Seven Thompson Tractor South Georgia Technical College Caterpillar “Think Big” Heavy Equipment Diesel Technology program graduates were awarded the Fly High Goose - Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships in memory of former CAT Thompson Tractor Think Big student Adrian “Goose” Johnson at the SGTC Caterpillar Dealers Graduation Dinner recently.
The seven students honored with the Fly High Goose - Adrian “Goose” Johnson scholarships were: Tobias Cole Austin of Section, AL; Matthew Keith Jackson of Wilmer, AL; Zachary Lloyd Peek of Gaylesville, AL; Nathan Eli Ruha of Alabaster, AL; Cade Harper Tarver of Lafayette, AL; and Garret Colton Wheeler of Pisgah, AL in the Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Technology program. Kirk Alan League of Haleyville, AL; a Thompson Tractor student in the SGTC Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology program, also received the tool scholarship.
Adrian “Goose” Johnson was a 19-year old Thompson Tractor CAT student from Stockton, AL, who passed away in 2019 from a tragic vehicle accident one semester shy of graduation. His family and friends established the “Fly High Goose” foundation and endowed a scholarship in his memory to help provide tools for the Caterpillar students from Thompson Tractor. The scholarship is awarded annually. A total of 23 students have now received the Fly High Goose - Adrian “Goose” Johnson tool scholarships.
In 2019, Johnson’s parents, Kelly and Amber Johnson and his sister, Sarah, were presented with a framed endowed scholarship certificate from the South Georgia Technical College Foundation at the Caterpillar Dealer’s Graduation Dinner hosted at South Georgia Tech. SGTC President Dr. John Watford also presented the Johnson family with Goose’s associate degree from the Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology program during the college’s spring 2019 graduation ceremony along with the other 2019 graduates.
“Goose loved South Georgia Technical College and the CAT Think Big program,” said his mom Amber. “This was an important part of his life and we wanted to do something to help like-minded students be able to pursue their career goals. This endowed scholarship honors his memory and creates a legacy to help others. We thank everyone who helped make this scholarship a reality and that continues to support the ‘Fly High Goose’ foundation.”
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford expressed his sympathy to the Johnson family but also commended them for having the foresight to give back to others during their time of loss. “Words cannot adequately express how we feel. We are so grateful that you entrusted us with your son’s education. He made an impact on South Georgia Technical College. We appreciate you and your family, friends and foundation for their support of this endowed scholarship,” said President Watford.
South Georgia Technical College serves as the Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers College of Technology and offers extensive technician training for Caterpillar Dealers as part of the specialized Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Program. Students selected for the two-year program receive practical work experience from their sponsoring dealership during paid internships.
The Caterpillar program, which has the theme, “Think Big About Your Future,” features alternating sessions in eight-week increments of classroom instruction and “hands on” experiences for students at participating dealerships. Upon graduation from the program, the student receives an Associate Degree in Applied Science and a job can be offered at his/her sponsoring dealership.
For more information or to donate to the Fly High Goose - Adrian “Goose” Johnson CAT Thompson Tractor Scholarship, contact South Georgia Technical College Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110, sbird@southgatech.edu or mail contributions to the SGTC Foundation at P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709 earmarked for the Johnson scholarship.
To learn more about South Georgia Technical College and the CAT Think Big program or the over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit programs available visit the website at www.southgatech.edu or contact SGTC CAT Think Big instructor Don Rountree at drountree@southgatech.edu.