Jake and Margie Everett turned a personal tragedy into a blessing for others when they endowed the Rose Ann Everett Scholarship at South Georgia Technical College in memory of their daughter. Rose Ann Everett passed away in a car accident at the age of 20, but now her memory will live on through the gift of education that her parents are giving to others.
Tears of joy flowed freely when the first ever Rose Ann Everett endowed scholarships were awarded to two young men who expressed their gratitude for this very special scholarship opportunity. 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.
“I am so happy,” said Margie Everett, when she saw and hugged the two young men who had been selected to receive the gift of education because of her family’s generosity. “This is a wonderful day and I am so pleased that these two young men were selected to receive Rose Ann’s scholarship.”
Nathaniel Wills is the son of Kenneth and Kenia Wills of Preston and he knew Rose Ann. He was just as excited as the Everett’s when he learned he had been selected for the scholarship. He was nominated for the honor by his welding instructor Ted Eschmann, who was a childhood friend of Rose Ann. “Nathaniel is a good student and he embodies all the qualities that the person who receives this scholarship needed to have,” said Eschmann.
"I cannot thank the Everett’s enough for establishing this scholarship at South Georgia Technical College for the welding program,” said Nathaniel Wills. “I am truly grateful to have received this scholarship. I know Rose Ann would be thrilled. This means so much to me. Thank you so much.”
Nathaniel took welding classes in high school but after graduation took the most traditional route and when to a four-year college. Less than a year later, he turned to South Georgia Technical College. “I prefer hands-on education,” said Wills, who is a 4.0 student and slated to graduate with honors. “I know there are great job opportunities in this field and I love working with fire and metal and being able to see and touch my work every day. I get a sense of accomplishment about what I am learning.”
Jonathan Hanley is the son of Bobby and Amy Hanley. He did not know Rose Ann or her family but he was thrilled to be nominated by his John Deere Tech instructor Matthew Burks, who was also a family friend of Rose Ann Everett. “I am so grateful for this scholarship and for the South Georgia Technical College John Deere Agricultural Technology Program. Without the support of the John Deere Tech program and this scholarship, I might not have been able to attend college. Thank you so much for your support,” said Hanley.
Hanley’s home is about four hours north of Americus, Ga. He loved tractors as a small child and as he grew he was fortunate enough to get a job working on tractors with the John Deere dealer near his home. While working there, he found out about the John Deere Tech program at South Georgia Tech and his dealer sponsored him in the program.
As a John Deere Tech student, Haley 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 don’t know that I would have ever been able to go to college without this program,” said Hanley. “I plan to graduate in May of 2020 and then return to work for my dealer and hopefully be able to work my way up in the company.”
The Rose Ann Everett endowed scholarship was established by Jake and Margie Everett in memory of their daughter. Jake is a two-time South Georgia Technical College graduate and he also serves as the Chairman of the South Georgia Technical College Board of Directors.
Being students/graduates of South Georgia Technical College is a legacy in the Everett family and they chose to give that same opportunity to others through the endowed scholarship. 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. 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 her best friends. “We decided to endow a scholarship in Rose Ann’s memory that would also help the students that are enrolled in the programs taught by two of her best friends,” said Jake Everett.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked the Everett family and also the two young men who were awarded 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 help other students pursue 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, Nathaniel Wills and Jonathan Hanley and their families, and for South Georgia Technical College,” said Dr. Watford.
“We were so honored when Jake and Margie Everett chose to endow this scholarship and provide additional assistance to deserving young people seeking an education at South Georgia Technical College,” said South Georgia Technical College Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird. “We were saddened by their loss, but seeing the tears of joy today when the scholarships were presented speaks volumes about the Everett’s and their family and the way they chose to help others.”
Individuals who would like to support the Rose Ann Everett endowed scholarship in memory of Rose Ann, may make a contribution 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 Fall semester. 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.
