#1337 | January 31, 2013

Noon, March 22, Eckburg Auditorium, Savannah Campus

SAVANNAH –The Savannah Technical College Foundation Community Council will host the 2013 Tribute to Community STARS at noon on Friday, March 22, 2013, in the Eckburg Auditorium on the College’s Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road. The event, now in its seventh year, honors some 20 individuals, nominated for their service and dedication at work or in the community.

“This event has such a great following in our community. It is wonderful to see so many companies eager to honor people who make a difference,” says STC Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Communication Gail Eubanks. “The things our honorees do are amazing. It is uplifting to hear their stories. I leave the event every year inspired to be a better person.”

The Tribute event is held each spring and is sponsored by the STC Foundation Community Council, a group of young professionals charged with expanding the local knowledge and profile of Savannah Technical College and its mission and with raising funds to support the college, its programs and students. The Community Council is co-chaired by Steven Stowers and Heather Novak, and the Tribute to Community STARS event is chaired by Laura Lee Bocade.

Nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2013 space permitting. Sponsorships begin at $1,000 to nominate a STAR and include a table for 10.

Dr. Bertice Berry, best-selling author, comedienne and speaker, will deliver the keynote address.

As last year, the event will feature a silent auction of goods and services from the College. Some items that will be available for auction include:

• A special occasion cake made from Culinary Arts;
• Salon services from Cosmetology and Barbering;
• Small business marketing consultation from Marketing, Hospitality and Logistics;
• A framed stained glass from Historic Preservation; and
• Hand-crafted metal and iron work from Historic Preservation and Welding Technologies.

Last year, the first to include a silent auction, the STC Foundation raised $2,500 from auction sales.

Tickets cost $100 per person – seating is limited. Call 912.443.3022 for information. Proceeds from the event benefit Savannah Technical College.

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disperse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. The Foundation also supports student success through its privately funded scholarships.

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

#1336 | January 30, 2013

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected Kevin Werntz as its Vice President of Economic Development. In this role, Werntz is responsible for all non-credit education including customized corporate training, professional continuing education, certified testing and corporate assessment.

“Kevin brings a wealth of experience and very strong relationships with our regional economic development partners,” said Savannah Technical College President Dr. Kathy Love. “We are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Previously, Werntz crafted the strategic plans for long-term growth initiatives at the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA). As the senior strategic advisor to SEDA, Werntz combined his experience in global business development, creative marketing and technical applications to build two operational business and marketing models for SEDA’s emerging market growth strategy, offering a solution for attracting foreign direct investment for the greater Savannah region.

His background also includes more than 18 years of sales, marketing and customer care experience with leading global organizations, Johnson & Johnson and VeriSign, Inc., to develop exceptional staff and revenue growth for his organizations.

Werntz holds an MBA from Jacksonville University and a bachelor of arts in communications from the University of Georgia and serves on the Technology Association of Georgia’s Savannah Board of Advisors.

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

#1335 | January 25, 2013

“We are excited to be working with Goodwill in this effort,” said Dr. Love. “We know how important this instruction is to the students and their families. We know that attainment of a GED opens doors to higher education, to employment and to a better quality of life. I look forward to welcoming these students to our campuses to continue their studies once they earn their GED.”

STC Adult Education’s program offers classes from 5-8 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at the Goodwill Richmond Hill Career Center, which is a former Kroger location. Since STC’s Adult Education classes began at the Richmond Hill location, two students have completed the program to earn their GED. There are nine students enrolled now with more joining the class each week. STC Adult Education classes are also offered at the Richmond Hill Library from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

“Helping people develop the skills they need to gain employment is critical to Goodwill’s mission,” said Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc. CEO Mohsen T. Badran. “This Center represents a new level of capability for Goodwill Industries in Bryan County and an expansion of our services to those seeking the GED. We are expecting great results!”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a high school or GED ® credential earns $10,000 more per year than a non-high school graduate. The income level increases substantially more for those who go on to complete a college certificate, diploma or degree program. 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 Program 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 college. Instructors also help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED testing.

Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. For information, contact Adult Education at 912.443.5446 or visit http://www.savannahtech.edu/ged-esl/general-information/ and look for the GED Computer-Based Testing Registration Information link.

About Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire
Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc. is dedicated to the mission of assisting people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to live independently and become employed. The not-for-profit organization employs more than 550 people. In 2012, Goodwill provided services to24,427 people and placed about1,406 people in real jobs in our community this year. Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire serves 33 counties in Georgia and South Carolina and operates 14 other retail locations in the region. Goodwill accepts tax deductible car donations and operates an online store at shopgoodwill.com. For more information on Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, please visit goodwillsega.org. Find us on Facebook: Savannah Goodwill or follow us on Twitter: @SavGoodwill.

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Adult Education Information:
www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/GED_Adult_Education
912.443.5446

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
Savannah Technical College
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1333 | January 18, 2013

SAVANNAH – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Savannah Chapter selected Savannah Technical College’s Historic Preservation Department Head Stephen Hartley for its 2012 Artisan Award.

The Artisan Award is given every other year to an outstanding artisan in the Savannah area, and the recipient is nominated by a member of AIA Savannah and selected by the awards committee. Hartley was selected for his dedication to the art of practicing and teaching historic preservation in Savannah and the Low Country.

Hartley earned his bachelors of art in history from Coastal Carolina and his master’s in fine art in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He has participated in the restoration of more than 30 historic sites, winning awards from the Historic Savannah Foundation for his work. He has taught at SCAD and Armstrong Atlantic State University. Three years ago, he began Preservation Week at Savannah Technical College. In 2011, he launched the College’s Visiting Artisan Series, bringing world-class craftsmen to campus. He is internationally recognized for his work in the field and has served as a peer reviewer for the Association for Preservation Technology. Hartley was recently selected to join the Boards of Emergent Structures and the Georgia Green Building Council.

Having presented at the International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE) in Beirut Lebanon, International Trades Education Symposium (ITES) in Lincoln, England, Hartley is academically active with several conferences within the United Sates. In 2012, he was Workshop Chair for the Association for Preservation Technology’s International Conference in Charleston, S.C., where he led a post conference workshop on stained glass restoration, as well as chairing a paper session.

His professional affiliations include: National Trust for Historic Preservation; International Council for Monuments and Sites; Association for Preservation Technology; Preservation Trades Network; Timber Framer’s Guild of North America; Artist Blacksmith Association of North America; and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Savannah Tech has the only public hands-on preservation program in the state. The program has gained international recognition, was recently approved for associate membership with the National Council for Preservation Education and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. Historic Preservation is the cornerstone of new instructional programs in Green Building Technology, which focuses on a comprehensive view of systems and efficiencies in construction. For information about Historic Preservation events and projects, like the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/STCHistoricPreservation.

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Historic Preservation Department Head: Stephen Hartley
shartley@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864
www.facebook.com/STCHistoricPreservation

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

#1334 | January 18, 2013

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah proudly offers Bistro Savoir featuring fine chocolate desserts and artisan breads for Valentine’s Day .

Bistro Savoir from the Culinary Institute of Savannah at Savannah Technical College features the finest quality ingredients that are locally sourced and handmade under the direction of Chef Jean Vendeville, world renowned pastry chef.

Online pre-order sales are available through February 10, or when quantities are sold out. Desserts made from the finest chocolate include tuxedo-style hand-dipped long-stemmed strawberries, chocolate raspberry mousse cake and assorted truffles in a chocolate ‘bon bon’ box. Artisan breads will include heart-shaped challah and christopsomos, also known as festive Greek bread.

Orders will be available for pickup at the College’s campuses in Savannah, Liberty and Effingham on Wednesday, February 13. For a pick-up schedule, a complete list of items for sale and to place orders, visit www.bistrosavoir.com.

Proceeds from the sale will go toward the purchase of a commercial wood-fired oven that will be used in the College’s new baking and pastry program. The Thanksgiving Bistro Savoir raised more than $5,000 toward this oven, which will be large enough to accommodate seven 16” pizzas at once, but Chef Vendeville plans to use it for baking bread.

The Culinary Institute of Savannah has earned distinction as one of the top four culinary programs in the country according to the American Culinary Federation.

This spring Savannah Tech students have the opportunity to take two new courses: European Cakes and Tortes and Chocolate Artistry. Both of these classes are part of Savannah Tech’s baking and pastry program that was developed by the College to teach the art of creating tasty baked goods, pastries, and confections, from traditional bread baking to beautiful showpieces. Students will learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards. Nearly 30 students are currently enrolled in the baking and pastry program.

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About Culinary Institute of Savannah:

The Culinary Institute of Savannah ACF-accredited culinary arts program has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. Under the leadership of Chef Vendeville, student teams have won three consecutive ACF southeast regional championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and back-to-back wins in the Knowledge Bowl competition. In July 2012, the Knowledge Bowl Team earned a silver medal at the national ACF competition. There are more than 200 students enrolled in the program, which expanded to include teaching kitchens in Effingham and Liberty counties this year.

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 Instructor of the Year by the Technical College System of Georgia and 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.

Baking & Pastry or Culinary Arts Program Information:
Amber Robinson 912.443.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

Bistro Savoir Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1332 | January 10, 2013

SAVANNAH – Rasheda Fann has been chosen to represent Savannah Technical College at the Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Leadership Institute on March 18-21, 2013.

Fann is currently enrolled in Savannah Tech’s adult education classes to get her General Education Development (GED) Diploma. When she graduates she wants to continue her post-secondary education to become a nutritionist.

The EAGLE Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult education classes. Selection criteria include student character, attitude, attendance, leadership and community involvement and activities. From this group, one student is selected to represent the local program at the state EAGLE Leadership Institute. The Institute provides workshops in leadership topics to build on the strong leadership characteristics the student already exhibits.

EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs. This student recognition program is designed to create greater awareness of educational opportunities available in local communities across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.

Every EAGLE delegate is considered an ambassador and spokesperson for literacy serving local communities and the state by promoting lifelong learning. Since its inception in 1993, the EAGLE Award program has recognized more than 1,600 outstanding students across the state. In additional to serving as volunteer role models for family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers, EAGLE delegates serve as mentors, peer tutors, and recruiters of other students into local adult education programs.

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) through its Office of Adult Education sponsors the annual EAGLE Leadership Institute.

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Savannah Tech Adult Education/GED:
912-443-5446 or edingle@savannahtech.edu

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

#1331 | January 7, 2013

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is now accepting entries for the 17^th annual Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design competition. The competition is open to all elementary, middle and high school students in Georgia.

The MAW Student Design Contest is held annually in conjunction with Manufacturers’ Appreciation Week and is designed to promote awareness of the important role manufacturing plays in the economy of the State of Georgia for elementary to high school students statewide.

Manufacturing is the process of creating physical objects that will be used by someone or used to build something else. Manufacturing provides jobs for approximately 408,427 Georgians. The nearly 9,000 manufacturing facilities in Georgia are devoted to making products as diverse as textiles to automotive parts. Students should consider products made in their hometowns, counties or statewide to include Georgia products in their designs to illustrate the role that manufacturing plays in our community. Art for placemats and posters should portray manufacturing specific to the student’s local area, while T-shirt designs should depict manufacturing taking place in the entire state.

Elementary school children may compete in the placemat competition; middle school students compete in the poster contest and high school students participate in the T-shirt design competition. The artwork submitted to Savannah Tech will be entered in the statewide competition where three winners will be chosen in each of the groups. The first, second and third place in each category will be honored at the Governor’s Awards Luncheon in April 2013. The first-place winners receive monetary scholarships for $500. The second-place winners receive $300 scholarships and the third place winners receive $100 scholarships. The top entries for placemat, poster and T-shirt designs will be displayed at the luncheon.

Entries must comply with the guidelines established by the Technical College System of Georgia. Elementary school placemat designs must be 11”x 17”; middle school posters must be created on 22” x 28” poster board and high school T-shirt designs must fit in a 12” square. Art may be computer-generated or created with paint, watercolors, pencils, markers, crayons, charcoal, etc. but should be completely dry before shipping/delivery. All work must be flat and 3-D objects cannot be glued or pasted to submissions. Please note that designs will not be returned to contestants.

Entries must be labeled on the back, upper-right corner of each submission with the student’s name, school, school phone number and the words, “Savannah Technical College.”

Artwork must be received by the STC Marketing and Communications Office at the Savannah Campus by Friday, January 25, 2013 for consideration. Mail or deliver entries to: Savannah Technical College, 5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31405, Attention Office of Marketing and Communications. Entries may also be delivered to the Effingham Campus (2890 Hwy 21 South, Rincon, GA 31326) or Liberty Campus (100 Technology Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313).

For more information contact STC Director of Communications Amy Shaffer at 912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu. For additional information on Georgia Manufacturing Week or the MAW student design competition, visit www.georgiamaw.org.

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