Athens Tech Foundation Impact Report 2022

Impact Report 2022

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

When asked if I would serve as chair of the Athens Tech Foundation this year, I did not find it a difficult decision to say yes. Chairing the board of an organization that supports so many people in so many facets of our daily lives was something I could get behind. I think anyone in our community would be hard pressed to say a graduate of Athens Technical College has not affected their lives in some way for the better, and I’m proud to be participating in that success. I’m also privileged to work with a board that has a shared vision for this Foundation and student achievement.

I have seen firsthand how the Foundation enables students to plan for a future that may not have otherwise been available to them, as Georgia Power supports students through emergency funding, which provides that extra help when students have unforeseen expenses that threaten to derail their continuation or completion of a program. In 2022, the Foundation provided $103,275 in student support. We are fortunate to have corporate, community, and individual commitments who enable us to provide this funding. We know it’s just a beginning.

This year the Foundation is marking 35 years of supporting Athens Tech. We’ll be celebrating with a benefit dinner on April 20 at the Georgia Club. It will be an evening of fun, but it will also bring into focus the great plans the Foundation has for the next 35 years. We’ve set some pretty high goals for our fundraising because we know it is not only doable, but also critical.

Recently, I heard about a student who came into the Foundation office, having received emergency funding. She was overjoyed. It was her second time at Athens Technical College, the first time being a decade ago. She said her priorities were straight now, and she could not believe that the Foundation was going to help her with extra funding to get through the semester. Everyone in the office got a hug from her that day. She wrote the required thank-you notes and promised to send more because she wanted the donors to fully know her appreciation. We wish there could be many more students like this one – who know there are people in our community rooting for them. The Foundation is ready for that challenge!

Sincerely,

Jeff Petrea

Chair, Athens Tech Foundation Board of Directors

ATHENS

TECH FOUNDATION 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Chair

Mr. Jeff Petrea

Director of External Relations, Georgia Power Company

Vice-Chair

Ms. Leslie Friedman

Independent Writer/Consultant

Treasurer

Ms. Katherine Alexander

VP - Private Wealth, Synovus Bank

Secretary

Ms. Susan Bogardus

Market President, BankSouth

Board Members

Mr. Jeff Brown , VP of Operations, St. Mary’s Health Care System

Mr. William “Bill” Bushnell, Attorney

Ms. Elaine P. Cook, Director of Major Gifts, Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation

Mr. Paul Cramer, President/CEO, The Classic Center

Ms. Patricia Dixen, Retired Marketing Director

Mr. Dwain Evans, Director of Enterprise Accounts-Retail Sector, UPS

Mr. Graham Joyner, Co-Founder and CEO, METAL + PETAL

Ms. Lori Lord, Owner/CEO, Promotional Marketing Services

Ms. Michelle Morgan, Chief People Officer, Zaxby’s Franchising LLC

Ms. Jean Mullis, Neese District Manager, Jackson EMC

Mr. Whit Richardson, Owner, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Ms. Teri Smiley, President, Walton County Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Sam Young, Retired Economic Development Director

Members Ex-Officio

Dr. Andrea D. Daniel, President, Athens Technical College

Mr. Josh Paine, Executive Director of PR and Institutional Advancement, Athens Technical College

Ms. Jen Welborn, Director of Institutional Advancement, Athens Technical College

ABOUT US

Established in 1988, the Foundation is a registered, charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our donors contribute to the success of our students and ultimately the quality of our regional workforce.

OUR MISSION

To partner with Athens Technical College and with the community to build the workforce of today and for the future.

5,206

Total credit enrollment

AY 2022 By the Numbers

1,289

Total Graduates

15.7% increase from 2021 2021 2022

GRADUATES AND AWARDS

248 Diplomas

436 Associates Degrees

1,660 Technical Certificates of Credit

100% Placement rate 98.8% In-field placement rate, up 4.8% from 2021

2,344

Total awards conferred 1.8% increase in awards from 2021

7 TH most Associate Degrees out of the 22 TCSG Colleges

Meet Deondra Favors

What led you to enroll at ATC?

I started at Athens Tech in 2018, when I graduated from high school. I wanted to get into science, but I didn’t know what area of study I necessarily wanted to do. My class took a tour here and I just loved the way Dr. Rapp presented the program to me. As well as Justin Makala, he was our tour guide. What I really liked is the way they sold community and culture here. I feel like it’s a really good school.

