SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Certified Executive Chef Gearry Caudell as its department head for the Savannah Culinary Institute with leadership over the Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts programs of instruction. As department head, he teaches and coordinates academic programs, advises students and supervises faculty. Additionally, he oversees student participation in culinary skills competitions and special events, including those hosted on campus.

“I am confident that Chef Gearry will continue the culinary education excellence that our industry partners and students have come to expect,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “He has already proven himself during the two years he served as interim department head. There is no one I would trust more to lead us into the next level of excellence in historic downtown Savannah.”

He has more than 23 years of hospitality experience with 12 of those years as an instructor. He has been working as the interim department head for Culinary Arts and has been a Culinary Arts instructor for the college since July 2010. He has served as the Savannah Food and Wine Festival Culinary Coordinator for the Tourism Leadership Council for the past five years. In 2015, he was named Chef Educator of the Year with ACF Chefs of the Low Country Chapter.

Prior to Savannah Technical College, he was the executive chef at 1875 The Steak House at French Lick Springs Resort & Casino, along with sous chef/executive chef at various restaurants and resorts. He was also a Culinary Arts instructor at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, Ind.

He has an associate degree of applied science in Culinary Arts from Sullivan University, graduating magna cum laude and earning the president’s cup. He is also a certified culinary educator (CCE) with the American Culinary Federation (ACF), Approved Certification Evaluator (ACE) with ACF, and a ServSafe Instructor Proctor with the National Restaurant Association.

With support from the Savannah Technical College Foundation, the College has purchased 7 West Bay Street as the new downtown location for an expansion of its Culinary Arts program. This location will more than double the current instructional space for the programs. Senior level (second year) students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. The hands-on, real-world experience in the restaurant/bakery will allow students the opportunity to apply techniques learned in the classroom to practical use, complete a required field placement, and gain first-hand experience in restaurant operations. The site will also provide the opportunity to provide non-credit master classes to residents and visitors.

New students are admitted to the Culinary Arts and Baking/Pastry Arts programs year round. The priority admission deadline for summer semester 2021 is April 30. www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute

About the Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute
The Savannah Culinary Institute, an American Culinary Federation-accredited culinary arts program, has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to the ACF 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. Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts associate degree graduates have a 100% placement rate in their field since 2015. The program has earned regional and national recognition with ACF-sponsored competitions. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

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# 2126 | March 15, 2021
Business & Professional Services Academic Advisor: Katrina Gore-Gray
kgray@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Ida-May Gray as its department head for Medical Assisting. As department head, she will teach and coordinate academic programs, advise students, supervise faculty and perform various departmental and college-wide assignments.

She has taught medical assisting for seven years and had a career as a medical assistant for nearly two decades. She has a master’s in adult education and technology and a bachelor’s of arts degree in library science and media from Ashford University. She earned an associate’s degree for medical laboratory technician from Miller-Motte Technical College and has a Medical Assistant diploma from Capps College.

STC’s Medical Assisting Diploma program provides prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s medical offices. The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting.

Medical Assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks, which keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.

The Medical Assisting diploma program utilizes a competitive entry process and requires the completion of the Heath Care Assistant Certificate with any approved specialization or the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic certificate plus the required core classes as part of the its admission process.

Applications are accepted from April 1 – May 15 for a Fall (August) start. The Medical Assisting diploma program starts one (1) cohort each academic year. Meeting the minimal program requirements does not guarantee acceptance in the program. Students may be required to successfully pass criminal background check and drug screen analysis before placement in clinical settings.

Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to participate in the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) examination and certification process. Many employers require candidates to hold a CMA for entry level employment. Application assistance and fee for the exam is included in the Medical Assisting Externship course (MAST 1170).

For information about Medical Assisting visit: www.savannahtech.edu/MedicalAssisting 

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# 2125 | March 12, 2021

Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Cindy Cole
ccole@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College won four gold and one silver in the 36^th annual Education Advertising Awards.

One of the gold awards was for the Big Pig logo created for the Big Pig Fundraiser Feast in Fall 2020. That fundraiser included a take-out meal, plus an event t-shirt and apron, which could be purchased separately. Both the t-shirt and apron won gold in the imprinted materials. The logos were created by Fluorescent Design Studio.

