South Georgia Technical College hosts Spring 2023 commencement ceremony

May 5, 2023
Betsy Burton Shealy, a graduate in the SGTC Marketing Management program, is shown above with her family. Her grandfather Sonny Shealy served on the SGTC Board of Directors and her grandmother Elaine Thomas is a graduate of SGTC.
Betsy Burton Shealy, a graduate in the SGTC Marketing Management program, is shown above with her family. Her grandfather Sonny Shealy served on the SGTC Board of Directors and her grandmother Elaine Thomas is a graduate of SGTC.

The proud past and promising future of South Georgia Technical College was on full display recently at the college’s Spring 2023 commencement ceremony Thursday, May 4, at 6 p.m. in the James S. Peters Gymnasium on the Americus campus in front of a capacity crowd. South Georgia Technical College is celebrating its 75th anniversary and the graduating students are now among the thousands of individuals who have attended SGTC and moved into career fields all over Georgia, the United States and the entire world.

Tredarrian Colbert, SGTC’s 2023 GOAL student and a student in the Barbering program, was the featured speaker at the South Georgia Technical College 2023 Commencement ceremony.

Over 200 students, 49 of which were either Presidential Honor or regular Honor graduates, received awards of either an associate degree or a diploma during the 2023 May commencement ceremony.  Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.9 or higher to qualify as a Presidential Honor graduate and a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89 to qualify as an Honor graduate.  National Technical Honor Society members were also recognized.

SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presided over the graduation ceremony and introduced Rev. Michael Coley from the SGTC Board of Directors to give the invocation.

President Watford welcomed graduates and their families and recognized special guests.  Michael Coley, Chair of the SGTC local Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, South Georgia Technical College Barbering student Tredarrian Colbert, who is the SGTC 2023 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) student. 

In his brief talk to graduates and their family members, Colbert congratulated the graduates and challenged them to continue on their educational journey and talked about why technical education was a viable option for him and many others.

Shannon Daisy Jones of Americus is shown above accepting her Air Conditioning Technology diploma from President Dr. John Watford.

 He thanked South Georgia Technical College’s administration and faculty and staff for their support of the students.  He also recognized the family members who helped support the graduates to be able to reach this milestone.

After Colbert’s address, President Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presented the diplomas to the graduates. One hundred and five students received an Associate of Applied Science degree and 98 diplomas were awarded.

South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above with Mitchell Turton, a high school student at Southland Academy who earned a diploma in Precision Machining and Manufacturing prior to his high school graduation. He has been accepted into Georgia Tech this fall where he plans to study engineering.

SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Agricultural Technology (AAS Degree) Travis Jack Rushing of Brooklet and David Walker Workman of Thomson; Accounting (AAS and Diploma) Angel Young of Leslie; Business Technology (AAS) Bonnie Nicole Guillen of Unadilla; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS Degree and Diploma) John Phillip Welch of Ellaville; Early Childhood Care and Education (Diploma)Miracle Marshalyn Mckeller of Ideal; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Samuel Joseph Feleay of Topeka, KS; Kirk Alan League of Haleyville, AL; and Dion J. Wilson of Fulton, MS; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Tristen Isaiah Johnson of Butler, TN; Joshua Kevin McCann of Saint Simons Island, Karson Kendall Richmond of Johnson City, TN; and William Bryce Stein of Brandon, MS; Industrial Mechanical Systems (Diploma) Joseph Azyriah Jolly of Gordonsville, TN; Precision Machining and Manufacturing (Diploma)Jeffrey Lee Macon of Buena Vista; and Mitchell Busbee Turton of Cordele; and Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma) Jon E. Watson of Hawkinsville.

SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Honor graduates (3.70 – 3.89 GPA) and their respective fields of study included:  Agricultural Technology (AAS),Connor Michael Barrentine of Covington; Mason Kevin Dill of  Ocilla; Norman Jacob Dunaway of Bascom,  FL; Aircraft Structural Technology (Diploma),Lawrence Robert Starling of Mauk; Business Technology (AAS) Kiara Ver’ene’e Bryant of Oglethorpe; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS and Diploma),Amaya Lashon Brown of Pineview and Joseph Paul Austin Smith of Fort Valley; Criminal Justice Technology  (Diploma),Angel Regina Robinson of Americus; Drafting Technology (Diploma)Mohammad Zakaria Mahamood of Doraville; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS & Diploma) Shamari Lashan Stafford of Adel; (AAS) Natasha Brown of Cordele; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Hunter Layne Barbee of Green Cove Springs, FL; Andrew Davis Green of Prosperity, SC; Reece Alex Moorey of Chapin, SC; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Thomas Winn Bingham of Lakeland, TN; Matthew Keith Jackson of Wilmer, AL; Daxon Edward Payne of Nettleton, MC; Islael Rmirez of Dacula; Natha Eli Ruha of Alabaster, AL; Cade Harper Tarver of Lafayette, AL; Garrett Colton Wheeler of Pisgah, AL and Kevin wade Yates of Knoxville, TN; Marketing Management (AAS Degree and Diploma)Dawn Driver Ammons of Ellaville; and Tracy Nichelle Monts of Americus; Networking Specialist (AAS Degree and Diploma)Joden lee Richards of Leslie; Precision Machining and Manufacturing (Diploma)Kelli Leeann Rees of Midland; Sports and Fitness Management (AAS) Camryn Danielle James of Macon; and Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma) Joel Trevor Ferguson of McDonough; Lewis L. Newton, Jr. of Blackshear; and Sebastian Shattles of Dawson.

Fourteen students earned the distinction of being included in the National Technical Honor Society.  Those students included:  Kiara Ver’ene’e Bryant of Oglethorpe; Tredarrian Colbert of Americus; Norman Jacob Dunaway of Bascom, FL; Matthew Keith Jackson of Wilmer, AL; Tristen Isaiah Johnson of Butler, TN; Kirk Alan League of Haleyville, AL; Ismael Ramirez of Dacula; Kelli Leeann Reese of Midland; Karson Kendall Richmond of Johnson City, TN; Nathan Eli ruha of Alabaster, AL; Travis Jack Rushing of Brooklet; William Bryce Stein of Brandon, MS; Dion J. Wilson of Fulton, MS: and David Walker Workman of Thomson.

A large crowd attended the SGTC Spring 2023 graduation ceremony recently in the James S. Peters gymnasium.

     One hundred and five students earned Associate of Applied Science degrees and those students and their programs of study included:  Accounting, Angel Young of Leslie; Agricultural Technology, Charles A. Austin of Loxahatchee, FL; Connor Michael Ballentine of Covington; Jacob Richard Carver of Elko; Mason Kevin Dill of Ocilla; Norman Jacob Dunaway of Bascom, FL; Brett Alston Herrington of Sasser; Luke Aljandro Jimeniz of Moultrie; William Carson McCain of Saint Simons Island; Tanner John Papka of Thomasville; Kyle Wayne Richardson of Tampa, FL; Travis Jack Rushing of Brooklet; Sheldon Andrew Standley of Sasser; Jordan Kontrell Thomas of Albany; and David Walker Workman of Thomson; Air Conditioning Technology, Garrick Nartrell Davis of Warner Robins; Business Technology, Kiara Ver’ene’e Bryant of Oglethorpe; Kimberly Lynn Craft of Vienna; Bonnie Nicole Guillen of Unadilla; Shatarr Lynette Lundy of Vienna; and Miya Williamson of Americus; Computer Support Specialist, Catrina Coppedge of Cordele; Roderick Sharron Douglas of Americus; Clarissa Supan Dungca of Montezuma; Marcus Wayne Lusane of Americus; and Jennifer Nayely Rivera of Vienna; Criminal Justice Technology, Latasha Latrell Anderson of Cordele, Amaya Lashon Brown of Hawkinsville; Jeanie Leann Brown of Cordele; Darrick Jerell Bryant of Vienna; Brianna Shantel Davis of Albany, Lakeitha Majors Ellison of Butler, Kadeejah L. Gibson of Americus; Jason Kyle Gourley of Cordele; Monica Latoya Mccants of Oglethorpe; Evan Jacon Monts of Americus; Anasha Aniaha Owens of Fort Valley; Angel Regina Robinson of Americus; Joseph Paul Austin Smith of Fort Valley; Kaili Keana Thomas of Americus; John Phillip Welch of Ellaville; Shanice Lashanda West of Leesburg; Kalisha Shan’Quell Whitehead of Americus; nd Sha’Neique Monique Witchard of Ellaville; Culinary Arts, Berth Mae Lucas of Cordele; Drafting Technology, Mohammad Z. Mahamood of Doraville; Early Childhood Care & Education, Cassandra Faye Bell of Buena Vista; Natasha Brown of Cordele; Taylor Nicole Garcia of Americus; Berth Mae Lucas of Cordele; Erica Latrice Patillo of Americus; Shamari Lashan Stafford of Adel; Tamminica Machelle Thomas of Cordele; and Jasmine Charmyne Waters of Americus; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology, Hunter Layne Barbree of Green Cove springs, FL; Jason Beckham of Knoxville, TN; Samuel Joseph Feleay of Topeka, KS; Andrew Davis Green of Prosperity, SC; Kirk Alan League of Haleyville, AL; Reece Alex Moorey of Chapin, SC; Jonathan Hunter Scribner of Eupora, MS; and Dion J. Wilson of Fulton, MS; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology; Tobias Cole Austin of Section, AL; Thomas Winn Bingham of Lakeland, TN; Cody B. Dees of Branford, FL, William Bradley Dollar of Ridgeland, SC; Owen A. Gibson of Ball Ground; Matthew Keith Jackson of Wilmer, AL; Tristen Isaiah Johnson of Butler, TN; Hunter Jason McBee of Rutledge, TN; Christina Danielle Jordan of Fitzgerald; Joshua Kevin McCann of Saint Simons Island; Daxon Edward Payne of Nettleton, MS; Zachary Lloyd Peek of Gaylesville, AL; Ismael Ramirez of Dacula; Karson Kendall Richmond of Johnson City, TN; Nath Eli Ruha of Alabaster, AL; Justin Shepard of Bonaire; Cade Eric Sisemore of Nashville, TV; William Bryce Stein of Brandon, MS; Biley Patrick Sullivn of Green Cove springs, FL; Cde Harper Tarver of Lafayette, AL; Garrett Colton Wheeler of Pisgah, AL; and Kevin Wade Yates of Knoxville, TN; Marketing Management,

Dawn Driver Ammons of Ellaville; Christina Danielle Jordan of Fitzgerald and Trcy Nichelle Monts of Americus; Networking Specialist; Nicolas Kyle Coleman of Panama City Beach, FL; Catrina Coppedge of Cordele, Joden Lee Richards of Leslie; and Jennifer Nayely Rivera of Vienna; and Sports and Fitness Management, Laurie Calixte of Quebec, Canada; Fanta Gassama Dansoko of Mataro, Spain; Alexia Dox Santos Dizeko of Sion, Switzerland; Camryn Danielle James of Macon; Loren Judy, Luana Cristina Leite of Sao Paolo, Brazil; aaron Jackson Pitts, Jr., Columbus; Susana Yepes Posada of Medillin, Columbia; Loes Coreline Rozing of Heiloo, Netherlands; Courtney Lavette Seay, Mame Dior Ciss Thiaw of Kakar, Senegal; DaNae L. Williams of Pearland, TX; Bryce Williams Turner of Jacksonville, FL; and Nathn Maurice Tyrone Wilson of Auckland, New Zealand.

   Ninety-eight students were awarded diplomas and those students and their programs of study included:  Accounting – Angel Young; Air Conditioning – Garrick Natrelll Davis, Devon Deontvious Freeman, Shannon Daisy Jones, and Derrick Spencer Law; Aircraft Structural Technology – Lawrence Robert Starling; Automotive Technology – Devin Williams; Barbering – Tredarrian Colbert and Brandon Price; Business Technology – China Marie Pearson, Anna Elizbeth Schofill, Amanda Kaye Swing; Cesar Augusto Vasquez, and Voniecia Maria Walker;

Computer Support Specialist – Roderick Sharron Douglas, Clarissa Supan Dungca, Marcus Wayne Lusane, Ernest Calvin Mathis, John Dylan Pounders, and Madelyn Rose Randazzo;

Criminal Justice Technology –Amaya Lashon Brown, Darrick Jerell Bryant, Takeita Denise Clark, Brianna Shantel Davis, Lakeitha Majors Ellison, Kadeejah L. Gibson, Ny’Keria De’Aja Gibson; Jason Kyle Gourley, JaKara Demetra Mays, monica Latoya Mccants, Evan Jacord Monts, Anasha Aniaha Owens, Angel Regina Robinson, Joseph Paul Austin smith, Haili Keana Thomas, John Phillip Welch, Shanice Lashanda West, Kalish Shan’Quell Whitehead;  

Culinary Arts –Morgan Renee Brown; Diesel Equipment Technology – Randy Robert II Ampler, Luke Joah Gay, Qu’Larrious Glover, Wyatt Mack Morgan, and Tyrone Charle Starling, Jr; Drafting Technology – Mohammad Z. Mahamood; Early Childhood Education – Taylor Nicole Garcia, Miracle Marshalyn Mckeller, Shamari Lashan Stafford, and Jasmine Charmyne Waters;

Electrical Construction Technology – Jutti Jykel King and Christopher Rogers; Electrical Systems Technology – Jutti Jykel King and Christopher Rogers; Electronics Technology– Jacob Seth Jones; Industrial Mechanical Systems – Joseph Azyriah Jolly; Marketing Management – Season Adams, Dawn Driver Ammons, Christina Danielle Jordan, Tracy Nichelle Monts, and Betsy Burton Shealy; Medical Assisting – Deasia Symone Blakely, Alicia Michelle Felton, Rockell Ly’eeria Hicks, Carolyn Lynn Moses; and Kelsie Tymes;  Motorsports Vehicle Technology – Tyquillious Jacis Mohone; Networking Specialist – Nicolas Kyle Coleman, John Dylan Pounders, Joden Lee Richards, and Morris Adam Winters; Precision Machining and Manufacturing – Jeffrey Lee Macon, Kelli Leeann Rees and Mitchell Busbee Turton;

Sports and Fitness Management – Laurie Calixte, Fanta Gassama Dansokho, alexia Dos Santos Dizeko, Camryn Danielle James, Loren Judy, Luana Cristina Leite, Aaron Jackson Pitts, Jr., Susana Yepes Posada, Loes Coreline Rozing, Courtney Lavette Seay, Mame Dior Ciss Thiaw, DaNae L. Williams, Bryce Williams-Turner, and Nathan Maurice Tyrone Wilson; and

Welding and Joining Technology – Adrian Aolfo Coarrubias Cano; Luis Diaz-Perez, Joel Trevor Ferguson, Curion Marquis Graddy, Lewis L. Newton, Jr., Jayden C. Pennington, Sebastian Sky Shattles, Jon E. Watson, Kabron Kortez Wiggins, Cameron Price Wood and Gavin James Zuegel.

After each graduate had received their award, Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain 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, 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.