Samuel Holm of Stockbridge, GA, was awarded the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Foundation’s Sam Singletary Aviation Maintenance endowed scholarship recently. SGTC President Dr. John Watford, the entire SGTC Aviation Maintenance Technology faculty, along with Sam Singletary’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Sam Singletary, Sr., his sister, Kim Christmas, and his daughter, Ashton Singletary Tatum, were on hand for the presentation.
The Sam Singletary endowed Aviation Maintenance Scholarship was established by Kim and Charles Christmas and other family and friends in memory of former SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructor William “Sam” Singletary. Sam Singletary, who was known as “Sambo” by his friends and family, passed away following a tragic motorcycle accident in 2014. He was 47-years old and had served in the Army for 22 years with the rank of First Sergeant. He was a graduate of Southland Academy in Americus and South Georgia Technical College. He taught Aviation Maintenance Technology full-time at SGTC from January 2012 until August 2013 and was still teaching part-time when he passed away.
“On behalf of everyone at South Georgia Technical College, I would like to thank Sam Singletary’s family for being here today and for their efforts in establishing this endowed scholarship,” said President Watford. “This is a wonderful legacy for Sam. It will keep his memory alive and help inspire others to pursue a career in the field of aviation maintenance that Sam loved so much.”
Samuel Holm was pleased to be selected for the scholarship and thanked his aviation maintenance instructors for recommending him for this honor. “I am so honored,” said Holm. “This is a tremendous opportunity and I am so appreciative to be selected. I would also like to thank his family for being here today and for establishing this scholarship.”
Holm is completing his third semester in the program and has elected to use his scholarship funds for tuition and fees. The irony that he and the former SGTC instructor shared the same first name was not lost on him or Sam’s family. “I think Sam would be very pleased with Samuel Holm receiving this award,” said Charles Christmas, SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructor and brother-in-law to Sam Singletary.
Holm learned about South Georgia Technical College’s aviation maintenance program from friends at Delta Airlines, who recommended SGTC as the best college for aviation maintenance. He hopes to graduate and work for Delta. Samuel Holm said that he became interested in the field because of his grandfather, Ron Becker, who loves to fly model airplanes and introduced that love to his grandson at an early age. Holm is the son of Angie Davalt and Todd Holm.
This is the second Sam Singletary Scholarship awarded. Neil Kirkland received the award in Fall of 2019.
SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird thanked the Singletary family for their support of the college, the Aviation Maintenance program, and most of all for the students. “This is a great way to give back to the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians and to help individuals gain the skills they need for a great career. We are sorry for your loss and are very appreciative that you are keeping his memory alive by giving back.”
Individuals who would like to establish an endowed scholarship in memory of a loved one can contact SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2248 or sbird@southgatech.edu. The SGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to the SGTC Foundation at P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709.