Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the state’s top technical college student and top technical college instructor for 2017. Skylar Huggett of Savannah Technical College received Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) and Ashley Strong-Green of Augusta Technical College received the 2017 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.

“Georgia is fortunate to have a strong technical college system that molds a workforce capable of filling the demands of an ever-evolving economy,” said Deal. “Enthusiastic students like Ms. Huggett put forth the hard work and exemplary performance that makes the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) so successful, and devoted instructors such as Ms. Strong-Green guide students on their journey to success. My congratulations and best wishes to the award winners, and I am confident that they will be outstanding ambassadors for the technical college system in the coming year.”

The GOAL program, now in its 46^th year, recognizes the most outstanding technical education students at each of the 22 TCSG colleges and the technical division at Bainbridge State College. The Rick Perkins Award, now in its 27^th year, highlights excellence in technical instruction. As award winners, Huggett and Strong-Green will make public appearances as ambassadors for technical education during the next year, including meeting with Deal and addressing the Georgia General Assembly.

Each year, selection for the GOAL and Rick Perkins Award begins with the naming of the top technical education student and instructor at each college, as well as the technical division at Bainbridge State College. Regional competitions follow and narrow the field to nine finalists for each award. In April, the nine finalists are interviewed in Atlanta by a panel of judges. At each step, student finalists are scored on their academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, involvement in their local communities and future aspirations. Benchmarks for instructors include teaching experience, innovation in the classroom, leadership and civic involvement.

“The passion that Skylar and Ashley have for technical education shines through, not just in their remarks and in their work, but in their lives,” said TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. “Their passion is contagious, and each has a remarkable ability to inspire their peers and motivate all of us to greater achievements. There are no better advocates for technical education than our students and our instructors, and that includes not only Skylar and Ashley, but each and every one of our GOAL and Rick Perkins college winners.”

Skylar Huggett is a welding and joining technology student from Savannah Technical College whose goal is to weld in a job that contributes to Georgia’s infrastructure. She received the GOAL program’s grand prize: a new, made-in-Georgia 2017 Kia Optima, courtesy of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia and delivered by Ed Voyles Kia of Chamblee.

“Skylar is the perfect student to represent Georgia’s technical college students as the 2017 GOAL winner,” said Dr. Kathy Love, president of Savannah Technical College. “She represents the thousands of students who come through our doorways each year, seeking something other than the traditional pathway to higher education and find their true passions among our technical college programs. As Skylar says, because she found her love of welding, her future is on fire. I could not be prouder of her.”

Ashley Strong-Green, a general education instructor at Augusta Technical College, is the winner of the 2017 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction and a $1,000 cash award. In her acceptance remarks, Strong-Green cited the integral role technical education plays in contributing to the economy of the state and the quality of life of Georgia citizens.

“We are very proud of Ashley. She has been a leader and an innovator since the day she was hired,” said Augusta Technical College President Terry Elam. “She is dedicated and student-centered, and she personifies the academic excellence and high standards of the Technical College System of Georgia.”

The first runner-up for the technical education student of the year was Gisella Brust, a radiologic technology student at Gwinnett Technical College. For the technical education instructor of the year, the first runner-up was Charles Avery, an emergency medical services instructor in the technical division of Bainbridge State College.

About the Technical College System of Georgia

The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in 600 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, to work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu.

Jen Talaber Ryan jen.ryan@georgia.gov

Alyssa Botts abotts@georgia.gov

#1737 | April 13, 2017

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College students won 14 medals at the 2017 SkillsUSA Postsecondary State Conference, held in Atlanta, Ga. More than 500 college students from across the state of Georgia took part in the three-day competition. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs.

STC practical nursing students swept the Nurse Assisting competition with gold for Charissa Barrett and silver for Angela Davila. STC students also swept the Mobile Electronics Installation competition with gold for Automotive Technology student Paul Warren and silver for Electrical Construction and Maintenance student Frank Easterlin.

The College won three other gold medals: Industrial Maintenance Systems team Charles Carter and Ramon Gonzalea (Mechatronics); Barbering students Theophile Brown-Tuyishimire, Brittany Williams, Johnathan Hall, Benjamin Vaughn (Entrepreneurship team); and Cosmetology students Alana Hodges and Autiana Hightower (Jobs Skills Demonstration).