During the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the College started its “We Train Heroes” digital campaign to promote training for health care and first responders. This campaign also won gold for the COVID Marketing Campaign. Photos for the campaign were taken by Stephen B. Morton, who has previously been recognized with national awards for his student success series at the college.

In January 2019, the STC Foundation honored Kevin “Catfish” Jackson with the 16^th annual Opportunity Gala: “Bulldogs, Hotrods and Catfish.” The gala was the most successful fundraising event in the history of the college, raising more than $250,000.  Special event materials for this event also won gold. Kevin Nightingale with Nightingale Creative designed the artwork for the event materials.

To promote Savannah Tech’s 2020 SkillsUSA, the College’s marketing team took portraits of the students to promote their competition on social media (http://bit.ly/SavTech_SkillsUSA2020). The series won silver in the Social Media category. The design for the slides was created by Fluorescent Design Studio.

The 36th annual Educational Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising competition in the U.S. This year more than 2,000 entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from the U.S. and several foreign countries. Judges for the Educational Advertising Awards consisted of a national panel of higher education marketers, advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals.

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#2124 | March 8, 2021
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, GA – Savannah Culinary Institute student chefs are hosting a Big Pig Fundraiser feast to benefit the Chef Jean Vendeville Culinary Scholarship. The pre-order meal pack feeds six people and features a honey glazed smoked ham, three gourmet sides, three spreads, roasted potato bread, and a six-inch carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for $140.

The students are also taking pre-orders for a spring sale featuring milk and dark chocolate bunnies, petit fours, carrot cake and roasted potato bread at www.bistrosavoir.com.

Meals and spring sale orders will be available to pick-up from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 1 and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, April 2 at the Eckburg Auditorium at Savannah Technical College (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31406). Visit www.savannahtech.edu/big-pig to pre-order meals by March 25.

Big Pig Fundraiser Feast take out menu (feeds six):

• Honey Glazed Pit Smoked Boneless Ham (3 lbs)
• Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese (1 qt)
• Roasted Vegetables: Heirloom Carrots, Brussels, Parsnips, Fingerling Potatoes infused with Fresh Herb Oil (1 qt)
• Spring Pea, Asparagus and Pancetta Salad (1 qt)
• Apricot Chutney (8 oz)
• Roasted Garlic Aioli (8 oz)
• House-made Mustard (8 oz)
• Roasted Potato Bread (1.5 lb loaf)
• Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (6 in)

Savannah Culinary Institute classes will prepare the items as part of instruction for spring semester including International Cuisine (charcuterie, smoking), Front of the House (help assemble meals), European Cakes (carrot cake), Artisan Baking (roasted potato bread) Principles of Cooking (sides, sauces).

The Chef Jean Vendeville Culinary Scholarship has been funded by Dick and Judy Eckburg. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of Culinary Arts/Baking & Pastry Arts to be eligible with a 3.5GPA. Preference will be given to students receiving no other financial aid.

The Chef Jean Vendeville Scholarship was initiated (2017) and funded solely by Judy & Dick Eckburg in honor of the now retired STC Department Head Chef Jean Vendeville.

This scholarship is awarded to the highest GPA Culinary Arts/Baking & Pastry Arts student(s) with the most financial need enrolled in an associate degree program. The award has been $2,000 per student per year for two years for a total of $4,000 per student. Up to two students per year have received this scholarship. Funds are applied toward tuition, fees, books and required supplies. 

The amount of the contribution for the Big Pig Fundraiser feast, which is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess over the value of the goods or services provided by Savannah Technical College Foundation. The tax-deductible portion of the gift is estimated to be $100.

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

About Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute
The Savannah Culinary Institute, an American Culinary Federation-accredited culinary arts program, has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to the committee chair, Savannah Culinary Institute, 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. Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts associate degree graduates have a 100% placement rate in their field since 2015. The program has earned regional and national recognition with ACF-sponsored competitions. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

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#2123 | March 8, 2021
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Kaitlin Dotson as its library services director. She will be responsible for planning, organizing and directing the overall administration of STC’s library system. She will provide general library, bibliographic and other reference instruction for students, while maintaining the library collections and managing library resource functions that support distance education and online instruction.

Previously, she worked as the public programming and exhibition assistant for the special collections libraries at the University of Georgia. She has more than six years of experience working as a reference assistant, processing assistant, and circulation assistant for both public and academic libraries. She also worked as an intern as an American Folklife Center processing assistant for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.”

