Takeita Clark of Americus was presented with the Lou Crouch Law Enforcement Scholarship by the South Georgia Technical College Foundation at the completion of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 23 – 02 graduation ceremony recently. Clark earned her Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification from the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship,” said Clark. “I only have a few classes remaining to earn my associate degree in Criminal Justice and receiving this scholarship will not only help m financially but it will also give me the boost needed to complete my degree. Having two kids already in college as well as trying to finish my degree has been somewhat of a financial strain at time.”
Clark thanked Lou Crouch for the scholarship opportunity. “My associate degree in Criminal Justice will help with the education credentials needed to advance my career in law enforcement. Thank you so much for your support of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and future law enforcement officers.”
Lou Crouch of Elko endowed his first scholarship at South Georgia Technical College in January 2013 to assist students who enrolled in the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and with Clark, Crouch has provided scholarships for 38 students so far.
South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird congratulated Clark on receiving the Lou Crouch scholarship and wished her the best as she starts her career as a POST certified officer. “I am very proud of you and I am thankful to Lou Crouch and the other individuals who have supported the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy through individual scholarships,” said Bird.
“This scholarship is a tremendous help to the young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia. This scholarship is not only helping our students but it is making communities safer. We appreciate Lou Crouch’s involvement and the financial support of this program and our students,” said Bird.
For more information about donating or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.
South Georgia Tech is one of five technical colleges in Georgia that are allowed to provide training for new law enforcement officers to receive their basic law enforcement training and obtain college credit at the same time. The cadets undergo 11 weeks of intense training mentally and physically.
The LEA graduates receive their POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification from South Georgia Technical College as well as a technical certificate of credit that can be utilized toward a diploma or Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray at 229.931.2756 or bmurray@southgatech.edu.