HINESVILLE – Savannah Technical College has selected Lonnie F. Griffin, III, as its Dean for Liberty Campus. In this role, Griffin is responsible for administration and operation of the STC Liberty Campus in Hinesville, Ga. He will develop and implement functional campus planning, plan and organize campus operations, promote college programs, services and facilities and serve as an ambassador for the college, addressing the needs of students, faculty, staff and customers to resolve concerns where necessary.

Griffin holds master’s degree in sociology from the University of South Florida, a bachelor of arts from the University of North Florida and an associate of arts from Florida State College. He is a doctoral education student at Wingate University.

Previously, Griffin was the division chair for social sciences and humanities for Fayetteville Technical Community College. He taught sociology at Fayetteville Technical Community College for a decade.  He was a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy.

The state-of-the-art STC Liberty Campus is nestled on 60 acres off Airport Road (Highway 119) in Hinesville and serves more than 700 students every semester. Liberty Campus offers courses leading to associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Health Sciences, General Studies, Business and Technology, and Industrial Technology and Public Service. Many programs may be completed in their entirety at the Liberty Campus.

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1609 | August 11, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College unveiled the naming of its executive boardroom in memory of J. Richard Henry, Jr., today. Henry, who passed away in January 2015, was a long-time treasurer of the Savannah Technical College Foundation.

“Richard’s tireless efforts for nearly 20 years as a member of the board helped to shape the Foundation into the organization it has become,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “He was an accountant by training and practice – a courageous, dedicated, leader who gave of his time and expertise to see that the Foundation was on solid footing through its early years and was proud of its growth and evolution.”

Henry was a founding partner of Holland, Henry and Bromley, LLP. His colleagues have established the Richard Henry Accounting Scholarship in his memory for STC Accounting students who have completed 20 hours of study with a 3.0 GPA in the associate degree program. Preference will be given to a student who is active in the community as a volunteer. The first award will be made during the 2015-16 academic year.

He was born in Swainsboro, Ga., on March 21, 1958 and later moved with his family to Statesboro, where he attended school, graduating from Statesboro High School in 1976. He attended Georgia Southern University, graduating with a BBA in accounting. In recent years, he served as a member of the GSU School of Accountancy Advisory Board among his many volunteer affiliations.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman and a longtime member of the Dorchester Shooting Preserve. A posthumous portrait of Henry, based on photographs provided by the family, was painted for the boardroom by local artist Sandra Colquitt.

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#1608 | August 7, 2015

Richard Henry Accounting Scholarship Contact: Gail Eubanks
912.443.3022 or geubanks@savannahtech.edu

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

 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will host Bistro Savoir Interactif in partnership with the Savannah Food and Wine Festival at 5:45 p.m., on Thursday, September 24 in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405).

“This is absolutely one of my favorite events of the year,” said Michael Owens, co-founder of Savannah Food & Wine Festival and President/CEO of Tourism Leadership Council. “There’s just something special about an evening dedicated to the appreciation of great food, wine, education all in the name of supporting the Patrick Williams Scholarship fund. This event is so important to the mission of the Savannah Food & Wine Festival to fundraise and increase awareness of local non-profits organizations and funds.”

Bistro Savoir Interactif will feature four destinations stations along with appetizers and desserts. Guests will travel around the world with elegant tasting opportunities paired with wine selections at the destination stations with take-home recipes. Three stations will feature chef demonstrations where guests work alongside chefs to learn techniques of making sushi, cheese ravioli and compound butter. Chef Vendeville will provide insight into wine pairings for cheese and charcuterie at one of the stations. International cuisine will include Asia, Italy, France and the United States.

Cost is $100 per person with proceeds supporting the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship at Savannah Technical College. Seating is limited to 100. Tickets may be purchased online: www.savannahtech.edu/BistroSavoirInteractif.

The evening will be hosted by the American Culinary Federation 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Chef Jean Vendeville. Guests will sample sushi, sashimi, ginger salad, pastas, caprese salad, sous vide steak with salad/veggies, artisan breads, cheeses and charcuterie, artisan chocolates.

Attendees will have the chance for $5 fish bowl raffles at each station and the opportunity to bid on a private Chef’s Table Dinner for 10 with Chef Vendeville.

Last year, Bistro Savoir Interactif raised more than $22,000 to benefit the Patrick Ansley Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was started in 2012 by Bill Dickinson to honor the late Patrick Williams. Five $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to STC culinary and hospitality students with a minimum 3.0 grade point average, who are selected by the College’s scholarship committee. Funds are applied toward tuition, fees, books and required supplies.

