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In honor of Constitution Week, the Heart of Georgia Technical College Student Government Association held a U.S. Constitution Quiz. The winner from the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center campus was Shirley McCrimmon, a student in the criminal justice program. Shown is Dr. Howard Abney, dean, presenting an American Flag to Ms. McCrimmon.

C. Dean Alford, TCSG State Board Chair and President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Energy Services Keynote Speaker at HGTC Graduation

C. Dean Alford, state board chair of the Technical College System of Georgia and president and chief executive officer of Allied Energy Services, is slated to be the keynote speaker at the Heart of Georgia Technical College graduation ceremony.

Mr. Alford is known nationally for his entrepreneurship and strategic planning expertise and has been personally responsible for the formation of six startup companies. In addition, he has published numerous articles and has lectured throughout the United States and Canada on the subject of energy policy and utility issues.

Mr. Alford earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and currently serves on several boards at the College. He is a licensed professional engineer and in 1989, the Georgia Consulting Engineering Council named him Engineer of the Year in Private practice.

Education is very important to Mr. Alford and he has previously served as a member of the State Board of Education for the State of Georgia, has chaired the Governor’s Investing in Excellent Education Taskforce, and in January 2007 was appointed to the Technical College System of Georgia state board, where he currently serves as its chairman.

Mr. Alford is an alumnus of the Regional Leadership Institute class of 1994 and is very involved in several community activities. He was also a five-term member of the Georgia House of Representatives.

The HGTC graduation ceremony is free and open to the public and will be held October 8, 7:00 pm in the DuBose Porter Business and Industry Center in Dublin.

HGTC Pharmacy Technology Students Achieve 100% Pass Rate

Kudos to the Pharmacy Technology program at Heart of Georgia Technical College, which had a 100 percent pass rate on the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCB). Students are required to pass the exam in order to become certified as a pharmacy technician. The national pass rate percentage for first time takers of the exam is 76 percent, according to the most recent PTCB yearly report. This examination is used in over 38 states to certify and license pharmacy technicians.

"There is a high demand for qualified pharmacy technicians in this area and surrounding counties," said Jack Shepherd, Pharmacy Technology instructor. "The quality of this program is also reflected in the high starting salaries and changes in legislation will require this advanced training and the experience that HGTC students receive at their site training."

The Pharmacy Technology diploma program provides HGTC students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in the pharmacy profession along with community service and leadership skills to become better citizens.

For more information on the Pharmacy Technology program, call 478-274-7743 or visit www.heartofgatech.edu.

Pictured (l-r): First Row – Amy Powell (Treutlen); Joshua Clark (Telfair); Whitney Williams (Dodge); and Molly Giles (Telfair). Second Row – Shari Whirl (Laurens); Jack J. Shepherd (instructor); and Fredriques Miles (Washington). Back Row – Larry Hightower (Laurens) and Annette Nails (Laurens).

HGTC Community Education offers fall courses

If you are looking for personal enrichment, new job skills or advancement in the workplace, the Community Education Department at Heart of Georgia Technical College is offering several courses this fall.

Upcoming computer classes include Basic Computer, Beginning Word 2007, Intermediate Word 2007, Advanced Word 2007, Excel 2007, Access 2007, QuickBooks, Beginning Photoshop, Intermediate Photoshop, and Advanced Photoshop.

Certifications in ServSafe, OSHA Forklift Safety, and Pest Control are also offered, along with IV Therapy, ASLS, BLS, First Aid & CPR, and Driver’s Education.

Just for fun - Travel Spanish is being offered in October. Be one of the first to enroll in this class.

Continuing Education for Business and Industry is available in Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, or can be customized to fit your organization.

The time has never been better to enhance your career skills or explore a new interest. For more information, call 478-275-6592 or 478-274-3010 or email lgreen@heartofgatech.edu.

HGTC Foundation Awards Karen Core CNA Scholarships

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation has awarded two students with the Karen Core CNA Scholarship for summer quarter.

The scholarship was established by the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation to assist certified nursing assistant students.

The Foundation chose Karen Core to honor with the scholarship because of her life-long service to health care as a registered nurse and her past membership on the HGTC Foundation and HGTC nursing advisory committee.

The following students received the scholarship for summer quarter: Kelly Rogers from Chester and Ja’Quita Height from Dublin.

Scholarships create opportunities to change lives. Those interested in establishing a scholarship or donating to an existing scholarship, please contact Jenny Shuman at (478) 296-6117 or jshuman@heartofgatech.edu. The HGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Seven Georgia Counties Reach Certified Work Ready Community Status

Creating skilled workforce, improving public high school graduation rates

Governor Sonny Perdue today announced seven new Certified Work Ready Communities, a designation showing the county has the skilled workforce businesses demand and the educational infrastructure to drive economic growth and prosperity.

“By becoming Work Ready these communities are positioning themselves for future growth,” said Governor Perdue. “The communities are building the skilled workforce that employers rely on to succeed and grow.”

Barrow, Bleckley, Catoosa, McDuffie, Pike and Ware counties were named Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence. Brooks County has been named a Certified Work Ready Community. These counties represent the sixth group to complete their Work Ready Certificate goals and have successfully met at least the required minimum increase in their county’s public high school graduation rate.

The new Certified Work Ready Communities achieved the following:

Barrow County: 866 Work Ready Certificates earned (33 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 69 percent to 75.5 percent
Bleckley County: 533 Work Ready Certificates earned (118 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 72.1 percent to 82.6 percent
Brooks County: 424 Work Ready Certificates earned (95 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 50.5 percent to 63.3 percent
Catoosa County: 860 Work Ready Certificates earned (25 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 70.9 percent to 76.2 percent
McDuffie County: 869 Work Ready Certificates earned (164 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 72.7 percent to 77.6 percent
Pike County: 507 Work Ready Certificates earned (121 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 76.4 percent to 80.2 percent
Ware County: 1,147 Work Ready Certificates earned (102 percent above goal); increased high school graduation rate from 62.6 percent to 76.6 percent

To earn the Certified Work Ready Community designation, counties must demonstrate a commitment to improving public high school graduation rates through a measurable increase, and show a specified percentage of the available and current workforce have obtained Work Ready Certificates.

Each community created a team of economic development, government and education partners to meet the certification criteria. Counties are given three years to reach the goals necessary to earn the designation. One additional county – Berrien County – has met its Work Ready Certificate goal and continues to work to improve it high school graduation rate.

To date, 19 counties have earned the Certified Work Ready Community designation and 120 others are working toward their individual goals. Once counties attain their Certified Work Ready Community goals, they are able to maintain their status by ensuring a small percent of their available workforce continue to earn Work Ready Certificates, engage local businesses to recognize and use Work Ready, and continue to increase their public high school graduation rate until they reach a threshold of 75 percent. Once they reach 75 percent, they must maintain that graduation rate to maintain their certification status.

To continue their work, each county will receive a $10,000 grant. Their Work Ready Community teams will also receive a two-year membership to their local chamber of commerce and a budget for additional Work Ready outreach materials. Counties that are fully certified receive road signs and a seal denoting the year they achieved certification.

Georgia’s Work Ready initiative is based on a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia’s workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs. The Certified Work Ready Community initiative builds on the assessments and job profiling system to create opportunities for greater economic development.

For more information on the Work Ready initiative please visit the Web site at www.gaworkready.org .

HGTC National Technical Honor Society Inducts New Members

DUBLIN—The Heart of Georgia Technical College National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) inducted 29 out of 48 eligible new members on September 1, 2009. The National Technical Honor Society is an honor organization for outstanding students enrolled in occupational, vocational, or technical programs. The purpose is to promote service, leadership, honesty, career development, and skilled workmanship; to reward student achievement; to encourage and assist students in educational and career goal setting; to promote a stronger linkage between local technical institutions and business and industry; and to promote the image of technical education in America.

Candidates for NTHS membership are students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement, skill development, good character, leadership, honesty, and responsibility. Membership is open to students from all diploma and degree programs. Students may be nominated for membership based on the following criteria: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater, a minimum of 24 credit hours completed in a diploma or degree program, and demonstrated qualities such as dependability, worthy character, good mentality, credible achievement, and a commendable attitude.

Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president, addressed the group of recipients and congratulated them on their achievement. He also thanked Ms. Kim Meeks, club advisor, for her hard work and dedication to the National Technical Honor Society.

The following students were inducted into the NTHS. First row (l-r): Dana Tapley (Laurens); Lenora Spearman (Laurens); Krystal Woodard (Dodge); Tammy Garner (Treutlen); Chassity Evans (Laurens); Shonte King (Laurens); Ranada Davis (Laurens); Tabitha Quarterman (Laurens); Toni Williams (Telfair); Elysea Howard (Treutlen). Second row (l-r): Shirley McCrimmon (Telfair); Patricia Hamilton (Telfair); Annie Bess (Wheeler); Oshika Stanley (Laurens); Janene R. Garietz (Dodge); James Cliett (Telfair); William Dunham (Tattnall); Brant Tanner (Washington); Brad Rowland (Laurens); Sherwin “Lee” Bell, II (Telfair); Mikel Floyd (Dodge); Terica Taylor (Johnson); Ashley Meeks (Laurens); Brandi Crouch (Laurens); Annette Nails (Laurens); Hannah Colvin (Laurens); W. Joe Osburn, Jr. (Laurens); Javette Payne (Laurens). Not pictured: Cynthia Lee, Samantha Waites, Royce Waid, Chelsey Ward, LaNora Hamilton, Candida Sutton, Pamela Wooten, Timothy Barlow, Cameron Carrier, Teddy Waites, Betty Brown, Jeff Fisher, Susan Carter, Brittnee Parker, Brenda Wilbur, Molly Giles, Fredrigues Miles, Megan Durden, Colton McLemore, and Kendrick Cheely.

HGTC Diesel Equipment Technology Program gains ASE Certification

Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology (DET) Program has become one of only a few in the nation to receive certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

The distinct honor was recently announced, making HGTC’s DET Program one of just 114 programs of its kind nationwide.

“This is the top quality Diesel Program in the state,” said HGTC President Dr. Randall Peters upon hearing the announcement.

The purpose of the Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Training Certification Program is to improve the quality of training offered at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The Board of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the body responsible for the M/HD Truck Technician Training Certification Program. The Certification Program is under the direct supervision of the Board of Trustees of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

The certification means that HGTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology Program has met or exceeded all standards of excellence in areas including content of instruction, which includes tasks, tools, equipment, hours, and instructor qualifications.

“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Donald Seyfer, NATEF chair, in a press release. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that HGTC’s graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by HGTC, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the workforce.”

Although the certification has been a primary focus for the college this past year, preparation for the certification began about three years ago with, the former Advisor/Instructor of the DET program, Marion Hall.

“It’s been a lot of hard work,” said the new HGTC DET Program Advisor/Instructor Jon Walraven who came on board with the college last July. He said the HGTC staff and administration made a concerted effort during the past year to see the certification goal to completion.

The hard work was evaluated and assessed through an extensive self-evaluation followed by an on-site evaluation and review conducted by local industry representatives and a fellow TCSG Diesel Instructor.

“We are the only ASE Certified Diesel Program in the state of Georgia,” said Walraven, noting that the HGTC program is also one of only a few in the southeastern region of the country.

Walraven said the fact that HGTC met and exceeded the necessary standards to gain the ASE distinction is a benefit for local employers because it means graduates from the college’s Diesel Program are well-equipped to fill positions locally, statewide and nationally.

“Our students are going above and beyond the standards set by the TCSG,” he said. “Our students here are going to get the best diesel education in the state.”

The NATEF task is evaluated every three years to ensure that it is relevant and up to date with changing technology. Walraven noted that HGTC makes a concerted effort to stay up to date with the latest industry technology, diagnostic equipment and textbooks.

“We try to use all the newest technology we can,” he said.

Like all “ASE Certified Programs,” the HGTC diesel program will be evaluated every 2 ½ years to make sure that it is compliant and kept current.

