ATLANTA – The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia has selected Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, Georgia as this year’s recipient of their Perdue Award for the TCSG Technical College of the Year.

Each December, the board chooses the award winner from among the system’s 23 technical colleges. The top college is named after a review of almost two dozen performance categories covering technical education, adult education, economic development, resource development, and administration.

TCSG State Board Chairman Joe Yarbrough made the announcement during the board’s monthly meeting in Atlanta on December 4.

“The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia is pleased to present Lanier Technical College with the Perdue Award for the 2014 TCSG Technical College of the Year,” said Yarbrough.  “We congratulate President Ray Perren and his faculty and staff for their excellent record of high educational achievement and strong commitment to student success in the classroom and on the job.  We’re proud of the outstanding work of each of the 23 TCSG colleges, but the record shows that Lanier Technical College has clearly earned our respect and commendation as this year’s top college.”

President Perren accepted the award for his college. “On behalf of the faculty, staff, students and all of the supporters of Lanier Technical College, I want to thank the TCSG State Board for this great honor.  It’s a testament to the tremendous work that the people of our college put forth every day to ensure that students learn the skills they need to succeed in Georgia’s workforce.”

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson thanked the board for recognizing the college’s accomplishments. “This is a well-deserved honor for Lanier Technical College, and I thank President Perren for his strong and effective leadership. I’m also very grateful to the college’s faculty and staff whose steadfast commitment to technical and adult education ensures that their students are equipped with the skills that they need for solid careers with great companies,” said Jackson.

The award benchmarks include enrollment growth; graduation rate; student job placement and graduate licensure rates; adult education and GED success rates; corporate contract training; college fundraising; and the result of an administrative audit.

Lanier Technical College serves Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, and Lumpkin counties.

The TCSG college of the year award was created in 2011 and named in honor of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, who was a strong supporter of the TCSG colleges and their mission to develop the state’s workforce through technical and adult education.

The three other finalists for the award were Albany Technical College, Moultrie Technical College, and Savannah Technical College.

Previous Perdue Award winners include Ogeechee Technical College (2011), Atlanta Technical College (2012), and Savannah Technical College (2013).

About the TCSG: The 23 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia offer affordable education and excellent training in more than 600 certificate, diploma and two-year associate degree programs. Students of all ages take advantage of low tuition, outstanding instructors, hands-on learning and state-of-the-art equipment to gain the skills needed for today’s in-demand jobs.

In academic year 2014, the TCSG colleges delivered 2.3 million credit hours of instruction to more than 141,000 students. The TCSG is online, too, serving 70,000 students through the system’s Georgia Virtual Technical Connection. TCSG students enjoy the benefits of Georgia’s HOPE grant and scholarship and the federal Pell grant, which will pay for a significant portion of a TCSG education.

Last year, the TCSG Office of Adult Education delivered programs to 61,000 adult learners, including GED preparation and testing services that enabled almost 15,000 men and women to earn their GED credential. The TCSG Quick Start program has provided customized workforce training in 2014 to almost 56,000 employees of new and expanding companies in Georgia.

For more information about the TCSG and links to all of the TCSG colleges, go to www.tcsg.edu

 

Thursday, December 4, 2014
Contact:  Mike Light
TCSG Executive Director of Communications
404-327-6913

SAVANNAH – Fire Science students at Savannah Technical College may expand their first responder training with EMS certifications thanks to a new Firefighter/EMS diploma now offered at the College.

“The new Firefighter/EMSP diploma program is an exciting opportunity for our students to obtain the education and training to earn the fundamental certifications necessary to function as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in today’s fire service,” said STC Fire Science Department Head and Lead Instructor Anthony (Tony) Faust.

Upon completion of the Firefighter/Emergency Medical Services Professional diploma, students may be eligible for certification and/or licensure in the following areas: Firefighter I, EMT, and AEMT. “Because these are national certifications, our graduates can obtain gainful employment as a Firefighter/EMT anywhere. This is especially helpful for our military personnel and their spouses who are transitioning out of the service and wish to work in the emergency services field,” said Faust.

The Firefighter I Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) program is conducted in cooperation with the Georgia Fire Academy and Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training to ensure graduates have the skills, knowledge and credentials to serve as firefighters in paid and volunteer fire departments. Graduates will be tested and certified at the National Professional Qualifications level.

