Class named in honor of the late Liberty County Sheriff J. Don Martin

SAVANNAH – Ten students will graduate from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy at its spring completion ceremony August 8 at 10:30 AM in the Eckburg Auditorium on the Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road. Of the ten, three are currently affiliated with law enforcement agencies including Savannah Chatham Metro Police and Hinesville Police Department.

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. This cohort selected J. Don Martin, the long-time Liberty County Sheriff who passed away in May, 2010. His wife, Polly will attend the graduation.

This is the eighth group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 105 POST-certified officers.

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College been accepted as a Certified Testing Agency for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), http://www.nabcep.org meaning that the College can now offer testing for solar energy systems installers seeking to obtain a nationally-accepted endorsement of their skills. Says Department Head and Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair Instructor Lester Wiggins, “We’ll encourage all of the students in our solar energy installation program to test for accreditation. When they’re working in the field, consumers will want to have the confidence that their installer has the skills and knowledge to do the job well.”

According to the NABCEP website, standards, developed by subject matter experts, have been set and the eligibility requirements are reasonably achievable being based on extensive input from stakeholders and deliberation among installers.

For installers, the certification:

• Identifies installers as professionals, instilling consumer confidence in their work
• Validates extra resources spent on training and gaining experience
• Allows for installer mobility as the market moves from state to state
• Allows installers to distinguish their skills and experience in the field

For consumers:

• Provides a means to identify qualified installers, promoting confidence in the work performed
• Preserves consumer choice, maintaining access to both certified and uncertified installers

Savannah Technical College was the first technical college in Georgia to offer a solar energy installation program. Since its inception, more than 45 graduates have completed the program. This fall, the college will be adding wind technology classes and is currently working on a new green building technology program to begin next year.

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is hosting an information session July 12 at 5:30 PM at the Crossroads Technology Campus about new instructional programs in Fire Science including:

· Fire Fighter I & II Certification Training: Basic firefighting instruction designed to prepare the student to earn state firefighter certification.

· Fire Officer I & II Certification Training: Comprehensive supervisor and officer development program with credit toward earning a diploma and associate degree.

· Fire Science Diploma: Academic and leadership development program.

· Fire Science Associate Degree: Comprehensive academic and leadership development degree program.

The lead instructor will be Anthony (Tony) Faust, who recently retired from the City of Savannah as a Battalion Chief after 25 years of service. Faust rose through the ranks at Savannah Fire and was its first Public Information Officer. He received numerous accolades during his career including a commendation for rescuing flood victims in the mid-1990s.

“Managing Savannah Tech’s new Fire Science program will allow me the opportunity to support regional fire departments in certifying new employees and preparing firefighters for leadership positions in the fire service,” says Faust.

Classes will be offered at the Crossroads campus with schedules convenient to firefighter work schedules with daytime, evening, online and hybrid classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various fire departments. “We are partnering with the state firefighting certifying agency and area departments to offer this training,” continues Faust. The program will prepare firefighters to earn required state certifications so they can perform their tasks more effectively.

Classes will begin with the fall semester beginning August 24. Interested students should contact Tony Faust by email at tfaust@savannahtech.edu or by calling 912.443.3386.

SAVANNAH – At its June meeting, the Savannah Technical College Local Board of Directors honored Dick Knowlton for eleven years of service to the college. Knowlton, who stepped in to complete the term of a departing member when he joined the board in 2000, served three successive 3-year terms.

“Dick always asked the tough questions and I appreciate that,” says College President Kathy Love, shown here presenting a certificate of appreciation to Dick Knowlton. “We all knew we could count on him to crystallize our thinking around whatever issue we were discussing and to present constructive solutions when needed.”

Also at the meeting, the Board selected Jimmy Burnsed, president of Bryan Bank & Trust as the incoming chair, succeeding Rev. Thurmond Tillman of First African Baptist Church. Donald Lovette, director of laboratory services, Liberty Regional Medical Center was named vice-chair. The officers assume their roles with the new fiscal year beginning in July.

Savannah Technical College serves Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties, with Board representation including business and community leaders from across the region.

Croquembouche: The Art and Technique will feature more than 250 photographs of pastry and dessert delights

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Department Head and Instructor of Culinary Arts Chef Jean Yves Vendeville will be developing his first book, slated for publishing next year. The book, entitled Croquembouche: The Art and Technique will focus on pastry and desserts, done in traditional French technique. It will include some 250 color photographs and recipes of his creations. It will be published by Taylor and Francis of London and is slated for international distribution.

