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Junior College News Briefs
FAYETTEVILLE
ADDITION TO GMC-FAYETTEVILLE CAMPUS
The GMC-Fayetteville campus held a grand opening in August 2019 for its 11,000-squarefoot addition, marking a momentous milestone in its four-year history. The new construction adds biology and chemistry labs, an advising center, classrooms, and administrative and faculty offices. The Phase II expansion of the GMC-Fayetteville campus was completed to better serve students and the metro-Atlanta area.
Since it opened in August 2015, the GMC-Fayetteville campus has experienced significant growth in enrollment, an expansion of its academic and degree programs, and an increase in staff and full-time faculty. The Fayette County location is home to a variety of growing industries that include healthcare and a major international film studio.
AUGUSTA
GMC’S 50th BAS graduate
Opportunity is the word Tenario Powell uses to describe why he enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree program at Georgia Military College (GMC). After obtaining an Associate Degree in Computer Programming, and another in Computer Support, it was Powell’s registrar at Augusta Technical College (ATC) who told him about GMC’s BAS program and its course transfer agreement with ATC. Powell jumped at the opportunity to further his education. Now he’s GMC’s 50th BAS graduate.
While working toward his BAS degree Powell was also a software developer for the city of Augusta. He says pursuing a BAS degree in Business Management will help him further his career.
“I wanted this degree for personal edification,” Powell explains. “I felt that if I knew the business side of my industry, it will help me advance my career. I really hope that my education will get me a promotion at my place of employment. I’ve learned so much at asset towards fulfilling that mission GMC, especially in project at GMC. These degree programs management, data structures, allow students to apply their and information systems. All Associate of Applied Science degree of my courses have helped (AAS), technical, and occupational me learn to program in a coursework towards completing a business-minded way. This bachelor degree. Obtaining a BAS BAS degree combined with degree at GMC can open more my technical skills has really Tenario Powell career advancement opportunities helped broaden my horizons.” and increase earning potential for our
Powell completed his BAS degree graduates.” requirements at GMC in October 2019. He Dr. Mike Holmes, Vice President of plans to attend Kennesaw State University Academic Affairs at GMC, says he’s proud to further his education, pursuing a to see how the BAS program has grown Master of Science degree in Information since the institution’s first BAS graduate in Technology. May 2018.
Tianna Marynell, GMC Degree Program “I’m very proud to see GMC making Coordinator, says GMC’s BAS degree a difference in the lives of its students,” programs have opened new doors for Holmes says. “GMC provides opportunity students to pursue more opportunities in and hope for a brighter future to our their careers. students, and I’m excited that these BAS
“Part of GMC’s mission is to produce degree program students are taking educated citizens and contributing advantage of that opportunity to make a members of society,” Marynell says. “Our difference in their lives.” BAS programs have become an integral
DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF THE SERVANT LEADER AWARD
AUGUSTA
Georgia Military College-Augusta Associate Professor the more than $100,000 raised for the project, a bronze of Communications, Dr. James Brady, received a soldier’s cross statue and four granite benches were added Distinguished Order of the Servant Leader Award in in August 2019. January 2020 for his selfless dedication to making the The memorial honors the 169 service members from Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in downtown Augusta a the Augusta-Central Savannah River Area who died in the reality. Vietnam War and commemorates the more than 15,000 The Distinguished Order of the Servant Leader Award and its accompanying medal are presented to GMC Dr. James Brady Vietnam War veterans who returned from the war and currently live in the Augusta-Central Savannah River Area. students and employees who volunteer at least 100 hours during a 12-month period. Brady was recognized for demonstrating ETHICS BOWL character excellence by contributing more than 1,000 hours in In addition to teaching at the Augusta campus, Brady serves community service for more than a year, all for the war monument. as the GMC Ethics Bowl Coordinator, and was instrumental in the
Starting in 2017, Brady spearheaded the planning, design, creation of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics fundraising, location selection, and municipal approval for the (APPE) 2-Year College Ethics Bowl, as well as the Georgia High Vietnam War Veterans Memorial project in Augusta. He also School Ethics Bowl. singlehandedly worked on media coverage and publicity for the Brady has also served as the lead GMC-Augusta Ethics Bowl project, writing press releases, creating a prospectus book, and team coach, APPE 2-Year Ethics Bowl Program steering committee designing a website. chairman, and as a judge and a moderator at the APPE 4-Year
The inspiration for a Vietnam War Veterans Memorial came to Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Championship each year since Brady, a 24-year Army veteran, for several reasons. One was a 2012. For four consecutive years, 2010-2014, the GMC-Augusta chance encounter he had as a 12-year-old boy with a Vietnam War Ethics Bowl team won the College’s state championship under veteran who was a quadruple amputee and felt forgotten by his Brady’s guidance. The team also won the 2014 APPE 2-Year country. College Ethics Bowl National Championship held in Chicago.
“That image never left me and that sentiment that he expressed Ethics Bowl participation and competitions help students never left me,” says Brady, whose work with Vietnam War vets as a with the development of five key skills: critical thinking; research; longtime member of the Military Order of the World Wars Augusta communication; civil discourse; and character building. The last Chapter also helped inspire the monument. one – character building – is the most important, Brady says.
The Vietnam War Veterans Memorial was unveiled and “Not only does the Ethics Bowl teach values and moral reasoning dedicated on March 29, 2019, which was also National Vietnam critical to developing strong character, but it teaches students War Veterans Day, on the median at the intersection of Fourth and how to respectfully agree and disagree, and to appreciate others’ Broad streets in downtown Augusta. With funds left over from points of view,” he says.
SHIRLEY KELLY: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY
Growing up in Upper Manhattan, Shirley Kelly (JC ’08) was inspired at a young age by the hundreds of street vendors hawking their fare and ware from the sidewalks of New York City. She longed to have her own small business.
VALDOSTA
Driven and determined to become a small-business entrepreneur, Shirley landed her first job at age 12, working for a street vendor selling sundry items that included umbrellas. “I used to love rainy days because I made the most money,” she recalls.
After years spent working right out of high school at NBC Studios in Manhattan, Shirley moved in 1994 with her two young daughters to Valdosta, a university town many of her family members already called home. Despite no one in her family ever attending college, the then 30-year-old single mother eventually mustered up the courage to attend a local four-year university.
In spite of her best efforts, Shirley’s first college venture turned out not to be a good fit. It also came at a time in her life when it was too challenging for her to pursue a bachelor’s degree. “I was thinking to myself, ‘do you give up, or what do you do here?’” she says.
Shirley didn’t give up. Her dream of becoming a small-business owner grew even stronger. A classmate had suggested that Shirley consider enrolling at Georgia Military College in Valdosta. She sent her school transcripts to GMC-Valdosta, reasoning that it would make the second step easier.
“And it was,” says Shirley, who initially met with Bonnie Tindall at GMC-Valdosta, an assistant professor of political science and social science coordinator, who has since retired. “I just could not believe the difference between [GMC and the university]. I felt like I was talking to someone who was actually interested in me. … It was the difference between night and day.”
While attending GMC-Valdosta, Shirley was always reading and studying for classes. Even during major holidays, she could be found off on her own with textbooks and notebooks in hand. In 2008, Shirley graduated cum laude from GMC-Valdosta with an Associate Degree in Business Administration.
Shirley’s undying determination to obtain a college degree inspired each of her four children to also attend college. Both daughters have graduated with bachelor’s degrees and are leading successful careers. Both sons are currently attending a four-year university. “In my mind, it’s hard to say ‘I want you to go to college,’ if I didn’t do it myself,” Shirley says, referring to her children, happily noting, “The generational curse has been broken.”
Soon after graduating, Shirley turned her full focus to realizing her longtime dream of having a small business to call her very own. The location she chose for her business venture was a familiar one – the GMC-Valdosta campus. In 2010, she started SAK Vending, operating a vending machine that provided frozen meals and ice cream. She soon realized the success of her small business hinged solely on that one machine and began to think bigger.
The timing of construction for a new building at GMC-Valdosta and the decision to open a food service snack bar there proved to be quite fortuitous for Shirley. She applied the business skills she’d learned at GMC to plan and propose a small business to fill the snack bar space.
Hot Dog Express serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items.
In 2011, Shirley met with the proper county officials, and conducted business and menu research before presenting a wellthought-out business plan with a tentative menu to then GMCValdosta Executive Director, Leslie Hafer. Three months later, Shirley opened the Hot Dog Express inside the Student Center, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. She offers more than a dozen toppings to dress a hot dog that includes her homemade chili.
(opposite page) Shirley Kelly presents check for student scholarship
fund to Billie Washburn, Executive Director of Valdosta campus
Shirley says. She makes a point to learn her customers’ names and, as a GMC alumna, often shares some college wisdom with students. “If you’re in my line for more than two or three times, I’ll ask you ‘hey, what’s your name?’” Shirley says, adding, “I’m always going to ask about class.”
As part of the GMC-Valdosta 40th anniversary celebration in November 2019, Shirley was asked to speak. She took the opportunity to also give back to the college that has given so much to her and her children. During the celebration, Shirley presented GMC-Valdosta with a check for $1,000 to go toward a student scholarship fund awarded on a needs basis.
“Because I know what it’s like to wonder whether or not you can afford to go to school,” says Shirley, who was a single mother living on food stamps at one point during her college days.
Shirley also thanked the people at GMC-Valdosta who were there for her and believed in her during her time as a student and beyond. “You never know what life you’re affecting,” she says, “negatively or positively.”
Congratulations to our class of 2020 Junior College Graduates! JC 2020 graduation This year, graduations looked a bit different all over the country. Instead of GMC celebrating all graduates with one large ceremony, as is typically done, they hosted five smaller indoor ceremonies in July. This allowed for smaller groups for the college graduates and allow social distancing. They were able to have their families and close friends present to celebrate their incredible achievements.
GMC-COLUMBUS
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Retired Army Maj. Gen. David Coburn has been named the new executive director of the GMCColumbus campus. The 37-year Army veteran has called the city of Columbus, Georgia, home several times before, including as a youth when his father was stationed at Fort Benning.
Coburn was 11 years old when his father retired while still at Fort Benning. Afterward, his family remained in Columbus for a number of years. Coburn is an alumnus of both Columbus High School and Columbus State University.
He graduated from CSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and was commissioned in 1982 as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. He has also earned a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University and a Master’s Degree in Resourcing National Strategy from the Industrial College of Armed Forces.
From 1985 to 1990, Coburn returned to Columbus when he was stationed at Fort Benning as a Ranger Instructor and Airborne Company Commander. His final assignment was serving as Commanding General for the U.S. Army Financial Management Command in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Coburn and his wife, Denise, have been married for 32 years and have raised two daughters.
