville Thompkins Institute CNA Program. She is an active member of the Riverview Affiliates and participates annually in the community-wide Adopt-A-Resident Christmas Program.

      She received an LPN diploma from Savannah Technical College in 1986 and is currently working towards her RN degree.

      Savannah Technical College’s nursing program has had an average 94.6% NCLEX passing rate for the last four years. The program recently went through the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., (NLNAC) accreditation visit and passed all six standards. The NLNAC committee commended STC’s program director and faculty for their enthusiasm and dedication to teaching and PN program standards. Students reported to the site visitors that they enjoyed going through Savannah Tech practical nursing program and that faculty was dedicated to their learning.

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

#1268 | April 12, 2012

 Celebration of the Young Child: Family Fun on April 28 from 10AM – 2PM

 SAVANNAH – Children begin learning right away, even when it looks like they’re playing. Learning in the early years is the theme for the fifth annual CELEBRATION OF THE YOUNG CHILD event to be held on Saturday, April 28 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Liberty Campus of Savannah Technical College on Airport Road in Hinesville, Ga.

      “We’re excited about this year’s event,” said Gia Smith, STC instructor of Early Childhood Care and Education at the Liberty Campus. “It’s a great opportunity for the children to learn of funs ways to ‘Get Moving’ and for families to learn about the community resources that is available to them.”

      The event is free and open to the public. It will include free food, prize giveaways and more. It will be held outdoors on the campus and will feature information and exhibits from a number of community partners and service organizations. Kid’s activities include music, a dunking booth, face painting and more.

Sponsors for the event include Liberty Cinema, Gulfstream, Papa Murpy’s pizza, Coca-Cola, Applebee’s and the Chili’s among others.

      If your organization would like to sponsor or set up a booth at the event, please contact Gia Smith gsmith@savannahtech.edu or 912.408.3024 x6024.

     STC’s Early Childhood Education Care and Education classes are offered at its campuses in Liberty and Savannah. The program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in childcare and related fields. Graduates are qualified as paraprofessionals, private pre-kindergarten teachers or Assistant Pre-K teachers, owners and/or directors of child care centers. The associate degree provides graduates with the opportunity for continued education and articulation to baccalaureate programs.

     Liberty Campus is one of the College’s two campuses in Hinesville, Ga. The second location is at the Paul R. Smith Army Education Center at Fort Stewart. These two locations offer a wealth of programs that mirror today’s workplace needs for Liberty County. Both of these campuses offer morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, online, hybrid and/or web-enhanced classes.

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

#1265 | April 6, 2012

SAVANNAH – A crowd of more than 250 gathered in the Eckburg Auditorium on the campus of Savannah Technical College today to celebrate the 2012 Tribute to Community STARS luncheon, an annual event recognizing people for their service and dedication in the community or at work. They are business owners, executives, doctors, and non-profit leaders. While their professional accomplishments are impressive, the work they do beyond their job descriptions evokes awe.

     A new scholarship was announced at the event, which was named in honor of Chef Jean Vendeville, Savannah Tech’s Culinary Arts Institute department head and the College’s 2012 instructor of the year. The scholarship, funded by philanthropist Dick Eckburg, will support two exemplary culinary arts students for two years.

 Honored were:

Don Amerson , sponsored by The Savannah Bank;

Cort Atkinson , sponsored by Howard Morrison;

Tracy Baker , sponsored by DIRTT;

Richard Barrow , sponsored by Coastal Logistics Group;

Kristin Boylston , sponsored by The South magazine;

Jenny Gentry , sponsored by Wells Fargo;

Kathryn Hoyt , sponsored by Savannah Technical College Foundation;

Shawn Kachmar , sponsored by Hunter Maclean;

Scott Martens , sponsored by STARBASE Savannah Foundation, Inc.;

Garlana Mathews , sponsored by Azalea Health Innovations, Inc., and Jani-King;

Cliff McCurry , sponsored by Savannah Economic Development Authority;

Diana Morrison , sponsored by Savannah Morning News;

Jack Munroe , sponsored by Dick& Judy Eckburg;

David Rosenblum , sponsored by The Kennickell Group;

Patrick Shay , sponsored by The Kennickell Group;

Jan Smith , sponsored by WTOC-TV;

Rev. Thurmond Tillman , sponsored by Georgia Power;

Chef Jean Vendeville , sponsored by Savannah Technical College;

Donna Williams , sponsored by AmeriGroup; and

Michael Zoller , sponsored by Bernard Williams, Inc. and Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty and Helen Dowling;

 The event is organized by the Savannah Technical College Foundation Community Council, a group of young professionals charged with expanding the awareness of Savannah Technical College and its mission through advocacy, awareness and fundraising.

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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.

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

#1263 | April 5, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Tech Historic Preservation students worked all day on Saturday, March 31 to build a picnic shelter on campus, and their work was recorded through time-lapse photography. The students used traditional timber-framing techniques thanks to instruction by Rudy R. Christian, an internationally acclaimed timber framer and a featured artist in STC’s Visiting Artisan Series.

      The students started installing the structure at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012, stopped for a brief rain delay around 2 p.m. and were finished for the day by 5 p.m. Watch a time-lapse photography video or view behind-the-scenes shots of the project. Students will continue to complete the project by adding a roof and masonry around the base during the next few weeks.      The visit was coordinated by STC’s Department Head and Instructor of Historic Preservation Stephen Hartley. ““As Georgia’s only hands-on historical preservation program, we are proud to offer our students opportunities to learn from master tradesmen,” said Hartley. “Rudy’s visit continues our goal of augmenting our traditional study with masters in their chosen craft.”

      Christian is a founding member and past president of the Timber Framers Guild and of Friends of Ohio Barns and a founding member and past executive director of the Preservation Trades Network. He is also a founding member of the Traditional Timberframe Research and Advisory Group and the International Trades Education Initiative. He speaks frequently about historic conservation and also conducts educational workshops.

      He has published articles, including “Conservation of Historic Building Trades: A Timber Framer’s View,” in the “APT Bulletin,” Vol. XXXIII, No. 1, and his recent collaborative work with author Allen Noble entitled “The Barn: A Symbol of Ohio,” has been published on the Internet. In November 2000, the Preservation Trades Network awarded Christian the Askins Achievement Award for excellence in the field of historic preservation.

      As president of Christian & Son, Inc., his work has included numerous reconstruction projects, such as the historic “Big Barn” at Malabar Farm State Park near Mansfield, Ohio, and relocation of the 19th-century Crawford Horse Barn in Newark, Ohio. These projects featured “hand raisings,” which were open to the public and attracted a total of 130,000 interested spectators.

      He also led a crew of timber framers at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Masters of the Building Arts program, in the re-creation and raising of an 18th-century carriage house frame on the Mall in Washington, DC. Roy Underhill’s “Woodright’s Shop” filmed the event for PBS, and Roy participated in the raising.

Christian studied structural engineering at both the General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich., and Akron University in Ohio. He has also studied historic compound roof layout and computer modeling at the Gewerbe Akademie in Rotweil, Germany. He is an adjunct professor at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif., and an approved workshop instructor for the Timber Framers Guild.

      The College’s Visiting Artisan Series brings three world-class craftsmen to campus each for a week in October, February and April. This series has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. Rudy’s visit was sponsored by Sanctuary Place Inn, the Davenport House, Southern Pine Company, and Historic Savannah Foundation.

      For information about Historic Preservation at Savannah Technical College, contact Hartley, shartley@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864.

Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation & Restoration Department programs of study prepare students for careers in historic preservation & green-building technology. As the only hands-on historic preservation program in Georgia, the program provides specialized training in skills not typically held by construction workers. In its first year of inception, the department’s Visiting Artisan Series has featured “The Red Mason” Dr. Gerard Lynch, internationally acclaimed brickwork consultant, master bricklayer, educator and author; H. Thomas Kupper and Dan Beal stained-glass artisans of the world-renowned Lincoln Cathedral in Lincolnshire, England. Traditional Building Magazine named Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation program one of the nation’s Up and Coming programs .

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