Earlier this year, Chef Jean presented a paper at Oxford Round Table at Lincoln College, University of Oxford in England.

Chef Vendeville has been with Savannah Technical College since December 2008 and has led student teams to two consecutive American Culinary Federation (ACF) Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and in 2011 in the Knowledge Bowl competition. Vendeville recently achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef. He also holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America.

Savannah Technical College offers ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts through the Culinary Institute of Savannah. The college currently enrolls 200 students in culinary arts programs. For information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

ATLANTA – The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) approved a policy change during their June 7, 2011 meeting that will allow additional courses from the Technical College System of Georgia’s accredited colleges to transfer to all of the USG’s 35 degree-granting institutions.

Until now, credits in five core courses from the TCSG (mathematics, algebra, pre-calculus and two courses in English composition) were transferrable. The Regent’s vote allows the transfer of five additional TCSG courses in American literature, psychology, economics, sociology and public speaking.

To be eligible for the agreement the TCSG colleges must be accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Savannah Technical College holds this accreditation.

Says TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson, “The action by the Board of Regents to add five additional TCSG courses to our transfer agreement is another important move toward the goal of seamless education for Georgia students. The TCSG and the USG will continue to be focused on creating greater opportunities for all of our students by improving the articulation between our systems.”

Link to Board of Regents 6-7-11 press release regarding the agreement: http://www.usg.edu/news/release/regents_take_action_to_help_students_transfer_college_credits

HINESVILLE – A crowd of nearly 100 business and civic leaders from Liberty County gathered this morning at the Liberty County Board of Education to celebrate the County’s official designation as a Work Ready Community of Excellence. The designation means that the county has the skilled workforce needed to meet business demands and drive economic growth, as well as the educational foundation to build a pipeline of workers ready to create ongoing success.

Liberty County earned 2,901 Work Ready Certificates, 115 percent more than goal. It also increased the public high school graduation rate from 69.4 to 77.8.

Melvin Everson, director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development addressed the group and presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to support the community’s efforts in sustaining the momentum for Work Ready. “Liberty County is the 100^th county in Georgia to earn this designation,” he said. The Governor’s Office of Workforce Development was created by Governor Sonny Perdue in August 2006 to improve the job training and marketability of Georgia’s workforce and drive future economic growth for the state.

At the event, a number of Liberty-based organizations were presented with certificates indicating their participation. Among them was SNF Chemtall, represented by David Kaye and a team of employees. Chemtall was the first company in the county to require a Work Ready certification as a part of its employment processes. “It has made a tremendous difference for us,” said Recruiter Maria Mondragon.

Georgia Work Ready is administered through the Technical College System of Georgia. “Today we celebrate the partnerships that have made us successful in Liberty County,” said College President Kathy Love. “Workforce development is at the core of everything we do at Savannah Tech. We’re proud that Liberty County is the first county in our service area to become Work Ready certified.”

Members of the Liberty County Work Ready Team:

· Robert Stokes, Georgia Power (chair)

· Terrie Sellers (vice-chair), Ken Boyd and Julie Gerbsch, Savannah Technical College

· Leah Poole, Cathleen Thomas and Tony Mahan, Liberty Chamber of Commerce

· Bob Sprinkle and Carmella Orr, Liberty County

· Lisa Eason, Tom Alexander, and Sonja Duncan, Liberty County Schools

· Jessica Hood, Liberty County Development Authority

· P.J. Schneider, Department of Labor

· Billy Edwards, Holly Stevens-Brown, and Maureen Mobley, City of Hinesville

· DeLisa Espada, Strategic Business Solutions

· Janet Jones, Coastal Workforce Investment Board

 

For information call the WORK READY HOTLINE at 912.443.3014 or visit:

http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/Economic_Development/Georgia_Work_Ready

System’s state board holds cost decision until  2012, cites delay in development of computer-based test

Atlanta – The state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia and its Office of Adult Education (OAE) has voted to rescind a planned increase in the GED test fees for Georgia’s adult learners. The TCSG will wait until at least early next year to reconsider the cost.

The board’s action follows recommendations from both the OAE, which is the statewide provider of the test, and the GED Testing Service® in Washington, D.C., which is responsible for the design and delivery of the test.

