SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College was ranked first in the U.S. by Military Times with the new rankings Military Times Best: Career & Technical Colleges 2018 rankings for the second year in a row. This ranking is formerly known as Best for Vets. The organization, made up of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times, is focused on culture and curriculum that cater 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 maintained its top spot in the U.S. as the #1 Military Times Best College in the nation for career and technical colleges 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. Three years ago, 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.

Recently, 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 June 2017, Savannah Tech announced a new scholarship to cover gap funding for spouses of U.S. Coast Guard members. It provides financial support for tuition, fees, books and tools/equipment that students need for programs at the college up to $4,000 per student.

Last year, 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.

Military Times’ annual Best Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties; and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

For the full Military Times Best: Colleges 2018: Career & Technical Colleges rankings, go to: http://bestforvets.militarytimes.com/colleges/career-technical-colleges/2018.

Military Times’ Best rankings series includes Military Times Best: Colleges, Military Times Best: Franchises, Military Times Best: Places to Live and Best for Vets Employers.

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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#1812 | November 20, 2017

Military Outreach Coordinator: Jeff Ashmen
www.savannahtech.edu/military
912.443.4155 or jashmen@savannahtech.edu

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

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

The two women and five 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 23^rd group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 303 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 Corporal Tron Lewis of the Tybee Island Police Department. Corporal Lewis passed away suddenly on April 8, 2017, due to a traffic collision. He is survived by his wife Natasha Collins, parents Arlanza and Lena Young Lewis of Waycross, and three 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 20-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. The next class begins February 26, 2018.

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#1810 | October 27, 2017

 

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, GA – Students at Savannah Technical College created a fix for damaged historical markers to preserve the past for the future at a fraction of the cost. They were able to use this fix to bring Troup Square’s Jingle Bells historical marker back to life after it was damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

“We focus on pushing the boundaries of methods, materials and techniques to innovate and invent new product procedures, instead of using antiquated or out-of-date methods in historic preservation,” said STC’s Department Head for Historic Preservation Benjamin Curran. “Our intent with this collar design was to provide an economical solution to a regular issue that arises with historical markers.”

The Georgia Historical Society took over maintenance, repair and replacement of state-owned historical markers in 2015. According to Elyse Butler, outreach coordinator for the Georgia Historical Society, a falling limb or automobile accident usually causes significant damage to the historical marker’s collar, or base where the post attaches. Then, the marker is usually scrapped.  The protocol in the past has been to reinstall or recast damaged signs at a cost of about $3,000 dollars at a foundry outside of Georgia.

“Savannah Technical College’s prototype is a great option to have without recasting the entire marker,” said Butler. “It would give us the opportunity to perhaps work locally rather than go back to the foundry to repair markers.”

STC students have designed, engineered and cast a channeled historic marker collar replacement bracket or base that could be adapted to fit different marker designs. The collar may be manufactured in large quantities, taken into the field, and used to replace a damaged collars at a substantially reduced cost. Also, it will allow the text section of the signs to be preserved rather than discarded.

Unitarian Universalist Church (aka the Jingle Bells Church) had originally erected the sign and wanted to fix it. They were raising funds to have the overall sign recast, when they learned of the STC prototype.

“The mending of our jingle Bells historic marker is a symbolic event all about bringing together,” said Rev. David Messner of Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah. “First and most simply it’s about securing two pieces of sheared metal. But more importantly, it brings us as people together with the people of 1850’s Savannah when the song was written. It brings together the neighborhood community to celebrate a shared spirit. And, it brought together an awesome team of craftspeople in training at Savannah Tech to innovate a solution and to make it happen. Special thanks to Professor Benjamin Curran for leading that work, the people of the Troup square community who participated in the funding campaign and to Gordon Matthews and the Board of our church for their guiding energy.”

Daniel Carey, President and CEO for the Historic Savannah Foundation, knew about the STC collar design and reached out to Curran to see if the prototype might work for the Jingle Bells marker repair.

“Let’s not overlook the fact that the marker, itself, is an historic artifact,” said Carey. “Under the category of using the ‘gentlest means possible’ to repair an historic resource, Savannah Technical College developed a sensitive, sound, and thrifty method of preserving a marker using local talent and resources.  That’s the gift that keeps on giving.  Perfect.”

