Access Summer 2013 by Albany Technical College

access A Newsletter for Friends of Albany Technical College • Summer 2013

Albany Tech’s AAmir Greene Wins 2013 State Student of the Year and GOAL Award pgs. 12-14

ATC Offers New Associates in Nursing pg. 6 Achieving the Dream 2013 pg. 7 Intercollegiate & Business Partnerships pg. 10-11

Albany Technical College Senior Administration Dr. Anthony O. Parker

access

contents

4 5

President

Shirley Armstrong

Kim Lee, Ph.D.

Vice President of Academic Affairs/ Executive VP

Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness

Kathy Skates

Linda Coston

Vice President of Administrative Services

Lisandra DeJesus

Vice President of Adult Education

Joe Najjar

Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

Special Assistant to the President

Matt Trice

Director of Public Relations & Information

Vice President of Economic Development

Wendy Howell

Presidential Perspective Staff Matters AT C Offers New Associate of Science in Nursing Fall 2013

Baker Co. Representative:

Clay Co. Representative:

Kent Sanders

Carl Childs, Jr.

Dougherty Co. Representatives:

Early Co. Representative:

Robert Chester

Virginia Parker, Chair Col. Stephen Mederios Joe Austin Ben Barrow Betty White

Randolph Co. Representative:

Calhoun Co. Representative:

Rhonda Gordon

Lee Co. Representative:

Jay Smith Kuanita Murphy Terrell Co. Representative:

Neil Lowe

Foundation Trustees Joe James

Celinda Dennison

Cathi Jones

C.W. Grant

Emerson Electrical Procter & Gamble

Suzanna MacIntosh

Retired

Lem Griffin

Community Volunteer

Flint River Services

Kirt Phillips

Alfredia Hampton

Glenn Singfield

Ronnie Hinson

Merrill Lynch

Artesian Contracting

Katrina Baranko

SunTrust Bank

Jim Wilcox

WALB-Channel 10

Mike Clark

Cynthia Young

Dr. Willie Adams Retired

Nathaniel Williams Sam’s Club

10-11

Intercollegiate & Business Partnerships

Albany Technical College will offer a new Associate of Science degree in nursing program with a LPN-RN Bridge, which will begin this fall term. Albany Tech has been given provisional approval by the Georgia Board of Nurses to accept students into its new Associate of Science Nursing program for the fall semester 2013.

Achieving the Dream Kick-off

Albany Technical College is one of 26 institutions selected this year into the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network – the nation’s most comprehensive nongovernmental reform network for student success in higher education history.

Bank of America

Jeanette McDowell

Phoebe Putney Hospital

Dougherty County Campus (229) 430-3500 Randolph County Learning Center (229) 732-5280 Access is a quarterly newsletter published by the Public Relations and Information Of ce at Albany Technical College. Direct inquiries to Wendy Howell at (229) 430-3816 or whowell@albanytech.edu. ATC does not discriminate on the basis of color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Inquiries should be addressed to the VP of Administration, ATC, (229) 430-3524.

12-14 Congratulations to AT C’s AAmir Greene!

Friends of Albany Tech... ATC receives donations from Emerson Electrical, Bank of America, the Department of Human Resources and Albany Rotary. Thank you!

Albany Tech Students are Winners!

16-17

ATC Telecommunications student AAmir Greene takes home the coveted state GOAL title, as well as a new car! He is now travelling the state with a message to technical college students and potential students....

From graduation, to honors, to capping and pinning, Albany Tech students keep proving they are top-notch in their elds!

18-19

MetroPower

Merle Norman Cosmetics Interstate

SB&T Bank

March 1, the Albany Technical College Foundation held its Annual Roast on campus. The College “roasted” co-owner, president and CEO of Flint River Services, Lem Grif n. A silent auction was held concurrently. Lem Grif n is a past chairman of the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board. He now serves as chairman of the Phoebe Putney Health System Board of Directors.

T he Heat is on Lem Griffin ...

Albany Technical College has signed several important agreements with other colleges recently: An Operations Management program articulation agreement with Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) and two Pathways Program agreements with Valdosta State University (VSU). In addition, ATC has partnered with TOYOTAlift and State Farm insurance to bring donations of equipment and scholarships to campus.

Board of Directors

Summer 2013

20-23 Faces & Places

Recently, dually enrolled Culinary Arts students from Lee County High School came to Albany Tech’s Culinary Arts lab for a cooking competition. The pans seared and the whisks whirred ... and four teams came out winners in three categories.

Albany Technical College Senior Administration Dr. Anthony O. Parker

access

contents

4 5

President

Shirley Armstrong

Kim Lee, Ph.D.

Vice President of Academic Affairs/ Executive VP

Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness

Kathy Skates

Linda Coston

Vice President of Administrative Services

Lisandra DeJesus

Vice President of Adult Education

Joe Najjar

Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

Special Assistant to the President

Matt Trice

Director of Public Relations & Information

Vice President of Economic Development

Wendy Howell

Presidential Perspective Staff Matters AT C Offers New Associate of Science in Nursing Fall 2013

Baker Co. Representative:

Clay Co. Representative:

Kent Sanders

Carl Childs, Jr.

