Savannah Tech is Georgia’s first technical college to receive approval

#1231

For Release: October 26, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu
Alice Ogden works on Savannah Tech’s  Residential Energy Audit Training Facility at the Savannah Campus.

ATLANTA – The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors has determined Savannah Technical College’s Associate Degree in Construction Management now qualifies students for licensure one year earlier. STC is the first technical college to receive defined approval for two years of education and one year of work experience for program graduates.

Until now, STC Construction Management Associate Degree students were required to complete two years of experience with a licensed contractor upon graduation to qualify for residential contracting licensure testing. The Board’s vote allows students to apply for a license after STC program completion and one year of supervised experience.

“As a female student, the ability to receive my licensure in one year post graduation speaks volumes about my work experience, work ethic and work quality,” said STC Construction Management student Alice Ogden. “I appreciate that Savannah Technical College pursued this agreement with the General Contracting Licensing Board.”

Job placement for Construction Technology has averaged more than 90 percent the past three years and all 33 department graduates in FY2011 (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011) were placed into the workforce.

“Savannah Technical College has a proven track record of an excellent education program that has provided the greater Savannah area with a trained workforce for many years,” said Executive Officer for Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah Patty Rietkovich.

STC’s Construction Technology Department includes Technical Certificates of Credit in Certified Construction Worker, Concrete Forming, Construction Management Apprentice, Construction Manager and Masonry Apprentice as well as the Associate Degree and professional diplomas in Construction Management.

The certificate programs offer instruction in the fundamentals of construction and management of construction projects while the degree and diploma are designed to prepare students for a career in some construction supervision. Basic carpentry skills include laying footings and foundations, framing, roofing, and interior and exterior finishing. Management skills include principles of accounting, construction drafting, code review, scheduling, and contracting. Program graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Construction Management.

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High resolution images Savannah Technical College Construction Management Students are available upon request.

#1229

For Release: October 19, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Six students will graduate from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy at its graduation completion ceremony at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 31, 2011, in the Eckburg Auditorium on the Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road.

Two candidates are currently affiliated with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department. Several others are in various stages of application at local area agencies.

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. This cohort selected Savannah Police Department Officer Willie Samuel Smith whose tour of duty ended on March 11, 1994.

Tybee Island Police Department Chief Robert (Bob) Bryson will be the keynote speaker. The blessing will be given by Pastor Travis Cowart, whose daughter graduated in the second cohort of 2010. The Honorable Kevin Street, graduate of the first cohort of 2009 will deliver the Oath.

This is the ninth group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 115 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. The Academy has a 98-precent placement rate for graduates.

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.

To attend, please contact Claire Pimentel at 912.443.5191 or cpimentel@savannahtech.edu by Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

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#1227

For Release: October 14, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has hired Amy Shaffer, APR, as its director of communications. She will be responsible for media relations, public relations, marketing and special events for the college.

“I am pleased to welcome Amy to our team,” said STC’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Communications Gail Eubanks. “Her range of experience will bring tremendous value to Savannah Tech.”

Shaffer steps into the role Eubanks held for nearly a decade. Eubanks’ responsibilities will focus on fund-raising and institutional advancement for the college.

As an award-winning, marketing communications and accredited public relations professional, Shaffer has nearly two decades of experience. She has a strong background in strategic communications and creative direction, as well as print and design for marketing materials. Prior to joining Savannah Technical College, she served as manager of communications for the Georgia Ports Authority where she was managing editor for the GPA’s corporate magazine, annual report and other publications.

Shaffer holds a Master of Science degree in communications from the University of Tennessee and bachelor’s degrees in journalism/business communications and English from the University of Kansas. She is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.

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#1226

For Release: October 5, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will offer a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) refresher course at its Effingham County Campus beginning Friday, October 28, 2011. The three-day, 24-hour course is available for current CDL-licensed drivers wishing to refresh their skills.

The class will cover pre-trip inspection, shifting techniques, left and right turns, backing in straight lines, backing in curved lines, parallel parking, alley docking, offset backing, coupling and uncoupling trailers, lane control, city driving, rural driving and interstate driving. The refresher course will last from 8 AM until 4:30 PM on Friday October 28 through Sunday, October 30. The Effingham Campus is located at 2890 Highway 21 South in Rincon, Ga.

Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, October 14, 2011. The cost is $700 (non-refundable). This course offering is dependent upon a minimum registration of four students. Proof of a negative drug screen conducted within the previous 90 days will be required upon registration.

To register, contact Reeshemah Johnson at 912.443.5808. Credit/debit payments will be accepted by phone. Money order, personal or cashier’s checks made payable to Savannah Technical College will only be accepted by Reeshemah at the Crossroads Campus of Savannah Technical College located at 190 Crossroads Pkwy, Ste 100, Savannah, GA 31407.

Future CDL Refresher Course Schedule

December 9-11, 2011 (Deadline to Register: 11/23/11)

February 24-26, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 2/10/12)

April 27-29, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 4/13/12)

June 22-24, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 6/8/12)

August 24-26, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 8/10/12)

Questions about registration:Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.3018 or rjohnson@savannahtech.edu

Questions about refresher course: Kimberly Anderson 912.443.5833 or kanderson@savannahtech.edu

Grant will support instruction and advisement for Industrial Technology

#1225

For Release: October 4, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

geubanks@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has been awarded $250,000 for this year from the U.S. Department of Education Title III funds for Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI).This award is a part of a five-year formula funding cycle in which Savannah Tech is slated to receive a total of $1.25M.

