Approximately 20 John Deere Ag Technology students, parents, and family members from across the Southeastern United States attended a Fall Semester Registration/Orientation session at South Georgia Technical College in the John M. Pope Center on the Americus campus.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford welcomed the group and thanked each of them for choosing South Georgia Technical College and the Agriculture Technology program for their education and career.
“We are honored you have chosen to further your career by attending South Georgia Technical College and enroll in the John Deere Agricultural Technology program,” said President Dr. John Watford. “You have probably heard of ‘Movers and Shakers.’ They are known as people who have affluence or influence. At South Georgia Tech, we are proud to be turning out ‘Doers & Makers.’ The ‘Doers & Makers’ are the people who actually work with their hands and their minds to make or do something. These are the people who helped build America and who continue to make sure things run smoothly. And as our students grow and learn, they may also develop into the ‘Movers and Shakers,’ of our world. But they will always have a skill they can rely on.”
Dr. Watford also gave the students and parents a brief history lesson of the college and the John Deere Ag Tech program before introducing other members of his staff at the college. Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain shared that her office is here to help students. Our instructors and Academic Deans will be glad to answer any questions, but first I encourage you and your students to ask. If you don’t ask, we will not know how to assist or address any question or concern you may have,” said Partain.
In addition to the welcome by Dr. Watford and the comments by Vice President Julie Partain, SGTC Academic Dean Dr. David Finley, SGTC Vice President for Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird, SGTC Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Josh Curtain, SGTC Chief of Police Calvin Hodge, Jr. and SGTC Special Programs Coordinator Tami Blount also talked with the group.
South Georgia Technical College Agriculture Technology instructors Matthew Burkes and David Cox introduced themselves to the parents and students and gave an overview of the program.
Matthew Burks and Dr. Finley shared with the students and parents the structure of the two-year associate degree program and outlined the expectations of the college, the instructors, and the dealers. SGTC Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Josh Curtin went over housing and security details for those who plan to live on-campus.
Students applying for this two-year associate degree program must be accepted by South Georgia Technical College, meet specific dealership requirements that include placement tests and completion of a portfolio before final acceptance. Students attend class at South Georgia Technical College for eight weeks of each semester and then work in a dealership applying that classroom knowledge for the second eight weeks. They return to campus the following semester and repeat the process for the full two-years. SGTC rotates cohorts of students for the first and second half of each semester so one cohort is on campus and one is at the dealership during each part of the semester.
The John Deere dealers who support the Agricultural Technology program at South Georgia Technical College include: Ag Pro, Blanchard Equipment, Everglades Equipment, Flint Ag, Lasseter, Sun South, Dobbs Construction, and Tri-Green Equipment.
For more information on how to enroll in the John Deere Ag Technology program, contact SGTC Admissions Director Candie Walkers at cwalters@southgatech.edu or call 229-931-2394 or your local John Deere Dealers or www.southgatech.edu. A video explaining the SGTC program is located at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEqMIy-m-js&t=73s&ab_channel=SouthGeorgiaTechnicalCollege.
Matthew Burks, mburks@southgatech.edu and David Cox, david.cox@southgatech.edu; are the Ag Technology Instructors for South Georgia Technical College and can also answer questions about the program. Tami Blount, tbount@southgatech.edu, can also assist with questions about the program and enrollment process.
Fall semester at South Georgia Technical College begins August 17. There are over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs available. Students can apply, test, and enroll in one day. SGTC has a 100% job placement ranking for graduates. Financial aid is available.
To apply contact the SGTC admissions office at 229-931-2394 in Americus or 229-271-4040 in Cordele. A special Registration/Orientation Day is set for August 13 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the Americus and the Crisp County Center campuses.