The HGTC Diesel Equipment Technology Program includes diplomas for a Truck Specialization as well as a Heavy Equipment Specialization. The program covers everything from the basics to more comprehensive hands-on skills such as rebuilding engines and transmissions. Graduates of the program have moved on to fill entry-level positions locally and all over the state. Students are working in truck dealerships, fleet shops, independent shops, and travel centers - just to name a few. Students frequently travel from other parts of the state to participate in the HGTC Diesel Equipment Technology Program.

Both Walraven and DET Instructor Jillyn Baggett agree that the style of instruction given at HGTC makes the program appealing to students while also providing the necessary hands-on training to prepare them to compete for the best jobs.

Baggett says “Our diesel students are a very close-knit group. Through peer teaching we allow more advanced students to help newer students in a way that teaches teamwork and cooperation. These factors coupled with the hands-on training are preparing our students for success.”

“The students also teach us,” said Baggett “It is all part of the learning process.”

That type of preparation, said Walraven, is a benefit for both the student and local industry.

“We’ve got two customers here,” Walraven stated, “the student and the employer. Our job is to provide service to both.”

GED High Score Awards

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Adult Education Program held GED graduation August 4, 2009. Awards for the highest scores on the GED exam were presented.

Cynthia Couture-White was named the recipient of the Louise T. Pope Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Laurens County. The award was sponsored by Dublin-Laurens Communities in Schools, Inc. Ms. Couture-White also received the Scholastic Excellence Award, which was sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, for earning the highest overall score on the GED exam.

Daniel Brown received the Annie L. Cooper Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Bleckley County. The award was sponsored by Kight Law Firm.

Samantha Taranowski was named the recipient of the Sarah I. Bullock Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Dodge County. The award was sponsored by the Dodge County Certified Literate Community Program.

Aaron Lomax Spaulding was the recipient of the Robert F. Jackson Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Telfair County. The award was sponsored by Zanders General Contractors.

Ashley Jeanine Hayes received the Perry J. Doak Award for earning the highest school on the GED exam in Wheeler County. The award was sponsored by Little Ocmulgee EMC.

Adrienne Brantley was the recipient of the Oscar McWhorter Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Wilkinson County. The award was sponsored by Oconee EMC.

The Student Government Association at Heart of Georgia Technical College had several activities during the month of August. Pictured are SGA members attending a meeting on August 10, distributing ice cream on Ice Cream Day, August 12, and collecting aluminum cans and tops for the Danilynn Lampp Fund Drive.

Babysitting experiences lead to fulfilling childcare career

For Lauren Butler, going to work everyday never really seems like work at all. The 27-year-old has always found personal satisfaction in caring for children — and as the oldest of five siblings, the youngest of whom is 3 — she’s had ample opportunity to gain experience.

“I’ve always been around children,” said Butler. “I enjoy it. I’ve been babysitting since I was 13.”

Growing up, it didn’t take long for Butler to realize she wanted to parlay her love of children into a career. A 2000 graduate of Dodge County High School, she enrolled at Heart of Georgia Technical College as a part-time student shortly after finishing high school.

The childcare field was a great avenue for Butler to combine her interest in children with another one of her high school interests — art.

“Teaching was something [where] I could do both of those,” she said.

Given a number of options for furthering her education, she said location was key in her decision to enroll at HGTC. The smaller class sizes and the fact that the college is more financially feasible than a number of other schools was also a benefit, she said. That way, she could work close to home and gain career experience with just a short commute to and from school.

“It was just easier for me to drive from Eastman to Dublin,” she explained. “They [HGTC instructors] give you the knowledge and the experience.”

Beyond the close-by commute, though, Butler says she found just the right level of support and resources she needed to succeed.

“The advisors really care about how well you do,” she said of HGTC. “My advisor [Gail Clark] kept encouraging me not to give up.”

After taking a break from school (“I wanted to make sure that’s what I really wanted to do”) she returned two years ago to finish her degree. To gain career experience along the way, she worked as a nanny for a while before beginning an internship in the pre-k program at nearby Lolly’s Child Care Center in Eastman.

And in spring 2008, she achieved her goal — graduating from HGTC with an associate’s degree in early childhood care and education. Just days later, she was offered a full-time position at Lolly’s. While her long-term goal is to become a paraprofessional, Butler says she plans on staying on board at Lolly’s for a while.

“When I have children, I want them to go there,” said the recent newlywed.

Butler says her work each day is fulfilling, and the rewards are numerous.

“It’s worth it — to see the look on a child’s face when you’ve helped them overcome something … you have to be committed to it.”

She says being able to interact with children is perhaps most rewarding.

“They [children] don’t judge you the way adults do,” said Butler. “They don’t see the world the way grown-ups do.”

She says those who desire to work successfully in the childcare field must possess patience, understanding, compassion and the ability to think on their feet.

“Children of all ages require lots of energy and attention.”

And for those considering a career in the field or anyone seeking higher education, Butler advises them to persevere amidst the odds.

“Believe in yourself even when things get tough,” she said. “You never know how close you are to succeeding.”

She credits the support of her HGTC instructors and advisors and the encouragement of her parents and her husband with helping her fulfill her career ambitions thus far.

“There were times I got really tired of school, but he would not let me quit,” said Butler of her husband, Ron. “That really meant a lot to me.”

“It’s definitely what I wanted it to be,” said Butler of her work. “I love what I do.”

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Pre-K got off to a fun start on the first day of class, August 1, 2009. Pictured is the class making “Silly Faces” for the camera. Pictured also is Chandler Kelly, pre-k teacher, and Angela Smith, parapro.

HGTC experiences change course of student’s life

For Amy Maddox, finding Heart of Georgia Technical College was a life-saver.

The experience, coupled with a bit of admitted luck, landed her a dream job and career fulfillment.

“I was at the end of my rope when I enrolled at HGTC,” said Maddox. “Heart of Georgia changed my life.”

After graduating in 2001 from Dodge County High School, Maddox pursued a career in music, earning an associate’s degree from Middle Georgia College back in 2005. She moved to Milledgeville following graduation to finish her bachelor’s degree, but found attending a four-year liberal arts school and balancing other life responsibilities too costly, so she eventually moved back to Dodge County. She had managed to earn a CNA license while still in Milledgeville, and after moving back home, she landed a job at a hospital in McRae.

Surprisingly, she found she really enjoyed the work.

“I loved the hospital setting,” said Maddox, who, although the hospital eventually closed, was motivated by the experience to enroll in the medical assisting program at HGTC.

The HGTC diploma program offers instruction in how to perform administrative and clinical duties, such as taking patients’ medical histories, scheduling appointments, and coding and filling out insurance forms.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is one of the fastest growing career fields in the nation.

Maddox says the smaller classroom setting at HGTC, coupled with real-world training was a welcomed contrast to her previous college experiences.

“When I got in there, I realized they trained us especially for a doctor’s office,” she said. “I loved it.”

Having the opportunity to go to school nearby with instructors, some of whom she already knew because they lived in the area as well, was a benefit to furthering her education.

“It was nice going to school with people who knew you and knew your family,” she said.

Maddox, whose father had Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), says caring for him and supporting her mother in the day–to-day activities the disease necessitated helped spur her interest in the medical field.

“It’s something I think I fell into and I picked it up and I haven’t looked back since.”

Once she got into her clinical study, she was pleased to have an opportunity to learn even more while working in the field. With a stroke of luck, she landed a clinical rotation at Taylor & Karoly PC in Dublin and immediately began working in what would eventually be a full-time position following graduation.

“I was overjoyed,” she said of getting the clinical spot in Dublin.

Maddox says the path that brought her to HGTC changed her life — literally. She found a career and a job she looks forward to everyday, and she met the man who would eventually become her husband. Amy Hewlett, as she was formerly known, met Brandon Maddox, a student in the welding department, while working on her degree. He finished the welding program and graduated a quarter before Amy, who would soon become his wife.

Today, she says she enjoys going to work, helping patients and doing work that fulfills her professionally. She handles and processes lab work and relays the results to patients in a manner she aims to make as reassuring as possible.

“They [patients] take what I say to heart,” she said. “All the tools that I learned from Heart of Georgia — I use them now.”

She says others who may be debating enrolling in college but still trying to figure out how to balance work, school and family should never consider dropping out or not enrolling an option. She’s even considering going back to school to earn her nursing degree.

“Do your best to finish school,” said Maddox. “As hard as it might be, stick it out. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”