“The goal is to help students succeed academically, enabling more of them graduate,” says College President Dr. Kathy Love. “This grant will allow us to develop a multi-disciplinary approach with students in Industrial Technology so that we can learn from our efforts and expand into other academic areas in the future.”

The grant will focus on establishing a learning community among students enrolled in Electrical Systems Technology, Historic Preservation and Restoration, Construction Technology, Drafting, Air Conditioning Technology and Electrical Utility Technology. Students and faculty in these areas share the same instructional space and frequently collaborate in shared learning experiences, according to Dean of Industrial Technology Tal Loos. For example, students are working together now to construct a residential energy audit training facility on campus. “Because faculty and students already collaborate on teaching and learning projects, moving toward a learning community was a natural next step,” says Loos.

Savannah Technical College is establishing itself as a leader in sustainability among Georgia’s Technical Colleges, offering the first solar energy installation and repair program as well as the only hands-on historic preservation program in the state. In this grant, the focus on sustainability provides a common mindset that helps shape instructional delivery, choice and use of tools and equipment, and can become the conceptual construct that informs all learning activities for students. Part of the instructional focus will include new 3-D training technology with customized applications.

Title III PBI formula funds are awarded to institutions that are at least 40% minority and at least 50% low-income or first-generation college students. This is the first time Savannah Technical College has received Title III formula funding.

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New and clean used bras sought; Benefactor to donate $1/bra to Susan G. Komen for the Cure

#1224

For Release: September 29, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

geubanks@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Next time you are on the Savannah Technical College Liberty Campus, you just might see some unusual art on display, as an assortment of bras will be hanging in the administration building through mid-October as the campus supports Breast Cancer Awareness. The collection began September 19 and is continuing through October 21 when the bras will be given to O.C. Welch Ford Lincoln, who has promised to donate $1 per bra to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

New and clean used bras are gladly accepted, says Campus Dean for Student Affairs Terrie Sellers, who organized the collection effort with her staff. “Breast cancer affects so many women in many ways,” says Sellers. “We thought this was a fun way to bring attention to the cause and help them raise a few dollars.”

There will be collection boxes at all of the Savannah Technical College campuses in support of the effort, though Liberty will be the only one to display. To donate, drop off bras at any campus location: in Savannah, 5717 White Bluff Road and 190 Crossroads Parkway; in Effingham Hwy. 21 in Rincon; at the Ft. Stewart Army Education Center and at the Liberty Campus on Airport Road in Hinesville.

#1221

For Release: September 22, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

geubanks@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has established a student branch of IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, with membership beginning this semester. The group is formed among students enrolled in the college’s Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology program with Department Head Dr. Oluwayomi Adamo serving as Branch Counselor and Derek Edens serving as Student Branch Chair.

“This organization will help our students gain exposure to the profession,” says Dr. Adamo. “There are a number of things that we can do as a result of our having this group. We will be competing in a robotics competition in Orlando in March and I want our students to be prepared.”

IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. http://www.ieee.org/about/index.html

Savannah Technical College offers the associate degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology including three specializations: Instrumentation and control Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, and Electronics Engineering Technology. There are currently 71 students enrolled in the program. http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/Industrial_Technology/Electronics_and_Computer_Engineering_Technology

The Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology associate degree program at Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050; Baltimore, MD 21202; Telephone: (410)341-7700.

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Diamonds in my own Backyard released this week

#1219

For Release: September 20, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

geubanks@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College English instructor Natarielle Powell has released her debut book, Diamonds in my Own Backyard.

According to the author, Diamonds in my Own Backyard is a self-improvement manual designed to encourage, enlighten, and empower readers of all ages and cultures to utilize the innate gifts and talents that they possess in order to produce financial freedom and positive social change.

Powell, former United Way Volunteer of the Year, is most known for the summer program she organized at age 13. Her work in the community continues through her service and her writing.

Information about the book is available by contacting Powell at 912.704.5662.

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Classes are listed alphabetically by Course Number, start and end dates are noted, delivery mode is designated by Hybrid (some classroom and some online instruction), online, or on campus with room number identified in some cases; Campus Locations are listed in the far right column with Main being the Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road.

#1217

For Release: September 7, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

geubanks@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will offer a seven week Fall MiniMester beginning October 17 and finishing in mid December. The MiniMester will include a number of college core courses and entry level computing courses in addition to some specific program-related offerings.

Commercial Truck Driving will be offered at both Effingham and Liberty Campuses; for those needing to complete training in Early Childhood Care and Education, there will be a Saturday class covering content in the Child Development Associate program. In Industrial Technology, there will be a number of courses available in Construction Management.

Classes will be offered at Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road; Effingham Campus, Hwy. 21 in Rincon, and Liberty Campus on Airport Road in Hinesville. Some classes will be a combination of classroom and online instruction, others will be offered online. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify.

For admission and enrollment information, contact Gwendolyn Moore, gmoore@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5711.