South Georgia Technical College’s (SGTC) Americus campus named Prince Burns of Americus, an air conditioning technology student, the Student of Excellence for the month of January. He was announced as the winner of the seven nominated students at a recent ceremony held in the John M. Pope Center on the college’s Americus campus.
The ceremony recognized students in the industrial technology programs, and included John Hayes of Andersonville, drafting technology; Dillon Still of Ellaville, electronics technology; Colby Folds of Hawkinsville, electrical systems technology; Michael Jaskulski of Ellaville, industrial systems technology; Brennan Morris of Americus, precision machining and manufacturing; and Beauregard Singleton of Buena Vista, welding and joining technology.
Burns was nominated for the award by his instructor, Glynn Cobb, who stood up to introduce him to the room full of students, instructors and nominees’ family members, and present him with a nomination certificate.
Cobb told the audience of Burns’ many obligations on campus and off. On campus - he is a top four Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) finalist, the president of the National Technical Honor Society organization and a member of SkillsUSA. Off campus, he is a husband and father to two children. Additionally, Cobb told of Burns’ work ethic that he displays daily in the classroom.
“Every time I turn around, Prince is helping somebody out,” he said. “He shares the knowledge that he’s learned in my class … and I’m proud to say that I nominate him as the student of excellence for air conditioning technology.”
Burns accepted his nomination certificate and later accepted his student of excellence plaque from academic dean Dr. David Finley.
“Wow. I never would have expected to win the student of excellence, but thank you to Mr. Cobb and the great staff at SGTC for giving me this opportunity,” he said before closing with some motivational words. “Hard work and dedication will put you in a position to succeed in life. Thank you.”
The student of excellence is selected based on a number of criteria, including grades, work ethics, participation in clubs and organizations, and amount of program completion.
As the winner, Burns was awarded with a plaque of recognition, a personal letter of recommendation from SGTC President Dr. John Watford and a $50 check for his accomplishments. Additionally, his name will be displayed on SGTC’s digital marquee as well as inscribed on a plaque in Hicks Hall among previous Student of Excellence winners. Each nominee was awarded with a nomination certificate and an exclusive student of excellence t-shirt.
Each month, students from certain divisions selected for that month are nominated for the Student of Excellence award by their instructors. In addition to Glynn Cobb, nominating instructors included Kristie Cook (drafting technology), Mike Collins (electronics technology), Tyler Wells (electrical systems technology), Phil Deese (industrial systems technology), Chad Brown (precision machining and manufacturing) and Ted Eschmann (welding and joining technology).