STC scholarship funds are managed by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501 (c)3 organization whose sole purpose is to raise private funds to support the mission of Savannah Technical College. Gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Savannah Food & Wine Festival
The Savannah Food & wine Festival takes place throughout Savannah, November 9 – 15, 2015, with celebrity chefs and winemakers, connoisseur dinners, one-of-a-kind culinary, spirits, wine and beverage experiences. The most up-to-date festival information is available on the website: www.savannahfoodandwinefest.com on Twitter @SAVFoodWineFest #SAVFandW and Facebook at Savannah Food & Wine Festival.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah
Under the direction of the American Culinary Federation’s 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Jean Vendeville, Savannah Technical College offers associate degrees in Culinary Arts along with Baking and Pastry. 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. For more information about STC Culinary Arts visit: www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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#1607 | August 5, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

HINESVILLE – The Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA) voted to support the expansion of workforce development training for Precision Manufacturing in Liberty County with a five-year, $100,000 pledge to support Savannah Technical College in building and equipping a state-of-the-art Precision Manufacturing Flex Tech lab at its Liberty Campus.

This new construction would nearly double the lab space currently available for industrial-related instruction and will be customized to support the specific industries that operate in the region.

“We are proud that the Liberty County Development Authority has made such a strong commitment to expanding precision manufacturing training,” says College President Dr. Kathy Love. “We know that our manufacturing partners require a highly-skilled workforce in order to continue to thrive. We have recently expanded Welding, Machine Tool and Industrial Systems to Liberty County, but the demand for manufacturing education exceeds capacity at every campus location. This Precision Manufacturing flex tech lab expansion will help the College’s programs and equipment keep pace with the demand in Liberty County.”

Manufacturing is making a major comeback in southeast Georgia. Statistics show that regionally, more than 200 manufacturers have a total annual payroll of nearly $700 million and employ more than 14,000 workers, making this sector of the local economy critically important to economic development and quality of life.

Industrial employment in Liberty County has increased 461 percent since 1981, with more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs created. Manufacturing products include advanced materials, consumer goods and concrete and wood products.

Four Liberty County industries, Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions, Elan Technology, Interstate Resources and SNF Holding Co., have created the Liberty County Manufacturing Collaboration, a consortium that works closely with Savannah Technical College and the Liberty College and Career Academy to tailor workforce development programs to meet employer requirements. The Liberty County Manufacturing Collaboration in August will enter its second year of a paid apprenticeship program in partnership with Savannah Technical College.

“We are pleased to see Savannah Technical College expand its footprint in Liberty County and enhance manufacturing training to suit the skills required by our local industries,” says LCDA Board Chairman Allen Brown. “Supporting the college’s programs in Hinesville is vital to ensuring our existing industries are equipped to grow, which increases career opportunities and economic vitality within our community.”

The Liberty County Development Authority’s mission is to develop and promote industry for the public good and welfare of the county. Toward that end, the LCDA has developed industrial parks, constructed shell buildings, and supported Savannah Technical College and workforce development programs such as the Liberty College & Career Academy.

The Savannah Technical College Foundation is in the midst of a $10 Million capital campaign, with $5 Million devoted to Precision Manufacturing throughout the region. The College seeks to expand manufacturing at its Effingham and Savannah campuses as well. The campaign will significantly expand access to workforce development opportunities and provide students with access to training in a practice-oriented environment sufficient to become knowledgeable and job-ready. Industries will have access to a highly skilled workforce to meet the increasingly complex needs in advanced production allowing them to compete successfully and expand their operations – creating more jobs in the community.

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#1606 | August 3, 2015

LCDA Media Contact: Danielle Besser
912.368.3443 | danielle.besser@lcda.com

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

SAVANNAH – The State of Georgia recently honored Savannah Technical College with the Commissioner’s Recognition Award for model performance on the FY2015 Human Resources Audit. The award was given at the Georgia Department of Administrative Services Spring Human Resources Forum.

“Congratulations on the outstanding performance shown by your organization,” said Georgia Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Sid Johnson. “Savannah Technical College has shown itself as a model for others to follow in Classification Management and Recruitment and Selection. Your staff is commended for its diligence in ensuring effective implementation of HR policies and practices that help your organization attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to realize your core mission.”

The College was one of nine selected within the Technical College System of Georgia to participate in a human resources (HR) audit. The overall objective of the HR audit is to support state organizations in their efforts to build and maintain a qualified workforce by minimizing risks and encouraging best-practice operations within their HR program. The audit includes six modules. To earn the performance awards, the College scored 100% on the modules for Classification Management and Recruitment/Selection. The College’s scores exceeded the state average for the other four modules.

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Photo: Savannah Technical College HR employees stand with STC President Dr. Kathy Love. (Pictured left to right): STC Vice President of Administrative Services Sue Turner, STC HR Coordinator Desire Alexander, STC HR Coordinator Lakia Maxwell, STC Payroll Technician Samantha Allen, STC HR Director Melissa Banks, STC President Dr. Kathy Love. 