Dougherty Co. Representatives:

Early Co. Representative:

Robert Chester

Virginia Parker, Chair Col. Stephen Mederios Joe Austin Ben Barrow Betty White

Randolph Co. Representative:

Calhoun Co. Representative:

Rhonda Gordon

Lee Co. Representative:

Jay Smith Kuanita Murphy Terrell Co. Representative:

Neil Lowe

Foundation Trustees Joe James

Celinda Dennison

Cathi Jones

C.W. Grant

Emerson Electrical Procter & Gamble

Suzanna MacIntosh

Retired

Lem Griffin

Community Volunteer

Flint River Services

Kirt Phillips

Alfredia Hampton

Glenn Singfield

Ronnie Hinson

Merrill Lynch

Artesian Contracting

Katrina Baranko

SunTrust Bank

Jim Wilcox

WALB-Channel 10

Mike Clark

Cynthia Young

Dr. Willie Adams Retired

Nathaniel Williams Sam’s Club

10-11

Intercollegiate & Business Partnerships

Achieving the Dream Kick-off

Bank of America

Jeanette McDowell

Phoebe Putney Hospital

12-14 Congratulations to AT C’s AAmir Greene!

Friends of Albany Tech... ATC receives donations from Emerson Electrical, Bank of America, the Department of Human Resources and Albany Rotary. Thank you!

Albany Tech Students are Winners!

16-17

From graduation, to honors, to capping and pinning, Albany Tech students keep proving they are top-notch in their elds!

18-19

MetroPower

Merle Norman Cosmetics Interstate

SB&T Bank

T he Heat is on Lem Griffin ...

Board of Directors

Summer 2013

20-23 Faces & Places

Presidential

Staff Matters

perspective

“It is often said that we are not your father’s vocational school. That’s true, but it does not mean that we have abandoned any of the program areas that have been a part of our history for over 50 years. We have added options for employment and higher education.”

Robert Permenter Awarded Instructor of the Year

Albany Technical College’s graduates have good choices. Of course, rst among those choices is attaining employment in their eld of study or a related eld. We understand that we are rst and foremost a workforce development college. However, three-fourths of our students are either enrolled in a program that could lead to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree or are enrolled in an AAS program. All of our AAS graduates have the option of earning a bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree or a bachelor of science (BS) degree at some of the better universities in Georgia and the Southeastern United States. Each Albany Tech AAS graduate has an option of earning a BAS or BS degree at Albany State University (ASU). To date, the majority of our graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree have done so at ASU. Our Engineering and Technology program AAS graduates have the option of earning both BAS and BS degrees from Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). Most of the articulated courses with SPSU are delivered online. This means that ATC graduates do not have to move to Marietta to earn a bachelor’s degree from SPSU. They can stay here in Albany and work making a contribution to the economy of their hometown while they continue their education. Our Child Development graduates and Computer Information Systems graduates can earn a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in Macon. DeVry University encourages our AAS graduates to apply for admission and provides scholarships for each college’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. We recently signed a new articulation agreement with Valdosta State University and will be signing another one soon with Georgia Southwestern State University. Albany Technical College graduates have multiple choices in higher education. They learn from instructors who work for one of the state’s Technical College of the Year nalists! They move into employment faster and earn more income than their fellow citizens who are unprepared or under-prepared. Students in AAS programs or in diploma programs that lead to AAS programs have options for a career and educational ladder that will allow them to go as far as their talent and willingness to work will take them. It is often said that we are not your father’s vocational school. That’s true, but it does not mean that we have abandoned any of the program areas that have been a part of our history for over 50 years. We have added options for employment and higher education. Anyone who considers higher education in Southwest Georgia should consider the bene ts of attending Albany Technical College. Dr. Anthony Parker, ATC President

Albany Tech’s Rick Perkins winner was Robert Permenter, Industrial Systems Technology chair and instructor. Permenter boasts 30 years in the eld of electrical/ mechanical maintenance, troubleshooting and management. Prior to coming to Albany Tech in 2009, Permenter taught for six years in the U.S. Navy Technical Schools and for the Technical College System of Georgia.

A native of Largo, Fla., Permenter received his associate degree in Industrial Electrical Technology from Naval Technical Schools and his bachelor’s degree in Theology from International Seminary. Recently, Permenter was elected as the State Consortium Chair for the Industrial Systems Technology Program. He is also a Technical Editor for McGraw-Hill Higher Education Publishers. He has been married for 32 years and has four children.

Troycia Webb New Dean of Academic Technology Troycia Webb started her new position with Albany Tech on May 1. She came to Albany Tech from Albany State University (ASU) where she served in numerous positions over the past 11 years. While at ASU, she worked in collaboration with ASU’s Educational Technology Training Center and the Georgia Department of Education. It was here that she discovered a passion for teaching others how to use technology just as much as she loved working with computer technology and programming. She provided regional analyst support and instructional technology support by developing and delivering technology training to K12 teachers as they learned to integrate current technologies into the

classroom in 14 school districts. For the last ve years, Webb was employed in ASU’s Information Technology Department, where she served as an instructional designer, as well as ful lling duties with academic computing and media services. Webb earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Troy University and two master’s degrees in Information Technology from Florida Institute of Technology and Postsecondary Education (Instructional Technology) from Troy University. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Adult Education from Walden University.

Kim Lee Named Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness ATC is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness. Dr. Kimberly Lee replaces Vicki Tucker, who served in the position since 2003. Lee comes to Albany Tech from the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, where she served as the Vice Chancellor for Adult Education for the past year. Lee holds over 23 years of experience in leadership roles that emphasize program development and services for adult learners. Lee was employed with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) for over 16 years, where she held

several administrative positions within the Of ce of Adult Education. Prior to TCSG, Lee was employed with the Florida Department of Education as an adult education program specialist. Previously, she held positions as adjunct instructor for the College of Education at Florida A&M University, and special education teacher for the Gadsden County Schools in Quincy, Fla. A native of Ocala, Florida, Lee obtained her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and her master’s degree in Learning Disabilities from Florida State University. She recently received doctorate in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.