STC students also won silver: Dia Johnson (Practical Nursing); Bradley Mingledorff (Medical Math); Skylar Huggett (Welding Sculpture); and Quiz Bowl Team featuring Industrial Maintenance Systems and Electrical Construction and Maintenance students Jordan Turner, Jacob White,William Jackson, Kyle Koskela, Michael Daly, Frank Tanner, Greg Amos.

Bronze medal winners include: Kiani Jones (Practical Nursing); Jessica Lewis (Cosmetology); Ryan Stroud (Industrial Motor Controls).

Students who won gold at the state competition are eligible to compete in the national competition in Louisville, Ky., June 19-23, 2017 for the 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. At the heart of this mission are SkillsUSA’s core values: integrity, responsibility, citizenship, service and respect.

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 #1736 | April 12, 2017

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A crowd of nearly 250 gathered in the Eckburg Auditorium on the campus of Savannah Technical College today to celebrate the 2017 Tribute to Community STARs (Savannah Tech Achievement Recognition) luncheon, the eleventh annual event recognizing people for their service and dedication in the community or at work.

Honored were:

• Marcia Banes, Account Executive, Old Savannah Tours, sponsored by StayinSavannah.com
• Dave Burkoff, Partner, HunterMaclean, sponsored by HunterMaclean
• Michael Burris, Records Clerk, Chatham County Superior Clerk’s Office, sponsored by Coastal Center for Developmental Services
• Terry Coleman, President, Coleman Company, Inc., sponsored by Evans General Contractors
• Reed Dulany, III, President/CEO, Dulany Industries, Inc., sponsored by Judy & Dick Eckburg
• Elizabeth Genard, STC 2017 EAGLE Student of the Year, sponsored by Savannah Technical College
• Stephen Hartley, Department Head for Building Arts, Bryn Athyn College, sponsored by Friends of Stephen Hartley
• Holden Hayes, Regional President, South State Bank, sponsored by Savannah Morning News
• Skylar Huggett, STC 2017 GOAL Student of the Year, sponsored by Friends of Savannah Technical College
• Hurricane Heroes, Georgia Power, sponsored by Georgia Power
• Ted Kleisner, Retired CEO, Greenbriar Resorts, sponsored by Wells Fargo
• Laura Kyser, STC Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year, Mathematics, sponsored by the Savannah Technical College Foundation
• Don Logana, Anchor, WTOC-TV, honored posthumously by Leopold’s Ice Cream
• Chris Maynor, Tool Crib DIRTTbag, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, sponsored by DIRTT Environmental Solutions
• Rudolph Quarterman, Jr., President, Coastal Environmental Construction Management, Inc., sponsored by JE Dunn Construction
• Dana Schultz, Director of Club Operations/Director of Golf, The Westin Savannah Harbor, sponsored by Savannah Harbor Foundation
• Cori Sessions, Vice President of Operations, Advertising Specialty Services, sponsored by Advertising Specialty Services
• Ben Spitalnick, Physician, Pediatric Associates of Savannah, PC, sponsored by Joe Marchese Commercial Construction
• Kelley Waldron, Head of School, St. Andrew’s School, sponsored by Mary and Howard Morrison
• Don Waters, Retired Chairman, President/CEO, Brasseler USA, sponsored by Judy and Dick Eckburg
• Lisa Wilson, District Lead Nurse, Savannah Chatham County Public School System, sponsored by The Cory Joseph Wilson Fireball 40 Memorial Baseball Tournament Committee

The keynote address was delivered by Mahogany Bowers, STC Marketing graduate and founder of Blessings in a Book Bag.

The event is organized by the Savannah Technical College Foundation Community Council, a group of young professionals charged with expanding the awareness of Savannah Technical College and its mission through advocacy, awareness and fundraising.

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disperse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. The Foundation also supports student success through its privately funded scholarships. The Foundation recently raised more than $7.2 million in its “Where Excellence Meets Opportunity.” The campaign focused on five key areas: precision manufacturing, health sciences, culinary arts/heritage tourism, technology and student support.

