Rankin wins National Technical Honor Society Scholarship

NTHSscholarship_9984

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Baking and Pastry Student Haley Rankin has received a $1,000 scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). She is the first STC student to receive this award.

Rankin was nominated by her instructor and department chair of STC’s Culinary Arts program, Chef Jean-Yves Vendeville.

“There is not a more dependable, committed Baking and Pastry Program student than Haley Rankin,” said Vendeville. “In addition to her exceptional skills Haley is distinguished by her proactive and unselfish attitude-she is a true, unflagging team player and will be a tremendous asset to any company she joins. Despite having the obligations of a husband and son she has maintained a straight A academic record, has never missed a single day of class and is always on time. I look forward to seeing how she will put into practice all the skills she’s learned here at Savannah Technical College!”

More than 83,000 students applied for the scholarship and 135 were awarded nationwide. This scholarship is named in honor and memory of the co-founder of the society, John H. Poteat. It is awarded annually to NTHS members who consistently exemplify the seven character attributes of the NTHS – Skill, Honesty, Service, Responsibility, Scholarship, Citizenship, and Leadership.

Rankin is one of 22 STC students who were inducted into NTHS in 2014. To be eligible for NTHS membership, students must have completed a minimum of 33 semester credit hours, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and have been nominated by an instructor in their major. NTHS honors student achievement and leadership, promotes educational excellence, awards scholarships, and enhances career opportunities inductees. Also, NTHS is the international leader in providing recognition for excellence in career and technical education. For more information about the NTHS visit: www.nths.org.

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#1449 | May 22, 2014
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

STC to Receive Title III Funds for Fourth Year

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has received notice that it will receive the U.S. Department of Education Title III fund for Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) for the fourth consecutive year.  According to this notice, $250,000 will be funded to the college in October of 2014. The College has been slated to receive a total of $1.25M for the grant during five years.

Title III PBI formula funds are awarded to institutions that have at least 40% minority and at least 50% low-income or first-generation college students. The grant’s goal is to strengthen student success and retention across seven instructional programs through specialized training and the development of a sustainable technologies learning community.

The grant has supported the College’s newly designed Learning Community to support Industrial Technology programs with math and computer courses. Students in these courses receive contextualized instruction, which provide concrete examples for industry-specific use of abstract concepts. For example, construction students learn that they need to learn concepts like area, perimeter and volume for construction work estimates. Drafting students learn the importance of mastering unit conversions for drafting projects. By offering class instruction based on specific examples that relate to the students’ field of study, the Learning Community has increased students’ success in these classes.

Sixty students have enrolled in the Learning Community’s courses during the past three semesters.  In Spring 2014, 100 percent of those who completed the computer class passed, and 77 percent of students enrolled in the learning community’s math course successfully passed the course.

Previous years’ funds also were used to purchase immersive learning educational tools including a three-dimensional (3D) learning system, an alternative fuel vehicle, a wind turbine and a drafting replicator.

One benefit 3D trainers provide is a safe instructional environment. Students in STC’s alternative fuel vehicle class learn how to safely remove an AFV battery with the interactive 3D controls the trainer provides. Students in Electrical Utility Technology learn how to work with equipment in a power plant without leaving the classroom.

Through the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle last year, the College was able to offer specially designed training on the diagnosis and repair of these vehicles that feature hands-on experience working with this new alternative fuel technology. A total of 24 students have received AFV training.

Beginning with Fall Semester 2014, the grant will expand to include STC’s general studies area. The 3D trainers will be used for general science courses like biology, chemistry and physics. These trainers will supplement the College’s on-site lab classes. Many of these natural science courses are included in the 27 core curriculum courses transferable to University System of Georgia institutions from Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) institutions accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

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#1448 | May 19, 2014
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Webster joins STC Board of Directors

SAVANNAH – Lieutenant General (Ret.) William Glenn Webster, Jr. was sworn in as a member of the Savannah Technical College Board of Directors at a recent meeting by Probate Court Judge Nancy K. Aspinwall. He was appointed to serve on the STC board of directors by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) state board.

Webster is a retired 37-year Army veteran who commanded units in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States. He is a successful leadership and management coach to the private sector, as well as to the military. One of the Army’s premier trainers, Webster has been called upon to coach and teach executive-level leadership by municipal governments, charitable organizations, NATO, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the past year, he has served as one of two senior mentors for the U.S. War College, and worked for the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.

A graduate of West Point, Webster commanded at every level from platoon to division and field army. His operational experience includes assignments with five different Army divisions, two combatant commands, and twice with a field army and land component command.

Webster is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College, and he earned a master of arts degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies.

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#1447 | May 14, 2014
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Tech Provides Dental Hygiene Training for Siblings

STC Dental Hygiene Grad Family

SAVANNAH – Two first-generation college sisters started their career training in dental hygiene at Savannah Technical College. Last night Lawanda Harris, received a dental hygiene associate of science degree from the College. Tomorrow night, Shakela Martin, her sister and a graduate of STC’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs, will receive her doctorate of dental medicine.

Harris graduated at STC’s commencement ceremony at the Savannah Civic Center with more than 230 graduates receiving degrees, diplomas and GEDs. Before she began the Dental Hygiene program, Harris earned STC’s Medical Front Office Assistant certificate in 2007.

“Savannah Technical College prepared me for what I would see in the real world,” said Harris. “Dr. Suzanne Edenfield exposed us to everything. She set high expectations. We learned what we needed to know as dental hygienists.” Edenfield is STC’s department head for Dental Hygiene and has been with the STC’s Dental Hygiene program for the past 30 years providing instruction, clinical supervision and administrative leadership.

Martin’s road to becoming a dentist began with a STC Dental Assisting diploma in 1998. She then completed the Dental Hygiene program in 2003, when it was at Armstrong Atlantic State University, followed by a bachelor of science in dental hygiene education degree in 2004. Martin continued her studies to earn a master’s at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

On May 10, 2014, Martin will earn a doctorate in dental medicine from the University of Louisville’s Dental School. Upon graduation, Martin will work with a private practice family dental group in North Florida.

These sisters are first-generation college students and were raised by their then single mother, Diane Douse. “I’m so proud to have my oldest daughter and my youngest daughter graduating from college,” Douse said. “My oldest set the path so her younger sister could come up behind her to do the same thing.”

Douse graduated high school and instilled the importance of the value of education for her daughters. “I’m behind them 110% in everything they do, as long as they are continuing their education,” Douse said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. This really sets a point in my life where I’m enjoying their moment.”

Douse helped Harris, a single mom, by providing care for her four-year-old daughter, so Harris could attend STC coursework. Harris worked full-time as an office automation clerk for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during her first year in the STC dental hygiene program. Without her mom’s assistance with childcare, Harris says she wouldn’t be where she is today. Both women praise their mom for her continued support as they continued their education.  Douse has another daughter, who graduated from STC’s Cosmetology department in 2006.

The 83-credit-hour Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene program accepts approximately 26 students annually. Students provide clinical patient care as a component of their curriculum requirements. Edenfield is proud of the program’s record of success, noting that most students are offered employment positions pending successful completion of two credentialing examinations and licensure. The program has had 100% licensure pass rate for many years.

The program utilizes a competitive admissions process. Students wishing to enter the Dental Hygiene program must complete an application packet by spring for admission to the fall class. For more information about program admission, please contact STC’s Health Sciences Academic Advisor Heather Valentine (hvalentine@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5721) or Dr. Suzanne Edenfield (sedenfield@savannahtech.edu).

The College has awarded 363 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from summer 2013 through spring 2014. Also, 800 GED diplomas have been earned during that time.

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Shakela Martin (left) and Lawanda Harris (middle) credit their mom, Diane Douse (right), with providing a strong foundation of support and encouragement for their success as first-generation college graduates. Harris graduated last night at Savannah Technical College with a dental hygiene degree. Martin, a STC dental hygiene program graduate, will graduate on Saturday with a doctorate of dental medicine from the University of Louisville’s Dental School. Photos by Stephen Morton. 

#1446 | May 9, 2014

STC’s Health Sciences Academic Advisor Heather Valentine
912.443.5721 or hvalentine@savannahtech.edu

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

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Peace Officer Academy Honors Graduates

POA Grad Class May 2014

26 candidates are now qualified to be POST-certified peace officers by state of Georgia,  13 have jobs with area police departments 

SAVANNAH – Twenty-six students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a completion ceremony today.

The 11 women and 15 men 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 fourteenth group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 192 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Thirteen candidates were hired area police departments recently. 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 elected to honor Major Hansel Jenkins of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Major Jenkins’ watch ended on April 19, 2013 after a long illness. He was survived by his wife, children and step children.

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 visit www.savannahtech.edu/PeaceOfficerAcademy or contact Sheree Rogers at 912.443.5191 or srogers@savannahtech.edu.

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#1444 | May 2, 2014

 STC Peace Officer Academy: Sheree Rogers
912.443.5191 or srogers@savannahtech.edu.

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

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College earns FAA approval for Airframe and Powerplant Training

Today, Savannah Technical College was granted Federal Aviation Administration approval to teach the Aviation Maintenance Technology program, becoming the eighth college in the state and the only one in Coastal Georgia authorized to offer this training.

“This long-awaited announcement means that Savannah Technical College can now offer the full range of aviation training to meet the workforce demands in one of the region’s critical industries,” said College President Dr. Kathy Love. “The Aviation Training Center, dedicated last summer, was designed and built in anticipation of this important step.”

Beginning this summer, the College will offer five additional credentials including:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology Diploma
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician Certificate
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician – Powerplant Certificate
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician – Airframe Certificate

Classes will begin this summer and will be structured in cohorts of 24 students, the maximum allowed by the FAA based on the requirement of an 8:1 ratio of students and specialized equipment. The College anticipates the first cohort to be filled by the start of the fall term.

“We have people taking core classes now who have expressed an interest in the program”, says Academic Vice President Dr. Ken Boyd. “We will begin contacting them immediately to gauge their interest and readiness to start the program.”

These new credentials are added to those currently offered including Aircraft Structural Diploma and Certificate programs in Aircraft Assembly, Aircraft Upholstery and Trim and Luxury Craft Cabinetmaking.

All instruction will be delivered in the state-of-the-art Aviation Training Center at the College’s Crossroads Campus. Tal Loos serves as Dean of Aviation, Robert Strub is Department Head and Michael Skinner is an instructor in the department. For information about Aviation programs at Savannah Technical College, call 912.443.4094 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/AviationTechnology

STC Aviation Fast Facts:

  • Savannah Technical College has graduated 549 students prepared for careers in aviation, with close to 90% of them gaining employment locally.
  • The 29,152 square-foot Aviation Training Center includes a hangar, four training labs and five classrooms with a tarmac.
  • 5,000-sq.-ft. hangar includes hoist, portable paint booth, ground support equipment, electro tug ground power unit and engine stands.
  • The College owns three fully-functional planes that are used for instructional purposes and are housed at the Aviation Training Center.

May 2014

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).