WGTC - News & Events

WGTC to offer registered nursing - Joins with Columbus Tech for 2-year degree program
By Kathleen Guion, Staff Writer - LaGrange Daily News
Posted: December 8, 2006

Local students soon may earn a two-year associate degree as a registered nurse without having to attend school outside Troup County.

West Georgia Technical College has formed a partnership with Columbus Technical College and Flint River Technical College that will allow the Columbus Technical college associate degree in nursing to be offered on the campuses of West Georgia and Flint River.

Dr. Daryl Gilley, president of West Georgia Technical College, said the partnership will save tax payers the approximate $500,000 startup cost of preparing the school for a program which would train student for the associate degree in nursing.

Currently WGTC offers licensed practical nursing, certified nursing associate, medical assistant, radiology, mammography and phlebotomy programs. Elaine Gilbert, dean of health sciences at WGTC, said the collaborative is a good opportunity, not only for students, but for the community as well.
“There is currently a shortage of nurses and studies show that graduates tend to stay and work in the area where they go to school,” Gilbert said.

Teachers from Columbus Technical College will travel to WGTC to teach the nursing classes which will be offered in three to four months. Some distance learning classes will also be offered.

Prospective students may now apply for admission and enroll in pre-requisite courses for winter quarter classes which begin on Jan. 8.

For more information on the associate degree in nursing program, contact West Georgia Technical College at (706) 837-4255.

Pictured (l - r): Mr. Gary Williams, Acting President of Flint River Technical College; Mr. Bob Jones, President of Columbus Technical College and Dr. Daryl Gilley, President of West Georgia Technical College.

Gwendolyn Askew is the winner of the recent “How do you define success?” essay contest at West Georgia Technical College. Ms. Askew, an allied health student from Senoia, GA received a certificate of achievement and $125 Wal-Mart gift card in reward for her winning essay. Larry Miller, second place finisher and Marion Swindle, third place, also received certificates and gift cards in recognition of their efforts.

The essay contest, open to all students enrolled in College Life courses at West Georgia Technical College, was sponsored by WGTC Student Government Association and WGTC Learning Support Services. Judges for the contest were selected from among the more than 45 WGTC faculty members. For more information on the College Life program or Learning Support Services, contact West Georgia Technical College at 706.812.5616 or mmarler@westgatech.edu.

West Georgia Technical College in Partnership to Provide Registered Nurses
Posted: December 4, 2006

West Georgia Technical College is pleased to announce a partnership with Columbus Technical College and Flint River Technical College that will allow the Columbus Technical College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to be offered on the campuses of West Georgia and Flint River. The agreement between the three colleges will benefit the regional healthcare providers and utilize state resources in an efficient manner for maximum results.

Additional details of the partnership will be discussed during a news conference to be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, December 7, 2006 in the Callaway Center on the campus of West Georgia Technical College in LaGrange. Prospective students may now apply for admission and enroll in pre-requisite courses for Winter Quarter classes which begin on January 8th at West Georgia Technical College. For more information on the Associate Degree in Nursing program, contact West Georgia Technical College at 706.837.4255.

West Georgia Tech celebrates 40 years
From Staff Reports - LaGrange Daily News
Posted: November 12, 2006

West Georgia Technical College celebrated its 40th anniversary with a dinner at the Callaway Center on Oct. 20.

Approximately 200 guests attended. Each chair was decorated with a WGTC T-shirt that was provided as a souvenir of the evening. Music was provided by the trio ‘Arioso’ and the event was catered by Tulla White Cuisine and Catering. White, owner of several downtown restaurants, is a graduate of the Culinary Arts program at West Georgia Tech.

The evening’s events included a walk down memory lane through a multi-media presentation that was accompanied by the Bob Hope classic “Thanks for the Memory.”

The keynote speaker was Dr. R. S. Clark, superintendent of Troup County schools from 1949 to 1967. He is credited as the founder of West Georgia Technical College by having the foresight in 1961 of the need for an educational institution to train high school dropouts and out-of-work adults.

For the following five years, the necessary manpower, land and finances were secured to make Clark’s vision a reality with the creation of the Troup County Area Vocational Technical Institute.

“We in Troup County are fortunate to have a citizenry dedicated to the proposition that adults are entitled to learn how to earn a better living and how to live a better life,” Clark said.

“From a modest beginning 40 years ago, West Georgia Technical College has grown and grown from an area vo-tech school to an area vo-tech institute to an area technical college,” he said.

“It has trained and re-trained a recycling reservoir of skilled manpower; it has attracted diversified industries that blanket the sprawling industrial parks; it has nurtured academic education, fostered economic development, and raised the standard of living in Troup and surrounding counties.”