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#1735 | April 8, 2017

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College is pleased to announce William “Carl” Raymond as the new Fire Science Program Department Head.

Formerly, Raymond was the Fire Science program coordinator at Southern Crescent Technical College.  He has more than three decades in fire and emergency services. He is a state and ProBoard certified firefighter and Instructor. He has a bachelor of science in aviation management from Florida Institute of Technology and an associate of applied science for fire science from Columbia Southern University.

He is the current Fire Science IFCC chair, American Heart Association Training center faculty, an ALLERT Active Shooter Instructor: Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, First Responder response to terrorism instructor and licensed pilot. In his spare time he enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family.

The STC Fire Science programs prepare graduates for successful careers in the fire and emergency service field, whether they are looking to obtain required certifications to apply to fire departments nationwide or wish to obtain their degree to qualify for promotion into leadership positions at their department. Many of the classes meet the educational criteria established by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (ProBoard) allowing students to challenge various national fire service certifications including Fire Officer I & II, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Instructor I, Hazardous Materials Operations, Fire & Life Safety Educator, etc.

All Fire Science classes are scheduled to help students attend college, while balancing their home/life/work obligations with a combination of evening and online classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various area fire departments. The Fire Science Degree/ Diploma programs’ schedules were recently reconfigured utilizing the mini-mester format, which enables students to obtain their fire science degree or diploma in one year. The STC Fire Science program office is located to the Crossroads campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407). Interested students should contact Raymond at wraymond@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3386 or STC Public Services Academic Advisor Amber Robinson at arobinson@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5719.

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Fire Sciences Department: Carl Raymond
912.443.3386 or wraymond@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 21^st group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 286 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 Chief Robert Sellars of the Port Wentworth Police Department. Chief Sellars passed away August 27, 1987, after a short illness. He was survived by his wife Judy and step-son Captain Ashley Brown SCMPD.

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 June 5, 2017.

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Peace Officer Academy: Sheree Rogers
912.443.5191 or srogers@savannahtech.edu

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

#1266 |Updated March 27, 2017

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College offers a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) refresher course at its Effingham County Campus based on student demand. The three-day, 24-hour course may available for current CDL-licensed drivers wishing to refresh their skills.

      The class covers pre-trip inspection, shifting techniques, left and right turns, backing in straight lines, backing in curved lines, parallel parking, alley docking, offset backing, coupling and uncoupling trailers, lane control, city driving, rural driving and interstate driving.

     Advance registration is required. The cost is $850 (non-refundable). This course offering is dependent upon a minimum registration of four students. Proof of a negative drug screen conducted within the previous 90 days will be required upon registration.

Questions about registration may be emailed to: continuinged@savannahtech.edu

 Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Savannah, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

For More Information Contact:
continuinged@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Center for Traditional Craft will offer weekend workshops featuring classical architectural millwork with noted author and restoration TV host Brent Hull, along with blacksmithing and monument repair for the April Historic Homeowners Academy (HHA) workshops. All skill levels are encouraged to attend. Workshops will be held at STC’s Historic Preservation lab (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405). Register for the workshops at www.savannahtech.edu/HistoricHomeownersAcademy.

In conjunction with the HHA workshops, Savannah Tech and the Massie Heritage Center are co-sponsoring an evening lecture and book signing with Hull from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 in the Massie Heritage Center’s historical classroom (207 E Gordon St.
Savannah, GA 31401). As the author of three books, Hull’s most recent is Building a Timeless House in an Instant Age, which helps builders and homeowners construct authentic and beautiful houses.

Historic Homeowners Classical Architectural Millwork Workshop features Brent Hull

Host of the History Channel’s Lone Star Restoration, Hull is a man on a mission to “quit building crap and build more beautiful things.” With more than two decades of experience as a Texas-based restoration expert, Hull has become one of the most respected and sought after historical builders in the country. He has combined his passion for restoring buildings along with his love of craftsmanship to build a business that focuses on preservation as well as historically inspired houses and millwork.

Hull enjoys working with his hands and has always loved building.  In 1991, he moved to Boston to begin a two-year study of historic preservation at the North Bennet Street School. NBSS is one of the oldest trade schools in the United States, and it was here that he learned the art of traditional building.

