Three South Georgia Technical College students enrolled in technical and industrial programs at South Georgia Technical College were awarded the Nadeen Green and Ned Cone scholarships recently by the South Georgia Technical College Foundation.
Austin Rouse of Cordele, GA; Kadarious Idlette of Americus, GA; and Justin McCardle of Mauk, GA; were the students selected to receive the Nadeen Green and Ned Cone scholarships based on financial need, a strong involvement in civic or school-related clubs/organizations, a strong work ethic, and strong leadership abilities or potential. All three students are currently enrolled in the SGTC Diesel Equipment Technology program.
South Georgia Technical College has one of the largest and best Diesel Equipment Technology programs within the Technical College System of Georgia. SGTC has been training individuals in this field for over 75 years. The college currently has a 100% job placement rate for individuals who graduate from this field of study.
“All three of these students are excellent,” said SGTC Diesel Equipment Technology Instructor Chase Shannon. “I recommended them for this scholarship because of their hard work, reliability, motivation, and determination. They have great work ethics and leadership qualities and encourage their fellow students to work harder.”
SGTC Diesel Equipment Technology Instructor David Cox agreed with Shannon. “Each of these students has an exceptional grade point average. They have been recognized by President Dr. John Watford for their efforts academically and they can be trusted to safely complete tasks with skills and professionalism.”
While all three are enrolled in the Diesel Equipment Technology program, each one is at a different stage in life. Austin Rouse is working at West Frazier Wood Mill in Cordele and supporting a family. Justin McCardle is currently a high school student at Marion County High School who also attends SGTC as a dual enrollment student. Kadarious Idlette is from Americus and was an accomplished musician in the Americus-Sumter High School Marching and Jazz band before selecting to attend SGTC and major in Diesel Technology.
Austin Rouse credits his wife, Danielle, with his decision to come back to college and enroll in the Diesel Equipment Technology program. “She opened my eyes to the important part of life, my family. I have a seven-year old son and with my current career, I have to work swing shifts alternating between 12-hour day and night shifts. Between that and school I don’t have much time for family.
“The skills I am learning will give me more opportunities for a good paying day shift job and more time with my family. The Diesel program was an easy fit for me because I am mechanically and electrically inclined. I have a very hectic schedule right now but an associate degree in the Diesel program will help me make my dreams come true.”
Justin McCardle chose to pursue the Diesel program at SGTC as his future career because he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. “Growing up, my dad was a diesel mechanic and he worked on drag cars with his father. He grew up around this field and he really inspired me to look into the profession. I decided to come to SGTC and get my education in this field so I can be certified in something I love to do. This line of work really interests me and I want to be the best mechanic I can be.”
McCardle is a member of the Scholars Academy, the FCCLA, Senior Beta and Spirit Clubs at Marion County High School. He is the son of Jamie and Rebecca McCardle in Mauk.
Kadarious Idlette chose SGTC and the Diesel and Heavy Equipment field because of the many career opportunities. “You can work on small trailers to large ship engines. There are a variety of jobs available in this field. I plan to enroll in the Commercial Truck Driving program after completing the diesel program because I think that will provide additional job opportunities for me,” said Idlette. “The possibilities are really unlimited for a good mechanic.” He is the son of Jocelyn Idlette of Americus.
Nadeen Green and Ned Cone of Atlanta established this scholarship for South Georgia Technical College students enrolled in technical and industrial programs in June 2022 and nine students have already benefited from this outstanding opportunity and utilized the funds for help with tuition, housing, and/or tools.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College, our faculty and staff, and most importantly, our students, I would like to thank Nadeen Green and Ned Cone for their thoughtfulness and for their willingness to support our students and their efforts to gain the skills needed to enter the workforce,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “This has been a tremendous help to our students.
Nadeen Green and Ned Cone are both retired but still very active with various non-profits in Atlanta and throughout the state. Nadeen is a retired attorney. A large part of her career was as a “Fair Housing Lady” for the multifamily industry. She made more than 1300 presentations throughout the United States and wrote numerous articles and blogs. She holds Board/Committee positions with local nonprofits that serve both children and international students and scholars, and has written several children’s books.
Ned Cone is retired from a career in logistics management and has recently been publicly acknowledged for his role with Second Helpings Atlanta, having rescued more than a million pounds of perishable food that goes to those who are food insecure. He devotes five half days every week to this undertaking.
The couple believe that helping students get technical college degrees and/or certifications not only benefits those students, but also our larger society as well, because technical skills are very much needed.
Students interested in applying for the Nadeen Green and Ned Cone Scholarship for Technical and Industrial Programs should contact the SGTC Foundation at 229-931-2248 or visit the SGTC Foundation office in room 106 of the Odom Center building on the Americus campus. Individuals may also email SGTC Foundation executive director Su Ann Bird at sbird@southgatech.edu.
Students will be asked to fill out a scholarship application as well as submit two letters of recommendation for the scholarship – one from academic personnel at South Georgia Tech and one from their community at large. Students must also submit a written paragraph about why they selected their chosen field of study.
Recipients of this scholarship (up to $500) must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled at South Georgia Technical College in any technical and/or industrial program for a minimum of six credit hours for the semester of the potential scholarship award.
“On behalf of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees, I would like to thank Nadeen Green and Ned Cone for their generous support of our students,” said SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird. “This scholarship opportunity is a tremendous blessing to students who are serious about completing their education and entering the workforce. We are so thankful for their generosity.”
For more information about the SGTC Foundation, contact Su Ann Bird at sbird@southgatech.edu or the Foundation at P.O. Box 6102, Americus, Georgia, 31709. SGTC is one of only two technical colleges in the state with on-campus housing and has campuses in Americus and Crisp County.