Presidential

Staff Matters

perspective

Robert Permenter Awarded Instructor of the Year

Fall 2013 Ushers in a New

Community Engagement Kick-off

Achieving the Dream...

Associate of Science in Nursing Degree

Signifying a strong commitment to student success and completion, Albany Technical College is one of the 26 institutions selected this year into the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network – the nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history.

Albany Technical College has already started the groundwork to identify strategies to close achievement gaps and increase student retention, persistence and completion rates. In March, Albany Tech’s Achieving the Dream Core Team held a special session in the Kirkland Conference Center to ask for community stakeholders’ help in the initiative.

The program is designed to meet the needs of the community by complementing Albany Tech’s existing nursing program. Students will be able to complete their nursing career choice by one of two tracks – the traditional path and the LPN-RN bridge path.

“This new cohort of colleges will collectively help 275,000 students succeed,” said Beverly Fletcher, Senior Director of Organizational Development and Change for Achieving the Dream. “And the success of each student means much more than just a personal goal secured. It means improved skills, better employability and economic growth for their community and our nation as a whole.”

“There has been a tremendous response from the community wanting to get information on the admissions and entrance requirements,” said Mattie Buchannon, Dean of the Health Care Technology division at Albany Technical College. “Our program is designed to assist those interested persons to pursue their goals of becoming a registered nurse. We built our program based on some of the successful models that we have seen, while not destroying the goals of any entity in our region.” “We are excited to help alleviate the nursing shortage and health disparities in our community by providing well-trained registered nurses,” said Schvon Bussey, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C, Program Chair for the new program. Albany Tech has submitted a prospectus by its accrediting board, to the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), on this program and anticipates approval within the next few months. The traditional track for the program will be six semesters. Albany Tech will begin taking applications for both tracks now with students beginning the program fall term 2013. Students who are interested may contact Schvon Bussey at sbussey@albanytech.edu or call (229) 430-3698 or visit www.albanytech. edu for more information regarding application, registration, and program requirements.

Pharmacy Tech Program earns Accreditation Albany Technical College’s Pharmacy Technology program has received accreditation by the American Society Health – Systems Pharmacists (ASHP). This is the rst time the program has received this accreditation. ASHP is the leading national accrediting body speci cally for Pharmacy Technician Training Programs. This accreditation provides instant credibility and a competitive advantage over other programs and shows that the program has undergone a peer review process and offers a didactic, laboratory and experiential training program to meet contemporary employment needs, which is the absolute highest in quality for the public’s safety. It also shows the program is committed to excellence. “Pharmacy Technicians play an increasingly important role in public safety since their responsibilities are expanding and evolving as the pharmacy profession changes with new medications, technologies and challenges,” said Dr. Teresa

Mitchell, chair of the Pharmacy Technology program at Albany Tech. “The accreditation process is designed to protect the public by requiring training programs to meet a nationally recognized standard for excellence.” The Pharmacy Technology program at Albany Tech provides students with skills required for success in a retail pharmacy or a hospital-based pharmacy department. Graduates are prepared to function as pharmacy technicians in positions requiring preparations of medications according to prescription under the supervision of a pharmacist.

The Achieving the Dream Cohort Albany Technical College (GA) Columbia Gorge Community College (OR) Oregon Coast Community College (OR) Arkansas Baptist College (AR) Columbus State Community College (OH) Pierce College (WA) Atlanta Technical College (GA) Columbus Technical College (GA) Southwestern Oregon Community College (OR) Atlantic Cape Community College (NJ) Gaston College (NC) St. Petersburg College (FL) Augusta Technical Community College (GA) Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GA) Stanly Community College (NC) Blue Mountain Community College (OR) Klamath Community College (OR) Tillamook Bay Community College (OR) Central Alabama Community College (AL) Kingsborough Community College (NY) Umpqua Community College (OR) Central Georgia Technical College (GA) Linn-Benton Community College (OR) Wallace State Community College (AL) College of Southern Nevada (NV) Miami Dade College (FL)

As an Achieving the Dream Institution, Albany Tech will continue to develop and implement research-based policies and practices based on quantitative and qualitative analyses of its institutional strengths, problem areas and achievement gaps. Albany Tech is committed to assessing the effectiveness of these policies and practices, institutionalizing the approaches that prove successful, and sharing the ndings widely. Through Achieving the Dream, Albany Tech will have the opportunity to learn from other Achieving the Dream Institutions, and to receive assistance from experienced practitioners in building a culture of evidence campuswide, using data to identify problems, setting priorities, and measuring progress toward increasing student success. “The work of closing achievement gaps and improving student success is extremely dif cult and critically important,” said Fletcher. “Being an Achieving the Dream institution takes courage, discipline and a tenacious institutionwide commitment to student success and equity. Albany Technical College should be applauded for helping tackle one of society’s most daunting challenges: success for more college students.”

An Achieving the Dream Community Engagement Kick-off Banquet was held on campus in March. Top, Vice President for Academic Affairs Shirley Armstrong and Chair of the Fire Science Technology Program, Don Laye speak at the kick-off.

Fall 2013 Ushers in a New

Community Engagement Kick-off

Achieving the Dream...