CDL Program in Greenville Is Trucking
By: Linda Jones, WGTC VP for Economic Development
Posted: November 10, 2006

Dr. Daryl Gilley, President of WGTC, decided to expand the Commercial Driving License Program
into Meriwether County beginning August of 2006. Dr. Gilley realized a need and, with the help of Meriwether County leaders, located a driving range for the program. A site in Woodbury was selected and work quickly began to make this range a reality. The first class to use the range conducted pre-trip inspection classes in October.

Since both August classes had a waiting list, the decision to add another class in October was made by CDL Director, Ray Benefield. Mr. Benefield has also scheduled another class in February, 2007. These classes run 10 weeks with classroom instruction being conducted at the Greenville Workforce Development Center. A high school diploma is not required to attend these classes. Tuition and fees are paid by the HOPE grant for anyone meeting Georgia residency requirements.

West Georgia Technical College Offers Flexible Schedule
By: Dr. Darryl Harrison, WGTC VP for Academic Affairs
Posted: November 10, 2006

West Georgia Technical College is offering current and potential students a way to get their education and save money at the same time.

Beginning winter quarter, students may take classes on a flexible schedule that could reduce the number of days they have to travel to campus. In this plan, classes would meet either on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. A select number of classes will meet one day a week on Fridays in a block schedule format. Many night classes already meet only one day a week.

“This plan allows a student to choose how many days they schedule classes. Students may choose a one day, two day, four day, or five day schedule depending on how many courses they want to take. The flexible schedule should provide students with a way to reduce travel expenses and childcare costs related to time spent on campus,” stated Dr. Darryl Harrison, vice president for academic affairs. “It may also allow students an easier way to plan classes around their work schedules.”

West Georgia Technical College already offers classes in day, afternoon, evening, and weekend formats. Over six hundred students take classes online and a number of others are enrolled in “hybrid” courses which contain both online and on-campus requirements. Students may take any mix of classes that meets their scheduling needs.

A few programs will have limited flexible schedule offerings. Health Science programs with clinical requirements will meet on a more traditional schedule. Cosmetology and barbering also have a different schedule in order to allow students to meet state licensing board time requirements. Industrial technology programs work with students to plan individualized schedules which may also reduce time spent on campus.

The new scheduling options are open to students beginning with the start of winter quarter on January 8th, 2007. For more information on the winter quarter and programs offered at West Georgia Technical College, please contact the admissions office at 706-837-4244.

A proposed partnership between West Georgia Technical College and Columbus Technical College would bring CTC’s associate degree registered nursing (ADN) program to the WGTC campus as early as January, 2007.

Through this partnership, area residents may enroll in CTC’s ADN program and take all classes at the West Georgia Technical College campus. Students may complete pre-requisite courses as a WGTC student and then complete the competitive admission process for entrance into the CTC ADN program.

Individuals interested in the program have two admission tracks depending upon their prior academic preparation. Students who are already LPN’s take a 106 credit hour LPN- ADN bridge program. The LPN applicant must also provide evident of 1000 hours of verifiable work experience. Students coming from other backgrounds take a track of 108 credit hours.

Students interested in either track may begin taking pre-requisite courses in January 2007 on the West Georgia Technical College Campus. Students must also apply to CTC to enter the ADN program. The ADN program accepts students through a competitive admission process and space in the program is limited.

The program must be approved by Georgia Board of Nursing who is expected to meet in November to consider the proposal. Once final approval has been obtained, students may make application for the program. Through the partnership agreement, admission paperwork may be completed at the WGTC campus.

“There has been a state-wide moratorium on the establishment of new ADN programs. However, this partnership hopes to expand an existing one,” stated Dr. Darryl Harrison, vice president for academic affairs at West Georgia Technical College. “There is an established need for additional nurses at the local, state, and national levels. WGTC sees this partnership as a way to serve the health care needs of area residents and the employment needs of area health care providers.”

Further information on the ADN partnership and specifics on the application process will be announced pending final approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Nursing Program Bi-Annual Pinning Ceremony
By: Elizabeth Stargell, BSN, RN, WGTC Practical Nursing Faculty
Posted: November 10, 2006

West Georgia Technical College’s Practical Nursing Programs held its Bi-Annual pinning ceremony on Thursday October 19th in the Callaway Center. Kathy Brown, LPN, a spring 2006 graduate of WGTC practical nursing program was the guest speaker for the ceremony. She gave words of encouragement to the new graduates and advised them to be proud of their accomplishments and wear their nursing pin with pride.