Students from the Historic Preservation and Restoration department worked with students from Drafting, Welding and Machine Tool to create the prototype. A mechanical drafting student worked with the original sketches to create a design and print samples of 3D versions. The drafting student’s 3D print was used to create the form that was used to cast the collar mold. Welding students helped to build the furnace that was used to melt aluminum prior to casting. Machine Tool students assisted with CNC machining.

“As an institution Savannah Technical College strives to provide its students with the knowledge and skills that will make them valued members of our local and regional workforce,” said Curran. “Within the Industrial Technology department, we collectively focus on industry need, regardless of discipline. That has manifest itself in constant push to provide our students with opportunities to view themselves not simply technician, but also as contributors to the advancement of their respective fields. Innovation is the key. The historic marker collar replacement bracket perfectly exemplifies our students’ technical talents and creative capacity to further the advancement of the Historic Preservation field.”

STC Historic Preservation students cast the first replacement bracket this spring under the guidance of Visiting Artisan Gary Knappenberger, who helped STC students with a finial casting for the Smithsonian Institute a few years ago (2013). He assisted with the mold making process and helped students build a small furnace large enough to melt down aluminum to pour multiple brackets for the casting process.

The STC Foundation is seeking a patent on the development of the historic marker fabrication process.

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.

Jingle Bells Historical Marker: James L. Pierpont (1822-1893), composer of “Jingle Bells”, served as music director of this church in the 1850s when it was a Unitarian Church located on Oglethorpe Square. Son of the noted Boston reformer, Rev. John Pierpont, he was the brother of Rev. John Pierpont, Jr. minister of this church, and uncle of financier John Pierpont Morgan. He married Eliza Jane Purse, daughter of Savannah mayor Thomas Purse, and served with a Confederate cavalry regiment. He is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery. A prolific song-writer, his best known “Jingle Bells” is world famous.

#1809 | October 19, 2017

Industrial Technology Academic Advisor: Secene Dorsey
912.443.5859 or ssdorsey@savannahtech.edu

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

Savannah, GA – Four months after starting welding training with Savannah Technical College, six U.S. Army transitioning service members have job offers with Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagula, Miss. and in Newport News, Va.

“Employers value and understand the work ethic that service members bring to the job,” said STC Military Outreach Coordinator Jeff Ashmen. “But quite often separating service members lack the technical skills necessary for employment. Savannah Technical College’s career skills program is an opportunity for active duty service members to get retooled to quality for jobs after military service.”

The College’s welding training for these students was provided through state and federal grants, along with additional funding from Huntington Ingalls Industries. Students attended welding classes during their normal duty day, Mondays – Thursdays. Commander approval and pre-employment screening were required for them to participate. Training occurred as part of the Soldier for Life VOW Act and became the soldier’s place of duty.

“The partnership between Fort Stewart, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Savannah Technical College provides soldiers and families with a wonderful opportunity to prepare for their post active duty careers and begin the next part of their lives,” said Geoff Miller, President of Transitions Assistant Support, LLC.

During the 16-week full-time program including hands-on, competency-based structural and pipe welding instruction, students completed 32 college hours and earned five welding technical certificates of credit (TCC): Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Vertical Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Flux Cored Arc Welder, and Gas Tungsten Arc Welder TCCs.

“Huntington Ingalls Industries remains committed to becoming a leadership factory,” said Fred Howell, Huntington Ingalls Industries Director of Talent Acquisition.  “Through our partnership with Savannah Technical College, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, we are creating great shipbuilders, but more importantly, we are creating future leaders for our organization.”

Transitioning service members, who participate in welding training completion, will have a high probability of employment with Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi or Newport News, Va.; will be tested at the end of the training period prior to final job offer; will be offered a job opportunity upon successful completion of the training; and will continue with on-the-job training while working with experienced craftsmen at Ingalls.

The average starting salary for pipe welders is $19.46 per hour or $40,476.80 annually.

The next welding cohort begins October 11, 2017. For more information about military services or enrollment, visit www.savannahtech.edu/military or contact STC’s Military Outreach Coordinator Jeff Ashmen (912.443.4155 or jashmen@savannahtech.edu). Eligible students may qualify for additional stipends, under provisions established under the post 9/11 GI Bill. Please consult with a VA representative or visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp for further information.

Savannah Technical College is a regionally accredited Institution of Higher Learning and approved to participate and administer Veteran’s Education Assistance programs.

Ranked #1 in the U.S. as “Best for Vets” in 2016 by Military Times for Career & Technical Colleges, Savannah Technical College has the largest enrollment of military-affiliated students in the Technical College System of Georgia. 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, the College opened a Veteran’s Service Center at the Savannah campus.

About Huntington Ingalls Industries (Pascagoula, Miss.)

For 78 years, the employees of Ingalls Shipbuilding facilities have pioneered the development and production of technologically advanced, highly capable warships for the surface Navy fleet, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and foreign and commercial customers. Ingalls Shipbuilding is the largest manufacturing employer in the state of Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of the state Alabama as well. For more information, please visit Ingalls.huntingtoningalls.com

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#1808 | September 29, 2017

STC Military Services Coordinator: Jeff Ashmen
912.443.4155 or military@savannahtech.edu

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

Savannah, GA – Certified Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) Certification is now available through a new course at Savannah Technical College. This training sets the global standard for best practices in logistics, transportation and distribution.

The 12-week course begins October 17, 2017 and will meet 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the STC Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407). The program has been designed to accommodate schedules of participants from Savannah’s port, warehouse and distribution organizations, as well as anyone interested in advancing their career prospects in the industry.

The CLTD certification sets employees apart in the global supply chain, according Bill Stankiewicz, Controller & Supply Chain Executive at Port Fresh Logistics. “This credential helps people advance in their jobs and helps to get you hired.  I endorse them 100%,” said Stankiewicz.

Offered through the College’s office of Professional Continuing Education and Economic Development, the CLTD credential coursework is presented in an educational partnership with the newly formed APICS Savannah Chapter. APICS is a globally recognized Supply Chain Trade Organization.

Created by APICS and a team of subject matter experts, the CLTD designation covers a comprehensive body of knowledge that sets the global standard for best practices in logistics, transportation and distribution.  The course includes modules on Logistics and Supply Chain Overview; Capacity Planning and Demand Management; Order Management; Inventory and Warehouse Management; Transportation; Global Logistics Considerations; Logistics Network Design; and Reverse Logistics and Sustainability.

Interactive, web-based study tools will help students create a personalized path toward success with innovative tools to assess current knowledge and identify areas for improvement, section-specific tests with immediate feedback plus study aids to prepare for the CLTD exam, and practice tests.

About APICS Savannah (www.apics.org )
Supply chain and operations management is one of the fastest growing professions globally, creating great demand for top notch, highly competent professionals. APICS research, education and certification advances supply chain professionals to excel in the profession and become the leaders who will transform supply chain organizations for peak performance.  APICS Savannah is here to create exciting possibilities for current and future supply chain leaders to deliver, innovate and impact our world.

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1807 | September 20, 2017

Savannah Technical College Office of Professional Continuing Education
912.443.3012 or continuinged@savannahtech.edu

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

Chef Jean-Yves Vendeville, department head of the Culinary Institute at Savannah Technical College, will be honored at the 14^th annual Opportunity Award Gala, December 1, 2017. The event, hosted by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, honors deserving civic leaders in our community for a lifetime of service in creating and enhancing opportunities for others to succeed.

This year, the STC Foundation honors Vendeville for his leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life in Savannah. From more than doubling enrollment for culinary students to developing a baking and pastry program for the state of Georgia to earning the top educator in the U.S. by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), he has created opportunities for others in the Savannah area and beyond.

In June 2017, Vendeville received the French academic palms, the oldest non-military honor given by his home country, France. This high honor is similar to being knighted. His ceremony to receive the palms will take place at the Gala on December 1. French Academic Palms recognize those who have rendered eminent service to French education and have contributed actively to the prestige of French culture.  For those who are named to and promoted in the Order of the French Academic Palms (l’Ordre des Palmes académiques), this esteemed distinction acknowledges their merits, talents, and exemplary activities.  He will henceforth be known as Chevalier De L’ Ordre Des Palmes Academiques.

In 2014, Vendeville earned the high honor of winning ACF Chef Educator of the Year at its national convention after being named top Chef Educator of the Southeast Region. In July 2016, he was inducted into the ACF honor society, the American Academy of Chefs.

He was named 2012 Instructor of the Year by the Technical College System of Georgia and 2012 Chef Educator of the Year by the Low Country Chapter of the ACF. He has led student teams to win four ACF Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and back-to-back wins in the Knowledge Bowl competition in 2011 and 2012 and recently in 2015.

At the 2012 ACF Southeastern Regional Conference, Chef Vendeville received the top ACF award – the President’s Medallion. This award is the ultimate honor for a lifetime of commitment and service to the standards and excellence ACF exemplifies. He has achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef and holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America.

The Culinary Institute of Savannah ACF-accredited culinary arts program has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to his committee chair, the Culinary Institute of Savannah, offering ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts, has gone “well over and above the standards and expectations for a technical college teaching facility.” The committee recommended that the program receive the maximum accreditation time of seven years, when the average is three years.

The event gathers 300 community and civic leaders for a celebratory evening honoring a special individual. The evening also showcases the talents of students enrolled in Savannah Technical College’s award-winning Culinary Arts programs. Proceeds go to support the Savannah Technical College Foundation. Past recipients include: Former Governor Zell Miller, Arnold Tenenbaum, Judge Griffin Bell, Tom Coleman, Dick Eckburg, Arthur M. Gignilliat, Jr., Bob and Alice Jepson, Howard Morrison and Stratton Leopold.

The Opportunity Award Gala is a fundraiser for the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College. For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Gail Eubanks geubanks@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3022.

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#1806 |  September 15, 2017
Foundation Contact: Gail Eubanks
912.443.3022 or geubanks@savannahtech.edu

Culinary Arts/Public Services Academic Advisor: Amber Robinson
912.443.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

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

Savannah Technical College will resume classes and be open for business as usual at all campus locations on Thursday, September 14, 2017.  

 

 

 

SAVANNAH – Chef Jean Vendeville will host a series of Bistro Savoir Educatif master class demonstrations & wine dinners this fall to raise funds for Savannah Technical College’s Baking & Pastry Arts students, who will study at the Academy of Toulouse in France.

Each month features a different theme and instruction with the same excellence STC Culinary instructors bring to one of the top U.S. culinary institutes. Cost for each master class is $125. A season pass is available for the four-class Fall 2017 series for $450 ($50 savings). Seating is limited. The master class runs 6-9PM in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405 – parking in the back lot of the Savannah campus). Visit www.savannahtech.edu/BistroSavoirEducatif for more details and to purchase tickets.

Fall 2017 Schedule (see website for complete menu/wine pairings):

• August 30: Festival des fruits de mer
• September 27: Southwest of France
• October 12 – Join us for Bistro Savoir Interactif for a culinary adventure featuring chef-led hands-on cooking stations with wine pairings in partnership with the Savannah Food and Wine Festival 
• November 15: Contemporary Thanksgiving Feast
• December 6: Sweet and Savory Pastry with Chef Zebulon Berry and Chef Jean Vendeville

Proceeds from the master class series will benefit the Boiardi Culinary Exchange Scholarship to fund lodging/travel for an educational exchange for elite STC Culinary/Baking Pastry Arts students.

Vendeville is STC’s Culinary Arts Department Chair and the American Culinary Federation 2014 Chef Educator of the Year. In addition to his culinary arts and baking/pastry arts expertise, he is also a certified specialist of wine and a member of the Society of Wine Educators. He has studied wine the past four years and holds level 2 and 3 with the Napa Valley Wine Academy. He’s working on being a master of Wine of France with the French Wine Scholar Guild.

Students selected for Fall 2017 Culinary Exchange

Brittany Callahan, Maria Cusimano, Quartez Jerida, Destiny Kelly, and Nicki Mueller have been selected to study at the Academy of Toulouse in France this fall. These culinary exchange finalists were selected based on grade point average, exceptional classroom performance, and personal interviews. This group is now taking weekly French classes with STC Culinary Arts Department Head Chef Jean Vendeville. The educational partnership includes student and faculty exchanges to enhance Baking and Pastry Arts training including hosting students and faculty, immersion training, mentor companies, educational research tutors and evaluation.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah
Under the direction of Vendeville, Savannah Technical College offers associate degrees in Culinary Arts along with Baking and Pastry Arts. 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 earned national ACF certification under his leadership. For more information about STC Culinary Arts visit:www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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#1801 | July 19, 2017
Culinary Arts/Public Service Academic Advisor: Amber Robinson
912.443.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912-443-5512 or ashaffer@savananhtech.edu