EMS certification training is offered at progressive levels: EMT, AEMT, and paramedic. At the AEMT level, training requirements vary by State. The nationally defined levels, typically require 30 to 350 hours of training based on scope of practice. Students learn advanced skills such the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.

Additionally, Savannah Technical College will offer the FF/EMSP program in a cohort format starting in Fall of 2015. The 15-week firefighter certification program involves a combination of online and hands-on sessions at various fire departments.

All Fire Science degree and diploma classes are offered at the Crossroads campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407) with class schedules offered in a convenient combination of evening and online classes. Area fire departments work closely with the College to support the program.

The Fire Science programs at Savannah Technical College prepare graduates for success in a fire and emergency service environment, along with the leadership skills to be successful in progressing through the ranks of the fire and emergency services. Most experienced firefighters continue studying to improve their job performance and prepare for promotion examinations. To progress to higher level positions, they acquire leadership skills and expertise in advanced firefighting equipment and techniques, building construction, emergency medical technology, writing, public speaking, management and budgeting procedures, and public relations.

Opportunities for promotion in fire science depend upon the results of written examinations, as well as job performance, interviews, and seniority. Hands-on tests that simulate real-world job situations also are used by some fire departments. Usually, firefighters are first promoted to engineer, then lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and finally, chief. For promotion to positions higher than captain, many fire departments now require a bachelor’s degree, preferably in fire science, public administration, or a related field. The National Fire Academy requires a bachelor’s degree to be admitted into the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP).

Faust retired from the City of Savannah as a Battalion Chief after 25 years of service and is a 2010 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s EFOP. 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. Interested students should contact Faust at afaust@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3386.

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#1520 | November 19, 2014

Fire Science Contact: Tony Faust
912.443.3386 or afaust@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Culinary Arts Instructor Zeb Berry and five STC students earned four gold and three silver medals at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Tampa Bay Competition sponsored by Minors/Nestle Professional and Performance Foodservice on November 1.

Berry competed in two categories: showpiece and cold-plated dessert. His chocolate showpiece featured an “exploding flower.” He demonstrated pastry skills in the cold-plated dessert competition, as well as his kitchen organization and contemporary plating techniques. Berry earned a gold medal for his cold-plated dessert and a silver medal for his chocolate showpiece.

Student competitors created wedding cakes or a showpiece made of chocolate or sugar. The judges evaluated the consistency and the delicate nature of the showpieces. Students who created sugar showpieces showcased techniques like pulling, blowing, casting etc. STC Pastry Arts students Carol Lanser earned a gold medal and Haley Rankin earned a silver medal for sugar showpieces.

The other three students submitted a completed three-tier wedding cake that had been decorated using traditional methods of piping for the judges.  Angela Burke-Grove and Myriam Tellez both earned gold medals and Shawntay Leggett earned a silver medal.

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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#1519 | November 10, 2014

Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry Arts Advisor: Amber Robinson
912.433.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected Anthony A. (Tony) Faust as Department Head for Fire Science. In this role, Faust is responsible for teaching and coordinating academic programs and processes, as well as supervise faculty at all campuses for Fire Science.

Faust retired from the City of Savannah’s Bureau of Fire & Emergency Services in 2011 as a Battalion Chief after 26 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.

He has a master of science in strategic leadership from Mountain State University, a bachelor of science in business administration from Brewton-Parker College and an associate of arts in fire science from Savannah Technical College. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and has certifications as a fire inspector 1, CPR/First Aid instructor, fire instructor 1, incident safety officer, public fire educator 1, EMS responder and hazardous materials technician.

The STC Fire Science program office is located to the Crossroads campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407). All Fire Science class schedules are convenient to home/life/work schedules with a combination of evening and online classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various fire departments.

The Fire Science programs at Savannah Technical College prepare graduates for successful careers in the fire and emergency service field, whether they are looking to obtain employment as a firefighter or wish to obtain their degree to qualify for promotion into leadership positions at their department. The program offers topics such as basic firefighter programs, incident command, strategy and tactics, fire service instructor, building construction, emergency medical technology, writing, public speaking, management and budgeting procedures, and public relations.

Interested students should contact Faust at afaust@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3386.

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#1517 | November 4, 2014

Fire Science Department: Tony Faust
912.443.3386 or afaust@savannahtech.edu

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

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 –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 – 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 – 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 – Savannah Technical College is now accepting entries for the 19^th 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 – “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