How did you get into the Accounting Program?

I graduated last year from the Bioscience program, and one of the teachers recommended that I get into accounting since I’m good at math. I set out originally just to get only the TCC’s, but I received so many scholarships from tfhe Foundation that I was able to pay for the whole associate degree.

So, you’ve gotten several scholarships?

Yes, I apply every semester. Every scholarship that I qualify for I apply for.

What do you enjoy about your program at ATC?

I like the small classrooms and the willingness everyone has to work together. Especially my professors. They are willing to help you through whatever you’re going through. I also like how all the teachers in accounting, before we do a test, they always play Kahoot.

Do you have a favorite thing that you’ve learned during either program?

As far as accounting, I would say I mostly enjoyed learning the basics. Going into it I wasn’t sure if I could do this program because accounting is hard. It’s a very intimidating subject, but they make the intro classes easy to understand and catch onto.

Can you tell about the scholarships that you’ve gotten?

My favorite thing about receiving scholarships with the Foundation is that you are encouraged to write thank you notes. I really put a lot of respect into my thank you notes. I mean, everyone needs helps sometimes, but it’s respectable that people will give money to random people they don’t know. So, I’m always very appreciative that somebody can read my little essay and say, “I want to help her”. It’s motivational.

Q&A WITH A SECOND-TIME STUDENT

Accounting student (Bioscience graduate); Phil Bettendorf Business & Education Scholarship Recipient

SUPPORT SUCCESS for

Scholarships empower ATC students to excel and find balance

TYLER BROWN

Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Student; Phil Bettendorf Business & Education Scholarship Recipient

This is actually my second time at Athens Tech. I talked to someone in the main office, and he was really helpful. We talked a little about my resume, which is essentially service industry experience. Stephony let me know that Alphonso Buie is a great teacher and it’s a great program, so he convinced me to do it. I never thought I would be studying Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, but I’m actually digging the program, and I’m happy I’m in it.

I’m blessed to have received a scholarship. That extra bit of income allowed me to spend more time at the Classic Center doing my internship and doing homework. I mean, $300 dollars is a week of pay for me, so that was 5 days extra over the semester that I was able to focus on school, which is huge.

TAYLOR HOLLOMAN Nursing Student; Life Sciences and Public Safety Scholarship Recipient

I work full-time as a Paramedic with Madison County EMS, and I teach part-time with Athens Technical College in the EMS program. I thoroughly enjoy being a paramedic and getting to deliver emergency care to patients in need, but since starting a family I have realized the strain 24-hour shifts can cause. EMS is not a career field that you enter for the money, and there has been financial strain while trying to cover expenses, and plan for my family’s financial future. My goal is to not live paycheck to paycheck and to be able to adequately save for my son’s future college expenses and for retirement.

I chose to attend the ATC nursing program to further my knowledge and continue my passion for emergency medicine in a local emergency department. While working in the ED I hope to build off my previous skills to deliver quality care to my patients and gain further experience within the healthcare field. I hope to obtain my bachelor’s degree in nursing to open opportunities for leadership. I hope that with my knowledge in Nursing and Paramedicine will increase the knowledge that I can offer students when I teach for ATC in the EMS programs. The nursing field is experiencing a shortage at this time, and I hope I can help alleviate some of the strain. After gaining some further experience I hope that I can obtain a spot in a Nurse Practitioner program to further my knowledge and to allow me to deliver higher level quality care to my patients.

MOISES NIDO

Culinary Arts Student; Awah Teh Hospitality Scholarship Recipient

Cooking has always been a part of me since I was a kid. I’ve been in the kitchen with my grandparents starting from a very young age, so it feels natural. I would definitely recommend culinary school, even if you have no experience. There are a lot of people in my class that were new and now are at the Georgia Center and growing, and one student just left to go to California to do their internship. There is a lot of fun and a lot of competition opportunities. You’re talking to a second-place chili cook-off-er right here! It’s fun, you meet new people, and you will get out of your comfort zone cooking new foods. I definitely recommend it. The chef told me when I first started that people need to eat, and with that, we can always find a job.

We have to finish out the program with an internship. Dr. Buie at the time put something in my head about travelling abroad. The first Costa Rica idea fell through, and we were left just us on the computer, and it was just the first link we clicked on. The next day I wrote my application and a couple days later I got accepted. It was very out of the blue. When I come back [this Spring], I’ll graduate. I made it so that the internship will be my last thing to finish. I’ll be going to be a chef’s assistant working at a Bistro that is about 10-15 minutes from Florence.

