Patricia Rice awarded SGTC Sam Singletary Aviation Maintenance Scholarship

June 18, 2025
South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance student Patricia Rice (center right) was awarded the Sam Singletary endowed Aviation Maintenance Technology scholarship recently by SGTC President Dr. John Watford (center left) and the SGTC Foundation. Shown above (l to r) with Dr. Watford and Rice are SGTC Academic Dean Brett Murray, Ashton Singletary Tatum and her children, Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor Charles Christmas and his wife, Kim Singletary Christmas, along with SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructors Victory Herron, Robert Sturgeon, David Grant and Paul Pearson.
South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance student Patricia Rice (center right) was awarded the Sam Singletary endowed Aviation Maintenance Technology scholarship recently by SGTC President Dr. John Watford (center left) and the SGTC Foundation. Shown above (l to r) with Dr. Watford and Rice are SGTC Academic Dean Brett Murray, Ashton Singletary Tatum and her children, Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor Charles Christmas and his wife, Kim Singletary Christmas, along with SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructors Victory Herron, Robert Sturgeon, David Grant and Paul Pearson.

   Patricia Rice of Jacksonville, FL, was awarded the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Foundation’s Sam Singletary Aviation Maintenance endowed scholarship recently.  SGTC President Dr. John Watford, the entire SGTC Aviation Maintenance Technology faculty, along with Sam Singletary’s sister, Kim Christmas, and his daughter, Ashton Singletary Tatum and her children, were on hand for the presentation. 

   The Sam Singletary endowed Aviation Maintenance Scholarship was established by Kim and Charles Christmas and other family and friends in memory of former SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructor William “Sam” Singletary.  Sam Singletary, who was known as “Sambo” by his friends and family, passed away following a tragic motorcycle accident in 2014.  He was 47-years old and had served in the Army for 22 years with the rank of First Sergeant.   He was a graduate of Southland Academy in Americus and South Georgia Technical College.  He taught Aviation Maintenance Technology full-time at SGTC from January 2012 until August 2013 and was still teaching part-time when he passed away.

   “On behalf of everyone at South Georgia Technical College, I would like to thank Sam Singletary’s family for being here today and for their efforts in establishing this endowed scholarship,” said President Watford.  “This is a wonderful legacy for Sam.  It keeps his memory alive and helps inspire others to pursue a career in the field of aviation maintenance that Sam loved so much.”

   Patricia Rice was pleased to be selected for the scholarship and thanked her aviation maintenance instructors for recommending her for this honor.  “I am honored,” said Rice.  “My family is involved in aviation and I worked as a crew chief on the ramp for different airlines since I was 18.  But I knew I needed a change so I thought I would give aviation maintenance a try and I am very glad that I did.

   “This is a tremendous opportunity and I am very appreciative to be selected for this scholarship.  I would also like to thank everyone for being here today and for establishing this scholarship so others can benefit and pursue a career in aviation maintenance.”

  Rice is completing her third semester in the program and has elected to use her scholarship funds for tuition and fees.  “I think Sam would be very pleased with Patricia Rice receiving this award,” said Charles Christmas, SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructor and brother-in-law to Sam Singletary. 

    Rice learned about South Georgia Technical College’s aviation maintenance program from her family and is very glad she enrolled.  She hopes to graduate and work for Delta.   This is the fifth Sam Singletary Scholarship awarded. Neil Kirkland received the award in Fall of 2019, Samuel Holm earned the honor in 2021, and Trey Hightower was selected in 2022.  Andrew Daniel, the National Skills USA winner for Aviation Maintenance was the recipient in 2024, and Patricia Rice is the 2025 scholarship recipient.

    SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird thanked the Singletary family for their support of the college, the Aviation Maintenance program, and most of all for the students.  “This is a great way to give back to the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians and to help individuals gain the skills they need for a great career.  We are sorry for your loss and are very appreciative that you are keeping his memory alive by giving back.”

   Individuals who would like to establish an endowed scholarship in memory of a loved one can contact SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2248 or sbird@southgatech.edu.  The SGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible.  Donations can be mailed to the SGTC Foundation at P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709.