access FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE Summer 2015
magazine
ATC Associate of Science in Nursing First Graduating Class Inside this issue ....
ATC Signs Articulation Agreements with ASU & FVSU ATC Opens New Courtroom Classroom ATC Spring Commencement Highlights And More ....
ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
access FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Anthony O. Parker, Ph.D. President
Kim Lee, Ph.D.
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
Shirley Armstrong, Ph.D.
Linda Coston
Executive Vice President Vice President for Academic Affairs
Vice President of Adult Education
Joe Najjar
Kathy Skates
Special Assistant to the President
Vice President of Administration
Lisandra DeJesus, Ed.D.
Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Wendy Howell
Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Matt Trice
Judy Jimmerson
Vice President of Center for Business Solutions
Associate Vice President of Career Services
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Evera Moye
Baker County Representative Dougherty County Representatives:
Joe Austin, Chair Col. Jeffrey Hooks Ben Barrow Betty White Werhner Washington Dr. David Mosely Neil Lowe
Calhoun County Representative
Carl Childs, Jr.
Clay County Representative
Robert Chester
Early County Representative
Winston Oxford
Lee County Representative
Kuanita Murphy
Randolph County Representative
Rhonda Gordon
Terrell County Representative
FOUNDATION TRUSTEES
Cathi Jones
C.W. Grant
Suzanna MacIntosh
SB&T Bank
Retired
Lem Griffin
Community Volunteer
Flint River Services
Kirt Phillips
Alfredia Hampton
Merrill Lynch
Glenn Singfield Artesian Contracting
Katrina Baranko
SunTrust Bank
Ronnie Hinson MetroPower
Jim Wilcox
Merle Norman Cosmetics
WALB-Channel 10
Mike Clark
Jeanette McDowell
Interstate Warehousing
Dr. Willie Adams Retired
Nathaniel Williams Sam’s Club
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE 2 Continuing to Make History
DUAL ENROLLMENT 3 Four Electronics Engineering Students Graduate SPRING COMMENCEMENT 4/5 GA Lt. Gov. Casey Keynote Speaker ARBOR DAY 2015 6 ATC Holds Tree Planting to Commemorate Arbor Day FVSU ARTICULATION SIGNING 7 ATC/FVSU Sign Articulation Agreement in Electronics Engineering ATC AUDITS AWARD 8 ATC Earns State Audit Award COURTROOM CLASSROOM 9/10 ATC Cuts Ribbon on New Courtroom Classroom for LET Program COVER FEATURE 11/12 ATC Graduates First Cohort of ASN Students ASU ARTICULATION SIGNING 13 ATC/ASU Sign Articulation Agreements in Several Programs FACES/EVENTS 14-20 Recent Happenings at ATC 25 XXXX 229 430.3500
Celinda Dennison
Procter & Gamble
magazine
ATC FACULTY/STAFF DOUGHERTY COUNTYRECOGNITIONS CAMPUS:
Joe James
Emerson Electrical
Summer 2015
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
RANDOLPH COUNTY LEARNING CENTER: 229 732.5280
ONLINE:
albanytech.edu
#myalbanytech Access is a quarterly news magazine published by the Marketing and Public Relations Office at Albany Technical College. Send direct inquiries to Wendy Howell, Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations, at 229.430.3816 or email whowell@albanytech.edu. A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Inquires should be addressed to the VP of Administration, ATC, 229.430.3524 or email kskates@albanytech.edu.
FEATURES page 3
DUAL ENROLLMENT
page 4 ABOUT OUR COVER: ATC Graduates First Cohort of Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Students
page 9
SPRING COMMENCEMENT page 6
COURTROOM CLASSROOM page 13 ARBOR DAY 2015 page 7
ATC/ASU ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS ATC/FVSU ARTICULATION AGREEMENT page 8
AUDITS AWARD
page14
Faces/ Events
Contents Faces/Events: Recent Happenings Around ATC
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
DR. ANTHONY O. PARKER
Continuing to Make History We are halfway through 2015 and it has been a prosperous year already. Albany Technical College continues to make history. We graduated our very first class in the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program and we graduated four Electronics Engineering dually enrolled students. I am so proud of the accomplishments of these students and our great institution. We opened our first courtroom classroom in March and signed articulation agreements with both Fort Valley State University and Albany State University.
As a workforce development institution, Albany Technical College continues to grow and become the start to a great future for many in the region.
As you read through the pages of this edition of ACCESS, I hope you will see what I see: progress, accomplishments, and growing opportunities. As a workforce development institution, Albany Technical College continues to grow and become the start to a great future for many in the region. We look forward to the rest of 2015 and what it holds in store for us. Thank you for your support.
