SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College Foundation celebrated 23 community stars on Friday, October 28, 2022, when more than 200 people gathered for its Tribute to Community STARs event. The 16th annual event has recognized 300+ people for their service and dedication in the community or at work.

Executive Chef and Co-Founder of Grey Spaces Mashama Bailey presented the keynote. The low-country brunch was prepared and served by Savannah Culinary Institute students.

Honored were:

• Sue Adler, Executive Director, Historic Savannah Foundation, sponsored by The Pinyan Company;
• Dan Carter, Director of Product Safety and Compliance, Great Dane sponsored by HunterMaclean;
• Miller Castillo, 2022 Savannah Tech GOAL Student of the Year, sponsored by Savannah Technical College;
• John Davis, Honored Posthumously, sponsored by John Davis Florist;
• Gail Eubanks, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement & Communications, Savannah Technical College, sponsored by Thomas & Hutton;
• Katie Fitzhugh, Director of Reconstruction, Re:Purpose Savannah, sponsored by Architecture 101;
• Ralph Forbes, VP/Regional Director, Thomas & Hutton, sponsored by Development Authority of Bryan County and Bryan County/Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce;
• Yancy Ford, Superintendent, Effingham County School District, sponsored by Effingham County Industrial Development Authority;
• Hermina Glass-Hill, Field Representative, Georgia, Oceana, sponsored by Bertice Berry Productions;
• Ben Goldberg, Founder and President, JIT Warehousing and Logistics, sponsored by Sterling Seacrest Pritchard & Savannah Wealth Group;
• Cassandra Green, Sr. Director of Patient and Family Services, Hospice Savannah, Inc., sponsored by Hospice Savannah, Inc.;
• Kathy Grove, Director of Catering, Leopold’s Ice Cream, sponsored by Leopold’s Ice Cream;
• Jeff Hewitt, Executive VP, Visit Savannah, sponsored by Visit Savannah;
• Paul Hinchey, President/CEO, St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System, sponsored by Savannah Economic Development Authority;
• Pete Hoffman, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, United States Army, sponsored by Dr. Bill Cathcart and Dr. Julie Olsen;
• Justine James, Deconstruction Specialist, Re:Purpose Savannah, sponsored by Shamrock+;
• Michael Kaigler, Interim County Manager, Chatham County, sponsored by BankSouth;
• Bill Kelso, VP for Mission Advancement, Goodwill of Southeast Georgia, sponsored by Ad Specialty;
• David “Fish” Mihuta, Sales Representative and Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Freightliner of Savannah, sponsored by Dorsey Tire Company;
• Brandon Robinson, 2022 Savannah Tech Instructor of the Year, sponsored by Ken & Jackie Sirlin;
• Michael Solomon, Vice President/Retail Market Leader, Synovus Bank, sponsored by Cecilia Russo Marketing;
• Michael White, Rector, Christ Church Savannah, sponsored by Bertice Berry Productions.

The annual event is hosted by the STC Foundation Community Council, a group of young professionals charged with expanding the local knowledge and profile of the College and its mission. The group also raises funds to support the college, its programs and students. Proceeds from the event benefit the Savannah Technical College Foundation.

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disburse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

#2318 | November 1, 2022

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

Savannah, GA – The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has renewed Savannah Technical College’s grant ($144,474.12) for a third year (FY23) to operate the Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety.

Grant funds will continue to provide distracted and impaired driver prevention education for youth, young adults and parents in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties. These activities include community- and school-based workshops, virtual reality simulation education, and social media messaging.

The Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety partnered with the PARC Center, attended college resource fairs and spent more time with face-to-face interaction to reach nearly 3,000 high school students and their parents in FY22. The Center also continued its monthly media campaign about the dangers of distracted driving and impaired driving with a focus on young drivers in FY22.

The top five dangers for younger drivers include distractions like cell phones and passengers; driving at night (drowsiness); speeding and street racing; not wearing seat belts; and impairments like underage drinking and drugs. The goal of the Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety is to bring awareness to young, young adults and parents about the dangers of distracted driving.

#2317 | October 20, 2022

 Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety: Atina Brantley
912.443.3392 or abrantley@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH, GA – Savannah Culinary Institute student chefs will host a Big Pig Fundraiser feast to benefit the Patrick Ansley Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund for 2022. The pre-order meal pack (feeds six) features two smoked meats, three gourmet sides, two barbeque sauces, artisan bread, and dessert for $150.

Meals will be available to pick-up from 4 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 17 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 November 10.

Fall 2022 Big Pig Dinner Menu (feeds six):

• Smoked hatch chili and cheddar sausage (2 lbs)
• Applewood bacon wrapped pork loin (3 lbs)
• Smoked gouda mac and cheese (1.5 qt)
• Roasted root medley with brussels, pancetta, fingerling, parsnip and butternut squash (1.5 qt)
• Green beans with caramelized shallots (1.5 qt)
• Herb spiced apricot chutney (8 oz)
• Heywood’s spicy mustard (8 oz)
• Garlic asiago roasted potato rolls (6)
• Banana caramel mile high cake (6″)

Savannah Culinary Institute classes will prepare the items as part of instruction for fall semester including Retail Production, Baking Principles (bread, dessert), Garde Manger (sausage and pork loin), Nutrition (sauces) and Principles of Cooking (sides).

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

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 your 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, 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 the Savannah Culinary Institute page.

#2316 | October 17, 2022

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Center for Traditional Craft will offer a stained-glass weekend workshop October 22-23, 2022.

The workshop will be led by Chad Jakubowski of Peripheral Art Studio in Tampa, Fla. He is a self-trained stained glass artisan whose hobby became a full-time career. He combines modern and traditional styles to create custom window panels and doors.

Cost for the two-day workshop is $150 per person. All skill levels are encouraged to attend. Participants will make a stained glass piece to take home. Workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. at STC’s Historic Preservation lab (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405). Register by October 20 at www.savannahtech.edu/weekend-workshop.

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 about Historic Preservation, contact STC Industrial Technology Advisor Secene Dorsey at 912.443.5859 or ssdorsey@savannahtech.edu.

The College is offering 8-week courses for its Mini-Mester that begins October 14. Apply today to start training for a career in preservation.

#2315 | October 10, 2022

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College recently selected Donald Towne as department head for Fire Science. He is responsible for oversight of all instruction, curriculum development, administrative and budgetary aspects for the College’s Fire Science program.

Towne is a former fire chief, training officer, and decorated public safety leader with more than three decades of experience managing, developing and delivering training and safety programs for employees and public partners.

 In 2009, He was awarded the Leadership Award from Target Safety and the Volunteer & Combination Section of the IAFC at the Annual Fire Chief’s Conference in Dallas, Texas. He is also one of the first in Georgia to be certified as an emergency medical services director by GEMSA.

He has completed coursework for an Ed.D. in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University (ABD). He has a master’s in organizational development/leadership and a bachelor’s in leadership from Mercer University. He has an associate’s degree in fire science from West Georgia Technical College.

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.

#2314 | September 23, 2022

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Peter Hoffman was sworn in as a member of the Savannah Technical College Board of Directors at the September meeting by Judge Richard Sanders, a municipal judge for Bloomingdale, Ga. Hoffman was appointed to serve on the STC board by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) state board.

Last month, Hoffman was named Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for Coastal Georgia. CASAs are business and community leaders selected by the Secretary to advise and support Army leaders across the country. CASAs come from many professions including business, education, finance, industry, law, the media, medicine and public service. Each is proactively involved in the community and brings to the position an interest in the Army, a high degree of business and civic leadership and an ability to influence the public.

In 2021, Hoffman retired from Savannah Technical College as its vice president for Student Affairs. Previously, he worked as the director for community engagement and government affairs for Georgia Southern University and for Armstrong State University.

He served as a commissioned officer in the active duty U.S. Army for three decades, attaining the rank of Colonel. He held command and staff positions at a variety of levels, with responsibility for all aspects of training, administration, logistics and maintenance. He also acted in a diplomatic capacity, liaising and negotiating with foreign government representatives on critical issues such as arms control and bilateral defense related engagements.

He has a master of public administration from Cornell University and a bachelor of arts in political science from North Georgia College. He completed advanced Russian language training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., along with post-graduate studies (Russia and the Former Soviet Union) from the U.S. Army Russian Institute in Garmisch, Germany. He also serves on various boards including the Small Business Assistance Corporation, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Mountain Film on Tour Savannah, and Friends of Ft. Stewart and Hunter AAF.

The College’s Local Board of Directors is comprised of community and industry leaders, who strive to keep the College at the highest standard of excellence in education. The local board facilitates the delivery of programs, services, and activities as directed by the TCSG State Board, advises the President and the TCSG State Board of local industry and community needs for the programs and services to be provided by the technical college, and advocates within the community and within the state on issues of importance in support of TCSG and Georgia’s workforce development efforts.

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#2313 | September 22, 2022

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

In partnership with the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), Savannah Technical College will recognize National Adult Education and Family Literacy week, September 19-23, 2022.

More than 30 million Americans over the age of 25, or one of ten U.S. citizens, do not have a high school diploma. STC Adult Education offers free GED prep classes for Chatham, Bryan, Effingham and Liberty counties. In the last academic year, the College awarded 112 high school equivalency diplomas. Nearly half of the students enrolled in adult education courses achieved a student academic gain. Nearly 1,500 students were enrolled in high school equivalency and nearly 400 enrolled in English as a Second Language.

Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that job growth for individuals without a high school diploma or some college experience is about zero or even negative. By 2024, 48 percent of job openings will be middle-skill and 32 percent will be high-skill. This means that in less than three years, nearly 80 percent of all job openings will require more than a high school degree.

Family literacy programs serve parents and their young children, teaching basic skills, English as a Second Language, and parenting skills to adults while their children are provided high quality instruction. These programs are focused on breaking the cycles of low literacy, low education, and poverty. Adult education and family literacy programs serve adults who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, obtain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for postsecondary education or training.

Adults who participate in STC’s Adult Education program have the opportunity to explore career pathways and hone their skills so that they can advance their careers through postsecondary education or training though a program called, Fast Forward (www.savannahtech.edu/fast-forward).

Free adult education and English language acquisition available to eligible participants. Visit savannahtech.edu/Free-GED-Prep or savannahtech.edu/Free-ESL-Classes for more information.

Savannah Tech’s Adult Education Program serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED® test to attain a high school equivalency degree, and prepare for college. Instructors also help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED® testing.

STC teaches adult education classes in the morning, afternoon, evening and online. They are offered in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. Adult education classes for GED®-prep are currently free for all U.S. citizens. To register for free GED® classes, call 912.443.5446 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/FreeGEDClasses. For GED® testing information, go to www.ged.com to sign up to take test or go to www.savannahtech.edu/testingcenter to learn more about our testing locations.

The Coalition on Adult Basic Education is the premier national professional association of adult educators. Over 79,000 members strong, COABE’s mission is to inspire educators so that adults succeed and communities thrive. Website: www.coabe.org.

#2312 | September 16, 2022
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College recently selected Jillian Walton as department head for Logistics Management. She is responsible for oversight of all instruction, curriculum development, administrative and budgetary aspects for the College’s Logistic Management program.

As a separated member of the U.S. Army, she has more than a decade of knowledge and experience with inventory, supply and logistics management. When she was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, her team produced, stored, transported, and distributed water and petroleum. In recognition of her outstanding military performance, Walton received the Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Non-Article 5 NATO medal. She also worked as a Logistics Technician/Manager for Eagle Systems Incorporated at Robins Air Force Base. Previously, Walton was a Logistics Management instructor for Ogeechee Technical College.

