South Georgia Technical College 1967 Practical Nursing graduate Charles W. Jenkins, Sr., of Columbus, GA, recently was recognized by South Georgia Technical College as its 2025 “Alumnus of the Year.” His name was also submitted to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) during its 2025 Fall Leadership Conference in Savannah Georgia where he was listed as an “Alumnus of the Year” along with representatives from 21 other technical colleges.
“I am so proud to present Charles Jenkins, graduating class of 1967, as South Georgia Technical College’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “It is my most sincere belief that Mr. Jenkins epitomized the successful graduate of technical education as he is now retired after 40 dedicated and meaningful years as a nurse.”
The award honors exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions in their fields, demonstrated leadership in their communities, and serve as ambassadors of technical education in Georgia. The recognition and announcement took place at the South Georgia Technical College November Board of Directors meeting and during the 2025 Fall Leadership Conference in Savannah, where leaders from Georgia’s 22 technical colleges gathered to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of TCSG alumni.
This annual recognition underscores the role that TCSG plays in equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s dynamic workforce. “We are honored to celebrate the achievements of these 22 outstanding alumni,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Their success stories illustrate the transformative impact of technical education in Georgia. These individuals not only exemplify the dedication and skill needed in today’s workforce, but also inspire others to pursue opportunities that lead to rewarding careers. Their accomplishments reflect the critical role our colleges play in developing a highly trained and adaptable workforce that drives Georgia’s economy forward.”
Charles Jenkins came to South Georgia Tech in 1966 because, as the brother of a paraplegic sister, he wanted to learn to give proper, appropriate, and professional care. At a time when male nurses were extremely rare and considered non-traditional, Charles defied the societal norms to follow his passion. He understood what “care-giving” truly meant and developed the skills and talents that resulted in a positive impact on countless lives,” wrote Dr. Watford in his submission letter selecting Jenkins as the SGTC 2025 Alumnus of the Year.
Charles Jenkins further embodies the typical successful alumni in that he came from Preston, Georgia, a very rural community, and lived in one of the dormitories on the college’s campus because it was an affordable path to get him the credential he needed as quickly as possible. Ironically, McLain Hall, the dorm where Charles lived during his tenure at SGTC, is now the Health Care Building that houses the LPN program nearly 60 years later.
“Mr. Jenkins is a very kind and unassuming retired nurse but he still supports South Georgia Technical College through gifts to the SGTC Foundation,” explained Dr. Watford. “He said he does this because of his appreciation of what the school meant to his life and career. I can think of no greater example of what an Alumnus of the Year should be than Charles Jenkins.”
Prior to the SGTC Board of Directors meeting, Jenkins met with individuals from SGTC’s initial LPN to RN Bridge Program and talked about his time at South Georgia Technical College. He shared with the students that two of his instructors were: Sara Matkowsky and Joyce Dunmon.
One of the students in the LPN to RN Bridge program, Brittany Sims, quickly spoke up and said, “that was my grandmother. My mother and I both graduated from South Georgia Tech from the Practical Nursing program and now I came back to earn my RN degree here.” Sims has worked 13 years as an LPN, most of it in Mental Health nursing at Flint River Hospital in Montezuma.
Jenkins shared with the students that when he came to South Georgia Tech, his tuition, fees, room and board, were only $15 per month. “But that was a lot of money in those days,” he laughed.
During his nursing career Jenkins worked at Americus and Sumter County Hospital and Stewart Webster Hospital before getting engaged to his wife, Linda, and moving to Columbus where he was employed by the Columbus Medical Center which later became Columbus Regional Hospital. He worked for them 33 years before he retired. He worked in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Medical surgical Floor, Post-Operative Recovery Unit and Outpatient Pre-Operative Care unit.
He was the winner of more than 12 nurse recognition awards during his time at Columbus Regional Hospital. He and his late wife, Linda, raised two sons, Jonathan Jenkins, a Baptist minister and educator, and Charles Wesley Jenkins, Jr., who works in insurance in Atlanta.
The 2025 Alumni of the Year recipients come from diverse fields including healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, business, and information technology. Each individual leveraged their education and hands-on training from a TCSG college to make meaningful contributions in their respective industries.
The list of the 2025 Alumni of the Year and their respective colleges include:
- Albany Technical College - Jennifer Lewis, Class of 1990
- Athens Technical College - Sebrina Vaughn, Class of 2024
- Atlanta Technical College - Patrick Alexander, Class of 1986
- Augusta Technical College - Peter Claus, Class of 1999
- Central Georgia Technical College - Dr. Brian Snelgrove, Class of 1995
- Chattahoochee Technical College - Alex Crenshaw, Class of 2013
- Coastal Pines Technical College - Ralph Hickox, Jr., Class of 1992
- Columbus Technical College - Jack Pezold, Class of 2011
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College - Tracey Mercado, Class of 2011
- Georgia Piedmont Technical College - Dr. Darren Gibson, Class of 2008
- Gwinnett Technical College - Darcie Johnson, Class of 2010
- Lanier Technical College - Dr. Jennifer Wimpy, Class of 1995
- North Georgia Technical College - Stewart Sayer, Class of 1967
- Oconee Fall Line Technical College - Autumn Johnson, Class of 2019
- Ogeechee Technical College - Mylissa Gregory, Class of 2017
- Savannah Technical College - Dr. Jessica Horne, Class of 2014
- South Georgia Technical College - Charles Jenkins, Class of 1967
- Southeastern Technical College - Denise Powell, Class of 1993
- Southern Crescent Technical College - Caroline Mason, Class of 2025
- Southern Regional Technical College - Kellie Odom, Class of 1993
- West Georgia Technical College - Mike Jiles, Class of 1976
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College - Stephen Raney, Class of 1992
“These remarkable individuals represent the very best of our colleges and our state,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Their stories are proof that technical education transforms lives and strengthens communities. From healthcare and business to aviation and technology, our alumni continue to shape Georgia’s workforce and lead with purpose.”
The TCSG Fall Leadership Conference where the Alumni of the Year names were revealed, provides an opportunity for college leaders and foundation boards to discuss future initiatives, best practices, and strategies to continue advancing technical education in Georgia. The Alumni of the Year award highlights the ongoing success of the system’s graduates and their influence on Georgia’s workforce development.
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Photo: South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above presenting a token of appreciation from the college to SGTC Alumnus of the Year Charles Jenkins for his outstanding achievements in the field of practical nursing.
Photo: South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above with Charles Jenkins and Brittany Sims, who is the granddaughter of one of his instructors, Sara Matkowski. Sims is in the SGTC LPN to RN Bridge program.
Photo: Charles Jenkins when he was a practical nursing student at South Georgia Tech in 1967.