Ashlyn McClaster of Americus was presented with the Lou Crouch Law Enforcement Scholarship by the South Georgia Technical College Foundation at the completion of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) Class 26 – 01 graduation ceremony recently. McClaster earned her Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification from the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy. She was also selected the LEA Class Representative.
“We came into this academy as individuals, but we will leave as family,” said McClaster when she addressed the graduating class and those who attended. McClaster also talked about the challenges that each of the cadets faced during the academy but also stressed that the bonds they formed during the academy strengthened them and prepared them for a successful career.
“Serving others is very important to me,” said McClaster, who thanked Lou Crouch for the scholarship opportunity. “This scholarship will allow me to continue my education and earn my criminal justice degree. I am very grateful for this opportunity and for the help it will provide me as I continue my career in Law Enforcement. I am very grateful to Lou Crouch, the SGTC Foundation and South Georgia Technical College for this opportunity,” said McClaster. She will now join the Montezuma Police Department.
Lou Crouch of Elko endowed his first scholarship at South Georgia Technical College in January 2013 to assist students who enrolled in the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and with McClaster, Crouch has provided scholarships for 34 students so far.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford congratulated McClaster on receiving the Lou Crouch scholarship and wished her the best as she starts her career as a POST certified officer. “I am very proud of you and I am thankful to Lou Crouch and the other individuals who have supported the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy through individual scholarships,” said President Watford.
SGTC Foundation Executive Director and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird thanked Lou Crouch for his part in helping students like McClaster and others obtain their dreams of entering the law enforcement field. “This scholarship is a tremendous help to the young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia. This scholarship is not only helping our students but it is making communities safer. We appreciate Lou Crouch’s involvement and the financial support of this program and our students,” said Bird.
For more information about donating or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.
South Georgia Tech is one of five technical colleges in Georgia that are allowed to provide training for new law enforcement officers to receive their basic law enforcement training and obtain college credit at the same time. The cadets undergo 18 weeks and over 700 hours of intense training mentally and physically.
The LEA graduates receive their POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification from South Georgia Technical College as well as a technical certificate of credit that can be utilized toward a diploma or Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
For more information about the Law Enforcement Academy contact the Law Enforcement Academy office at 229.931.2716 or SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Jim Mitchell at 229.931.2756 or jim.mitchell@southgatech.edu.