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 Jobs^SM 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 – 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 13^th 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 – Savannah Technical College was ranked first in the U.S. by Military Times with the new rankings Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges 2017 rankings. The organization made up of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times focused on culture and curriculum that caters to military veterans when conducting and scoring the annual survey of schools that self-identify as career and technical colleges.

“I am so proud that Savannah Technical College has been recognized as the #1 Best for Vets technical college in the nation by Military Times,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “Our active duty military students, their family members, and our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country. I believe it is our responsibility to provide anything and everything they need as they pursue their higher education goals.” 

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.

Just this week, Savannah Technical College hosted a Veterans Career Fair in partnership with the Georgia Department of Labor. This annual career fair offers local companies the opportunity to meet with veterans and their families about job openings.

Other services Savannah Tech offers for veterans include workshops and grants. 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.

“We continue to look for ways to support military-affiliated students,” said STC Military Outreach Coordinator Jeff Ashmen. Savannah Technical College offers programs that help area veterans get the technical skills and certifications employers are looking for quickly. “Savannah Technical College has a 99 percent job placement rate overall and 89% placement in field, so we really have our fingers on the pulse of what employers are looking for in a trained workforce,” Ashmen said.

Career and technical colleges respond to the same Best for Vets: Colleges survey as two-year institutions on up, a highly respected analysis of a college’s complete offerings for veterans. As with all of the Best for Vets rankings, Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges is an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that make an institution a good fit for military veterans.

For the full Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges 2017 rankings, go to: http://bestforvets.militarytimes.com/colleges/career-technical-colleges/2017.

Military Times’ Best for Vets survey-based rankings include Colleges, Career & Technical Colleges, Business Schools, Franchises, Employers and Law Enforcement.

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 Times

The Military Times digital platforms and newsweeklies are the trusted source for independent news and information for service members and their families. The military community relies on Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times, and Navy Times for reporting on everything important to their lives, including pay, benefits, finance, education, health care, recreational resources, retirement, promotions, product reviews, and entertainment. Military Times is published by Sightline Media Group. To learn more, visit www.militarytimes.com.

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#1715 | November 11, 2016
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College is now accepting entries for the 23^rd annual Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design competition. The competition is open to all elementary, middle and high school students in Georgia.

The MAW Student Design Contest is held annually in conjunction with Manufacturers’ Appreciation Week 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 384,800 Georgians. The more than 9,456 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 on April 27, 2017 at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta, Ga. The first-place winners receive monetary scholarships for $500. The second-place winners receive $300, the third place winners receive $100 and honorable mention receives $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 noon on Friday, January 13, 2017 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 by the same deadline 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.

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#1714 | November 9, 2016
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – The Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees earned the designation of Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) Role Model Foundation Board Certification at TCSG’s Fall Leadership Conference earlier this month.

“Congratulations to Savannah Technical College Foundation’s Board of Trustees for earning Role Model Board status,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “This level of excellence reflects the Foundation’s commitment to engagement, leadership, stewardship and best practices. I am proud that our Trustees strive to be exemplary in all that they do to support the work of Savannah Technical College and the communities we serve.”

The TCFA Role Model Foundation Board Certification is an annual certification process sponsored by the TCFA of Georgia, a membership organization that represents the 25 Technical College System of Georgia foundations and more than 600 trustees statewide.

The TCFA Delegate Council says it presents this award to encourage and recognize foundation boards that engage in outstanding business practices and demonstrate the highest level of commitment.

In order to obtain the certification, not only does the board as a whole have to meet certain requirements, but each individual board member must meet specific requirements.

To be eligible to receive the certification a foundation must engage in best practices in nonprofit governance, board management, and operations; have policies in place to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, especially in financial matters; be led by a Board of Trustees whose members are actively engaged in the foundation’s development activities; and support the professional development and state-level participation of their Trustees, Executive Director and college advancement personnel.

All trustees must demonstrate active engagement in the work of the board through regular attendance at board and committee meetings and college and foundation events, participation in leadership activities and personal professional development, and fundraising on behalf of the board.

