Ashton Lane Rachels of Odenville, AL and Forrest Weldon White of Rockford, AL, Thompson Tractor South Georgia Technical College Caterpillar Think Big Heavy Equipment Diesel Technology program graduates were awarded the Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships in memory of former CAT Thompson Tractor Think Big student Adrian “Goose” Johnson at the SGTC Caterpillar Dealers Graduation Dinner recently.
Adrian “Goose” Johnson was a 19-year old Thompson Tractor CAT student from Stockton, AL, who passed away in 2019 from a tragic vehicle accident one semester shy of graduation. His family and friends endowed a scholarship in his memory to help provide tools for the Caterpillar students from Thompson Tractor. The scholarship is awarded annually. A total of 19 students have now received the Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships at SGTC.
In 2019, Johnson’s parents, Kelly and Amber Johnson and his sister, Sarah, were presented with a framed endowed scholarship certificate from the South Georgia Technical College Foundation at the Caterpillar Dealer’s Graduation Dinner hosted at South Georgia Tech. SGTC President Dr. John Watford also presented the Johnson family with Goose’s associate degree from the Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology program during the college’s spring graduation ceremony along with the other 2019 graduates.
“Goose loved South Georgia Technical College and the CAT Think Big program,” said his mom Amber. “This was an important part of his life and we wanted to do something to help like-minded students be able to pursue their career goals. This endowed scholarship honors his memory and creates a legacy to help others. We thank everyone who helped make this scholarship a reality.”
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford expressed his sympathy to the Johnson family but also commended them for having the foresight to give back to others during their time of loss. “Words cannot adequately express how we feel. We are so grateful that you entrusted us with your son’s education. He has made an impact on South Georgia Technical College. We appreciate you and your family and friends for their support of this endowed scholarship,” said President Watford.
South Georgia Technical College serves as the Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers College of Technology and offers extensive technician training for Caterpillar Dealers as part of the specialized Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Program. Students selected for the two-year program receive practical work experience from their sponsoring dealership during paid internships.
The Caterpillar program, which has the theme, “Think Big About Your Future,” features alternating sessions in eight-week increments of classroom instruction and “hands on” experiences for students at participating dealerships. Upon graduation from the program, the student receives an Associate Degree in Applied Science and a job can be offered at his/her sponsoring dealership.
SGTC has awarded 19 Adrian “Fly High Goose” Johnson Tool Scholarships. Tobias Cole Austin, Matthew Keith Jackson, Zachary Lloyd Peek, Nathan Eli Ruha, Cade Harper, Garrett Colton Wheeler, and Kirk Alan League received the awards in 2023; Peyton Norris was awarded the scholarship in 2022; Lance Garrett, Noah James, Brett Lacy, Colton Rains, Caleb Smith, Quinton Zirlott, Garrett Sanford, and Clay Steward were recognized with scholarships in 2020.
For more information or to donate to the Adrian “Goose” Johnson CAT Thompson Tractor Scholarship at SGTC, contact South Georgia Technical College Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110, sbird@southgatech.edu or mail contributions to the SGTC Foundation at P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709 earmarked for the Johnson scholarship.
To learn more about South Georgia Technical College and the CAT Think Big program or the over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit programs available visit the website at www.southgatech.edu or view the video at: /economic-development/partnerships/caterpillar/. Individuals can also contact SGTC CAT Think Big instructor Don Rountree at drountree@southgatech.edu.
