In 1987, President Ronald Regan visited West Berlin and delivered a speech calling for the leader of the USSR, Gorbachev, to open the Berlin Wall. The first “The Simpsons” cartoon short was shown on the Tracey Ullman Show, and the popular television sitcom, “Full House,” debuted on ABC.
All of those were important news events 35 years ago, but Chris Murphy remembers 1987 fondly because that is the year he graduated from South Georgia Tech with a Business Equipment Technology diploma from now retired instructor Harold “Buddy” Holloman’s program.
“South Georgia Tech was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life,” said Chris Murphy, who used the training that he received at South Georgia Tech to make a living and a life for the past 35 years. “I lived on campus in McLain Hall and had an amazing time. South Georgia Tech had a big impact on my life and I can remember that we students stuck together like family. We were family.”
Murphy also had words of praise for his instructor. “Mr. Holloman loved his students and was concerned about us not only in class but also outside of class. He wanted to make sure that we had the skills we needed to become employed.”
And in the case of Chris Murphy and many others, Holloman’s teaching and training led his students to productive careers. Murphy’s first job was with an IBM dealership in Augusta, GA. From there he moved to Atlanta, GA, to work with Minolta Camera Corporation. Today he is self-employed with C & S Copiers.
“Looking back, I can say that going to South Georgia Tech was one of the best things I could have ever done,” said Murphy. “I would recommend South Georgia Tech and a technical education to any and everyone today. It made a difference in my life and I think it can still make a different in students’ lives today.”
Murphy grew up as a small country boy whose grandmother and granddaddy gave him some good advice that he followed. “They would say, ‘son go get you a trade.’” And that is exactly what he did at South Georgia Tech and it has stood the test of time as he is still employed 35-years later.
South Georgia Technical College is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023 and thousands of individuals have graduated and enjoyed productive careers based on the workforce education they received. South Georgia Tech is one of the oldest technical colleges in Georgia and is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing.
SGTC has been named as the top community college in Georgia for the past four years by two different agencies. It provides students with the “complete college experience” with nationally recognized academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics. Students now have over 200 programs of study to choose from.
“I really enjoyed my time at South Georgia Tech and learned many of the skills that I use today in my own business,” said Murphy. “It is a great school and I am proud to have attended.”