South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) instructors stressed the importance of getting a good education and that is something SGTC LEA 21-02 graduate Marcellous Deshun took to heart. He will now have the opportunity to continue his pursuit of a degree in Criminal Justice with the Lt. Michael Sangster Law Enforcement scholarship.
Marcellous Deshun was one of three graduates in the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Class 21-02 graduating class that overcame personal hardships and COVID-19 challenges to persevere and earn his Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. He was also selected as the recipient of the Lt. Michael Sangster Law Enforcement Scholarship for this class by the South Georgia Technical College Foundation.
The former Marine also earned the Class Representative and Top Gun awards. The class representative award is voted on by his classmates and the Top Gun award goes to the cadet with the best performance on the gun range. He also received the initial Chief Vanessa Wall Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement scholarship, that was endowed recently.
“While being in the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy, I’ve been able to get different training and experiences from multiple instructors. Each instructor gave the same advice about having a long successful career. They told me it all starts with education,” said Deshun. “Furthering my education in criminal justice will not only help with enforcing the law, but it will also help me protect people’s rights.”
Deshun, who is married and a father, said “Growing up as a child, I knew whatever career path I chose would evolve around helping people. Marrying my wife and becoming a father only enhanced my ambitions. Becoming a Marine was the start and joining law enforcement is the icing on the cake.”
The 22-year old acknowledges that this scholarship will be a great asset financially. “I will be able to focus on my education without a financial burden.” And one of the reasons he is pursuing his education is to improve his community. “Being only 22 years old, I think I can grasp the minds of the youth and do my part to make my community better.”
Deshun is the19th Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship award recipient at South Georgia Tech. Lt. Michael Sangster was an officer with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and served as a volunteer instructor for the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy from the inception of the program. He lost his battle with cancer and passed away in 2012 at the age of 35. With the help of family, LEA students, friends, SGTC faculty and staff, and Lou Crouch, a scholarship was endowed in his memory for SGTC LEA students.
Michael Sangster of Cordele held numerous POST certifications, including General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, TASER Instructor, and Driver Instructor.
Lt. Sangster was born in Dooly County but spent most of his life in Cordele. He was the son of Robert Sangster, Sr. and Connie Sangster Youngblood. He has a sister, Melissa Sangster and a son, Caleb.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, I would like to thank the Sangster family, Lou Crouch and the other individuals who donated to this particular scholarship for partnering with us,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “We appreciate the opportunities that this scholarship is providing for our deserving Law Enforcement Academy students. Your investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to our students indefinitely. We appreciate everything you are doing for our students and our community. Thank you again for recognizing the value of the educational opportunities and for supporting this effort. The students you help today will be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”
For more information about making a donation to the Lt. Michael Sangster Scholarship Fund or for endowing a 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.
The South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy program takes 18 weeks to complete and most recruits qualify for the HOPE Grant and other forms of financial aid. Admission standards require all students to undergo a thorough background check and adhere to all rules as set forth by the state POST Council. Students will also have to meet minimum scores in English, reading and math.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray at 229.931.2756 or bmurray@southgatech.edu.