At each ceremony, Academic and Clinical excellence awards are awarded to deserving students. The Eunice Adams Award for Academic Achievement was awarded to rising senior Caroline Lukano. The Mary Lynn Faress Award for Academic Achievement was awarded to graduate Leslie Cummings, who maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout the program. The Beverly Cochran Clinical Excellence Award was awarded to rising senior Sonya Garza. The Deborah Burton Clinical Excellence Award was awarded to graduate Joseph Kindon, who completed his preceptorship on the surgical unit at WGHS.

The program graduated 15 students, the program has 16 upcoming seniors, whom will graduate in Spring of 2007. In keeping with the traditional pinning ceremony, after the graduates recited the practical nurses pledge, the graduates passed the light from the lamp of learning onto the rising seniors as a symbol of striving for excellence.

Due to hospitalization one student, Cheryl Reese, could not attend the pinning ceremony. After the ceremony the graduates along with Dean Elaine Gilbert, MSN, RN, Instructors Elizabeth Stargell, BSN, RN, Sandra Burke, MSN, RN, and Adjunct Instructor Jennifer Caldwell headed to the hospital where graduate Cheryl Reese was presented with an achievement award for her commitment and dedication throughout the program and received her nursing pin. Her parents, daughter and family friends were in attendance to share in Ms. Reese’s accomplishments.

Students in the Firefighter I class learn how to control a LPG tank at the college Fire Academy training facility. The live fire prop, called a BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion) tank trains the “rookie” firefighter on the techniques used to safely disperse the liquid petroleum gas vapors while protecting themselves from the extreme heat of the fire.

The students at the direction of instructors approach the tank from a distance using straight streams of water and they open them up to a 30 degrees pattern and then 45 degrees to keep the heat away from them while getting to the tank so they can turn off a simulated valve. After successfully turning the valve off, they back away from the tank using the opposite water patterns until they are at a safe distance.

There were approximately 200 in attendance at West Georgia Technical College’s 40th anniversary celebration on Friday evening,October 20th. The event was held at the Callaway Center on WGTC’s campus. Music was provided by the trio, Arioso, and the event was catered by Tulla White Cuisine and Catering. Mr. Tulla White, owner of several downtown LaGrange restaurants, is a graduate of West Georgia Tech’s Culinary Arts program.

The evening included a walk down memory lane through a multi-media presentation. The evening was capped off by the speech of Dr. R.S. Clark, Superintendent of Troup County Schools from 1949-1967. Dr. Clark is credited as being the founder of West Georgia Technical College by having the foresight in 1961 of the need for an educational institution to train high school dropouts and out of work adults.

Schools in Troup, Heard and Meriwether counties may receive more than $2 million in federal funds to help them prepare students for jobs at the new Kia Motors plant and its suppliers, members of the Troup County school board were told Monday night.

The $2,076,000 would be allocated during the 2007-08 fiscal year, said assistant superintendent Gayle Golden and will be used to fund the new West Georgia Training Connection.

“This is not a grant,” Golden said. “This is a request for a line item in the federal budget submitted by U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland. It is possible to receive a second or third year of support, but there is no guarantee for any of the three years.”

If all goes as planned, the line item will be in the 2007-08 federal budget and the program will get the funding next fall, Golden said.

The new program would prepare high school students in the three-county area, as well as West Georgia Technical College, for the job expansion expected from the opening of the Kia facility in West Point in early 2009.

“The request includes equipment to update West Georgia Technical College with stateof-the-art technology, equipment for three high schools in Meriwether and Heard counties where technology education labs aren’t available, and for equipment upgrades at the three high schools in Troup County,” Golden said.

The money also would fund an interactive presentation and video to tell students and teachers of opportunities and expectations of the new industry, two workforce development coaches for each high school and a project director who would work with the schools, technical college and the chambers of commerce to attract students to the career opportunities. Summer camps and transportation expenses are included in the request.

Janet Solomon, grant coordinator for the school system, said the funding idea “came as a surprise.”

“We are always looking for ways to bring dollars to Troup County,” she said. “This came out of a conversation between (Superintendent Ed) Smith and area business leaders this summer about job readiness for our students.”

When representatives from Westmoreland’s office were in town recently to announce the Improving Literacy through Libraries grant, Solomon talked to them about preparing the workforce for Kia.

“John Stacey agreed that it was a worthwhile project and helped get the ball rolling,” Solomon said. “When we added Heard and Meriwether counties to the mix, it helped make it more attractive.”

The program is vital to making sure area students are ready for the new jobs coming to Troup County.
“Our children don’t understand what Kia is and what it can mean to them,” said Janet Greer, director of career and technical education for Troup County schools. “With this program, we can make sure they understand what kind of jobs will be available and how to prepare for them.”