She has a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Georgia College and State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fort Valley State University.

Logistic Management is a career of strategy, design, tactical planning and observation. STC’s Associate of Science Degree in Logistics Management is designed with a large pre-business and general education core coupled with an occupational component of courses in logistics management. This program mirrors the Pre-Business and Core Curriculum of Georgia Southern University, which enables graduates to continue their education in various logistics fields at a university level.

The College also offers an associate degree and diplomas in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Students may also complete short-term technical certificate of credit programs for Certified Warehousing and Distribution and Logistics Technician. For more information about logistics training visit: www.savannahtech.edu/LogisticsManagement.

#2311 | September 15, 2022
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College Foundation awarded more than $121,000 in scholarships for the academic year (AY23). This included $43,000 for last mile scholarship, $36,000 for Career Advancement Program (CAP) scholarship, $12,000 for Student Success scholarship and $12,000 for the Faculty & Staff (HERO) scholarship. Additional student scholarships will be awarded prior to spring and summer semesters.

This week, the Foundation honored more than 100 scholarship students and donors at the annual Scholarship Appreciation Breakfast. Last year, the STC Foundation more than doubled funding for student support through private scholarships (FY22).

Scholarship applications are accepted prior to the start of each semester and are evaluated by STCF Board and Community Council volunteers, along with donors, faculty and staff. A complete list of STC Foundation scholarships is available at www.savannahtech.edu/scholarships.

The Foundation administers 30 different privately funded scholarships assisting students with tuition, fees, tools, books and testing. There are also two endowment scholarships: Patrick Williams Scholarship Fund and Walter & Charlotte Hixon Scholarship Endowment.

Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, and pre-approved academic-related supplies purchased at the Savannah Technical College Campus Shop only. Scholarship funds will not be distributed directly to the student. 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.

Privately-funded scholarships are awarded based on criteria established by each of the donors. Any restrictions (age, race, gender, program of study, required hours, GPA, etc.) are included by specific request of the donor and are explicitly tied to the funds received for awards.  

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disburse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

#2310 | September 10, 2022
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College Air Conditioning Technology student Tristen Ingram received the Trane Technician of the Future Scholarship (2022) from Trane by Trane Technologies. He is one of 28 students in North America seeking a technical education to prepare for the field of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) or Building Automation.  

Ingram began his career at Savannah Tech as a dual enrollment student. He completed 24 hours of general core courses online before graduating last spring from South Effingham High School. This semester, he enrolled as a full-time air conditioning degree student at the Savannah Campus. He is also working a 14-hour-per-week internship at Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. in the maintenance department.

“Congratulations to this year’s Trane Technician of the Future scholarship recipients,” said Donny Simmons, president, Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies. “We are proud to help these 28 aspiring technicians launch a successful career in the HVAC and building controls industry. This scholarship program is one of the ways Trane is helping build the next generation of HVAC technicians and operators who will make significant industry contributions in the years to come.”

Recipients were selected from a pool of finalists on the basis of academic performance, leadership and participation, long-term career and educational goals, financial need and other criteria. As a full-time student, Ingram will receive $4,000, which may be used for education-related expenses.

The Trane Technician of the Future Scholarship aligns with Trane Technologies’ Sustainable Futures, which brings bold action globally to uplift under-represented students through education and pathways to green and STEM careers.

Air Conditioning or HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) training is available as an associate of applied science degree, diploma or two short-term technical certificate of credit (TCCs) offered at the Savannah and Liberty campuses.  Graduates of this program in AY2020 had a 96.5% placement rate in field. In the past year, there have been 28 job openings per month for HVAC technician related positions in our area with a local mean salary of $47,000. For more information visit www.savannahtech.edu/HVAC.

About Trane

Trane – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments for commercial and residential applications. For more information, visit www.trane.com or www.tranetechnologies.com.

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Visit tranetechnologies.com.

#2309 | September 9, 2022
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu