Savannah Tech Police Train for Active Shooter Event

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College hosted an active shooter training seminar for its police department staff, as well as area police agencies and emergency responders today at the Savannah campus (5717 White Bluff Road).

“As a component of Savannah Technical College’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, this training allows us to enhance our preparedness in the unlikely violent event,” said Savannah Technical College Police Chief Mark Gerbino. “We appreciate the opportunity to work side by side with our peers in law enforcement to make sure all are properly trained.”

Training included lectures followed by active shooter training exercises in the afternoon.Twenty law enforcement personnel participated to earn eight hours of POST credit for the four hours classroom training in the morning and four hours POST credit for the practical training, and incident debriefing in the afternoon.

Attendees rotated through scenario based training in the afternoon session, during which time they applied the knowledge they gained from the morning exercise. Goals include developing the officers as cohesive teams, better preparing them to face such an event, and promoting positive inter-agency relationships.

STC Emergency Medical Technician students participated in the training as victim role players. “While our EMT students participated as victims in the scenario, it gave them insight into what would happen when they arrive on the scene as medical first responders,” said STC Paramedicine Department Head Walter Webel.

The following agencies will send approximately four to seven officers per agency: Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, Armstrong University, Savannah State University and Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department. Local EMS and fire departments participated, as well as the local Chapter of the Red Cross.

“Every day, Savannah Technical College is responsible for the safety of approximately 5,000 students and 700 faculty and staff members,” said Gerbino. “As leaders we need to be proactive in our planning and implementation of current safety techniques. Today’s training at the Savannah Campus is just one example of the partnerships Savannah Technical College and other law enforcement agencies have formed to provide a safe environment for all of our students and community members.”

The Savannah Technical College Police Department will conduct similar training at each of its campuses, along with training for other organizations in the future.

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#1516 | October 24, 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).

Bistro Savoir takes pre-orders for third annual Thanksgiving Sale

SAVANNAH –Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah proudly offers Bistro Savoir featuring artisan breads, spreads and desserts for Thanksgiving.Online pre-order sales are available through noon on November 18, or when quantities are sold out at www.bistrosavoir.com.

Bistro Savoir from the Culinary Institute of Savannah at Savannah Technical College features the finest quality ingredients that are locally sourced, milled and handmade under the direction of the American Culinary Federation 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Jean Vendeville, a world renowned pastry chef and department head for culinary arts at STC.

Artisan breads include pumpkin and apple honey muffins, cherry cheese coffeecake, dinner rolls (12), sourdough bread, many seeds German bread, challah and tarte flambée. For the first time, lemon-herbed oil and dill/chive-infused red wine vinegar will be sold, as well as honey butter and olive butter to complement the artisan breads.

Desserts include cookies (cowboy, peanut butter), pies (pumpkin, pecan, coconut cream, apple), and fresh fruit tartlettes. This year cakes will be sold in six-inch or nine-inch sizes including carrot cake with cream cheese icing, Charlotte Russe Chocolate with Bavarian cream, and New York cheesecake with fresh berries.

Orders will be available for pickup at the College’s Savannah campus on Tuesday, November 25 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. By request only, pickup will be available at the Crossroads, Liberty and Effingham Campuses on November 25 from noon until 6 p.m. 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 baking and pastry program. The previous Bistro Savoir sales have raised nearly $14,000 toward this oven, which will be large enough to accommodate seven 16” pizzas at once, but Vendeville plans to use it for baking bread.

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 learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards. More than 70 students are currently enrolled in the baking and pastry program.

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 (ACF). Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have each earned national ACF certification under his leadership.

The application deadline for new students in spring semester 2015 is December 19. For more information about Culinary Arts at Savannah Tech visit: www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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#1514 | October 20, 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 receives TCSG Adult Education Awards

TCSG 2014 Adult Ed Award
SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Adult Education/GED Test Preparation program was recognized with two awards at the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) 2014 Adult Education Fall Literacy Conference in Atlanta on Oct. 1 and 2.

For the second year in a row, Savannah Technical College was honored for achieving all of the federally negotiated benchmarks for student completion. The second award was recognition for having the most significant increase in ESL completions in the state of Georgia.

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. STC teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. Adult education classes for GED®-prep are currently free for all U.S. citizens.

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#1513 | October 17, 2014
Adult Education Dean: Brent Stubbs
912.443.5352 or bstubbs@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 Tech Peace Officer Academy Honors Graduates

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

The two women and 10 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 15th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 220 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 Lt. Dana Strickland of the Richmond Hill Police Department. He lost his battle with cancer on February 7, 2014. He is survived by his mother, his wife Bernadette, and two 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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#1510 | October 10, 2014

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).

2015 Manufacturing Art Competition for K-12 students

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is now accepting entries for the 19th annual Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design competition. The competition is open to all elementary (K-5), middle (6-8) and high school (9-12) students in Georgia.

The MAW Student Design Contest is held annually in conjunction with Manufacturers’ Appreciation Week (April) 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 355,610 Georgians. The nearly 9,300 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.

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, third place and honorable mention in each age category will be honored at the Governor’s Awards Luncheon in 2015. The first-place winners receive monetary scholarships for $500. The second-place winners receive $300, the third place winners receive $100 and honorable mentions receive $50. The top entries will be displayed at the luncheon.

Entries must comply with the guidelines established by the Technical College System of Georgia. Art may be computer-generated or created with paint, watercolors, pencils, markers, crayons, charcoal, etc. but should be completely dry before shipping/delivery. Size for artwork is 11” by 17.”  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 16, 2015 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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#1508 | October 9, 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).

‘Go Back. Move Ahead.’ Week events scheduled for Savannah Tech

SAVANNAH – “Go Back. Move Ahead.” Week is a dedicated time to raise awareness and support for the “Go Back. Move Ahead” campaign. Savannah Technical College will host a series of events to assist adults who have started college, but never finished their degree the week of October 13-17 at the Savannah Campus (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405).

  • Tuesday, October 14 – Savannah Technical College will host Transcript Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Affairs office at the Savannah Campus. These transcript evaluations will offer new and returning students on-the-spot transcript evaluation for official or unofficial college transcripts and/or military Joint Service Transcripts.
  • Wednesday, October 15 – The College faculty and staff will host a series of 20-minute workshops for Workshop Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Topics include: returning to school as a working mother, profile of a successful student (time management, study skills, etc.), financing your education, and overcoming obstacles on the road to graduation.
  • Friday, October 17 – The College will waive the application fee for students with a completed application form and at least one official college transcript from 8 a.m., to noon for Free Friday at the Savannah campus.

Go Back. Move Ahead. is the result of the Office of the Governor’s commitment to make it easier for students to earn degrees in Georgia. Through collaboration between the University of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal is dedicated to providing affordable, quality higher education options to adult learners.The program is designed to make it easier for more than one million Georgians to go back and finish college. The program will help Georgia have a more educated workforce by 2020.

For more information visit gobackmoveahead.org or contact STC’s Director of Student Navigation Mark Stump at mstump@savannahtech.eduor 912.443.5706.

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#1507 | October 8, 2014

Director of Student Navigation (GBMA): Mark Stump
912.443.5706 or mstump@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).