Golden cautioned that funding isn’t a sure thing until the federal budget is passed next year, but that all indications are that the money will be approved.

“Once it is, we will buy and install the new equipment,” she said. “And if another year is approved, we can start to add the manpower. But if we only get that initial $2 million, that will be phenomenal.”

Debby Durrence can be reached at ddurrence@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 229.

Ray Benefield, founding Director of West Georgia Technical College’s Commercial Truck Driving program, is a true competitor. After winning the Teacher of Excellence Award for West Georgia Technical College, he then went on this summer to compete against five other DTAE colleges in the West Georgia Consortium and won at that level.

Recently, he represented the College and was one of six instructors from the state of Georgia who were all Consortium level winners at the Lighthouse Institute held in Augusta, Ga. The Lighthouse Institute annually recognizes excellence in teaching at technical colleges in Georgia. He has been the lead instructor of Commercial Truck Driving at West Georgia Technical College for over five years. The program now operates in three counties at five separate locations and, as of October 2006, over 640 students have graduated from the CDL program.

According to Linda Jones, Vice President for Economic Development, “Mr. Benefield has enriched the standards of the CDL program to include industry standard competencies such as hazard material training for certification. He has also completed rigorous state certification to become a State of Georgia Licensed Examiner.”

Dr. Daryl Gilley, WGTC President, states, “Mr. Benefield’s retention, graduation, and placement rates are superior to any in the business. He is a true professional.”

Phi Beta Lambda Members Serving Their Community
By: Rose Pellett, Co - President, PBL
Posted: October 5, 2006

WGTC Phi Beta Lambda members volunteered their time to assist with “Seniors Taking Charge,” a wellness kickoff and expo, held on September 14, 2006 at the Callaway Center. The event, hosted by Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging, offered health screenings, food demos, games, and a variety of community resources. With the assistance of the LaGrange firefighters who were present, Kathy Bradley coordinated the distribution of boxed lunches to the more than 700 attendees as they enjoyed the entertainment.

Pictured with Lisa Hale, director of the Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging, are Kathy Bradley (left) and Rose Pellett (right). In addition to being PBL members, both Ms. Bradley and Ms. Pellett serve as officers in the WGTC Chapter of the National Technical Honor Society.

National Technical Honor Society Welcomes New Students
By: Rose Pellett, President, NTHS
Posted: October 4, 2006

Members of the WGTC Chapter of NTHS greeted new students as they entered for registration at the Callaway Center on September 20, 2006. A table decorated with NTHS colors displayed some of the items that students will receive when inducted: an NTHS membership certificate, pin, card, window decal, white graduation tassel and stole, and official NTHS diploma seal.

The mission of the National Technical Honor Society is to honor student achievement and leadership, promote educational excellence, and enhance career opportunities for their members. Criteria for membership includes in part: a GPA for a technical program or major 3.50 or higher; one or more faculty and/or staff recommendation; and active involvement in student government, CTSO, civic, or service organization. The National NTHS provides opportunities for scholarships.

Pictured: Lynn Williams is a Business Office Technology student and a member of NTHS.

Dr. R.S. Clark (left), Superintendent of Troup County Schools from 1947-1967 and Mr. George Smith, former Troup County School Board member, are pictured with the original school plaque from 1966.

National Technical Honor Society Inducts New Members
By: Patsy Ogle, WGTC Business Office Technology Faculty
Posted: August 31, 2006

Tuesday, August 29, 2006, was a special day for 30 students at West Georgia Technical College. They were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. NTHS has a long history of recognizing outstanding career and technical students. The society was founded in 1984 and continues today to carry out its mission to lift up and publicly acknowledge students committed to excellence, values, courage, and achievement.

Students inducted into NTHS are recognized as honest and responsible student-citizens who have made a personal commitment to excellence through academic, leadership and service achievements and contributions. West Georgia Technical College is proud of your accomplishments.

1. Must be enrolled in diploma/degree program.
2. Must have completed 20 consecutive quarter hours.
3. Must have a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA in your current program.
4. Must be nominated by an instructor.
5. Must have at least a 2 in Work Ethics.
6. Must be involved in other campus organizations or church or community work.

New officers: President, Rose Pellett; Vice President, Linda Clements; Secretary, Sallie Johnson; Treasurer, Kathy Bradley; Historian, Starr Trammell

New members are as follows:
Robert Jonathan Arndt—Fire Science,
Marie Erlyne Barthelemy—Marketing
Wes Bellamy—Air Conditioning Technology

Octavia Yolanda Brown—Business Office Technology
Stephen Rabun Brown—Fire Science
Mary Linda Clements—Business Office Technology
Jeffery Lee Dean—Fire Science
Henry Franklin—Automotive Service Technician
Denise B. Freeman—Fire Science
Brenda Geter—Cosmetology
Rubin Eugene Hogg—Fire Science
Glenita LaTerry Holloway—Business Office Technology
Shirley Holmes—Medical Assisting
Marion Leon Howington—Fire Science
Sallie J. Johnson—Business Office Technology
Catrina Knight—Cosmetology
Jonathan Warren Lunstead—Fire Science
Jonathan Franklin Maddox—Management
Heather Marie McDowell—Accounting
Dana Rogers Mote—Accounting
Stacey Yvette Parks—Accounting
Jason Chris Richardson—Fire Science
Mary Ann Seither—Medical Assisting
Barbara Ann Shields—Business Office Technology
Jennifer Carole Sollars—Medical Assisting
Elaine J. Story—Management
Jeffrey Veal—Fire Science
Micah Paul Wallace—Fire Science
Edwina Lynn Williams—Business Office Technology
Byron Lashun Woodard—Industrial Maintenance

AE Group and WGTC have formed a partnership to provide entry-level training for potential employees. AE Group Light Metal Casting is an international supplier of parts to the automotive industry.

The new Automated Manufacturing Specialist certificate includes basic manufacturing skills taught in the following courses:

AE Group has guaranteed an interview to all students who receive their Automated Manufacturing Specialist certificate from West Georgia Technical College.

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WGTC Helping to Make LaGrange the Safest City in the U.S.A.
Posted: July 2006

West Georgia Technical College has been part of a very significant Six Sigma Safety/Quality initiative for over two years – an initiative which was started between the City of LaGrange, Milliken & Company, and eight entities in the local area. This idea involves Milliken & Company mentoring and partnering its World Class Safety-Health Processes with these eight entities with one vision: Recognizing LaGrange as the Safety City in America.

This is the first initiative of its kind in the United States and will serve as a model example for other cities and counties. Milliken & Company employees are working with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and other governmental agencies to determine how this process can best be recognized and documented.

Representing West Georgia Technical College at the Milliken Sharing Rallies held several times yearly were Dr. Daryl Gilley, President of the College; Tom Smith, Fire Science instructor and Safety Director for the College; Terry Rohman, Director of Maintenance for the College; and Tricia Ivey, English instructor for the College and past instructor/consultant for the Atlanta-based OSHA office.

The highlight for the West Georgia Technical College committee representatives was being honored as the “Most Innovative” for its Safety Program – which included strategies for integrating its college students into the College’s Safety Committee. All WGTC students now have student e-mails whereby the College can send them safety up-dates, Safety Tips and other pertinent information.

Also, in their syllabi, WGTC instructors already discuss the importance of Critical Thinking Skills and Work Ethics. They now plan to discuss important safety information in each class syllabus – which will include many Six Sigma and universal safety regulations.

The Most Innovative Award also honored the Sports and Fitness Management and Certified Personal Trainer Program instructor Eddie Rhodes, as he presented the Faculty Fitness Challenge and Smoking Cessation Programs--which he has recently implemented on campus.

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WGTC Student Wins Again: Brings Home the Gold
Posted: July 2006

West Georgia Technical College student, Phyllis Jackson, recently brought home the National SkillsUSA Gold Award in the Job Interview Competition category held in Kansas City, Missouri. While in Missouri, she also received a $1,000 Scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society and SkillsUSA , and was the ONLY person in the United States to receive this scholarship. Ms. Jackson was nominated by her WGTC instructors/advisors Pam Parmer and Pam Hawkins.

Ms. Jackson then flew to Nashville, Tennessee where she ran for and won the office of National Secretary for PBL (Phi Beta Lambda). What an exciting week for this outstanding student!

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West Georgia Technical College Holds 40th Commencement
Posted: June 2006

Commencement exercises were held Friday night at West Georgia Technical College, where 360 received their degrees, diplomas, or certificates. Guest speaker for the evening was DTAE’s (Department of Technical and Adult Education) Commissioner Michael Vollmer. For more than twenty-five years, Vollmer has been at the center of many of Georgia’s educational and economic development initiatives, working in public service under five Georgia governors. In September 2004, he was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue as Commissioner of DTAE.

In keeping with the spirit of the evening, Dr. Daryl Gilley, the College’s president, presented four Distinguished Service Awards to Jeff Brown, Pope Richter, Kay Durand, and Deedee Williams. Representative Jeff Brown has served the people of West Georgia as their State Representative for the past twelve years. During his tenure, Mr. Brown championed many causes – one in particular was his effort to secure additional instructional space through the purchase of the former Raytheon building (now called the West Campus).