Associate of Science in Nursing Degree

Albany Tech Hosts the Lem Grifﬁn

ROAST

On Friday evening, March 1, the Albany Technical College Foundation held its annual roast on campus. The College “roasted” co-owner, president and CEO of Flint River Services, Lem Grif n. A silent auction was held concurrently. Lem Grif n is a past chairman of the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board. He now serves as chairman of the Phoebe Putney Health System Board of Directors. As a member of the board of the Boy Scouts of America, Grif n has dedicated countless hours and nancial resources to the Boy Scouts fund-raiser events for many years. He also serves as the Salvation Army Board chairman, as well as on the boards of Security Bank, Flint River Water Council, and the Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. He and his wife, Linda Merritt Grif n, have two children and four grandchildren. Roasters for the evening included Joel Wernick, CEO of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital; Dr. Laurence Crimmins, retired physician and member of the Phoebe Health System Board; Dr. John Culbreath, retired teacher, Assistant Principal and Superintendent of Dougherty County School System; W.F. Grif n, Lem’s brother, retired from MCLB; Carol Fullerton, State Representative, District 153; and Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech. Wernick, who calls Lem Grif n “The Big G,” started out the evening of jokes and praise for Grif n. Purportedly quoting one of Grif n’s employees at the cold storage facility, he said, “‘That Mr. Lem, he can swallow a lump of coal and dump a diamond.’” And later, in a dubious quote from Lem’s wife, Linda, Wernick said when the couple rst started dating, Linda described him to a friend, saying, “‘Lem’s the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. When it’s dark out, he’s handsome.’” Dr. Laurence Crimmons shared stories of Grif n and himself going on hunting trips to South Dakota. Roasting Grif n on his lack of shooting skill, Crimmons said his friend lamented not having his own bird dog Jake along. Jake, as the story goes, would run all the birds into a gopher hole, sit on it and let them out one at a time for his master to shoot. “The guide’s hardest job,” according to Crimmons, “was toting all those boxes of shells to Lem.” Dr. John Culbreath was kinder to his friend, saying he could never say “no” to Lem when he asked for a favor with a non-pro t or cause, “because he gives so much of himself.” W.F. Grif n, Lem’s brother, said, “Lem was born on Dec. 1 and Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec.7. And I thought it was his fault.... Later I found out he wasn’t that old.” Carol Fullerton, with the help of her husband, Gregg, presented Grif n a “limb,” as a play on words. And Kenneth Cutts, representing Rep. Sanford Bishop, presented Grif n with a certi cate of special recognition. The Albany Tech Foundation Inc. holds two major fundraisers each year – a golf tournament in the fall and the roast in the spring. The funds raised through these events go towards foundation and other college programs and activities.

Joel Wernick Above, attending the Roast were Lem Grif n’s brothers and sisters. Roasters included Joel Wernick, CEO of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital; Dr. Laurence Crimmins, retired physician and member of the Phoebe Health System Board; Dr. John Culbreath, retired teacher, Assistant Principal and Superintendent of Dougherty County School System; W.F. Grif n, Lem’s brother, retired from MCLB; Carol Fullerton, State Representative, District 153; and Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech.

Dr. Laurence Crimmins

Dr. John Culbreath

Dr. Anthony O. Parker

Greg & Carol Fullerton

W.F. Griffin

Albany Tech Hosts the Lem Grifﬁn

ROAST

Dr. Laurence Crimmins

Dr. John Culbreath

Dr. Anthony O. Parker

Greg & Carol Fullerton

W.F. Griffin

Intercollegiate Partnerships ATC Signs Articulation Agreement with Southern Polytechnic State University On March 5, Albany Tech signed a new Operations Management program articulation agreement with Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). Through the articulation agreement with SPSU, students earning their associate degree with Albany Tech will be able to easily transfer on to SPSU to earn their bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Operations. “This is another example of the partnerships we are building with Southern Polytechnic State University so that our students who choose to continue on and complete their bachelor’s degree can easily do so and without ever leaving Albany,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, ATC president. More than two years ago, Albany Tech entered an articulation agreement with SPSU for the Engineering Technology programs. Part of the agreement included Albany Tech providing space for labs and classroom for SPSU students in this

TOYOTAlift Donates a Forklift to the ATC Automotive and Diesel Programs

eld on campus so that students would not have to relocate to Atlanta to complete their bachelor’s degree classes. Last fall, Albany Tech launched its Operations Management program. The program trains students to enter the workforce as an entry-level supervisor within a manufacturing Dr. Anthony Parker, President Albany Tech, and Dr. Sri community and teaches Szafran, Vice President of Academic Affairs SPSU students the ability to lead an organization in its daily College also offers PMP® certi cation performance of the tasks of creating and CAPM® certi cation in a non-credit a product that meets the needs of a offering for individuals and companies customer, while producing revenue that needing this specialized training. will generate a pro t. “The articulation agreement between Students earning the associate degree in Albany Technical College and Southern Operations Management at Albany Tech Polytechnic State University is a wincomplete the educational requirements win for the student and for the two for Certi ed Associate Project Manager institutions,” said Matt Trice, Vice (CAPM®) and have the opportunity President for the Center for Business to complete other requirements for Solutions at Albany Tech. certi cation testing. Albany Technical

ATC Signs Two Pathways Program Agreements with Valdosta State University Albany Technical College signed two Pathways Program agreements with Valdosta State University May 28. Through the Pathways Program agreements, students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 22 selected programs from Albany Tech can begin working on a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree with a major in Technical Studies from Valdosta State University. In addition, students graduating from Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from Albany Tech can begin work toward a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Valdosta State University in Organizational Leadership.

Albany Tech AAS programs included under both agreements are: Accounting, Business Administrative Technology, Business Management, Internet Specialist-Website Design, Marketing Management, Design and Media Production Technology, Drafting Technology, Business Logistics Management, Operations Management, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Paramedicine Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Systems Technology, Telecommunications Technology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Care and Education, Hotel/ Restaurant/Tourism Management, Law Enforcement Technology and Fire Science Technology.

