Magnolia Manor Senior Living President and CEO Hill Fort presented the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with a donation to the Magnolia Manor Senior Living endowed scholarship in memory of long-time employee Barbara Mitchell recently. This scholarship will help fund life-changing benefits for South Georgia Technical College students for many years to come.
Barbara Mitchell joined the Magnolia Manor organization in 1985 and was serving as the Vice President of Clinical Compliance when she passed away in May 2026. “Barbara Mitchell was an important part of Magnolia Manor,” explained Hill Fort. “We wanted to do something meaningful to honor her memory and her dedication to the staff and residents that she served with for nearly 40 years.”
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford accepted the donation on behalf of the SGTC Foundation. “We are appreciative to our partners at Magnolia Manor for their generosity, support and commitment to South Georgia Tech and our students. Providing a scholarship for individuals who may one day follow in her footsteps is the perfect way to honor the memory of such a long-time valuable employee,” said President Watford.
“Magnolia Manor is such a great asset to our community and to South Georgia Technical College. Over the years, hundreds of our nursing students have gained their practical learning and skills through their clinical experience at Magnolia Manor. Many of our graduates from the practical nursing, certified nurse assistant, medical assisting and business or technical programs have gained employment at Magnolia Manor and continue to serve there. On behalf of our faculty, staff, students and graduates, we thank Magnolia Manor for their support of our workforce development mission,” added Dr. Watford.
Barbara Mitchell served in a variety of roles with Magnolia Manor from Director of Nursing to Nursing Home Administrator and ultimately Vice President of Clinical Compliance. She also served on many healthcare associations boards, notably serving as Vice President of the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses. Her guiding principle was always the resident first, because she cared.
“Barbara Mitchell leaves a legacy of quality that will continue to guide and shape how we provide care to those who are entrusted to Magnolia Manor today and into the future,” said Magnolia Manor Senior Living Senior Vice President of Human Resources Diane Harrison.
The SGTC Foundation will utilize the Magnolia Manor donation and other contributions to provide scholarships to academically deserving and financially disadvantaged students.
SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird also thanked Magnolia Manor and added, “we appreciate the support of organizations, businesses and individuals who support the Foundation and the students who will one day be employed in field in one of the critical areas needed by the citizens of the communities we serve. Their gifts today are helping ‘Create Opportunities” for the workforce of tomorrow.”
The scholarship funds were given in memory of Barbara Mitchell, a long-time dedicated employee who passed away recently.