In April, the TCSG announced that the test fees would more than double from the current $95, which would coincide with the launch in July of a first-ever, computer-based GED test by the GED Testing Service.

However, the GED Testing Service recently asked Georgia to postpone the cost increase citing the need to resolve all operational and technical matters involved in the development and delivery of the computer-based testing (CBT) model.

In a letter to TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson dated May 19, 2011, GED Testing Service Executive Vice President Nicole M. Chestang wrote, “We recommend that the planned CBT implementation date be delayed until we can provide the optimal operational solution and implementation approach for Georgia and ultimately the State’s GED test-takers.”

The current fee of $95 to take the full battery of GED tests that measure reading, writing, social studies, science and mathematics skills will remain in effect into early 2012, or however long it takes to begin the computer-based GED testing.

Both the GED Testing Service and the TCSG want ensure that the CBT is working flawlessly before anyone takes the new electronic version of the test.

“The computer-based GED testing is an excellent program with great promise, but it won’t be implemented in Georgia until we’re fully confident that every issue with the new model has been worked out,” said Beverly Smith, the TCSG assistant commissioner for adult education. “In the meantime, we’ll work to inform every adult learner that their test cost will not change in July as planned and encourage them to take full advantage of the test at the current fee level.”

It’s estimated that there are more than 1.3 million adult Georgians who are without a high school or GED diploma. Last year, almost 20,000 men and women in the state changed their lives for the better and improved their job opportunities by passing the test and obtaining their GED diploma.

Atlanta – The Technical College System of Georgia has named nine finalists for its 2011 Student of the Year award.

The award is part of the system’s annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) program, which recognizes the best student at each of the state’s 26 technical colleges and one Board of Regents college with a technical division.

The winner will be announced during a dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta on May 26.

“There were more than 191,000 students who enrolled in the Technical College System of Georgia last year, so it’s quite a remarkable accomplishment to be named a finalist for the Student of the Year award,” said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson. “These students excel in the classroom and are great role models in their communities, and each worked very hard to earn their place as one of our finalists.”

The nine finalists are:

Beth Crowley, Athens Technical College

Rachel Young, Atlanta Technical College

Trecia Sutton, Columbus Technical College

Sharon Shelton, Gwinnett Technical College

Lydia Mann, Moultrie Technical College

Alvie Coes III, Ogeechee Technical College

Jonathan Baker, Savannah Technical College

Michelle Reed, Southern Crescent Technical College

Dale Bowers, West Georgia Technical College

Judging for the award starts at each college and continues on to the regional level. At the state level, the nine finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. At each step, the students are rated on their academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, involvement in their local communities, and future aspirations.

The competition for the award is intense, for not only is the winner named Georgia’s technical college student of the year and ambassador for technical education, the state winner also gets the keys to a brand-new Chevrolet Cruze, presented by Chevrolet and the local Chevrolet dealers, long-time sponsors of the GOAL program.

About the TCSG: The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 26 technical colleges throughout the state. Affordable access to quality technical education programs that lead to in-demand jobs is a big reason why enrollment at the TCSG colleges is up by almost one-third over last two years.

TCSG colleges offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, manufacturing technologies, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences, and energy and the environment.

In addition, the TCSG oversees the state’s adult education and GED programs. The system also manages Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.

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SAVANNAH – Christian Manuel, 20, of Riceboro is the first student to earn his GED at the Savannah Technical College Adult Education Center in Riceboro. Christian left school in the ninth grade but was determined to do more with his life. “I was always getting into trouble in school,” he says.”With this, I just put my mind to it and completed the classwork in less than three months.” The youngest of six children, Christian and his family moved to Riceboro from Louisiana eight years ago. He says he looks forward to a military career.

He plans to participate in the Savannah Technical College graduation ceremony on May 24. “The best thing about earning my GED is proving to myself that I can succeed,” he says. And his teacher agrees. Marilyn Creech-Harris taught his math classes and admired the way he applied himself to his studies. “Mr. Manuel was an excellent student, always focused on his work,” she notes.

In FY 2010, Savannah Tech graduated more than 1000 students achieving the GED; enrolled more than 2300 students in Adult Education and English as a Second Language programs and provided more than 150,000 hours of instruction to GED and ESL students.

The Savannah Technical College Adult Education program began offering classes at the Riceboro Youth Center last September. Classes are taught Monday – Thursday from 9 am – noon and from 6-9 pm. For information, call 912.884.4984.