“This program creates a pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree once they successfully complete an associate’s degree at Albany Technical College,” said Andy Clark, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Valdosta State University. “Both BAS and BS programs are fully online and designed for working adults. This will help the students advance in Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Technical College and their professional career.” Dr. Bob McKinney, President of Valdosta State University.

Business Partnerships

“The agreement with VSU will provide an excellent opportunity for our graduates to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree and will be a tremendous impact on the entire economy of Southwest Georgia,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of ATC.

Albany Technical College received a forklift donation from Southern States TOYOTAlift/Florida Lift Systems, Inc. In March, a special presentation was made in the faculty parking lot behind Prosperity Hall and in front of the Albany Tech Career Development Center. The Career Center also hosted an on-site recruitment event there for Albany Tech students who have shown interest in a position with TOYOTAlift. With TOYOTAlift being a prime employment opportunity for Albany Tech students majoring in Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology, the possible donation of a forklift would be bene cial for these programs to have in the labs. During the presentation, representatives with TOYOTAlift had one of the forklift models on hand as a demonstration of the type of equipment Albany Tech might receive for training purposes. However, of cials at Albany Tech and TOYOTAlift are still sorting out details of which forklift model would be the most bene cial to these students to learn the latest skills in troubleshooting, repairing, and servicing and ultimately, make them more employable. Within the last two years, Albany Tech received a Nissan Titan and Kia Sorento donation to assist automotive students to learn the latest technology on these vehicles and gain skills necessary for employment. In addition, several years ago, the

Pictured with ToyotaLift of cials, are Albany Tech faculty and staff members Albany Tech Foundation received an individual donation of a Nissan Maxima in need of repairs. Students in the Automotive Technology program diagnosed and repaired the older vehicle, while Automotive Collision Repair Technology students nished with bodywork on the vehicle. Albany Tech welcomes these types of opportunities in order to provide students with the latest technology and training possible to further prepare them for the workforce.

ATC Driver’s Ed Program Announced Winners of State Farm Essay Contest Albany Technical College’s Driver’s Education program received a $2,500 grant from State Farm in February to fund scholarships for Driver’s Ed students. “Celebrate My Drive” was the name of the essay contest where students submitted an essay on “Why (texting, drinking, horse playing, etc.) and driving is not safe.” The essay was to focus on one of these topics and be 150 words or more in length. Back row, l-r: Tim Thomas and Steve Perrine, local State Farm For more than a decade, State Farm has teamed with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to focus on how they can agents; Westland Brown; Logan Littleton; Alphonso Patterson; Matt change behavior to improve teen driver safety. Using this Trice, ATC’s VP of the Center for Business Solutions; Dr. Anthony expertise as a guide, State Farm debuted this new approach Parker, ATC President; Felix “Sonny” Oakes; Wayne McNease. to keeping teens safe on the road. As a result, “Celebrate My Front row l-r: Jennifer Easterling; Whitney Walker; Kiara Stubbs. Drive” was launched in September of 2012 to rally communities The classes consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and six to celebrate new drivers as they explore the road ahead. By hours of supervised training. Cost for students is $250. Albany celebrating the drive with teens and their parents and helping Tech also offers a one-on-one six-hour Driver’s Education for the to fund programs such as Albany Tech’s Driver’s Education adult beginner at a cost of $275 per person. program, State Farm is working to prevent teen crashes, reduce injuries, and save lives. For more information on the Driver’s Education course at Albany Tech, visit the Center for Business Solutions website at http://cbs. Currently, the Driver’s Education course at Albany Tech is albanytech.edu or call (229) 430-3563. designed to meet the State of Georgia’s Joshua Law requirement.

TOYOTAlift Donates a Forklift to the ATC Automotive and Diesel Programs

Business Partnerships

continued from previous page

Friends of Albany Tech...

2013 State GOAL Winner AAmir Greene In 2012, Greene started his education at Albany Technical College in the Telecommunications Engineering Technology program. He also serves as the president of Albany Tech’s Student Government Association (SGA) and is part of the college’s Achieving the Dream Core Team to help identify and overcome student educational barriers. His career goal is to obtain his associate’s degree and begin an entrepreneurship in Telecommunications. “Technical education allows me to streamline from where I am to my ultimate objective quicker with the hands-on experience and training,” said Greene. “Technical education is very affordable and prepares me for an education that is most relevant to the telecommunications industry.” Honors and awards Greene has earned over the years include: Humanitarian Service Medal, two Letters of Appreciation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 13 Meritorious Mast (recommendations for promotions), Navy Unit Commendation, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, two Armed Forces Reserve Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit commendation, Southwest Asia Service Medal, four Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, ve Certi cate of Commendation awards, two Sea Service Deployment ribbons, two National Defense Medals, Kuwait Liberation Medal and four Certi cates of Appreciation. And many awards while on recruiting duty for making his missions, Recruiter of the Month, and Recruiter of the Quarter, 1990-2010. “During the past year, more than 170,000 students enrolled in the 25 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia [TCSG],” said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson. “To be selected as the best of the best students in our system is an outstanding honor for AAmir. He earned this award not just through hard work and dedication to his studies, but also because he’s a respected campus leader and a role model in his community. I congratulate him on this exceptional achievement. ” The distinction as Georgia’s top technical college student also means that Greene is the winner of the GOAL program’s grand prize, the keys to a new 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Chevrolet and the local Chevrolet dealers are the statewide sponsors of the GOAL program. Judging for the GOAL program starts at the TCSG colleges and is followed by a regional competition. At the state level, nine nalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. At each step, the students are rated on their various academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, involvement in their local communities and future aspirations. His instructor, Kaven Williams, nominated Greene for the award. Both were introduced to the banquet audience that included the TCSG leadership, college presidents and their staff, and other dignitaries. As the 2013 Student of the Year and state GOAL winner, Greene will serve as the TCSG’s student ambassador during a number of system and college functions throughout the year. He will also have a chance to speak before the Georgia General Assembly and receive a personal commendation from the governor.

Q & A

Emerson Gives to ATC

Albany Tech Telecommunications Program Student and 2013 State Student of the Year, AAmir Greene

In February, the Albany Tech Foundation accepted a $500 scholarship donation from the Emerson Electrical Foundation, which is made up of former ATC students and faculty members who studied electrical systems under former instructor Willie Emerson. They asked for the scholarship dollars to go to deserving industrial electrical, air conditioning technology or electrical construction and maintenance students.

What made you choose telecommunications as a program? For many years, while serving in the Marine Corps, I had to learn how to use different types of short, medium and long range radios as well as special equipment that enabled me to communicate with attack helicopters, fighter planes and naval gunfire. Having learned telecommunications as an operator inspired me to further my education in Telecommunications. Are you working in that field? What type of job do you hope to end up doing? I am quite busy as the Local and State Technical College Ambassador, and I hope to either start my own business as a Self-Employed Contractor or my second choice will be to find employment in upper management in the Telecommunications industry. What was the GOAL competition at the state level like? Did you expect to win? It was very exciting. I got the opportunity to network and meet other students with positive goals. I met other Administrators, Instructors, Business owners, and State Representatives who were all supportive of all the GOAL recipients and were very inspirational in our career goals. And, yes, from the moment I was nominated at Albany Tech as the college Ambassador, my focus was to put the City of Albany and Albany Tech back on the map and represent all of Albany.

Rotary Club of Albany Presents Check to ATC The Rotary Club of Albany presented the Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. with a donation in May. During the presentation by the Rotary Club of Albany, Alex Green (Welding Technology student at Albany Tech) and Clarence Reed (Automotive Technology student at Albany Tech) were presented with a scholarship for $500 each. Rotary also donated $160 to the college for General Education Development (GED®) testing.

ATC Receives Grant from Bank of America Bank of America presented the Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. with a grant in the amount of $3,000 in May. Since most employers of skilled trades require applicants to own the basic tools they would use on the job, funds included in the Bank of America grant will be used to provide a competitive opportunity for graduating students to be more marketable/employable than they might otherwise be without these tools.

Dougherty County Rotary Club Gives to ATC In June, the Dougherty County Rotary Club donated two $500 scholarships to the Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. for Albany Tech students: Gennell McGarrah, Air Conditioning Technology student and Trilene Barber, Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management student. Below (l-r): Shirley Armstrong, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Albany Tech; students Trilene Barber and Gennell McGarrah; Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech; and Karen Kemp, Dougherty County Rotary Club. A GED® scholarship check for $160 was also given.

What will your message be to technical college students and prospective students as you travel the state this upcoming year? Have a dream, put those dreams on paper. Visualize yourself accomplishing your dream. Take your dream and begin your plan. Use the Technical Colleges as a vehicle to begin your future. Stay focused and work hard on your plans by reading, studying and learning all that you can from your Instructors. Help each other by getting into study groups. The first step is to have a short-term plan. Attending a Technical College will help a student in jumpstarting their career goals. Every high student should consider the benefits of attending a Technical College, such as low tuition cost, hands-on experience, receiving the knowledge that is most relevant to your career field, transferable credits to Universities in degree programs, and there is immediate and high job placements in most programs.

DHR Gives Bearable Hugs to Albany Technical College ATC’s Child Development Demonstration Center received a Bearable Hugs donation from the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Support Services division during a special presentation in February. Each year, the DHR Support Services division’s Bearable Hugs annual campaign kicks off by collecting new stuffed animals and donating them to those in the community.

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Friends of Albany Tech...

Q & A

Emerson Gives to ATC

Albany Tech Telecommunications Program Student and 2013 State Student of the Year, AAmir Greene

ATC Students are Winners... SkillsUSA Four Albany Tech students brought home awards during the SkillsUSA State Competition held in Atlanta in March. Students received medals in the following program areas: Sharonda Bussey (Third Place, Dental Assisting); Ernest Brown (First Place, Masonry); Kristina Mathis (Second Place, Medical Math); and De’Keria King (Second Place, Cosmetology). Ernest Brown quali ed to compete in the National Championship in Kansas City, Mo.

DECA ATC had ve students earn placements at the State DECA Competition held last month at Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Clarkston. The winning students included: Nick Sacca (Third Place, Marketing Management); Carter Graham and Terrance Ward (First Place, Website Design Team); Ula Peterson (Third Place, Professional Sales Presentation); and La’Rhonda Thomas (First Place, Retail Management). These students competed in four events: Marketing Management, Professional Sales Presentation, Retail Management, and Website Design.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Two Albany Tech students won awards at the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) State Conference held in Atlanta in April 2013. Tonya Hagines and Tammy Hagines will both move on to the PBL National Competition scheduled to be held on June 24-27, 2013, in Anaheim, Calif. Tonya Hagines placed third in the Statistical

ATC hosted its Spring Honors Day Program in June. Fortyve spring honor graduates were recognized in the following areas: Collegiate DECA, Honors with Distinction, National Technical Honors Society (NTHS), Presidential Scholar, SkillsUSA, and General Education Development (GED®). The guest speaker for the program was Col. Stephen Anthony Medeiros, Commander of the Marine Depot Maintenance Command Albany.