Pope Richter has been a volunteer tutor in WGTC’s Adult Literacy program for over fourteen years. Coming to the campus two days a week, he has worked with over 1,000 students, helping them prepare for their GED examinations. Kay Durand has served on the West Georgia Technical College Board of Directors for ten years, serving as the Chair for the past two years. She has provided leadership for the College as it has gone through name changes, the SACS accreditation process, and the Capital Campaign. Deedee Williams has worked faithfully for over ten years as a member of the WGTC Board of Directors. She has played a major role in establishing and supporting the mission of the College and has been actively involved in the College’s GOAL and Rick Perkins programs.

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2006 Lighthouse Institute Winners: Augusta Bound
Posted: June 2006

West Georgia Technical College recently announced its two Lighthouse Award winners -- instructors Ray Benefield and Kim Whitaker -- who will attend the prestigious Lighthouse Institute in September.The Lighthouse Award is an annual one which recognizes excellence in teaching at technical colleges in Georgia.

Mr. Benefield is the lead instructor for the College’s CDL Program who is also the 2006 Teacher of Excellence Award winner; he has been with WGTC for five years.

Kim Whitaker is a Radiologic Technology instructor and has been with the College for five years. They will both attend the week-long Institute in Augusta, GA, where they will share their innovative teaching techniques and where they will hear speakers from all over the United States.

Pictured (l to r) from West Georgia Technical College: Dr. Daryl Gilley, President of the College; Dr. Daryl Harrison, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Kim Whitaker, Lighthouse Institute winner; Linda Griffies, Vice President for Economic Development; and Ray Benefield, Lighthouse Institute winner and 2006 Teacher of Excellence Award winner.

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2006 Associate of the Year Award winner
Posted: June 2006

Shelba Cranston was recently voted WGTC’s 2006 Associate of the Year by her peers. The winner of this award demonstrates great customer service and is helpful beyond the call of duty to the public and to her peers.

Ms. Cranston, who works in Administrative Services, does indeed exemplify a real excellence in day-to-day interactions with people at West Georgia Technical College. She has received $100.00 check and a personal parking space of her choosing for a full year.

Tricia Ivey, Director of Institutional Advancement, stated, "Ms. Cranston is the ultimate professional and is so worthy of this award."

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It’s a Road Trip with a Message: Stay in School
Posted: June 2006

In support of the Stay-in-School Initiative, West Georgia Technical College’s Video Production Department has been chosen to produce a TV series which will begin airing on GPB(Georgia Public Broadcasting) in early September 2006. Road Trip will carry a strong Stay-in-School message to middle and high school students across the State of Georgia. When completed, the WGTC film crew will have traveled to all thirty-four technical colleges and three Board of Regents’ colleges, highlighting new and interesting career opportunities available in Georgia’s two-year technical college system.

Commissioner Michael Vollmer of the Department of Technical and Adult Education has a vision of ensuring that the youth of Georgia are aware of the many outstanding educational opportunities available at Georgia’s technical colleges and of the excellent job opportunities available to technical college graduates. To achieve this vision, Michael Light, the Director of Marketing for DTAE, was asked to develop a plan to make the vision a reality. The result was Road Trip,a year-long television series consisting of twelve 28-minute episodes highlighting all thirty-seven technical colleges. The program follows several high school students and two counselors as they explore the world of technical education and learn of the many fascinating careers available to two-year college students.

Light worked with each college president in deciding the programs to be highlighted. For example, West Georgia Technical College has chosen to highlight its Digital Media and Sports and Fitness Management Programs. The College’s Digital Media program, under the direction of James Arnold, is also filming the actual film crew at work. Another college has selected its Sonography and RN programs to be highlighted, while others will see their Ornamental Welding, Electronics Technology, Computer & Graphic Design, Court Reporter, Aviation Technology, Machine Tool, Accounting, and CDL programs filmed. Georgia Public Broadcasting will air all of the Road Trip episodes and has been extremely helpful throughout the project. GPB will design a website especially for the Road Trip and will set up links on its own website as well.

In addition to airing on GPB, Road Trip will be distributed on DVD’s to all DTAE colleges and to every middle and high school in the state of Georgia. These can be shown in the classroom or at school and college job fairs and expos. Each school counselor will also receive Road Trip posters, maps, and brochures to use when helping students decide on their post-secondary college educations.

