A new scholarship fund at South Georgia Technical College has been established and endowed in honor of SGTC 2025 Alumni of the Year Charles Jenkins Sr., of Columbus, GA. The Charles Jenkins Practical Nursing scholarship will be administered by the SGTC Foundation.
The scholarship was endowed by his son, Jonathan and his wife, Paige Jenkins, and their sons Sam and Andrew. Charles Jenkins is a 1967 graduate of the South Georgia Technical and Vocational School Practical Nursing program.
The Charles Jenkins Practical Nursing Scholarship will provide at least one scholarship annually to deserving South Georgia Technical College practical nursing students.
“For nearly 40 years, my dad took great pride in caring for people in nearly every type of medical need,” said his son, Jonathan Jenkins. “He worked across nearly every department in inpatient and outpatient medical care while serving in three local hospitals his entire career. As his son, I witnessed dozens of people walk up to him in public and thank him for his attentive and compassionate care when they were in the hospital.”
That love and devotion is what drove Jonathan Jenkins and his family to permanently honor Charles Jenkins, Sr., and his legacy as a nurse with an endowed scholarship for practical nurses at South Georgia Technical College.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without South Georgia Tech,” said Charles Jenkins when he learned of the endowed scholarship. “I graduated from the practical nursing program in 1967 and worked in that field for nearly 40 years. I was able to provide for myself and my family with the education I received from South Georgia Tech. I am humbled by this gift and I hope that this scholarship will help other individuals realize their dream of entering the nursing field.”
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford said, “we are very appreciative of the Jenkins family and their willingness to partner with South Georgia Technical College through the sponsorship of this scholarship. This is a wonderful way for the family to honor their father while also allowing his legacy to continue to benefit others entering the nursing field for years to come.”
The Charles Jenkins Practical Nursing scholarship endowment will guarantee indefinite educational opportunities that will impact students at SGTC for many years.
“Endowed scholarships are a wonderful way to recognize family members and also benefit students now and for years to come,” said SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird. “As Dr. Watford said, we are very appreciative of Charles Jenkins and his family’s willingness to give back to help others.”
For more information about endowing scholarships at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu.