South Georgia Technical College hosts Fall 2019 commencement

Over 300 individuals were recognized at the South Georgia Technical College’s Fall 2019 commencement ceremony Thursday, December 12^th at 6 p.m. in the James S. Peters Gymnasium on the Americus campus in front of a capacity crowd. This is South Georgia Tech’s second graduation this year.

One hundred and six students received an Associate of Applied Science degree while another 209 were recognized for earning a diploma in their field of study.  Fifteen students qualified as a Presidential honor graduate which requires an overall grade point average of 3.9 or higher and another 25 were spotlighted as an honor graduate with a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89. Twenty-six National Technical Honor Society members were also recognized.

SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Kuipers presided over the graduation ceremony and introduced Rev. Bill Dupree who gave the invocation.

President Watford welcomed graduates and their families and recognized special guests.  Jimmy Davis, Chair of the SGTC local Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Director and SGTC’s 2019 Rick Perkins Teacher of the Year.

In his brief talk to graduates and their family members, Murray congratulated the graduates and challenged them to continue on their educational journey.   He thanked South Georgia Technical College’s administration and faculty and staff for their support of the students. 

“Technical College has something for everyone, from teens on up,” said Murray.  “Look around at our graduates, there is a wide variety of individuals.  We train individuals for entry level positions all the way up to future leaders of industry.  And we do that shaping Georgia’s workforce one student at a time for a fraction of the cost of any other option.

“Technical College today is growing and we have to continue to grow to keep pace with our partners in industry.  We have to find new and innovative ways to teach our students and contribute to the many programs of study here at South Georgia Tech.  When our job is done, it is always rewarding to see the results.  And see a student grow in their field and enter the workforce.”

Murray also challenged the students to “start working on your next goal.  Today might have been the most important goal that you had, but now is the time to start working on your next goal.  It may be short term or long term.  Start making a list of steps or a plan of action to reach those goals.  Plan for the future or otherwise the future is going to happen to you and you are not going to have as many options to choose from.  Don’t stop learning!”

President Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Kuipers then presented the diplomas to the graduates. One hundred and two students received an Associate of Applied Science degree.

SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Accounting (AAS) Desiray Chantay Kenney of Cordele; Business Technology (AAS) Kennedy Allen of Vienna and Rhonda Gentry of Warwick;  Business Technology (Diploma) Alicia Garcia of Pitts; Computer Support Specialist (AAS and Diploma) and Networking Specialist (AAS and Diploma) Hunter Farmer of Vienna; Computer Support Specialist (AAS) and Networking Specialist (AAS) Samantha Campbell of Cordele; Computer Support Specialist (Diploma) and Networking Specialist (Diploma) Garrett Charles Pfabe of Rochelle and Gregory Simpkins of Cordele; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS) Matthew Pearce of Leesburg; Culinary Arts (Diploma) Samantha Long of Americus; Diesel Equipment Technology (Diploma) Justin Parker of Oglethorpe; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS) Jakela Jones of Cordele; Electronics Technology (Diploma) and Industrial Systems Technology (Diploma), Michael Timothy Jaskulski of Ellaville; Medical Assisting (Diploma) Elizabeth Elias of Leesburg; and Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma) Kenneth Wills of Preston.

SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Honor graduates (3.70 – 3.89 GPA) and their respective fields of study included:  Accounting (AAS & Diploma), Christopher Averett of Ellaville; Air Conditioning Technology (AAS), William Cobb of Richland; Automotive Technology (Diploma) and Motorsports Vehicle Technology (Diploma), Kevin Brown of Richland; Automotive Technology (Diploma), Frederick Gear, Jr. of Americus, Jacob Hobbs of Ashburn, and Rashad Walden of Leary; Barbering (Diploma), Jerrell McIntosh of Albany; Business Technology (AAS) Computer Support Specialist (AAS) and Networking Specialist (AAS), Christian Powell of Cordele; Business Technology (AAS), Antonio Brinson of Cordele; Business Technology (Diploma), Selenne Teimpos-Cabrera of Americus; Computer Support Specialist (AAS), Andreas Edwards of Americus; Cosmetology (Diploma), Jessica Emery of LaGrange; Criminal Justice Technology (Diploma) Christopher Saint of Americus; Culinary Arts (AAS and Diploma), Ka’Nijah Foster of Americus;  Culinary Arts (AAS), Christine Anderson of Vienna;  Diesel Equipment Technology (Diploma), Savion Jarrell Evans of Hampton, Richard Shannon of Ellaville, Allan Sparking of Sylvester, Caleb West of Ellaville; and Stanley Williams, Jr. of Waynesboro; Drafting (Diploma),Jacob See of Mauk;  Electronics Technology (AAS) Cameron Williams of Leesburg; Practical Nursing (Diploma), Castil’vicia Evans of Cordele and Sandra Renfroe of Ellaville; and Marketing Management (AAS), Jamarcus Stone of Americus.

Twenty-five graduates are also members of the National Technical Honor Society.  Those individuals are: Kennedy Allen of Vienna; Christine Marie Anderson of Vienna; Eric Blake of Dawson; Antonio Brinson of Cordele; Taylor Kirsten Bullock of Arabi; Samantha Campbell of Cordele; Elizabeth Elias of Leesburg, Castil’vicia Vontae Evans of Cordele; Hunter G. Farmer of Vienna; Ka’Nijah Jy’Kerriah Foster of Americus; Frederick Lee Gear Jr., of Americus; Rhonda Gentry of Warwick; Jacob Hobbs of Ashburn; Desiray Chantay Kenney of Cordele; Samantha L. Long of Americus; Christopher Mathews of Americus; Mark Miller of Canton; Lisa Pate of Smithville; Garrett Charles Pfabe of Rochelle; Christian D. Powell of Cordele; Jacob E. See of Mauk; Melanie Shappard of Arabi; Gregory Simpkins of Cordele; Jordan Alyssa Spires of Leesburg; Alonza Shonta Thomas; and Rashad Walden of Leary.

     One hundred and six students earned Associate of Applied Science degrees and those students and their programs of study included:  Accounting, Christopher Jaycob Averett of Ellaville; Adarius Brown of Cordele; Kelly Bryan of Plains, DaVetta LaJuana Johnson of Smithville; Desiray Chantay Kenney of Cordele; Tevin Lloyd of Montezuma, Devan Mathis of Montezuma; and Kenya Shawan Wallace of Plains; Air Conditioning Technology, William Cobb of Richland and James R. Coleman of Ellaville; Business Technology, Kennedy Allen of Vienna, Antonio Brinson of Cordele, Joshua Taylor Bryan of Cordele, Kayla Carson of Montezuma, Joyce Carter of Americus, Shanquisha Tikeyah Coley of Abbeville, Concepion Deriso of Americus, Addison R. Dickerson of Cordele, Rhonda Gentry of Warwick, Princess Denise Harris of Americus, Rosa LeAnn Lamb of Cordele, Christopher Matthews of Vienna, Bentura Lizardi Nunez of Americus, Christian D. Powell of Cordele, Tamera Tynette Simmons of Cordele, Cornei’sha Evon Walker, Olivia Malashia Williams of Americus, and Thomas A. Williams of Ellaville; Computer Support Specialist, Eric Blake of Dawson, Samantha Campbell of Cordele, Alisa Sales Colwell of Albany, Andreas M. Edwards of Americus, Hunter G. Farmer of Vienna, Tristan William Hemphill, Stone Mountain, Sherice Latoya Kohler of Americus, Christian Powell of Cordele, Holly Rhodes of Pitts, Prescious Stevens of Americus, Kenia Alizzeth Wills of Preston, and Ka’Kerrion Woodson of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology, Xavier Monteria Bryant, Jr. of Cordele, April Cosby of Marshallville, Brittany Monae Durham of Americus, Chauncey Hannibal, Jr. of Sugar Hill, Sharonda Harris of Americus, Jordon Simone Larry of Americus, Charity Rene’ Laster of Americus, Megan Elizabeth Ogen of Montezuma, Sellarica Owens of Americus, Matthew C. Pearce of Leesburg, Calandra Price, Brianna Netia Quinn of Ideal, Dominique Shelton of Americus, Chritan G. Sutton of Americus, Wanda Walton of Americus and Kelly Lynn Wilkerson of Pitts; Culinary Arts, Christine Marie Anderson of Vienna, Ka’Nijah Jy’Kerriah Foster of Americus, John Martinez of Americus, Kenneth Paul McNeil, Jr. of Preston, Marlita Bridges McNiel, Corcynthia J. Monts of Plains, and Kentavious Tyree Williams of Preston;

Early Childhood Care & Education, Cambria Barner of Americus, Marandia Shar’Dae Buford of Warwick, Myia Crawford of DeSoto, LaQuita Culpepper of Richland, Angela Dawson of Cordele, Aisha Douglas of Buena Vista, Desiree’ S. Edwards of Cordele, Courtney Garcia of Plains, Tybrekkia Gabrielle Hendley of Cordele, Jakela Jones of Cordele, Shakeria Chanel Jones of Cordele, Chelsey Ellayna Kimbrough of Americus, Tara Aunyaka Mann of Americus, Linda Marie Pickens of Cordele, Sheena Butler Saint of Americus, Dawana Lacretia Savage of Cordele, Raquandria Sharnea Smith, Stephaine Harris Tyson of Americus ,Tamara La’shauna Tyson of Americus, and Destiny T. Walker of Montezuma; Electronics Technology, Titeanna Darlena Tewanna Deriso of DeSoto, Michael Timothy Jaskulski of Ellaville, Christopher Mathews of Americus, Kierion Mumphery of Warner Robins, and Cameron David Williams of Leesburg;

Marketing Management, Shanetlle Brito of Americus, Kalaycia Nichole Jefferson of Albany, Sherena Renay Redding, Melanie Sheppard of Arabi, Jamarcus Stone of Americus, Deasia Troutman of Ashburn and Demetra Da’sha Williams of Americus; Networking Specialist, Samantha Campbell of Cordele, Hunter G. Farmer, Tristan William Hemphill of Stone Mountain, Sherice Latoya Kohler of Americus, Kevin Parker of Americus, Christina Powell of Cordele, Holly Rhodes of Pitts, Prescious Stevens of Americus and Allen Turner of Weston; and Sports and Fitness Management, Kobe Bryant of Conley.

   Two hundred and nine students earned Diplomas and those students and their programs of study included:  Accounting, Christopher Jaycob Averett, Tevin Lloyd, Tre’Sean Martin, Kenya Shawan Wallace, and Jessica Briana Watts; Air Conditioning Technology, Oscar Leon Larkin, Jr., Dis’Arrius JaQuay Robinson and Jamarcus Williams; Aircraft Structural Technology, Paige Hope Daughtry;  Auto Collision Repair Technology, Markee’ D. Bunkley, Kwuntavious R. Jackson, and Marvin Jerome Johnson; Automotive Technology, Kevin Katrel Brown, Frederick Lee Gear, Jr., Jacob Hobbs, John Manuel, Salih Sernaj Owens-Bey, Brandon Javontae Rogers, Jordan Alyssa Spires, and Rashad Walden; Aviation Maintenance Technology, Colyn Anthony Johnson, Mark Allen Miller, and Joshua Smallwood; Avionics Maintenance Technology, Colyn Anthony Johnson; Barbering, Arthur Brown, Sarvain Immanuel Cook, Gregory M. Long, Jerrell Rakeem Sheron McIntosh, Fernando Guadalupe Soto, Jr., and Hawley T. Stewart; Business Technology, Joyce Carter, Shanquisha Tikeyah Coley, Chalance’ Deriso, Concepion Deriso, TyQuilla Nesha’ Flowers, Alicia Ledford Garcia, Princess Denise Harris, Ashley M. Lopez, Bentura Lizardi Nunez, Selenne Tiempos-Cabrera, Olivia Malashia Williams, Thomas A. Williams, and Shontavius Mashea Woods; Computer Support Specialist, Eric Blake, Alisa Sales, Colwell, Joshua Davis, Hunter G. Farmer, Tristan William Hemphill, Robert M. Jones, Amber Lynn Kent, Sherice Latoya Kohler, Garrett Charles Pfabe, Jennifer Rivera Gregory Simpkins, and Prescious Stevens;Cosmetology, Alissa Brown, Celina Delaine Bruner, Troynaisha Butts, Cedric Deon Clark, Mercedez Ty’Sheeuna Collier, Jasmine Michelle Dean, Tyteunas Donaldson, Jessica Mae Emery, Yesenia Garcia-Gutierrez, Ira Wendell Goodwin, Leondrea J. James, Jacqueline Johnson, Lisa Pate, Tabetha Swanson, Ladasha Monae Thomas, Alonza Shonta Thomas, Morgan Tomblin, Crystal Brooke Waters, Breanna Nicole Way, Jessica Simone Williams, and Najayla Williams; Cosmetology Instructor Training, Charlette Clark Pines; Criminal Justice Technology, Sierra Monique Banks, Megan Elizabeth Ogden, Sellarica Owens, Brianna Netia Quinn, Kadraya Reels, Christopher Lee Saint, Danielle Adara Sims, Christan G. Sutton, and Kelly Lynn Wilkerson;  Culinary Arts, Nicholas Ryan Faaborg, Ka’Nijah Jy’Kerriah Foster, Dianne Harvey, Trenton Johnson, Samantha L. Long, Shana A. Rainey, Heather Suzanne Todd, and Ylanna Shakoryn Tyson; Diesel Equipment Technology, Jamal Marquez Beeks, Arturo Contreras, Jr., Devin Lee Daniels, Savion Jarrell Evans, Leroy Henderson, Jr., Antwan O’Neil Lewis, Cameron Blake Mathis, Justin Parker, Richard Keith Shannon, Allan Sparling, Douglas Trayvon Tatum, Caleb West, and Stanley Williams, Jr;  Drafting Technology, Andre’ Cooper, John Hayes, III, Jacob E. See;  Early Childhood Care and Education, Cambria Barner, Tamiya Blanks, Jeterria K. Boone, Angela Dawson, Desiree’ S. Edwards, Selma Hardrick, Jocelyn Hartage, Kieosha Nicole Hawkins, Jessica Shaneal Myrick, Rajah Simone Oliver, Ravey Symone Polk, Diamond Sade Taylor, Brittany Shont’e Wallace, Germaiya D’Avion Walton and Mallary Wiggins; Electrical Systems Technology, Colby Folds, Lanorris A. Gary, Dylan Singley, and Daniele Denise Thornton; Electronics, William C. Buchanan; Firefighter/EMSP, Barbara Kralik; Industrial Systems Technology, Michael Timothy Jaskulski; Marketing Management, Ameena Gerquan Dennard, Jonathan Lowery, Gamal L. Roberts, Deasia Troutman, and Don’Trica Williams; Medical Assisting, Latrissha Latriese Cross, Lauren Belle Dominick, Elizabeth Elaias, Tamara Marie English, Alexis Hamlin, Jessica Laquina Jones, Shanice Je’nae Laster, Audriana Patillo, and Zoey Marie Salsman; Motorsports Vehicle Technology, Kevin Katrel Brown, Destin A. Moore, Leann White; Networking Specialist, Joshua Davis, Hunter G. Farmer, Tristan William Hemphill, Robert M. Jones, Amber Lynn Kent, Sherice Latoya Kohler, Kevin Parker, Garrett Charles Pfabe, Jennifer Rivera, Gregory Simpkins, and Prescious Stevens; Practical Nursing, Elorie Elise Bailey, Richelle Bivins, Sharae Moses Brown, Taylor Kirsten Bullock, Savannah Louis Callier, Meagan Michelle Cannady, Kelsi Cannon, Ahteanna Mercedes Clark, Tanasha Coley, Querysti Collier, Jayla Nekol Collins, Ahsell Terrell Davis-Phillips; Brenda Kay Eggers, Castil’vicia Vontae Evans, Angelia Ford, Shalyssica Rochelle Gaston, Amanda Goodall, Julie Ann Goodman, Shaquenthia Fasionette Grant, Aleia Nicole Harper, Deaondra Lucille Hudson, Sharena Antoinette Jackson, Daphne Nicole Lumpkin, Adrianna Marie Majoros, Tila Marie McMillan, Iesha Vonshae Moore, Melinda Mae Noll, Courtney Elizabeth Nutt, Macy Louise Nutt, Alyssa Renee Peacock, Kaylie Perkins, Sandra R. Renfroe, Valorie Paige Rikard, Erica La’chelle Smith, Courtney Kenyetta Surface, Christine Teate, Porsha J. Tyson, Robert Chancey Underwood, Sheketta Shanta Wakefield, LaQuaria R. Williams, and Adriana Marie Young; Precision Machining and Manufacturing, Braxton Calhoun Jones and Tison Forrest Smith; and Welding and Joining Technology, Michael Aldridge, Logan Ashton Freeman, Ashily N. Jackson, and Kenneth Nathaniel Wills.

After each graduate had received their award, Vice President of Academic Affairs David Kuipers declared to President Watford that the graduates had completed the requirements for graduation as set forth by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).

Afterwards, Rev. Bill Dupree gave the benediction and the graduates recessed to the music of Pomp and Circumstance.  Photos from the graduation ceremony can be found on the South Georgia Technical College website:  www.southgatech.edu in the photo gallery section and on the college’s Facebook page.