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Savannah Tech Alumna Skylar Huggett to deliver 2018 commencement address

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College alumna Skylar Huggett will deliver the commencement address at Savannah Technical College’s 2018 graduation at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, in the Johnny Mercer Theatre at the Savannah Civic Center.

Savannah Tech has awarded nearly 388 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from Fall 2017 through Spring 2018. Also, more than 220 GED diplomas have been earned during that time. Savannah Tech expects about nearly 275 degree, diploma and GED recipients to participate in graduation.

Huggett, a graduate of the Welding & Joining Technology program at Savannah Tech, is the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2017 Student of the Year. She competed for the top student honor as part of the system’s annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership program, which recognizes the best students at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges and one Board of Regents college with a technical division.

“I feel it is important to love what you do,” said Huggett in her 2017 GOAL speech. “Not only love it but enjoy what you do. Like you’re doing what you’re meant to be doing. I’m fortunate enough that at 25, I’ve discovered my purpose. I’ve found my place. I love the fumes, the sparks, the bangs and clanks from a welding shop.”

In May of 2017, Skylar earned her diploma in Welding & Joining Technology from Savannah Technical College and graduated with honors (4.0 GPA) while making the Dean’s List. She was the president of the Student Chapter of the American Welding Society and won silver for welding sculpture at the Georgia SkillsUSA 2017 competition.

“Skylar worked above and beyond to complete required course assignments as a student, while working a full-time job as a server most nights and weekends,” said STC Welding and Joining Department Head William Burns.

Upon graduation, Skylar had multiple job offers. Now, she works as a welder at Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems in Savannah. Prior to enrolling at Savannah Technical College, Skylar earned an associate’s degree from Georgia Highlands College.

A Skylar Huggett Women in Welding Scholarship was created in her honor in 2017. This scholarship provides welding tools/equipment to a STC female student with the highest GPA after completion of one semester of study at Savannah Technical College. This student is selected by the Welding & Joining department head based on academic performance.

“After years of searching for a purpose, welding found me, and I love what I do,” said Huggett. “My future is on fire. I know now that I can have a career (not just a job) that I can be proud of – a career to support myself, my family and to chart my future, thanks to technical education.”

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#1823 | June 11, 2018


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

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.