Analysis event and received the Who’s Who in PBL Award, while Tammy Hagines placed fth in the Information Technology event and was also selected as a nominee for the Georgia PBL Outstanding Member Award.

Capping and Pinning Albany Tech held its Capping and Pinning Ceremony for spring semester in April. Health Care Technology programs participating in the ceremony included Practical Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Pharmacy Technology. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Ken Miller, Ph.D., M.Div., a national motivational speaker. He serves as the Command Chaplain aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany. Pictured are graduates of the Practical Nursing, Paramedicine Technology, Pharmacy Technology and Health Information Technology.

DECA Winners

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Albany Tech’s chapter of the National Technical Honors Society (NTHS) inducted several students for spring semester during a ceremony in April. NTHS is the acknowledged leader in the recognition of outstanding student achievement in technical education. The organization also offers scholarships every year to its members. Keynote speaker for the evening ceremony was AAmir Greene, who is the 2013 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner for Albany Tech and current Student Government Association (SGA) president.

NTHS Inductees

Health Information Technology

PBL Winners

Paramedicine Technology

Albany Tech held its Spring Commencement exercises on June 7 at the Albany Civic Center. A reception was held preceding the ceremony. Over 60 students received their associate degrees; almost 200 received diplomas; and more than 40 earned technical certi cates of credit. In addition, more than 100 students were awarded a GED®. The guest speaker was Lt. Cmdr. K. Moore, Commanding Of cer of the United States Coast Guard Station Atlantic City and Coast Guard Station Small Great Egg.

Albany Tech, a Tree Campus USA, celebrated Arbor Day June 5, on campus by planting a tree. George Paul, Environmental Horticulture instructor selected a live oak, which is the Georgia state tree. Mr. Chuck Norvell, Urban Forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission, spoke to attendees on the history of Arbor Day and the importance of trees in our environment, as well as proper tree planting procedures.

SkillsUSA Winners

Practical Nursing Capping Candidates

Pharmacy Technology

DECA Winners

NTHS Inductees

Health Information Technology

PBL Winners

Paramedicine Technology

SkillsUSA Winners

Practical Nursing Capping Candidates

Pharmacy Technology

LCHS Culinary Students...

APPETIZER WINNERS Above (l-r): Yaunna Taylor, Drew Aultman and Austin Schlarb

... are Cooking Now!

In May, dually enrolled Culinary Arts students from Lee County High School came to Albany Tech’s Culinary Arts lab in the Logistics Education Center for a cooking competition. The students’ challenge was to take a mystery basket of ingredients and turn them into a meal that was judged based on creativity, teamwork, presentation and taste with minimal time to plan and execute. The competition was divided into three rounds: Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert. In each round, the student chefs were given a basket containing between three and ve ingredients, and the dish had to contain each of those ingredients, but they could add to them from a pantry and refrigerator stocked with a wide variety of ingredients. Student chefs completed ve platings (one for each judge, plus one “beauty plate”); they were timed.

ENTRÉE & CHOPPED CHAMPIONS Above (l-r): Landrea Johnson, Keaton Hayes and Maria Jaime

The judges critiqued the dishes based on teamwork, presentation, taste and creativity and then issued a score from ve to zero. Scores were added and the team with the highest points at the end of three rounds was crowned the “Chopped Champions.” Judges for the competition were Lee County School Superintendent, Larry Walters; Lee County High School Principal, Kevin Dowling; and Albany Technical College Board of Directors’ Chair, Virginia Parker. Albany Tech Culinary Arts chefs and instructors Todd White and Matt Beard assisted with the competition, as well as Mrs. Sandra Parker, Career Tech Ag Director at Lee County High School.

DESSERT WINNERS TIE GROUP 1 Above (l-r): Haley Craft, Ty Matthews and Kaitlyn Jaser

DESSERT WINNERS TIE GROUP 2 Above (l-r): Madison Noyes, Derian Lawson and Heather Hiers

LCHS Culinary Students...

APPETIZER WINNERS Above (l-r): Yaunna Taylor, Drew Aultman and Austin Schlarb

... are Cooking Now!

ENTRÉE & CHOPPED CHAMPIONS Above (l-r): Landrea Johnson, Keaton Hayes and Maria Jaime

DESSERT WINNERS TIE GROUP 1 Above (l-r): Haley Craft, Ty Matthews and Kaitlyn Jaser

DESSERT WINNERS TIE GROUP 2 Above (l-r): Madison Noyes, Derian Lawson and Heather Hiers

Drafting Students Present Plans to The Parks at Chehaw Students in the Drafting Technology program at Albany Technical College presented of cials from The Parks at Chehaw expansion designs on May 2. Chehaw Zoo Director Kevin Hills had been working with Albany Tech drafting instructor Chinelo Ochie and her students to create a North American Expansion for the Park. Chehaw’s ultimate goal is to bring animals from different continents of the world to the zoo. In order to accomplish this, they wanted to expand the zoo by building different habitats to house the different animals. The North American Expansion is the rst of such designs to accomplish this.

Faces

15th Annual ATC Career Fair Puts Students in Touch with Jobs! More than 50 Southwest Georgia employers participated in the 15th Annual Spring Career Fair April 18 on campus. The annual Career Fair is a great opportunity for Albany Tech students to speak with employers and learn about various companies and career opportunities. Employers accept resumes, offer information about employment opportunities and conduct interviews for internships, part-time and full-time positions.

