Jake and Margie Everett are helping “celebrate success” at South Georgia Technical College by providing deserving students with scholarship opportunities. The Everett’s established an endowed scholarship in memory of their daughter Rose Ann Everett.
Jonathan Mobley, a John Deere Ag Technology student from Tennille, GA; and Jenna Curtis, a Welding and Joining Technology student from Warner Robins, GA, were the two individuals selected to receive the Rose Ann Everett scholarships.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford joined Jake Everett, South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird, who is also executive director of the SGTC Foundation, SGTC John Deere Ag Tech Instructor Matthew Burks, and SGTC Welding Instructor Ted Eschmann for the scholarship presentation to Mobley and Curtis in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus.
“We are very pleased to be able to provide these scholarships to both of you. Rose Ann would be so happy to see that we are recognizing students from the program areas taught by two of her best friends, Matthew Burks and Ted Eschmann,” said Jake Everett. “On behalf of my wife, Margie, and myself, we thank you for choosing to attend South Georgia Tech and for allowing us to share in your journey with this scholarship.”
Rose Ann Everett passed away in a car accident at the age of 20. Her memory continues to live on through the gift of education that her parents are giving to others to help change lives for the better. “We recognize the value of South Georgia Tech and the education it provides for our community and for the workforce. We are honored to be a part of this great college,” said Everett.
Attending and graduating from South Georgia Technical College is an Everett tradition. Jake is a two-time graduate of SGTC and currently serves on the SGTC Board of Directors. Jake earned a diploma in Mechanical Technology in 1971 and then returned in 2004 and completed his associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems and was an honor graduate. His wife, Margie, works with the SGTC Adult Education program and was unable to attend the scholarship presentation due to helping students earning their GED. Their son, Jayson Everett, graduated in 2004 with a degree in Computer Information Systems and Rose Ann was also a student at South Georgia Tech.
The Everett’s chose to honor students in the welding program and the John Deere Tech programs because their instructors Ted Eschmann and Matthew Burks were two of Rose Ann’s best friends. “We decided to endow a scholarship in Rose Ann’s memory to help the students that are enrolled in the programs taught by two of her best friends,” said Jake Everett.
Jenna Curtis was nominated for this honor by her welding instructor Ted Eschmann. “Jenna is a great student and has the ability to be a great welder,” said Eschmann. “She is extremely talented. I was very proud to nominate her for this honor and I think she will represent the college and the Everett’s very well in the years to come.”
SGTC John Deere Ag Technology instructor Matthew Burks recommended Jonathan Mobley from his program for the Everett Scholarship. “Jonathan is a hard worker and I am confident that he will do his best to be a great representative for the John Deere program and the Everett family,” said Burks.
Both Mobley and Dill chose to attend South Georgia Technical College because of the great reputation of the college and because of its on-campus housing. Both students reside in on-campus housing and are active with the different student events hosted by the college.
Jonathan Mobley and Jenna Curtis both expressed their appreciation to the Everett’s for the scholarship. “I cannot thank the Everett’s enough for establishing this scholarship at South Georgia Technical College and I am very honored to receive this scholarship and meet this wonderful family, said Curtis. “Thank you so much.”
Mobley also expressed his gratitude to the Everett family and South Georgia Technical College and the SGTC Foundation. “I am grateful for this scholarship and for the South Georgia Technical College John Deere Agricultural Technology Program. This is a great program and I am very excited about this opportunity.”
As a John Deere Tech student, Mobley attends classes for eight weeks in Americus and then returns home to his dealer to work for eight weeks on what he learned at college. He repeats this cycle for two years until he earns his associate degree in Agricultural Technology. He also earns as he learns since he is an employee of John Deere.
“I love what I am doing. I am so fortunate to be able to go to college and be a part of this program. I know if I complete the program, I will have a great opportunity to work with John Deere,” explained Mobley. Curtis also has some great opportunities in her field. She and her instructor Ted Eschmann have talked about different employment routes for him after graduation.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked the Everett family and also Mobley and Curtis for being recipients of the scholarship. “This endowed scholarship is a wonderful way for the Everett family to honor their daughter’s memory. Their willingness to partner with our college and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation serve two very important purposes. First, they will continue to honor their daughter every time a student receives this scholarship. Second, they have the opportunity to change the lives of other students pursuing their dreams of getting a great education in a career field that is in demand by business and industry partners across the state. This is a great day for the Everett’s, for South Georgia Technical College and for you and your families,” said Dr. Watford.
This is the seventh and eighth scholarship recipients of the Rose Ann Everett Scholarship. Nathaniel Wills of Webster County, a welding student, and Jonathan Hanley of Carnesville, Georgia, a John Deere Tech student, were the first recipients of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation’s Rose Ann Everett scholarship. Mae Morrison of Lumber City, a welding student, and Joshua D. Walker of Lassiter Tractor, was the John Deere Tech recipient for the third and fourth scholarships. Mason Deal, a John Deere Ag Technology student from Ocilla, GA and Sebastian Shattles, a Welding and Joining Technology student from Dawson, GA, were the fifth and sixth scholarship recipients.
Individuals who would like to support the Rose Ann Everett endowed scholarship in memory of Rose Ann, may donate to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA and put in memory of Rose Ann Everett in the memo line of the check. The family will be notified that a donation was made in memory of their loved one. For more information about this or other endowed scholarship opportunities, contact SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu.
South Georgia Technical College is currently accepting applications for SGTC is currently accepting applications for Summer and Fall semester. Summer classes begin May 23 and will conclude July 31. Students can apply on line at www.southgatech.edu and click on Apply Now. Financial aid is available. Registration days for summer semester are set for April 23 and May 21. Fall semester registration is scheduled for July 23 and August 13. Fall classes begin August 15.
Individuals who would like more information about the over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs offered at South Georgia Technical College can visit the website at www.southgatech.edu or contact the admissions office at 229-931-2394. South Georgia Technical is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing and the complete experience with national ranked academics, athletics, and student activities.