She has a Master of Art History from the University of Georgia and a Master of Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. She has bachelor’s degrees in history and English/English Literature from the University of Georgia. 

The Savannah Campus and Liberty Campus libraries have librarians onsite ready to assist patrons with any reference or research needs. Effingham Campus and Crossroads Campus have computer labs with library icons on the desktops that access the electronic resources. All patrons can reach a librarian during business hours by contacting 912.443.5870 or reference@savannahtech.edu.

The library has 33,000 print volumes primarily housed at the Savannah Campus.  The library also has 235,000 eBooks and over 17,000 online periodicals, magazines, newsletters, and newspapers accessed through GALILEO.

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#2122 | February 25, 2021
Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. –  Savannah Technical College was ranked #1 in the 2021-22 Military Friendly® Schools evaluation. The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students.

The College exceeded the Military Friendly® benchmark standards in every category to earn this ranking. It scored 100% in every category including academic policies/compliance, admissions/orientation, culture/commitment, financial aid/assistance, graduation/career and military student support/retention.

“I am so proud that Savannah Technical College has been recognized as the #1 small community college in the U.S.” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “We have worked hard to ensure that we meet or exceed the benchmark standards for Military Friendly designation. Exceeding the benchmark in every category demonstrates the strength of our continued commitment to military students and their families.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-22 survey with 747 earning the Military Friendly® designation.

“Those who achieve this designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships, Military Friendly®. “Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community.”

The College has the highest military-affiliated enrollment in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse. For the past four years, the College has been ranked as one of the top Best for Vets public technical and career college in the U.S. by Military Times.

The College waives all general mandatory fees for active duty service members using military tuition assistance. Other services Savannah Tech offers for veterans include workshops and grants. The College has multiple scholarships for military-affiliated students. This includes scholarships that provide gap funding for military with U.S. Coast Guard members, a Freedom Fund to provide needs-based scholarship assistance for soldiers, veteran and spouses and a scholarship that supports Savannah Tech’s military spouses is funded by The Landings Military Family Relief Fund.

The 2021-22 Military Friendly® School list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and may be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources, within a logic-based scoring assessment. The evaluation measures the institution’s ability to meet the thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students, and specifically, for student veterans.

About Military Friendly®: The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration is available at www.militaryfriendly.com

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#2121| February 23, 2021
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Dan Krautheimer as its Dean for Industrial Technology. As dean, he will manage Industrial Technology initiatives, programs, courses and instructional services. He had been STC’s department head for Construction Management since 2010.

Krautheimer has two decades of experience as a teacher. He has been STC’s SkillsUSA lead advisor for the past two years. He also worked with Youthbuild and was the chairman of IFCC for Carpentry and Construction Management from 2011 – 2015.

He has a Master of Science in Educational Technology from Long Island University (N.Y.) and bachelor of science degrees in technology education and sociology from State University College at Buffalo (N.Y.). He also has a professional certificate in construction safety and health from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Lions Club of Savannah.

The Industrial Technology division prepares students for careers in the following fields: air conditioning, automotive technology, commercial truck driving, construction management, drafting, electrical/computer engineering, electrical technology, electrical utility technology, film production, historic preservation, industrial maintenance systems, precision machining and manufacturing, precision manufacturing and welding/joining technology. To learn more about these programs visit: https://www.savannahtech.edu/academics/industrial-technology

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#2120 | February 17, 2021
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

HINESVILLE, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Anthony Burns as its Department Head for Fire Science. He teaches and coordinates academic programs, advises students, supervises faculty and performs various departmental and college-wide assignments.

Burns has more than 25 years of fire service experience. He is the Fire Chief for Walthourville Volunteer Fire Department. He has been a fire and public safety instructor since 2009. He also has first responder and emergency medical technician certification.

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 students to obtain their fire science degree or diploma in one year. The STC Fire Science program office is located at the Liberty Campus (100 Technology Road, Hinesville). Interested students should contact Burns at aburns@savannahtech.edu or STC Business and Public Services Academic Advisor Amber Robinson at arobinson@savannahtech.edu.

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#2119 | February 16, 2021
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

ATLANTA, GA—The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) announced the award of $4.85 million to a consortium of Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) colleges to help meet labor market demands for a skilled workforce.