Students working on the project split into seven groups. Group 1: Garrin Harvey and Jason Tucker – layout and design foundation; Group 2: Jeanetta Miles and Kailey Culberson – eagles and birds; Group 3: Jason Fisher, Jonathan Perry, and Brandon Bass – bear, bison, and elk; Group 4: Jennifer Bays-Murphy – cats; Group 5: Michael Oliver – skunks; Group 6: Julie Clark – tower; and Group 7: Taurus Batten – prairie dogs. Capstone Project: Engineering Students Design a Fitness Track for Campus Engineering students David Basnight and Robert Cuff were tasked with designing an ATC on campus tness facility. Their nal design included a quarter-mile track with ve exercise stations. The track itself will be composed of recycled rubber material on a compacted earth base. The exercise stations will each be equipped with outdoor tness equipment that will provide a complete body workout for all ages and tness levels. The impetus was a Harvard study that showed a 3-to-1 return on investment for a wellness program — basically the college would save $3 in cost for every dollar spent. Their presentation showed that over 12 years (rubber has to be redone after 12 years) if 40 people initially use the track and that number increases by ve people a year, the college will see that 3:1 return.

Prepping for Real World Success:

Job Interview Workshop

Albany Tech held a Job Interview Workshop on March 20. The workshop focused on “Perfecting Your Interview Skills.” Students from the Business Administrative Technology and Law Enforcement Technology programs at Albany Tech got the inside information on job interviewing skills to help them compete in the workforce. The goal was to provide these students with the competitive edge for the real world workforce. Also sponsored by the Career Development Center at Albany Tech, this workshop assisted students with appropriate dress and resume compilation for interview success.

& Places Businesses that participated in ATC’s Career Fair: Albany ARC Albany Fire Dept. Albany Police Dept. Albany State University Albany Recruitment P.A.R.C. Albany Area Employee Committee Booz Allen Hamilton Chamberlin Central Monitoring Cumulus Media Dougherty County Human Resources Dougherty County Sheriff’s Dept. Dougherty County Schools Georgia Dept. of Labor Georgia Forestry Commission Georgia Dept. of Juvenile Justice Georgia National Guard Goodwill Keystone Kohl’s Lowe’s Mann Dental Care Mediacom MetroPower/Albany Electric/Albany Plumbing Farm Service MillerCoors Nightingale Outdoor Network Papa John’s Pizza Procter & Gamble P&G Daycare Palmyra Nursing Home Peach State Phoebe Putney Hospital ResCare Homecare Right from the Start Rite Aid Red Lobster Sam’s Club Senior Life Ins. Sister Sister Daycare Sonny’s Bar-B-Q SOWEGA WIA Tara Foods Target TeachGeorgia Teleperformance Turner Job Corp U-Save-It Vocational Rehab Walgreen’s

Faces

Prepping for Real World Success:

Job Interview Workshop

Faces

& Places Albany Technical College Holds 1st Annual Memorial Day Ceremony In an effort to create student awareness of why Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day are celebrated, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech, said this year marks the rst of what he hopes will be an annual tradition for the college. Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson from the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.

Loren Hall signs on with the Albany Tech Titans.

In 2011, Hudson came to Albany to take the helm following Maj. Gen. James Kessler. During his career, Hudson has done multiple deployments, the most recent of which was a one-year stint in Afghanistan, which ended roughly two months before his arrival in Albany. Through his deployments, he has also participated in operations conducted in Grenada, Lebanon, the Arabian Gulf, East Timor and Iraq. Hudson was commissioned in 1981 after graduating from The Citadel. Remarks were also made by Dr. Willie Adams, Retired OB-GYN and former Mayor of Albany.

Students enjoyed fun activities on campus during Spring Fling March 28.

As part of the NEA’s Read Across America, the Early Childhood Care and Education program at Albany Technical College held a Dr. Seuss’s Reading event in the campus daycare center.

Several area high school counselors and principals attended Albany Tech’s annual High School Partners Workshop on January 25. As part of the workshop, the group toured several program labs with presentations from various instructors. Shown here is a presentation by the Radiologic Technology program instructors.

ATC Hosts 9th Annual Faith-based Luncheon for Area Clergy ATC held an annual workshop and luncheon for area clergy in March. The theme for the luncheon was “Real World Training for the Real World Workforce.” The purpose was to provide information to clergy in our community about educational choices at Albany Tech, nancial aid options and employment opportunities available to graduates.

The Albany Tech Titans held their annual Athletics Banquet on April 19 in the Kirkland Conference Center where several Titans and Lady Titans were recognized for their athletic accomplishments throughout the season.

On June 13, two Albany Technical College students received $500 scholarships from the Women In Construction, Albany Chapter #65. Above, l-r: Jeanetta Miles, Drafting Technology student; Zandrea Chambers, Environmental Horticulture student; Elizabeth Pollock, Chair of the Sarah Mann Anderson Scholarship; and Ophelia Price, Financial Aid Specialist at Albany Tech. The scholarship is awarded every year to deserving Albany Tech students majoring in a construction or construction-related eld.

“We understand the important role ministers play in the lives of our students,” said Lisandra DeJesus, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Albany Tech. “It is these people who shape our students’ character and encourage them to take advantage of education and better their lives.” The keynote speaker was Mr. Jose Mendoza, Pastor of Centro Cristiano Victoria Church.

Faces

Loren Hall signs on with the Albany Tech Titans.

Students enjoyed fun activities on campus during Spring Fling March 28.

As part of the NEA’s Read Across America, the Early Childhood Care and Education program at Albany Technical College held a Dr. Seuss’s Reading event in the campus daycare center.

1704 S. Slappey Blvd. Albany GA 31701

Access Summer 2013

Published on Jul 2, 2013

A Newsletter for Friends of Albany Technical College

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