KRISTEN WALLACE Interdisciplinary Studies/ Pre-Nursing Student; Lewis W. Williford Scholarship Recipient

“I’ve been paying for school as I go since I already have student loans from getting my biology degree, so it’s not ideal to add more on top of that. So, getting a scholarship helps to alleviate some of that financial burden so that I can focus more on my studies. I am still working, but the nursing program can get expensive, so starting off with this extra help into the program will definitely help me out.

Although I really love science, with the lab tech positions I was holding, I wasn’t being fulfilled. I really love the aspect of being able to help my community, so I thought I’d pair my love for science with my interest in helping, so nursing seems like a good fit.”

ERIC JUDKINS VAN-BUREN

Computer Support and Networking Student; Phil Bettendorf Business & Education Scholarship Recipient

So, I’m under the CIST umbrella; I’m a dual major. One degree is Customer Support Technician, and the other one is Networking, and with that I’ll also be a Microsoft Office specialist. I already have a BA in Biology, and so my background is in healthcare. I will go back into healthcare with the IT degrees I’m acquiring, but instead of dealing on the patient side I’ll be on the IT side. It’ll be a nice bridge knowing both sides. I’m looking forward to it.

Since I already have an undergraduate degree, I don’t get any financial aid, so I pay out of pocket. So even though Athens Tech is very reasonable, it still costs around $1,700 dollars per semester. So, the scholarship has really helped me because when you get no financial aid and you’re paying out of pocket you’re counting every little penny. It’s really helped take a load off of me.

Why do you “Give a Hoot?”

By serving as a reviewer for our scholarships, I have the opportunity to read student essays of their struggles and sacrifices they endure for hope of a better life for themselves and for their families. Some will be rewarded with much needed financial assistance, but there are so many needs. To realize the role our Foundation plays in assisting students pay their tuition or purchase textbooks and in providing vouchers for our Adult Education students, is a source of pride. The small amount that is automatically deducted each month from my paycheck, making it as painless as can be, is a way I can help support our students. The impact of our Foundation is greater than we’ll ever know. Thank you for all you do!

– Carol Stanley, Director of Library Services

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

Athens Tech Foundation: By the Numbers

$103,275

Total invested in student support

70 Students awarded scholarships

$72,882

Total scholarship dollars awarded

473

Total number of applications received for scholarships

115

Total number of students awarded retention grants/emergency funding

$22,393

Total retention and emergency grant dollars awarded

$8,000 Worth of GED tests purchased for adult education students

BOARD PERSPECTIVE:

Why do you support the Athens Tech Foundation?

“Because I believe wholly in the mission of both the Foundation and the College and understand how vital both are to our area in providing opportunities for a better life for our graduates - I am a real-life example of this!”

Lori Lord, Promotional Marketing Services

ATC students aren’t just students; they are members of this community. The Athens Tech Foundation helps them excel at school and in the workforce beyond their studies.

Leslie Friedman, Writer/Consultant

I think technical education is the backbone of our workforce. It was a launching pad for my career, and I fully support the programs that the technical colleges offer.

Jeff Brown, St. Mary’s Health Care System

When I think of ways to contribute to the Athens community, providing financial assistance for students at Athens Technical College is one of the best. I give to assist students in their final year of college overcome unexpected financial setbacks that would prevent them from graduating. We all need a little help now and then. The experience of helping students ready themselves for their first career or start a new one is very rewarding.

Patricia Dixen, Retired Marketing Director

FY 2022 (AS OF DEC. 31, 2022)

Financial Report

$14,855 In-kind contributions

($373,086.01) Investment gains

$324,022.18 Contributions

($48,598.78)

Total revenue

($336,115.48) Change in net assets

$1,919,303.82

Total assets

$1,705,277

Total investments

EXPENDITURES

Administrative Expenses: $115,247.58

Student Support: $103,275.61

College Support: $69,994.63

A growing opportunity in Elbert County

In fall 2022, the Board of Directors approved $209,000 from the Elbert Campus Improvement Fund to support construction of a greenhouse facility at the new Tom McCall Agricultural Science Complex at the Elbert County Campus. Due to escalation costs with construction of the complex (lab building and arena), the College did not receive enough state funding to cover the total cost of the project, which totaled over $500,000. The project is set to be completed in time for Summer 2023 courses.

