Eight South Georgia Technical College graduating students from the Caterpillar Think Big Heavy Equipment Diesel Technology program were awarded Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships in memory of former CAT Thompson Tractor Think Big student Adrian “Goose” Johnson.
The eight students recognized with the 2020 Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships were: Lance Garrett, Noa James, Brett Lacy, Colton Rains, Caleb Smith, Quinton Zirlott, Garrett Sanford, and Clay Stewart.
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.
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.
The South Georgia Technical College Spring 2020 graduation and celebration was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but 25 students received their associate of applied science degree in the Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology program and Electrical Power generation program. Eight of those Thompson Tractor students have been awarded with $500 Snap On E-Gift Tool Scholarships in memory of Adrian “Goose” Johnson. The scholarships are worth nearly $1,000 after the Snap On Tools discounts to students.
Seven students received the first Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships in 2019 and those scholarship recipients were: Logan Crutchfield, Justin Greenhaw, Cole Holland, Ben Selman, Noah Schrum, Tyler Singletary, and Ethan Wendell. To date a total of 15 scholarships have been awarded in memory of “Goose” Johnson.
“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 this 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.
For more information or to donate to the Adrian “Goose” Johnson CAT Thompson Tractor Scholarship, 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.
Adrian “Goose” Johnson from his high school graduation.