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disburse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. The STC Foundation is in the midst of a $10 Million capital campaign. The campaign is focused on five key areas: precision manufacturing, health sciences, culinary arts and heritage tourism, technology and student support.

 

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SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Professional Continuing Education Division has partnered with the World Instructor Training School (W.I.T.S) to offer a Personal Trainer Certification Course. Participants in this course will receive a combination of lecture and hands-on practical training. Key topics for the course include exercise physiology, biomechanics, fitness testing, equipment usage, and more.

The course also counts as approved continuing education credits for massage therapists, athletic trainers and occupational therapists. In order to receive this national certificate, students must successfully pass the course, as well as complete a 30-hour internship and obtain CPR and AED certification.

The Personal Trainer Certification Course will run for eight weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning October 11 at the college’s Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407).  Cost for the class is $749. For more details visit: www.savannahtech.edu/personal-trainer-certification-program or call 912-443-3012.

The Professional Continuing Education Department provides short-term classes in both the traditional and online classroom setting. Courses cover a variety of skills and workforce development options that match local employer’s needs.

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#1711 | September 29, 2016
Course Registration: 912.443.3012
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912-443-5512 or ashaffer@savananhtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Center for Traditional Craft’s Historic Homeowners Academy (HHA) September weekend workshops feature wood carving and timber framing.

The HHA workshop cost is $50 per weekend, plus a materials fee (if required). The workshops have limited space. To register or for a list of future workshops, go to www.savannahtech.edu/HistoricHomeownersAcademy or like the STC Historic Preservation Department on Facebook. The deadline to register, if space is available, is the Thursday prior to the workshop.  The workshops will be held at the STC Historic Preservation lab (5717 White Bluff Road).

Introduction to Architectural Wood Carving: Under the instruction of Rooney Floyd, students will learn the basics of traditional wood carving techniques? This class will provide a fundamental understanding of the tools, equipment, knife cutting techniques, gouge and chisel techniques associated with decorative and architectural woodcarving. Students will work of a relief carving project. Materials fee is $25 for a total of $75 for this workshop. Register online for woodcarving. [Sept. 17-18, 9AM-6PM.]

Introduction to Timber Framing: What did they do before nails? Led by Kevin Wilson, September’s Visiting Artisan, this workshop will teach the basics to cutting timber frame joinery. Using tools available at a local building supply, students will learn to make a basic mortis and tenon connections fastened by wooden pegs in small timber projects. The class will build some “saw horses” that will be assembled using only these age old techniques. Basic familiarity with circular saws, drills, measuring and using a mallet or hammer is very helpful but not required.  Cost to attend is $50. Register online for timber framing. [Sept. 16 from 6-9PM, Sept. 17 from 9AM-4:30PM and Sept. 18 9AM-Noon]

Kevin Wilson first discovered timber framing from a book he saw in an airport bookstore in 1979. He knew right away that was the direction he wanted to go with his life. The question was, how to do it. It was 1983 when he first was able to attend a weeklong Timber Frame workshop with Steve Chappel and Fox Maple Post and Beam at their shop in Brownfield, ME. He came back and built his first small frame and realized how much he still had to learn. 33 years later, with projects in 25 states, the Bahamas, and Bermuda he is still learning with each project and teaching the next generation of framers. He is currently a consultant and timber frame designer for Triton International Woods, LLC. Living in eastern North Carolina has given him a great deal of experience with the Tidewater style of timber framing that was prevalent in the south during the 18th and 19th century.

In addition to being a Timber Framer, Kevin lives on property near Tarboro, NC with a timber frame home built in 1832 and a 1920’s deconsecrated Episcopal Mission Chapel that is used for weddings, drum circles, meditation and spiritual events. Kevin serves on the advisory Board for the Edgecombe County Community College Preservation Trade School, is an avid environmentalist and a promotor of organic farming.

Rooney Floyd trained and worked in engineering all his professional career, but he has worked in various aspect of woodworking all his life beginning at a very early age.  He has studied and/or taught numerous woodcarving and blacksmithing classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC for over 30 years. During this time his special interest has been woodcarving and studied many times under the late Elmer Tangerman known as the Dean of American Woodcarving.

Floyd uses the teaching methods of the Danish folk school learned at John C. Campbell, called the “living word”.  In this method students learn by word of mouth while performing hands on work as opposed to text and lectures.

About STC’s Center for Traditional Craft:

The College’s Visiting Artisan Series brings world-class craftspeople to campus each for week-long intensive classes throughout the year. The program works in concert with the HHA to provide weekend classes for the general public. This series has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. In its first year of inception, the department’s Visiting Artisan Series has featured “The Red Mason” Dr. Gerard Lynch, internationally acclaimed brickwork consultant, master bricklayer, educator and author; H. Thomas Kupper and Dan Beal stained-glass artisans of the world-renowned Lincoln Cathedral in Lincolnshire, England.

As the only public hands-on Historic Preservation program in Georgia and one of seven in the U.S., Savannah Technical College has led the way in preservation education, specializing in training not typically held by construction workers. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities.Traditional Building Magazine named Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation program one of the nation’s Up and Coming programs. For more information visit:www.savannahtech.edu/CenterTraditionalCraft or contact Curran at bcurran@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864.

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#1709 | Sept. 8, 2016

Historic Homeowners Academy Information
STC Center for Traditional Craft Director: Benjamin Curran
912.443.5864 or bcurran@savannahtech.edu

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

  

SAVANNAH – Eighteen students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a completion ceremony today.

The five women and 13 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 19^th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 271 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Several candidates have been hired by area police departments. Savannah Tech’s Peace Officer Academy has a 97% 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 honors Sheriff Al St Lawrence of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff St Lawrence served the citizens of Chatham County for more than 56 years, first as a member of the Chatham County Police Department, rising to the rank of Chief of Police, and then as Sheriff of Chatham County. Sheriff St Lawrence passed away November 24, 2015. He was survived by his wife Pat, seven children, 16 grandchildren, and two brothers.

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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#1707 | August 9, 2016

 

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – AT&T announced this week, that Savannah Technical College Foundation won a total of $15,000 for third place in of the inaugural $20k for 2020 workforce development competition. Savannah Technical College Foundation competed with six other organizations from across the state to generate social media activity in support of their work in the community.

“All of the organizations who were competing in AT&T’s $20k for 2020 competition are true assets in their communities, doing the vital work to identify and address the needs of our workforce here in Georgia,” said Bill Leahy, president of AT&T Georgia. “The response from the communities associated with this competition makes it clear that the skills that these organizations are developing in Georgians all across the state are invaluable.”

Savannah Technical College’s contest entry featured a two-minute video about the City of Savannah’s Summer 500 program. During the nine-week Summer 500 program, participating students invested at least 32 hours per week, split between direct work experiences (Monday-Thursday) with their mentoring employer. Fridays were reserved for leadership development, career pathway training and mentoring at Savannah Technical College.  Summer 500 students, who have attended classes STC on Fridays, will earn both high school and college credit for Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development (EMPL 1000) through Move On When Ready.

“The business community has long been a strong partner of workforce development initiatives in the state, and it is encouraging and exciting to see this kind of creative approach by AT&T to highlight the hard work being done by educators and students across Georgia. Hard work that is keeping Georgia attractive to employers who are bringing quality careers to the Peach State,” said State Senator Butch Miller.

With the state’s recent ranking as the number one state in which to do business, AT&T’s $20k for 2020 competition is designed to highlight organizations that are engaged in education and workforce development efforts around Georgia. In this, the first year of the competition, organizations from communities across the state were recognized for their work to engage business, community and educational leaders to address local workforce needs and further position Georgia as the best place to do business in the country.

Lanier Technical College and Dekalb Workforce Development finished first and second respectively in the final tally. The other remaining organizations that competed for the $20k for 2020 prize were:

• Albany Technical College
• Chattahoochee Technical College – Veterans Center
• Communities in Schools – Augusta/Richmond County
• Middle Georgia Regional Commission

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#1706 | July 29, 2016

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu