SGTC President speaks to Macon County Kiwanis Club

South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford was the guest speaker at the Macon County Kiwanis Club meeting recently. He gave members and guests a brief overview of the college which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and talked about the progress of the Adult Education and GED classes that the college is now hosting in Macon County.
“South Georgia Technical College was started in 1948 and this is our 70th anniversary. We are very proud of our past but are equally excited about the future,” said Dr. Watford. “We appreciate Macon County and what you as the Kiwanis Club and individual members do and have done for the college and our students. Our main focus is concentrated on what is good for students and the employers who hire our graduates because our mission is workforce development. If we do that, we are meeting our mission.”
Dr. Watford also shared that South Georgia Tech reopened its adult education and GED classes in Macon County this past year and moved those offices to a new location that was more centralized for the students who needed to take advantage of the GED services. “Lillie Anne Winn, our Dean of Adult Education, lives here in Macon County and she and her staff are doing an excellence job of providing the services needed to help students earn their GED and continue their education. We also have several other employees from Macon County and we are very pleased with the jobs they are doing,” said Watford.
Dr. Watford shared with the Kiwanians how students are excelling nationally through academics, athletics, and student activities such as clubs and organizations. “This past year, we served over 500 high school students through our dual enrollment program that allows high school students to earn college credits while they are still in high school. We have five dual enrollment students that will be recognized as part of the college graduation before they receive their high school diplomas. That is exciting for the parents as well as the students.
“These students are learning what it means to be work ready in a specific career area or are earning college credits toward an associate’s degree. And it is at no cost to the students. Dual Enrollment is a great opportunity for high school students and their families,” explained Dr. Watford.
President Watford also mentioned that SGTC is one of the only colleges in the state that provides access to textbooks at no cost to students. “Thanks to the support that we have received from grants and our foundation partners like the Macon County Kiwanis Club, we have been able to provide our students with books to use each semester at no cost and that has been a tremendous help to our students.”
All of these different partnerships and program offerings has helped South Georgia Technical College’s enrollment. “Our enrollment is growing. This past semester enrollment was up almost 10% and it looks like we will continue that trend this summer and for the entire year.”
Dr. Watford shared that the college held a ribbon cutting recently on its newly renovated Morgan Diesel and Automotive Center. “Diesel is one of the initial programs offered at South Georgia Tech in 1948 and we are continuing that tradition as well as expanding the programs that we are offering now to include certificates such as Drone Repair and others.
“We have a proud past and a very promising future at South Georgia Tech,” said Watford. “The future is bright for South Georgia Tech and the students and the communities that serve. We are making great things happen!”
South Georgia Technical College is currently enrolling students for its summer semester. Class start on Wednesday, May 30th. Registration will be held again on Tuesday, May 29th. The summer semester is only eight weeks long and it is a great opportunity to jump start your future. For more information about registration or the over 200 programs offered at South Georgia Technical College visit the website at www.southgatech.edu or call the admissions office in Americus at 229-931-2760 or Cordele at 229-271-4053.