Each episode includes an on-going message: STAY IN SCHOOL. Professional actors portray the main characters. Daniel Pettrow, who is currently appearing in a New York play Hyenas has traveled to LaGrange several times to participate in the filming; he plays the part of a high school counselor. Karla Droege, who has appeared in the film Big Fish, plays the part of another high school guidance counselor, and both are determined to find innovative ways to keep kids in school. The storyline of the series follows Daniel and Karla as they decide to take some high school students on a Road Trip, to visit first-hand all of the technical colleges in Georgia – traveling in an orange convertible VW called “The Thing.” Playing the part of the strict, but very caring, principal is Margo Moorer, who has been in such films as Forrest Gump and Runaway Jury. Various middle and high school students from the LaGrange area have been in the episodes as well, helping to drive home the idea that staying in school and then pursuing a post-secondary education are the right things to do.

Road Trip is being produced by West Georgia Technical College’s Video Production Department – which comes under the umbrella of the College’s Marketing Department. In addition to Road trip, the Video Production Studio has produced three television shows on the WGTC campus: Technically Speaking, Community Champions and The MamaJama Show.

David Arnold is the Director of the College’s Video Production Department, and has over twenty-four years of experience in the field. He serves as the Director of Videography and Photography for the entire project. Valerie Longshore, a theater major from LaGrange College, and Kathy Johnson, a soon-to-be graduate of WGTC’s own Digital Media Program, have worked with the actors and have edited episodes in the project. Nancy Norred, WGTC’s graphic designer who graduated from LaGrange College, has designed the Road Trip’s logo, map/brochure, postcards, poster, t-shirts, and visors.

Lee Davis, a Journalism major from the University of Georgia who has worked in the field of video production for over twenty-five years, is the Director and Writer for the series. Tricia Ivey, the College’s Director of Institutional Advancement, serves as the Executive Producer of the project. Production assistants working with lighting, sound, and photography include Don Dunn (twenty years in the field); Mitch Kimball (another WGTC Digital Media soon-to-be graduate who has traveled to many of the thirty-seven film locations); and Ryan McWhorter (a Digital Media student who has also acted in several plays).

The Road Trip project has been very exciting. “We, at West Georgia Technical College are honored to have been chosen to produce the series,” stated Daryl Gilley, President of the College. “Today, more than ever, higher education is absolutely essential to success in our society. We hope that Road Trip carries this message loud and clear.”

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WGTC’s Child Development Center selected as Provider of the Month
Posted: June 2006

West Georgia Technical College’s Child Development Center was recently selected as Provider of the Month by the Georgia Childcare and Parent Services, a division of the Department of Human Services, who will also feature the Center in its monthly newsletter. There are only twelve centers featured each year in the State of Georgia.

Linda Griffes, Vice President for Economic Development, states, “This is a huge honor, because the Center was selected from among all public and private childcare facilities operating under DHR guidelines statewide. Elaine Wolfe, the Center’s director, knows that the Center has “dedicated employees who take pride in what they do; they love the children who are in their care.”

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SkillsUSA’s Branching Out: Pam Parmer Wins 2006 SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year Award
Posted: April 2006

West Georgia Technical College was represented by a myriad of students recently at the Annual SkillsUSA Conference held in Columbus, Ga. Student Phyllis Jackson won First Place in the Job Interview Category, earning her the right to compete in the National SkillsUSA Championship in Kansas City, Missouri. Other students representing the College included Josh Smallwood, Xavier Garrett, Joseph Hodge, Gerald Pattillo, and Jackie Wain.

The best gift of the night? The College’s Health Sciences instructor Pam Parmer won the 2006 SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year Award, having been nominated by WGTC Co-advisor Jim Biagi and several students as well. This award recognizes and honors dedicated technical education instructors who serve as SkillsUSA advisors. Ms. Parmer has been a co-advisor of the organization since 1978.

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WGTC’s Phi Beta Lambda Wins State Chapter of the Year
Posted: April 2006

West Georgia Technical College’s Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Chapter recently won statewide Phi Beta Lambda Chapter of the Year at the Annual PBL Banquet in Atlanta, Georgia. Ten WGTC students, Advisor (Jill Dollar), PBL’s State Executive Director (Pam Hawkins), Professional Member and Judge (Patsy Ogle) attended the week-end long conference whose banquet was its final event – with the theme “Georgia PBL Shines Brighter Than the Stars of Nashville.”

All in all, the College’s Chapter won fifteen awards. Amazing! There were 34 technical colleges competing and at least four Regents’ colleges competing. And to add to the grand evening, the College’s own Phyllis Jackson --Local Chapter PBL president -- ran for and was elected PBL’s 2007 State President.

PBL advisor, Jill Dollar, stated, “I am so proud of the students. This is what we work toward all year long and to win Chapter of the Year is just outstanding.”