He combines the best of today’s technology with the time-tested craftsmanship and methods off a bygone era. It’s about breathing new life into all kinds of historical structures, from landmark Texas Courthouses to original ranch houses to stately homes and even an old west saloon.

Hull’s two-day seminar on classical design, proportioning and the evolution of historic millwork in America will be held from 9a.m. to 6p.m. on April 1-2 for a cost of $50. On Saturday, students will work on learning to drawing classical architectural details using basic scale and proportioning relationships. On Sunday, students will learn about the evolution of American molding profiles and how to incorporate classical design into restorations or new construction. To register for Hull’s workshop, visit: http://bit.ly/SavTechHHA_HistoricMillwork0417.

Two other Historic Homeowners Academy workshops will be held that weekend as well:

• CEMETERY AND FUNERARY MONUMENT REPAIR This workshop event will introduce students to the various aspects of gravestone and cemetery monument preservation led by Jon Appell. The majority of commonly encountered problems with memorials, which are both historic as well as modern, will be over viewed, discussed. Repair, cleaning and numerous other conservation treatments will be demonstrated and conducted as an interactive group experience. Jonathan is a professional masonry conservation specialist with expertise in gravestone, monument, sculpture and historic masonry preservation.  Trained in engineering, violin and cabinet making, sculpture and stone carving, Jonathan has worked in fields related to historic masonry for over 25 years.   Workshop cost $75 includes a $25 materials fee. Thursday March 29^th (6-9pm), Friday March 31,  [9 -6PM], Saturday, April 1,  [9-6 PM], Sunday, April 2,  [9-6 PM]. To register visit: http://bit.ly/SavTechHHA_MonumentRepair0317

• BLACKSMITHING Work with renowned blacksmith Joe Miller to create a one-of-a-kind 3D aquatic “critter.”  Students will learned to hammer out the shape of a fish in two pieces of sheet metal using a torch, join them together, smooth the edges, and add details like gills, tails, eyes, scales, and seaweed. This class will introduce students to basic forge work, torch work, repose, and basic chasing. Miller’s breadth of skills as a blacksmith and examples of his various critters can be seen at his website metalbymiller.com. He has been teaching at the John C. Campbell Folk School since the 1980’s.  Cost is $125 (includes $75 material fee) Friday March 31, [6-9 PM], Saturday, April 1, [9-6 PM], and Sunday, April 2, [9-2 PM]. To register visit: http://bit.ly/SavTechHHA_Blacksmithing0317

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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#1732 | March 23, 2017

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, Ga. – Savannah Technical College Mathematics Instructor Laura Kyser has been selected as STC’s 2017 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors outstanding faculty members at each of the Technical College System of Georgia institutions. Kyser will represent Savannah Technical College in the statewide competition.

“Laura is a creative educator, who is committed to providing the best educational experience possible for her students,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “She has a passion for helping students achieve their dreams and goals for college, career and life. She is an inspirational instructor, who shows her students how math applies to their everyday life.”

Kyser has worked as a mathematics instructor at the College since 2012. She previously worked as an adjunct mathematics professor for Strayer University and was a math teacher at Richmond Hill High School for five years. She has actively participated in STC’s redesign of the MATH98 ACE course to better serve students. She also played a major role in developing the master shells for College Algebra, which are used by all instructors in the College’s transition to Blackboard

The award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.  Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, now West Georgia Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death. The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) provides oversight for the Rick Perkins Award program through the System Office’s programming staff, the presidents’ Academic Improvement committee and the state planning committee.

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Welding and Joining student Skylar Huggett has been selected as the 2017 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner for Savannah Technical College.

Huggett is a top-performing student in her program. “Skylar works above and beyond to complete required course assignments, while working a full-time job as a server most nights and weekends,” said STC Welding and Joining Department Head William Burns. “Skylar shows an aptitude for mastering welding techniques on the first try. She works well with others and demonstrates excellent communication skills to accomplish group projects and achieve goals in a timely manner. She has demonstrated professionalism, accepted constructive criticism, and exhibited excellent work ethics.”

