School News

South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Academic Dean Brett Murray along with SGTC Crisp County Welding Instructor Tom Mayo and Automation Technology Instructor David Price met with members of the Georgia Pacific (GP) Lumber Plant management team in Albany recently. Georgia Pacific Human Resources Director Nicole Black invited South Georgia Technical College officials to meet to discuss training opportunities for their staff as well as potential new hires. SGTC officials met Black,...

Southeastern Electric Exchange (S.E.E.) of Atlanta has awarded the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Foundation a $25,000 grant for scholarships to students enrolled in the SGTC Electrical Lineworker program. S.E.E. Executive Director Scott H. Smith made the presentation to SGTC President Dr. John Watford. South Georgia Technical College initiated the eight-week Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certificate Training program in 2005 in response to industry demands needing to...

South Georgia Technical College recently hosted workshops focused on enhancing effective communication skills for students on its Americus and Crisp County Center campuses. Led by Jennifer Robinson in Americus and D.W. Persall in Cordele, the workshops were part of SGTC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) initiative, aimed at equipping students with critical communication tools for academic and professional success. Workshop topics included learning to express oneself with...

The Automotive Technology advisory committee at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) recently convened in the Morgan Transportation Building on the Americus campus to discuss program developments and industry trends. The advisory committee plays a key role in supporting continuous improvement of SGTC's Automotive Technology program. Automotive Technology instructor Brandon Dean provided updates on program changes, enrollment, community involvement, and student achievements. Committee...

South Georgia Technical College in Americus recently held a ceremony to recognize outstanding students in several program areas. The overall “Student of Excellence” distinction was awarded to Horticulture student Felicia McKenney of Marion County. She was nominated by instructor Brandon Gross. Dr. David Finley, Academic Dean, opened the ceremony by congratulating all the nominees for their recognition as outstanding students in their programs. Next, each nominating instructor...

Six Caterpillar Dealers from the southeastern United States participated in “Think Big” Internship OrientationTraining at South Georgia Technical College for the Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technology (HEDST) program recently. SGTC HEDST program instructor Don Rountree along with instructors Keith Mccorkle and Rance Pross joined CAT dealers to conduct the training. The Caterpillar “Think Big” program is a two-year hands-on service technician scholarship program offered...

The South Georgia Technical College faculty and staff kicked off the internal portion of the SGTC Foundation’s 2025 TechForce “Creating Opportunities” fund drive by contributing nearly $25,000 through employee payroll donations and silent auction bids at the SGTC Foundation Employee Luncheon and Silent Auction celebration in the John M. Pope Center recently. The SGTC Foundation “Creating Opportunities” fund drive will be raising $250,000 for student scholarships and grants...

The South Georgia Technical College Culinary Arts advisory committee met recently in the Culinary Arts lab and classroom area on the college’s Crisp County Center campus to discuss several aspects of the culinary arts industry. The purpose of the advisory committee is to assist South Georgia Tech faculty and staff in continuous quality improvement of the Culinary Arts program. SGTC Culinary Arts Americus Instructor Chef Ricky Watzlowick and SGTC Culinary Arts Cordele Instructor Chef...

South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford announced Stephen Birchfield has been named as Sports & Fitness Instructor/Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach for the SGTC Jets intercollegiate basketball team for the 2025-2026 season. “We are very fortunate to have Stephen Birchfield associated with our college basketball program and teaching in the Sports and Fitness Management program,” said SGTC President Watford. “He has a variety of teaching and coaching...

South Georgia Technical College has hired Calvin Hodge, Jr. of Leesburg, Ga as its new Campus Police Chief to replace Chief Sammy Stone, who is retiring effective June 30, announced SGTC President Dr. John Watford. Hodge will report to SGTC Vice President of Student Affairs Eulish Kinchens. Hodge is a 2016 graduate of the SGTC Basic Mandate Police Academy and brings a wealth of experience, a strong commitment to community engagement and a proven history of leadership to the position. ...

South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford announced Ray S. Johnson has been named as the new assistant coach for the SGTC men’s intercollegiate basketball team for the 2024-2025 season. He also will teach in the SGTC Sports & Fitness Management academic program. Johnson has served as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL, where he concentrated on Player Development/Strength and Conditioning and defense. He helped monitor the budget,...

The South Georgia Technical College Adult Education advisory committee met recently in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Building on the SGTC campus. The purpose of the advisory committee is to assist South Georgia Technical College faculty and staff in continuous quality improvement of the Adult Education program. In the meeting SGTC Adult Education instructors discussed updates and information about program changes, enrollment, community activities and student news. The June...