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WGTC’s GOAL Winner Headed for Competition in Atlanta
Posted: March 2006

Competing against twelve other West Georgia Technical College student nominees, Denise Beall is the new WGTC GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) winner for 2006. She is headed for statewide competition in Atlanta, competing against 33 other Georgia Technical College nominees in May. Ms. Beall, a student in Radiologic Technology, was nominated by her program instructor, Kimberly Whitaker. If she wins the statewide title, she will serve as the ambassador for the Department of Technical and Adult Education’s GOAL program for one year.

The GOAL program is a statewide program – the only of its kind in the nation -- which recognizes excellence among technical students at the postsecondary level. Because the ultimate prize is a new car for the state winner, the competition is tremendous.

Coordinators for West Georgia Technical College’s GOAL-2006 were Frances Stroud and Shanitra Ransom.They worked with the College’s team of internal judges who interviewed the thirteen nominees, heard their speeches, and then narrowed the number down to four. A panel of 5 judges representing the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce, co-sponsor of the local GOAL program, had the difficult task of selecting only one GOAL winner from the four finalists.

The College’s thirteen GOAL nominees who competed – giving their speeches before a panel of judges – included:Amy Sprayberry, nominated by instructor Patsy Ogle; Denise Beall, nominated by Kimberly Whitaker; Joseph Kindon, nominated by Elizabeth Stargell; Robin Burgess, nominated by Sandra Burke; James Keel, nominated by Wanda Barbee; Carla Dunaway, nominated by Shirlee Ausman; Julie Davis, nominated by Elaine Gilbert; Sandra Berry, nominated by Elaine Gilbert; Phyllis Jackson, nominated by Pam Hawkins; Vicki Ray, nominated by Peggy Wilson; Erika Miles, nominated by Karen Carpenter; Frances Tindell, nominated by Karen Carpenter, and Stephfen Hall, nominated by Nancy Breland.

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WGTC Nominates Companies for Manufacturer of the Year Award
Posted: March 2006

West Georgia Technical College, one of thirty-four technical colleges in the State of Georgia, has announced its nominees for the Manufacturer of the Year – to be announced at the MAW (Manufacturer Appreciation Week) Awards to be held April 21, 2006 in Atlanta.

Linda Griffies, WGTC’s Vice President for Economic Development states, “According to company size, the College has nominated – from its tri-county service area of Troup, Meriwether, and Heard Counties -- Exxon Mobil, Duracell, and RITA Medical. A select panel from manufacturing and industry will then choose the winner from the State of Georgia, and this winning company will be honored, along with all nominated Georgia companies, at the MAW Awards.”

Georgia’s Governor Sonny Purdue and Department of Technical and Adult Education’s Commissioner Michael Vollmer will be on hand to speak and to award the winner. Criteria for this award takes into consideration the level of a company’s commitment and investment to the community it serves.

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WGTC’s Own David Arnold Assists in Editing the documentary “Tango Mike”
Posted: March 2006

David Arnold, Director of Video Production Services at West Georgia Technical College has yet another credit to his name. He has spent well over one hundred hours of volunteer time, editing 3,400 pictures that were sent to Paul French, owner of Paul French and Company. Both gave their full attention to producing the film, which included editing pictures, e-mails, letters, and taped voices – in the making of a sixteen minute documentary entitled “Tango Mike”

The film relates to interested people that they can log on to www.anysoldier.com, and simply click onto a soldier’s name or even to any country where the United States has American soldiers stationed. They can write e-mails to soldiers anywhere in the world, and – best of all – they can become lifelong friends with these military personnel. They are encouraged by some Internet voices that soldiers need socks, sunglasses, sweets, etc., but mostly, they need to receive letters from home. The film brings home the fact that “Freedom isn’t free. Just ask any soldier.”

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West Georgia Technical College’s National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony:
A Moving Candlelight Night
Posted: March 2006

Some Honor Society Ceremonies just happen…nothing great. However, the National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony this week seemed a little different. Sure, there were candles lit by every inductee, and that, in itself, was moving. Sure, there were the usual speeches, and mind you, they were very good. However, when the members spoke about Honesty, Service, Citizenship, and Leadership, there was a certain stillness in the audience of over two hundred. These members were sincere – and it showed.

Also, WGTC instructors Karen Carpenter, Jill Dollar, and Pam Hawkins were inducted as honory members of NTHS. And the hard-working co-advisors, Patsy Ogle, also State Advisor for NTHS, and Shirlee Ausman, helped to organize the ceremony – making it seem effortless. Instructor Karen Carpenter will become a co-advisor soon and, not forgetting, many thanks go to WGTC’s instructor, Peggy Wilson, who has served as an advisor for many years.

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WGTC Student Receives NTHS Scholarship
Posted: March 2006

Phyllis Jackson is a very active student

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