First SGTC Student of Excellence named for 2018-2019 academic year

September 18, 2018
Two men stand in front of a white banner that reads "Student of Excellence"
Student of Excellence winner Clay Mizell holds his plaque and poses with his instructor Glynn Cobb in front Student of Excellence banner. The banner will be displayed in the AC Technology room until a new Student of Excellence is chosen in February.

South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) student Jeremy Clay Mizell of Americus was recently named the Student of Excellence for the month of September. Mizell, an air conditioning technology student, was recognized for his hard work at the recent ceremony held in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the college’s Americus campus.

Mizell, now in his fourth semester of classes, was nominated for the award by his instructor, Glynn Cobb. Cobb presented him with a nomination certificate and spoke to the audience of classmates and family members about what separates Mizell from his other students.

“Clay does a wonderful job. He’s working at SafeAire in Albany and I can’t be more proud of a student,” he said. “I’m just glad that he’s a part of South Georgia Tech and that I’ve been a part of his life over the past year or so.”

Mizell accepted the nomination and a specialized Student of Excellence t-shirt from Cobb before delivering his own speech.

“Going to school and working a full time job the entire time I’ve been out here has been extremely tough, but I’ve had Mr. Glynn and Mr. Holloman who have pushed me the whole time. I just appreciate all the support from the faculty and my family who have helped me get to where I am today,” he said.

The September Student of Excellence ceremony recognized students in the industrial technology programs at SGTC. Other nominees included: Andre’ Cooper of Americus, drafting technology; Jake McCook of Ellaville, electronics technology; Christopher White of Columbus, electrical systems technology; Matthew Britt of Cuthbert, industrial systems technology; Benjamin Proctor of Albany, precision machining and manufacturing; and Logan Freeman of Leesburg, welding and joining technology.

After the other nominees received their certificates and t-shirts, David Kuipers, Vice President of Academic Affairs, explained the criteria to be chosen as the overall Student of Excellence and the benefits that come with the title before announcing Mizell as the winner. The winner is selected based on a number of criteria, including grades, work ethics, participation in clubs and organizations, and amount of program completion. As the winner, Mizell was awarded with a plaque of recognition, a personal letter of recommendation from SGTC President Dr. John Watford and a $50 check for his accomplishments. Additionally, his name will be displayed on SGTC’s digital marquee as well as inscribed on a plaque in Hicks Hall among previous Student of Excellence winners.

Each month, students from certain divisions selected for that month are nominated for the Student of Excellence award by their instructors. In addition to Glynn Cobb, additional nominating instructors included Tyler Wells, Kristie Cook, Mike Collins, Ted Eschmann, Phil Deese and Chad Brown.

Students sit in chairs holding certificates. Instructors stand behind them.

Seated from left to right are Student of Excellence nominees Clay Mizell, Andre’Cooper, Jake McCook, Christopher White and Logan Freeman. Matthew Britt and Benjamin Proctor are not pictured. Standing for left to right, Chad Brown, Kristie Cook, Mike Collins, Tyler Wells, Ted Eschmann, and Phil Deese.