1605 | July 23, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – The Georgia Board of Nursing has appointed Asha Anumolu, Savannah Technical College’s Department Head/Instructor of Practical Nursing, to serve on the Nursing Education Committee. Anumolu was appointed for a two-year term.

“It is an honor for Asha to be appointed as a leader in nursing education for the state of Georgia,” said STC Dean of Health Sciences H. Scott Kroell. “Her career-long commitment to excellence in nursing and curriculum expertise will be an asset for this volunteer board. Her service is a great example of Savannah Technical College’s commitment to serve our communities.”

Anumolu is a 1992 graduate of Georgia Southern University with a master’s of science in nursing with a specialization in maternal-infant nursing. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Columbia Union College in Silverspring, Maryland. At Jesus and Mary College in New Delhi India, she earned a bachelor’s of arts in economics & statistics with honors in 1982.

Prior to starting her career in education, Anumolu worked as a nurse for more than a decade and was a clinical nurse specialist at Brunswick hospital, and a staff nurse working in labor and delivery at Candler Hospital. She was a nursing instructor at the Georgia Southern University School of Nursing for 14 years, where she was active on committees and coordinated clinical placement of students at all three Savannah hospitals.

In 2008, Anumolu was named department head for the Practical Nursing program at Savannah Technical College. Anumolu completes annual accreditation reports for the Georgia Board of Nursing and the National League of Nursing. She revamped STC’s course curriculum to reflect the course competencies and accreditation requirements. She also instituted policies to maintain safe practice standards. She is consortium chair for the region and participates at state and national levels to review core curriculum for practical nursing.

Savannah Technical College’s nursing program has had an average 97.15% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing rate for the last two years. This competitive admission nursing program prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN to test to be an LPN and work in doctor’s offices, for the health department or for nursing homes. For more information on the LPN and other Health Sciences programs visit: savannahtech.edu/HealthSciences.

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#1604 | July 22, 2015
Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Cindy Cole
912.443.5721 or ccole@savannahtech.edu

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

 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected H. Scott Kroell, Jr. as its Dean for Health Sciences. In this role, Kroell is responsible for managing initiatives related to the Health Science programs and instructional services including community, high school and college programs; E-learning and faculty department. He will also serve as a liaison between Academic Affairs and other units of the college.

“We are thrilled to have Scott Kroell as the new dean for our Health Sciences division,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “His extensive leadership in health care, understanding of the value technical education provides for workforce development, along with his service to our communities made him the top candidate. He knows the health care needs of the communities we serve and will be a great leader for the College as it works to expand healthcare-related training in Liberty County.”

Kroell holds a master of health administration from Georgia State University and a bachelor of industrial engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville, Ga., after two decades of service. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, a board member of the Georgia Board of Nursing Home Administration, Healthcare Georgia Foundation and has been a member of the Governor’s Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee and Governor’s Ebola Task Force.

The Health Sciences division offers programs that prepare individuals for entry-level positions in the health-care community including: Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services Professions, Health Care Assistant (Central Sterile Processing, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Technician), Health Care Science (for Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology), Medical Assisting, Medical Coding/Insurance Data Entry, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing and Surgical Technology. Some of these programs use a competitive entry process and require applicants to submit an application to be considered for acceptance into the program. The Division offers associate degrees to professional diplomas and technical certificates for programs that prepare graduates for careers in hospitals, dental offices, nursing homes and other health/illness care facilities, including home care.

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#1603 | July 17, 2015
Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Ebony Walker
912.443.5721 or ewalker@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH – At its June 25 annual meeting, the Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees recognized long-serving members, announced leadership changes including a new Chair and Vice Chair and welcomed four new members.

Jennifer Abshire, Ben Price and Pete Liakakis were honored for their service to the Board.  All of them had served for more than ten years. Scott Center was honored for his long-time service to Executive Committee; he will remain a member of the Board.

Brian Foster, recently retired CEO of First Chatham Bank was announced as the new Board Chair; Sam McCachern, President and CEO of Thomas & Hutton was announced as the new Vice Chair. They, along with Past Chair Jim LaHaise, Secretary Helen Downing and Treasurer Stan Sparks constitute the Board’s Executive Committee.

Foster retired last year after a 45-year banking career. During his more than 25 years in Savannah, he served as chairman of United Way Campaign and board, chairman of the Chamber twice and chairman of SEDA. He was also the first chair of SDRA and of CHSA. He also served on the boards of Union Mission, Candler Hospital, and the Telfair where he is a committee chair for this year’s Telfair Ball. He is also a past President of the Rotary Club of Savannah.

McCachern is registered as a Professional Engineer in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.  His 29 years of experience includes site assessment, rezoning, preliminary engineering, permit applications, engineering design, contract documents and specifications, construction administration for a wide variety of projects.  He earned a BS in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and is Level II – Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program Certified.

Bill Dickinson, Lynn Marini, Michael Traynor and Ansley Williams were welcomed as new members.

Dickinson is a licensed, practicing psychologist in Savannah since the early 1980s. He is also the CEO and President of Wet Willie’s Management Corporation, one of our area’s fastest-growing businesses. He is also very active in the Savannah Riverfront Association and the Tourism Leadership Council. Dickinson is the driving force behind the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship Fund at Savannah Technical College and is also an Army veteran.

Marini is the Chief Executive Officer for The Center for Digestive and Liver Health and The Endoscopy Center, the largest gastroenterology practice outside of Atlanta for the past 12 years.  She oversees the finances, medical billings, operations, and compliance for the group. She has been responsible for new facility development and strategic planning and served as a consultant for other medical practices. She served more than a decade as Director of Operations for Physician Practice Management with St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System and had oversight of 20 primary care and internal medicine practices.

Traynor is the publisher of Savannah Morning News and has been with the newspaper for more than twenty years. He is the current chair of United Way of the Coastal Empire and serves on the Savannah Community Foundation, Union Mission, and Savannah Chamber Board among others.

Williams studied aviation engineering at Georgia Tech, but quickly found his way into the hospitality industry and has never looked back. Now owner, operator and partner in Live Oak Restaurant Group, which includes some of our area’s most successful restaurants, Williams has always been active in the community. He has been involved with Savannah Technical College for several years through the establishment of the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship Fund that honors his late son and supports students in hospitality and culinary arts.

Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College, is currently involved in a $10 million campaign to support growth and expansion in precision manufacturing, health sciences, culinary arts and heritage tourism, technology and student support.

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#1602 | July 8, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected Dr. Charlene R. Ford as its Dean of Adult Education. In this role, Ford is responsible for establishing adult education programs for individuals and employers, promoting the program to public and private organizations and overseeing administration for assessment and placement test for all Adult Education students, as well as the English as a Second Language program, which serves more than 1,500 students annually.

Ford holds a Doctor of Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, along with Education Specialist and a Master of Business Administration from the same institution. She also achieved a bachelor of Business Administration in Computer-Based Information Systems Management from Howard University.

Previously she was STC’s Adult Education Coordinator and Adult Education Transition Specialist. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Edward Waters College and Palm Beach State College in Florida. Her secondary education experiences include principal, assistant principal, CTE program specialist, and instructional support team leader with the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida and the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. She holds secondary and postsecondary certifications and has experienced the business community as a program coordinator with the Richmond Hill – Bryan County Chamber of Commerce.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a high school or GED® credential earns $10,000 more per year than a non-high school graduate. The income level increases substantially more for those who go on to complete a college certificate, diploma or degree program. There are more than one million Georgians who are 25 years of age or older and do not have a high school education or GED diploma. 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.

Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. Registration for GED classes opens July 13 for classes beginning August 31. For information, contact Adult Education at 912.443.5446 or visit http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/GED_Adult_Education and look for the GED Computer-Based Testing Registration Information link.

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#1601 | July 8, 2015
Adult Education (GED Classes/Registration):
912.443.5446

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

SAVANNAH – More than 375 Savannah Technical College degree and diploma students along with GED recipients will walk across the stage at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in the Savannah Civic Center for the college’s graduation ceremony at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, June 23 at the Johnny Mercer Theatre.

For Michael Thompson, who will be graduating with his diploma in Automotive Collision Repair, this year is the culmination of a journey that began in the 1980s when he first salvaged parts for a car damaged in an accident. He did such a careful job rebuilding his old Buick that when he took the car in to be painted, the shop owner suggested he might have a real future in collision repair and encouraged him to pursue it.

But Michael’s family had been in the construction business for many years. He and his brothers were second-generation in a well-respected local firm. Then in 2012, after years of cyclical layoffs and down times in construction, he began to think seriously about turning his longtime passion of auto bodywork into his livelihood. He later enrolled at Savannah Technical College and never looked back.

“Michael was an outstanding student – one of the best we’ve had in our program,” said STC’s Automotive Collision Repair Department Head Keith Padgett. “Because he was so knowledgeable and picked things up so quickly, other students often sought his assistance. He will be very successful.”

Michael has just opened M&M Paint and Body on East Gwinnett Street – a small shop, located in a non-descript building on the east side of Savannah. According to Michael, business is good and growing every day.

“I found that I enjoyed Auto Collision Repair courses and did really well – much better than when I was in school as a young man,” he said.

Savannah Technical College offers a diploma in Auto Collision Repair, as well as technical certificates of credit for auto collision repair and automotive refinishing. For more information about this and other Industrial Technology programs, contact Seceney Dorsey at sdorsey@savannahtech.edu.

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#1542 | June 19, 2015