Gaddy awarded first Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy scholarship at South Georgia Technical College

Christopher J. Gaddy of Ellaville was awarded the very first Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship at the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 17 – 01 graduation ceremony held in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus recently. Lou Crouch of Bryon endowed this new South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Law Enforcement Academy scholarship in memory of Peach County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Patrick Sondron and Daryl Smallwood. The two deputies died in the line of duty in November 2016. Members of the Sondron family and the Peach County Sheriff’s office were on hand for the awards ceremony and graduation. “Furthering my education has always been at the top of my priority list,” said Gaddy. “I am very proud to be the first in my family to go to college, and furthermore, complete it. I have already graduated from the South Georgia Technical College Electrical Technology program, but along my road of life, I have had some unexpected twists and turns. “However, that road has led me to where I am today, a graduate of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy with honors, as class representative, and just a few classes shy of an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.” Gaddy has already enrolled in the South Georgia Technical College Criminal Justice program and has plans to finish his associate’s degree and continue his education to achieve a bachelor’s degree as well. “Like many others, there are financial strains and family obligations that I have. Your help toward realizing my goals with this scholarship is greatly appreciated. I thank you for allowing me to be associated with the Smallwood and Sondron names by earning this scholarship. I am sorry for your loss, but I assure you I will represent you and your loved ones well,” said Gaddy. “On behalf of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and South Georgia Technical College, we would like to thank Lou Crouch for his support of South Georgia Technical College and our Law Enforcement Academy through the endowment of the Smallwood-Sondron Scholarship,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “This scholarship as well as his two previous endowed scholarships will be a tremendous help to those young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia.” South Georgia Technical College Academic Dean Vanessa Wall, who is over the Law Enforcement Academy, thanked Crouch for his support of the Law Enforcement Academy at South Georgia Tech. “This is just awesome what Lou Crouch has done in memory of these fine officers,” said Wall, who works with the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy program as well as the college’s Criminal Justice Program. “Lou Crouch is a unique individual who has a heart for Law Enforcement and it definitely shows through his support of these scholarships and through his work across the state.” “I have the opportunity to volunteer with law enforcement officers around the state and I am very grateful to them for their service and dedication. I am very pleased that I am able to give back to and help deserving law enforcement academy students at South Georgia Technical College,” said Crouch, when he endowed his latest scholarship. “Partnerships like this one and others are crucial to our success,” explained President Dr. Watford. “An investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to students indefinitely. We appreciate what Lou Crouch and others are doing for our students and our state. The students he is helping today with these educational opportunities may be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.” For more information about making a donation or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.