GOAL honors outstanding students at each of the Technical College System of Georgia institutions. She will represent Savannah Tech at the statewide competition in April in Atlanta, where the statewide GOAL winner will be selected. The highly competitive process involves academic success, community engagement and public speaking. Winners are nominated by their instructors and selected after interviews with a panel of business and community leaders.

Huggett has an associate of science degree from Georgia Highlands College. She has been on the dean’s list with a 4.0 since she started at Savannah Technical College in 2015. She is the president of STC’s student chapter of the American Welding Society and has been selected to represent STC at the Skills USA Welding Sculpture competition.

A career with unlimited potential, Welding and Joining is the backbone of manufacturing and leads the way during economic recovery. The Georgia Department of Labor notes welding and joining careers will increase by 15% or more over the next decade. The need for new welders hasn’t gone unnoticed by local employers. With proactive industry partners like JCB and Mitsubishi, STC has developed multiple internship tracks for new and current students.

Advisory Board Members for the Welding and Joining department such as Pipe Fitters Union (Local 188), Iron Workers Union (Local 709), CST Coverings (formally Temcor), Savannah Tank, LMI Aerospace, and CSX – also work closely with instructors for new and updated course offerings, shaping the program to fit the needs and expectations of local businesses.

Savannah Tech offers a diploma in welding and joining along with technical certificates of credit in a variety of techniques for welding. Welding and Joining Technology is offered at the Savannah campus, along with welding labs in Hinesville and Rincon, Ga. For more information about Welding and Joining, contact STC Industrial Technology Advisor Secene Dorsey at 912.443.5859 or ssdorsey@savannahtech.edu.

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#1730 | March 14, 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. – Savannah Technical College welcomed honored guests today for its Baking and Pastry academic exchange/educational partnership with the Academy of Toulouse.

“We welcome our new students for the next four weeks, along with their pastry chef instructors and college leadership from the Academy of Toulouse to Savannah,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “This partnership continues Savannah Technical College’s exceptional training for Baking and Pastry arts students. Chef Jean Vendeville, his staff and students have planned a unique immersion experience for our new students from France.”

STC’s Department Chair for Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts Chef Jean Vendeville described the partnership as a friendship and looks forward to working with the French students training at Savannah Technical College. “Our students had wonderful success when they studied in France last year,” said Vendeville. “We look forward to teaching these students and learning from them.”

This educational partnership began last fall when five Culinary Institute of Savannah students studied and worked at the Academy of Toulouse. Training for these students includes Baking & Pastry classes along with English as a Second Language classes at Savannah Technical College from March 6 – April 2.

“I am thrilled to learn of the natural synergy that has developed between the Savannah Technical College and Lycée des métiers Lautréamont, and I applaud the initiative of Chef Jean Vendeville and Proviseur Cyrille Courade,” said Consul-General of France in Atlanta Louis de Corail.  “I look forward to following the growth and development of this exchange program in the years to come, and I wish everyone involved the very best success.”

This visit is the fruit of a blossoming relationship that has transformed into a first-of-its-kind exchange program between a French and American technical school. In 2015, representatives from the Académie of Toulouse came to Georgia to explore an academic partnership with Atlanta Public Schools. Chef Vendeville, department head of the Culinary Institute at Savannah Technical College, attended some of the exchanges. After meeting the principal of Lycée des métiers Lautréamont, Cyrille Courade, the two realized the great potential of establishing a bilateral connection between their establishments that would benefit generations of chefs to come.

STC Baking & Pastry student Hailey Maurer was one of the five STC students that studied in France last fall. “While we were in France, we had the pleasure of meeting and working with both the amazing students and their passionate instructors,” said Maurer. “Together we forged not just a partnership between our two schools, but also a life-long friendship with their students. They made our experience unforgettable, and the best experience of my life; I can only hope to return the kindness, knowledge and passion they showed us.”

Academy of Toulouse student Charline Goutoule is excited to study in Savannah. “This is an enriching opportunity to learn another life style and customs, because Americans work differently compared to French,” Goutoule said. “Savannah Technical College’s faculty and students know things that we don’t.” She compares the educational exchange to learning to dance. “There are steps Americans know that I can’t learn in France, and I would like know how Americans work, if it’s more traditional or commercial.”

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 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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