“The greenhouse will improve student learning by providing a hands-on environment where students can learn about all aspects of plant propagation, production, and harvest,” according to Program Chair Chris Morgan. “This includes determining how environmental conditions effect plant germination and growth: photoperiodism, altering the light color spectrum, temperature, humidity, etc. This facility will equip our students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the many facets of the horticulture industry such as bedding plants, vegetable, and nursery production.”

CAMPUS IMPACT

2022 CONTRIBUTING DONORS

Katherine and Josh Alexander

Gilles Allard

Amazon AMH Inc.

Scott Anderson

Dawn Armeni

Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation

BankSouth

Patricia Barron

Jennifer Batchelor

Nat Belger

Philip E. Bettendorf Jr.

Ashton Blackwood

Susan Bogardus

Tina Bone

Richard Boone

Kim Boyer

Paul Brookshire

Douglas Kyle Brown

Marilyn K. Brown

Jennifer Burrell

Dana Buxton

Barbara Cabaniss

Dianne Campbell

David Cappi

Cheri Carr

Robert H. Carson & Teresa Bethke

J. Robert Chambers Jr.

Frank Christa

Madelyn Clare

Kenneth Coley

Anastasia and Paul M. Cramer

Lucy Daigle

Andrea Daniel

Jeremy Daniel

Barbara Davis

Octavius Davis

Thomas Denny

Patricia Dixen

Dava Dobbs

Maxine Easom

Eve Carson Foundation

Qian Fang

Doris Firth

Jennifer Fitzgerald

Fabersha Flynt

Marilyn and Frank Fortson

Frances Wood Wilson Foundation

Leslie Friedman

Shamala Gallagher

Gary B. Vickers Community Education Fund

Georgia Power Company

Glasstech Services Inc.

Sherri Goggin

Ed Graham

Christian Greene

Trace Hall

Kye Haymore

Elizabeth Heath

Steve L. Hollis

Larissa Holm-Smith

Laura and Matthew Hoots

Bonnie Bray Hopson

Grant Kanavage

Knights of Columbus Pope

John Paul II Council #13808

Kroger

Duke Lindsay

Nathan Loyd

Leon Ross Manders

Shelby Maxwell

Elizabeth Mayberry

Wes McCleary

Laura McDowell

Melinda McGee

Amanda McKay

Leslie C. McKenzie

John McLanahan

Kim Morris

Susan Mull

Jean Mullis

Ann Murray

NIBCO Inc.

Maneika Norman

Josh Paine

Fred Perriman

Michele Petee

Jeffrey Petrea

Quinton Phillips

Donna Pierce

Victoria Prevatt

Ginger Randall

Suraiya Razzak

Hugh David Reynolds

Whit Richardson

Rotary Club of Greene & Putnam Counties

Michelle Ruebush

Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation

Leonard Sapera

Schimmel Family Foundation

Jennifer Shea

Stanfield Air Systems

Shawana and Keith Stanford

Nancy Stangle

Carol Stanley

Ryan Stanley

Lawton E. Stephens

Dan Stewart

LaReece Stewart

Superior Air Management

TCSG Foundation Inc.

Ruth Tellano-Daniel

The Classic Center

The Classic Center Cultural Foundation

The CandyVet Foundation at the Athens Area Community Foundation

The Laura Mulherin Foundation at the Athens Area Community Foundation

The Mary Lillie Watson Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation

The Todd Emily Community Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation

Kathryn Thomas

Emily Ullrich

Union Christian Church

Amy and John Usry

Robin Weinrich

Lisa G. White-Rodgers

Elizabeth and Franklin Whitworth

Brenda and Reginald Woods

Susan and Sam Young

2022 ACHIEVEMENT SOCIETY DONORS

The Achievement Society, which was established this year, recognizes individuals, corporations, and foundations that make unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more to Athens Tech Foundation each fiscal year.

Darrilyn G. Fraser

Hal & Becky Dally Family Fund at the Atlanta Community Foundation

Graham Joyner

Lori A. Lord

Michael McCord

Michelle Morgan

Jean Mullis

Synovus Bank

The Middlebrooks Automotive Holdings, Inc. Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation

Westlake Pipe & Fittings

Fran and Terry Wingfield, Jr.