Savannah Technical College Named 2017 Gold Award Recipient by Military Friendly®

Willie Spann

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has been named a Gold-level Military Friendly® School Award recipient in the category of community colleges for 2017 by Victory Media.

New this year, Military Friendly® Awards showcase the most powerful and effective programs of more than 200 companies and 1,200 post-secondary schools that were designated as “Military Friendly®”. Of those designated, 154 employers and 541 schools have been recognized for excellence. Gold-level colleges score within 20% of the top ten institutions.

“All of our Military Friendly® award recipients set the standard for excellence,” said Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and head of Military Friendly® development. “They offer exceptional examples of what it means not just to build a program that meets federal requirements, but one that serves the military and veteran community from classrooms to careers.”

Earlier this year, Savannah Tech was ranked first in the U.S. by Military Times as Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges 2017 rankings.

One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse. The College waives all general mandatory fees for active duty service members using military tuition assistance. In 2015, Savannah Tech opened a Veteran’s Service Center at the Savannah campus. Savannah Tech has the largest enrollment of military-affiliated students in the Technical College System of Georgia.

The College offers career fairs, workshops and grants for veterans and their family members. In 2016, the Freedom Fund was established to provide scholarship assistance for soldiers, veteran and spouses thanks to a generous donation. The needs-based fun supports those who serve by buying books and tools for active duty service members, paying registration fees each semester for military spouses (MyCAA) students and covering unpaid tuition and registration fees up to 100% for those with VA benefits not covering 100% education benefits.

Another scholarship that supports Savannah Tech’s military spouses is funded by The Landings Military Family Relief Fund. This scholarship fund provides tuition assistance to military spouses eligible for the MYCAA program, who have exhausted their benefits. The Landings Military Spouse Academic Assistance Fund awards a maximum of $2,000 annually for up to two years, for a total of $4,000 per student.

Savannah Tech’s Military Outreach Coordinator Jeff Ashmen coordinates a variety of initiatives enabling current and former military personnel, as well as their family members, to enroll in the college, graduate, and engage in careers with our local industries and businesses. Ashmen’s extensive background in the U.S. Army includes more than three decades of experience in key military positions, culminating as the 3rd Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major at Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Victory Media, originator of the family of Military Friendly® employment, entrepreneurship and education resources for veterans and their families, published its special awards for 2017 Military Friendly® Schools and Employers at https://militaryfriendly.com. For more than a decade, Military Friendly® ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges demonstrating positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families.

For more information about military services or enrollment, visit www.savannahtech.edu/military or contact Ashmen (912.443.4155 or jashmen@savannahtech.edu). 

About Military Friendly® and Victory Media:

The Military Friendly® Employers and Military Friendly® Schools designation process includes extensive research and a data-driven survey of leading companies and colleges nationwide. The survey, methodology, criteria and weightings are developed with the assistance of an independent advisory council of educators and employers, and tested by EY based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media. The survey is administered for free. Criteria for consideration and recipients of the designation can be found at: https://militaryfriendly.com. Founded in 2001, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, entrepreneurial and education opportunities through its G.I. Jobs®, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur®, STEM JobsSM and Military Friendly® brands.  Learn more about Victory Media at www.victorymedia.com.

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#1723 | December 21, 2016

Military Services: Jeff Ashmen
912.443.4155 or jashmen@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 celebrates $7.2 million raised for campaign

SAVANNAH – The Savannah Technical College Foundation announced it has raised the most money ever in private funds to support the College – $7.27 million – at its 13th annual Opportunity Gala. The event honoring technology had more than 200 in attendance.

“Thank you to all who have supported Savannah Technical College – Where Excellence really does meet Opportunity,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “We thank you for believing in us with your financial support. We appreciate your continued support hiring our graduates.”

STC Board of Trustees Chairman Sam McCachern announced a total of $500,000 for new major gifts recently received by the College.

Dr. Kathy Love recognized campaign leadership including Jim LaHaise, Stratton Leopold, Howard Morrison, Donald Lovette, Dick Eckburg, Bob Jepson, Arthur Gignilliat and Arnold Tenenbaum. “We appreciate your leadership and insight to making our campaign a success,” said Love. “We pledge to continue to be worthy of your respect, good will and financial investment.”

The Campaign, “Where Excellence Meets Opportunity” showcased the College’s excellence in instruction through opportunities it provides students. The College offers opportunity based on accessible, valuable career education in more than 150 different programs. Its excellence has been earned through statewide and national recognition in many key areas, as the Technical College System of Georgia 2013 Technical College of the Year and as one of the top four TCSG colleges in 2014. STC faculty have also been recognized beyond state borders as leaders in their fields.

“In my opinion, Savannah Tech is probably the greatest asset this community has,” said Dick Eckburg, STC benefactor and one of the campaign’s volunteer chairmen. “People from all ages, all walks of life go to Savannah Tech. Not only do they learn skills, but they also learn the dignity of work. Graduates are helping to make our society a better place.”

The campaign focused on five key areas: precision manufacturing, health sciences, culinary arts/heritage tourism, technology and student support.

The campaign was led by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College.

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#1719 | Dec. 5, 2016
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).