SGTC holds ribbon cutting for renovated Morgan Diesel and Automotive Complex

South Georgia Technical College’s proud past and very promising future was epitomized at the ribbon cutting ceremony for its newly renovated and expanded Morgan Diesel and Automotive Complex recently. Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Matt Arthur was the keynote speaker at the event.
“South Georgia Technical College is celebrating its 70th anniversary,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “And it is very appropriate that we rededicate a facility that was first constructed in the 1950’s and was named after one of our beloved instructors, Mr. David Morgan. Mr. Morgan was hired in 1947 before the school opened in 1948. He passed away suddenly in 1960 but his legacy continues today through the new construction and revitalization of the renovated Morgan Diesel and Automotive Complex. We are pleased that his two children, David Morgan and Marcia Morgan Wright are here with us today for this momentous occasion.”
Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Matt Arthur continued Dr. Watford’s thoughts by first thanking Governor Nathan Deal, the State Legislature and former state representative Mike Cheokas for the $3.45 million in additional funding that allowed South Georgia Technical College to renovate and expand the existing Diesel Technology Building and the Morgan Transportation Center which houses the Diesel, Automotive Technology, and Automotive Collision Repair Technology programs on the Americus campus of South Georgia Technical College.
“The building behind me represents what the Technical College System of Georgia and our technical colleges are all about,” said Commissioner Arthur. “The students standing in front of me are why we built it and renovated it. This is workforce development and workforce education at its finest. This is also where the foundation of our country and our system is laid.”
Commissioner Arthur pointed out that Georgia was recently ranked as the number one state for business for the fifth year in a row. “And one of the key reasons for this is because we provide business with a highly-skilled workforce. A workforce whose foundation is laid in a building just like the one we are cutting the ribbon for today. Employers like John Deere and Caterpillar value their partnerships with South Georgia Technical College.
“South Georgia Tech is the Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers’ College of Technology and South Georgia Tech is ranked in the top five worldwide in graduating students from the Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technology associate degree program. Dealer sponsored students from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida participate in this program,” explained Commissioner Arthur.
He continued by adding that South Georgia Tech is also the John Deere Southeastern Regional Training Center for its John Deere Technicians. “The John Deere program began at South Georgia Tech in 2014 and includes students from four states who are training to become John Deere Service Technicians in that associate degree program. Today reaffirms the commitment we’ve made to John Deere and Caterpillar and other companies in providing them with a skilled workforce for years to come.”
Commissioner Arthur also revealed more good news for those in the community who are considering a career in automotive technology or diesel equipment technology. “Both of these program qualify for additional tuition funding under Governor Deal’s Hope Career Grant. We know these career fields play an important role in South Georgia’s economy and these are career fields that have been identified as high-growth. That is why Governor Deal and the Legislature have included them in the 17 career fields eligible for funding in the Hope Career Grant. This is just another example of our technical college listening to industry needs and doing what it takes to ensure our students have every opportunity to learn the skills that meet those needs.”
The $3.45 million in state funding secured in 2014 – 2015 allowed the college to completely renovate the Morgan building which was built in 1957 and the Diesel Equipment Technology Building which was constructed in 1996. In addition to renovating the combined 36,700 sq. ft. of space in those two buildings, the funding also allowed the college to construct an additional 14,000 sq. ft. of classroom and lab space. The new construction connected the two buildings into one state-of-the-art Diesel and Automotive complex. The building was completed during the 2017 – 2018 school year.
The Morgan building was originally named after the late South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance Instructor W. Dave Morgan. Morgan was employed by South Georgia Trade and Vocational Institute in 1947 before the school opened. The World War II instructor pilot at Souther Field was one of the initial aviation maintenance instructor’s instrumental in beginning the aircraft mechanic program which also provided training on diesel engines when the school first opened in 1948.
The legacy that Dave Morgan provided for South Georgia Tech and for thousands of students who have graduated from here is immense, explained SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “Dave Morgan was one of the first aviation instructors at South Georgia Tech. He taught Mr. Frank Gassett, who is with us today and retired as an aviation maintenance instructor from South Georgia Tech. Mr. Gassett taught one of our instructors, David Grant, and he also taught another instructor who passed away, Tom Lloyd. Tom Lloyd taught Victoria Herron, who is now the head of the aviation maintenance technology program.”
Dr. Watford then used another illustration of the “Proud Past, Promising Future,” theme. “Another legacy that ties in with the Diesel dedication is here with us as well. Mr. Jack Busby came to South Georgia Tech in 1950 as a Diesel Instructor. He taught Rick Davis, who retired last month as a Diesel and Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Instruct. Mr. Davis taught Mr. Donald Rountree, our present Diesel, Heavy Equipment Caterpillar Instructor. The legacy of these instructors will continue to live on in future generations of students.”
In addition to Commissioner Arthur and South Georgia Tech President Dr. Watford, SGTC President Emeritus Sparky Reeves was seated on the stage and lauded for his vision to bring the Diesel and Automotive facility into the 21st century through its renovation and new construction. Former State Representative Mike Cheokas, who is also a member of the South Georgia Tech Foundation Trustee Board, thanked Dr. Watford and Commissioner Arthur for the opportunity to be included at the ribbon cutting. “This is a great day for South Georgia Tech and I am pleased to have been able to have a small part in helping secure the funding for the renovation and new construction,” said Cheokas.
Don Smith, SGTC Assistant to the President, oversaw the construction project for the college and he and Rev. Bill Dupree, who provided the invocation and blessing for the day, were also on the stage with David Morgan and Marcia Morgan Wright.
Following the program, Commissioner Arthur, President Watford, President Emeritus Sparky Reeves, Don Smith, Rev. Bill Dupree, David Morgan, Marcia Morgan Wright, Architect David Selby, Mitch Headley, President of Headley Construction and Christopher Gilliam of Headly Construction, TCSG’s Sara Honeywill, and Wes Berry from GSFIC, joined in the cutting the ribbon on the renovated complex.
The college then hosted a luncheon for the guests and students from each of the program areas and conducted tours of the building and the campus.

SGTC Commissioner Matt Arthur delivered the key note address at the South Georgia Tech Morgan Diesel and Automotive Complex ribbon cutting. Also shown are SGTC President Emeritus Sparky Reeves, Mike Cheokas, Dr. John Watford, Rev. Bill Dupree, Don Smith, Marcia Morgan Wright, and David Morgan on the stage.

Former State Representative and SGTC Foundation Trustee Mike Cheokas is shown above (l to r) with David Morgan, Commissioner Arthur, SGTC President Dr. John Watford, Marcia Morgan Wright, and SGTC President Emeritus Sparky Reeves are shown with the original plaque dedicating the 1950’s Automotive Building to W. Dave Morgan.

SGTC President Dr. John Watford recognized (l to r) Marcia Morgan Wright and W. D. (David) Morgan, III, with former SGTC Aviation Instructor Frank Gassett who was a student of the Morgan’s father, W. Dave Morgan, for whom the building was named.

TCSG Commissioner Matt Arthur is shown above with SGTC President Dr. John Watford in front of the large 70 symbolizing the college’s 70th anniversary celebration.