The “Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants” aim to address the skill development needs of employers and to support workers in gaining skills and transition quickly from unemployment to employment. The grants also build the capacity of community and technical colleges to address challenges associated with the Coronavirus pandemic, such as expanding online and technology-enabled learning.

“One of the Peach State’s greatest economic strengths is our workforce,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As we continue to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, it is critical that we build on that strength to ensure Georgians are able to find work and opportunity in the days ahead. Our economic development team continues to announce projects in every region of the state, and these grants will help our technical colleges ensure businesses find a team of skilled, hardworking Georgians ready to meet their needs no matter where they locate.”

Savannah Technical College has been selected as the grantee for the award. The College will take the lead working with other TCSG colleges to build systems that will significantly upgrade online learning environments, streamline curriculum, expand credentialing and integrate augmented virtual reality learning experiences. 

Georgia’s grant recipients are a consortium of technical colleges that are undertaking capacity building and systems change at the state level. The consortium will work with workforce development partners and employer partners to train a broad spectrum of workers, including dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants to the workforce. The industries of focus in Georgia are healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.

“As Georgia recovers from the impact of the Coronavirus, our technical colleges play a vital role in training the workforce that business and industry needs,” said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “We are extremely grateful for this grant provided by The U.S. Department of Labor as it will provide us with the resources necessary to get more people skilled with industry-recognized credentials and back to work in some of Georgia’s leading sectors.”

TCSG’s consortium partners are as follows:

• Athens Technical College
• Central Georgia Technical College
• Coastal Pines Technical College
• Columbus Technical College
• Georgia Northwestern Technical College
• Georgia Piedmont Technical College
• Gwinnett Technical College
• Lanier Technical College
• Ogeechee Technical College
• Savannah Technical College
• Southern Regional Technical College
• Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

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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, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit TCSG.edu.

CONTACT:
Mark D’Alessio
404-679-1617
mdalessio@tcsg.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute offers its ninth annual online, pre-order Sweetheart Sale featuring assorted artisan chocolates, pastries and artisan breads for Valentine’s Day at www.bistrosavoir.com.

Hand-made chocolates include dipped strawberries (6) and an assortment of handmade artisan chocolate truffles. Truffles will be sold as a sampler pack of 4 for $8, in a heart-shaped cardboard box (15) for $24, or an artisan dark chocolate bon bon box (15) for $36. The sale also features chocolate creme eclairs, dark chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, fudgy brownies, lemon/raspberry mousse cake and chocolate/strawberry mousse cake. Artisan breads include brioche rolls (6) and a sourdough white chocolate baguette.

The Sweetheart Sale features the finest quality ingredients that are locally sourced, milled and handmade under the direction of Savannah Culinary Institute chef instructors. Proceeds will benefit Savannah Technical College’s Junior Chefs Fund, which supports activities like competitions.

Online pre-order sales are available through February 10, or when quantities are sold out. Orders will be available for pickup at the College’s Savannah campus February 12 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road). By request only, pickup will be available at the Crossroads, Liberty and Effingham Campuses. For a list of items for sale and to place orders, visit www.bistrosavoir.com.

Savannah Tech’s baking and pastry program that was developed by the College to teach the art of creating tasty baked goods, pastries, and confections, from traditional bread baking to beautiful showpieces. Students learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards. Graduates are working as pastry chefs in the area’s finest restaurants and establishments, including Plant Riverside District, Local 11 Ten, Le Café Gourmet, Savannah Yacht Club, and The Landings Club. There are 40 students are currently enrolled in the baking and pastry program.

With support from the Savannah Technical College Foundation, the College has purchased 7 West Bay Street as the new downtown location for an expansion of its Culinary Arts program that will more than double the available instructional space. Senior level (second year) students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. The hands-on, real-world experience in the restaurant/bakery will allow students the opportunity to apply techniques learned in the classroom to practical use, complete a required field placement, and gain first-hand experience in restaurant operations. 

New students are admitted to the baking and pastry program year round. The priority application deadline for the upcoming Spring 2021 Mini-Mester is February 15. For more information about Culinary Arts at Savannah Tech visit: www.facebook.com/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute
The Savannah Culinary Institute, an American Culinary Federation-accredited culinary arts program, has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to the ACF 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. Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts associate degree graduates have a 100% placement rate in their field since 2015. The program has earned regional and national recognition with ACF-sponsored competitions. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

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#2118 | January 25, 2021
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu