#1290 | June 28, 2012

SAVANNAH – The Rotary Club of Savannah East has given Adult Education at Savannah Technical College $3,000 to fund scholarships for needy students to cover the cost of GED testing. The funds are proceeds from a spring fundraiser “Lip-Sync-a-licious for Literacy” that also supported the Live Oak Library’s Summer Reading Program and Royce Learning Center.

     Says STC Adult Literacy Executive Director Jermaine Whirl, “This generous support comes at a great time for our students, as they face increased testing fees.” Beginning July 1, GED testing fees will increase to $32 per test (from $19) with the full battery of tests costing $160 (from $95). This gift will supplement other private funds used to provide GED testing assistance for some of the many students who test annually.

      Data from the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics continue to show the importance of earning the GED. The unemployment rate for those with no HS diploma or GED credential is almost six percent higher; their income is approximately $10,000 per year less. And, on average, households headed by a high school graduate accumulate ten times more wealth than households headed by a high school dropout.

      In Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia Office of Adult Education is the statewide provider of the GED test. More than 1.2 million adults in Georgia need a GED diploma; in 2011, almost 28,000 people took the GED test in Georgia and more than 19,000 passed. All Georgians who pass the GED test get a $500 HOPE voucher to help pay the cost of college enrollment.

     Savannah Tech’s Adult Education serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED test to attain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for community college or technical education. The academic training provided by STC’s Adult Education prepares students to apply to college and improve career readiness. Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community including at the College’s campus locations in Savannah, Rincon and Hinesville.

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

#1290 | June 25, 2012

SAVANNAH – Tomorrow evening at 6 PM, more than 300 Savannah Technical College students will walk across the stage at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in the Savannah Civic Center at the college’s graduation ceremony.

      Among the faces beaming with pride will be Kevin Steinbach, an honors graduate in the Business Management program, who started work recently with local heavy equipment maker JCB in a specially-created logistics position, one of only two worldwide. Kevin, an unassuming young man originally from Effingham County, finished his class work, including an internship with the company in April of this year. “We were always told to take advantage of the opportunity and absorb all the knowledge we could from the culture and environment,” he says. “I did my best to work hard and do things right.”

      And doing things right is something that he’s done for some time. Three years ago, he was the general manager of a landscaping company. When he saw business tapering off, he and his wife paid off all their debts and started saving cash so that they could both go to college. He enrolled full time at Savannah Tech and his wife enrolled part-time, studying accounting. Two years later, he has completed the Business Management Associate Degree program and she will start her Accounting major courses this fall. Says Kevin, “It was definitely worth the investment. I liked that the schedule offered me the flexibility to get things done when I needed to.” He also attributes his internship experience with helping him land the job. “There is no way I would be here now if it hadn’t been for my internship and what I learned at Savannah Tech.”

      Says STC Business Management Department Head Susan Pinkston, “The program has a strong track record and an excellent reputation.” Within the past year, Pinkston has had graduates hired by the Landings Club, major hotel chains, by manufacturing companies and in larger markets like Washington, DC. Others choose to continue their education or open their own businesses. “The great thing about the business programs at Savannah Technical College is that students can study in a major that interests them and find electives in related areas that can broaden their knowledge. For example, many Business Management students take accounting, computer, marketing, and hospitality courses that help further define their career paths”, explains Pinkston.

      Savannah Technical College offers associate degree and diploma programs in Business Management. For information, contact Susan Pinkston 912.443.5082 or spinkston@savannahtech.edu.

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

#1289 | June 22, 2012

Savannah Technical College Adult Education Holds Info Sessions Get your questions answered about upcoming changes to GED testing

 SAVANNAH – Beginning July 1, 2012, a number of changes will be coming to the state’s Adult Education program. GED testing fees will increase to $32 per test (from $19) with the full battery of tests costing $160 (from $95). Additionally, all test registration and testing will be done online.

     To help students understand these important changes, Savannah Technical College will offer FREE INFORMATION SESSIONS according to the following schedule:

• Crossroad Campus:  July 16  9AM Auditorium
• Savannah Campus:  July 18  9AM  Academic Commons, Room 126
• Liberty Campus:   July 19  9AM  Room 138
• Effingham Campus:  July 20  9AM  Room 135

     “We want to work with our students to address any questions or concerns they may have,” said Savannah Technical College’s Executive Director of Adult Education. “Change is never easy, but being prepared can help minimize misunderstanding. That’s why we hope people will attend one of our sessions.”

     At the sessions, students will learn of the benefits of computer based testing and see a demo video. They will also learn how to register and schedule a test, scholarship opportunities available and how to complete the application for underage youth.

     Information sessions are first-come, first served. For information, contact Adult Education at 912.443.5446 or visit http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/GED_Adult_Education and look for the GED Computer-Based Testing Registration Information link.

     There are more than one million Georgians who are 25 years of age or older and do not have a high school education or GED diploma. Savannah Tech’s Adult Education serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED test to attain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for community college or technical education. The academic training provided by STC’s Adult Education prepares students to apply to college and improve career readiness.       Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community including at the College’s campus locations in Savannah, Rincon and Hinesville.

#1288 | June 20, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will offer a 12-hour introduction to digital photography course through its professional continuing education division. The class will meet from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first session this summer will run June 26 through July 12 at the College’s Crossroads Campus, in the Crossroads Business Park off I-95.

     An award-winning photographer, who has more than four decades of experience and his own photography business, will teach the class. He was recently part of the White House press pool and photographed President Obama and the First Lady. He has been a photographer with the Department of Defense for nine years.

     This class is set up with a lecture and discussion format. Students will not need a camera to participate. The cost of the course is $85 per person. For registration and payment, contact Continuing Education Department at  912.443.3012 or continuingeded@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 (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, GA 31407). Future courses will be offered:

• July     24 – August 9
• August     21 –September 6
• September     18 – October 4

Introduction to Digital Photography Course Outline:

• Lesson     1: In the first lesson, students will learn what     digital photography is and how photography evolved to this exciting new     level. The class will review some of the jargon and terms used in the     industry, explore some of the equipment digital photographer’s use, and     highlight the areas where things have changed.
• Lesson     2: Students will have an opportunity to really get to     know their camera or the camera of their dreams. Students find this lesson     to be one of the most helpful as they learn about the different features     available on digital cameras, find out what to look for both inside and     outside the camera itself, and explore the different levels of equipment     available.
• Lesson     3: When it’s time to make a decision and buy the     camera that’s right for students want to know how to make the best choice.     This lesson will cover more of the attributes and features of digital photography     as students prepare to meet the camera salesman armed with solid knowledge     of what’s important for the student.
• Lesson     4: Digital storage is a big issue, so this lesson     will look at ways to address this aspect of digital photography. When it     comes to digital images, storage space is needed not only on the camera,     but also on the computer. Students will receive lots of recommendations     and guidelines for getting the most out of storage space, as well as how     to set up back-up procedures.
• Lesson     5: The ability to edit digital images is one of the     most compelling features of digital photography. Students will learn about     software programs available and some of the many features available in     digital editing programs.
• Lesson     6: Using digital imagery online is another big part     of digital photography. In this lesson, students will discover ways to use     digital images with e-mail and on Web sites. Discussion will include     information about sizing images and using cell phone cameras, Web cams,     and other online resources.
• Lesson     7: Printing digital images is a different process     from simply dropping off a roll of film. Discussion will explore the many     options for printing at home and the extensive network of retail printers     available for digital work. Students will also learn about the different     types of printers available, and how to obtain archival prints.
• Lesson     8: Film photography hasn’t gone away completely, but     digital photography is making a strong stand at replacing it. This lesson     focuses on ways camera manufacturers have blended the best features of     each format to give photographers great new ways to do traditional     techniques. This area is changing rapidly, and students often find it     quite interesting to see how quickly digital photography has caught up with     film standards.
• Lesson     9: Scanning printed images is an important option for     digital photography. This lesson will cover restoring old and damaged     photos, using scanners to bring slides, negatives, and prints into a     digital format, and even how to capture an image of a 3-D object with a     scanner.
• Lesson     10: Travel photography is always a favorite subject     for photographers. Digital photography presents some different challenges     and opportunities, so in this lesson, students will learn how     professionals in the field handle the challenges, as well as techniques     and opportunities when travelling.
• Lesson     11: Digital photography has emerged in many different     work places. This lesson will review how not only photographers use     digital photography for their businesses, but also how other types of     businesses have incorporated it as well.
• Lesson     12: In the final lesson, students will learn how to     compose pictures with digital options in mind. There’s a lot more to being     a digital photographer than just owning a digital camera, and students     will see some great examples of difficult situations that can be remedied     with digital solutions.

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For more information about upcoming continuing education courses visit:
www.savannahtech.edu/business-industry/courses/

#1287 | June 18, 2012

SAVANNAH – Anthony “Tony” Marsella, Jr., managing partner for TM and Associates will deliver the Commencement Address at Savannah Technical College’s 2012 graduation, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 in the Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah Civic Center.

      Savannah Tech has awarded more than 400 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from summer 2011 through spring 2012. Also, 319 GED diplomas have been earned during that time. Savannah Tech expects more than 250 students to participate in graduation.

      Marsella is described as a powerful motivational speaker, innovative thinker and quintessential leader. His extensive talent and loyalty to work make him a popular keynote speaker for presentations on leadership, personal responsibility, personal growth and customer service. He has more than 25 years experience in the classified category of newspaper advertising.

      Most recently Marsella was president and chief operating officer of Ranger Data Technologies, a provider of revenue generating software to newspapers throughout North America. Prior to joining Ranger Data Technologies in 2008, Marsella was corporate vice president for classified advertising at Morris Communications, a privately held media company with a network of newspapers across the United States. At Morris, Marsella focused the company’s energies on meeting the significant challenges to newspapers in the classified segment. He was also responsible for creating and implementing products and programs that increased classified revenues.

       Marsella was the 1995 recipient of the McGovern Award, the highest award presented to an executive in the newspaper business contributing most to the leadership and growth of the classified category of advertising nationally. He was the first non-newspaper publisher to receive this honor in the 50-year history of the award. He has also conducted sales training programs, advertising workshops, marketing seminars, business management summits, symposia, focus study groups and consulting services for hundreds of newspaper firms, Realtor organizations and other business groups throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. He has written manuals on advertising, training, sales development and marketing and has been featured in videos and televised programs on behalf of private firms, the newspaper industry and the National Association of Realtors. An army combat veteran of Vietnam, Tony and his wife, Gloria, make their home in Augusta, Ga.

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For More Information Contact:
Amy Shafer, APR
912.443.5512 a
shaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1286 | June 15, 2012

Ten candidates are now qualified to be POST-certified peace officers by state of Georgia

 SAVANNAH – Ten students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a completion ceremony.

     These students have completed coursework containing the entire Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. Their successful completion of the program qualifies them to be state-certified peace officers.

     This is the tenth group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 125 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Three candidates have jobs with area law enforcement departments. All others are in various stages of the application process with local area agencies. Savannah Tech’s Peace Officer Academy has a 98% placement rate.

     Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. The cohorts have a tradition of giving the family of the fallen officer a challenge coin dedicated to the officer. A challenge coin is a symbol of an unbreakable bond of dedication and allegiance among military personnel and law enforcement officers. The challenge coin tradition started as a military tradition in World War I and was later adopted by law enforcement.

     This cohort selected Chief David Albert McCutchen, Sr., of the Savannah Beach Police Department. His tour of duty ended on April 10, 1963, when he was shot and killed while checking on a residence for a possible burglary in progress. He was mistaken for a burglar and was shot by the homeowner, who had returned home early from vacation. The homeowner was not charged in connection with his death. Chief McCutchen was survived by his wife and two children. His son will attend the ceremony to accept the challenge coin.

      The keynote speaker was Chief of Police for Americus, Ga., Mark Gerbino. Chief Gerbino has worked in law enforcement for 36 years. He worked in the City of Rochester, New York Police Department for more than three decades. He had a special assignment with the City of Los Angeles General’s Office as the special investigator coordinator over police officer use of deadly physical force. After moving to Georgia, he became a graduate of the first class at Savannah Tech’s Peace Officer Academy in 2009. He is certified as an investigator for both arson and homicide.

      Rev. Travis Cowart gave the opening prayer, Jr. Recorder Court Judge Kevin Street delivered the Oath of Office.

      The Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become competent law enforcement officers. The 18-week cohort program 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 so that successful completion of the program will qualify the student to be a state-certified peace officer.

      For more information about the Peace Officer Academy, please contact Claire Pimentel at 912.443.5191 or cpimentel@savannahtech.edu.

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

#1285 | June 14, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College (STC) is partnering with the Effingham County Prison to bring adult education/GED classes to inmates.       Recently, STC President Dr. Kathy Love, STC Board of Directors Chairman Jimmy Burnsed and STC board member Rev. Thurmond Tillman toured the prison in Springfield, Ga., off of Highway 119 South. The group learned more about the prison and the training STC’s Adult Education program will provide inmates.

     “Through our Adult Education program, we strive to enable every learner to acquire the necessary skills in reading, speaking, writing and math,” said Dr. Love. “This will help them become life-long learners and productive citizens in a global society.

     STC Adult Education’s new program will offer two-hour classes, three days a week at the prison. These are an average of 20 students in the program at one time.

     “We would like to thank all of the administration and staff at Savannah Technical College for their efforts to bring its successful program here and develop a partnership to offer adult education,” said Effingham County Prison Deputy Warden Vickie V. Brown. “We look forward to offering adult education including GED preparation, along with skills to help our inmates improve their reading, writing and math skills.”

     Savannah Technical College has had success with a similar program at Coastal State Prison, which started in March 2011. Savannah Tech offers a morning and afternoon class, four days a week with an average of 20 to 25 students per class. Sixty-two adult education students from Coastal State Prison have taken the GED exams with a 95% passing rate. At least four of these students who successfully passed their GED exams enrolled in two year technical schools and others have been accepted into four-year universities.

     “This is a great opportunity for the inmates to continue their education and achieve the basic skills needed to find employment once they are released,” said Burnsed.

     “Very few of us talk about the fact that 97% of all incarcerated people return back to the community,” said Rev. Tillman. “This is an opportunity for those individuals to leave prison better equipped and more educated than they were before. This will also increase their success and help them handle reentry into the community.”

     There are more than one million Georgians who are 25 years of age or older and do not have a high school education or GED diploma. STC’s Adult Education serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED test to attain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for community college or technical education. The academic training provided by STC’s Adult Education prepares students to apply to college and improve career readiness.       Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community including at the college’s campus locations in Savannah, Rincon and Hinesville.

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

#1284: June 13, 2012

Savannah Technical College and Georgia Southern University sign articulation agreement for Logistics Management programs

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College President Kathy Love, Ed.D. and Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel, Ph.D. signed an articulation agreement today for Logistics Management between the two institutions of higher education.

     “We are pleased to announce the beginning of an important partnership for workforce development in our region,” said Love. “This agreement makes this critically important program accessible not only for Savannah, but for all of Coastal Georgia.”

     The articulation agreement lays the foundation for students to complete a new 74-credit hour associate of science degree in Logistics Management at Savannah Tech. Students will then be able to articulate or transfer their coursework in its entirety to Georgia Southern University toward the bachelor’s degree in business administration, logistics and intermodal transportation.

     “This new partnership is great for students, great for the state of Georgia and great for both area and international business,” said Keel. “With the growth of the port in Savannah as well as others on the east coast of the United States, there is a growing demand for well-educated and well-trained professionals in the field of logistics. This agreement ensures that we will be able to supply a steady and outstanding pipeline of talent to area businesses for years to come.”

     The agreement next goes to both governing boards for endorsement. Savannah Technical College projects to begin offering the program beginning with the fall 2012 semester. Upon board approval, Savannah Technical College will be the first college in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to offer an associate of science degree in Logistics Management. In addition to general core courses, the program will feature 14 semester hours in logistics-related coursework – including supply chain management, transportation and logistics management, warehousing technology and materials management.

     “This program of study grew out of the regional partnership we forged together while working on a regional Work Ready grant to improve workforce development along the I-95 corridor,” said Love. “Today we mark an important step toward actualizing that goal of providing the full range of career development in logistics for southeast Georgia.”

     The Department of Management, Marketing and Logistics in the College of Business Administration at Georgia Southern offers the bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree in the area of Logistics and Intermodal Transportation (LIT). This degree is one of Georgia Southern’s fastest growing majors serving the needs of a dynamic industry. Logistics involves ensuring the availability of the right product, in the right quantity and the right condition, at the right place, at the right time, for the right customer, at the right cost. Intermodal transportation is combining the cost and/or service advantages of more than one mode of transportation in an efficient, seamless product movement.

     The degree prepares students for the many jobs available in this challenging and rapidly expanding field. LIT courses focus on logistics and transportation concepts and principles. Advanced courses focus on logistics operations, international logistics, and intermodal distribution issues.

     Thanks to an agreement signed earlier this year by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents, there are now 27 core curriculum courses transferrable to USG institutions from TCSG institutions accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The increased number of courses enhances how TCSG students are able to pursue baccalaureate degree opportunities at USG institutions. The new articulation agreement provides Savannah Tech students a pathway to transfer their courses to the Logistics and Intermodal Transportation BBA degree from Georgia Southern.

     “Long term, Georgia Southern is looking at how higher education can better serve the needs of students in Georgia. We must ensure that we are remaining competitive on a national and global level,” said Keel. “This collaborative partnership is just the beginning. It is a great example of how we can partner to not only put our students in a position to win, but to have a positive and lasting impact on workforce and economic development in our region.”

     Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University is one of the Top 10 most popular universities in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, and is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.

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 Media Contacts:

Amy Shaffer, APR
Savannah Technical College
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Christian Flathman
Georgia Southern University
912.478.6397
cflathman@georgiasouthern.edu