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from the President
ARBOR DAY 2014
Pictured (left to right): Brennon Farmer, Jonathan Banks, Dr. Anthony O. Parker (President of Albany Tech), Dexter Hooks, and Brandon Johnson.
Four Dually Enrolled Robotics Students Graduate with Associate Degrees Four dually enrolled Dougherty County high school students graduated recently from the Electronics Engineering Technology program at Albany Technical College. As part of Albany Tech’s Students Achieving Success in Engineering Technology (SASET) program, Brennon Farmer and Brandon Johnson, both students at Westover High School, and Jonathan Banks and Dexter Hooks, both at Monroe High School, began their journey with the SASET Summer Robotics Enrichment Academy (SREA) in May of 2013. They were dually enrolled in SREA and ultimately, completed six hours of college credit. During the SREA, the students were exposed to various industries with Engineering Technology. They visited a Robotics Competition in Atlanta with other high school students. Coaching and mentoring was provided by several Albany Tech instructors, including Chase Mumford (Electromechanical Engineering), Kevin White (Civil Engineering), Manual Hall (Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering), and Chinelo Ochie (Drafting). These four students walked in Albany Tech’s Spring Commencement ceremony on April 30th receiving their associate’s degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology. Graduating with a 3.37 GPA, Jonathan Banks participated in such groups as SkillsUSA, Beta Club, Monroe and Albany Tech Robotics teams, the 2013-2014 Albany Chapter Beautillion, Monroe Leadership Team and Art Club. He also served as
a Student Ambassador at Albany Tech.
dent Ambassador at Albany Tech.
Banks plans are to now move on to attend Georgia Southern University and later, to enter the workforce as a computer technician.
Johnson’s career goal is to have a job in the field of Electrical Engineering. He plans to continue on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Electronics Engineering.
Brennon Farmer has served as the Head of Special Committees of the National Honor Society at Westover High School and as a math peer tutor for the SASET program at Albany Tech. He served as a Student Ambassador at Albany Tech and on the Titans Alliance, who won in two Robotics Competition Teams. Farmer plans to go on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and work as an Electrical Engineer. Dexter Hooks was active in several extracurricular activities, including being a cast member of Shorter Production Company of Blakely, Georgia, Beta Club, Monroe Comprehensive High Leadership Team, Monroe High Literary Team, Drama Team, Drive Captain for Monroe’s Robotics Team, and Captain of Albany Tech’s Titans Alliance. He also served as a Student Ambassador at Albany Tech. Hooks plans to continue his studies at Savannah State University to obtain his bachelor’s degree. He also plans to continue on to earn both his master’s and doctorate degrees. Brandon Johnson was a member of the Westover Marching Band and the Albany Tech Robotics Team. He served as a Stuaccess | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 3
XXXX
Spring
Commencement 2015
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Albany Technical College Held Spring Commencement Exercises on April 30th Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Casey Cagle, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Albany Technical College held Spring Commencement Exercises on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 7pm, at the James H. Gray Civic Center in Albany. More than 200 candidates for associate degrees, more than 500 candidates for diplomas, and more than 1,000 candidates for technical certificates of credit graduated. Among these graduates, nearly 100 students were honored at an earlier ceremony on the Albany Tech campus on Tuesday with such distinctions as General Education Development highest test scores, Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), Presidential Scholar, Honors with Distinction, National Technical Honor Society (NTHS), ATC Ambassadors, American Criminal Justice Association Club, Collegiate DECA, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Student Government Association (SGA), and SkillsUSA. In addition, nearly 100 high school students graduated with college credit through Albany Tech’s dual/joint enrollment programs. Over 30 students graduated with their General Education Development (GED®). Keynote speaker for the ceremony was The Honorable Casey Cagle, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. A successful entrepreneur and respected former State Senator, Cagle made history in 2006 by becoming the first Republican elected to Georgia’s second highest office. In November of 2010 and 2014, in recognition of his outstanding efforts on behalf of the state his family has called home for seven generations, Georgia voters overwhelmingly re-elected Cagle. Raised by a single mother, Cagle learned early on the challenges that single-parent families face. With the love and support of his mother, he overcame these challenges against many odds. His mother also instilled in him the values of hard work and
honesty that have defined his career in public service. After a leg injury ended his dreams of playing college football, Cagle returned to Gainesville, Georgia in 1986, and became the proprietor of his first small business, a tuxedo rental company. At just 20 years old, he began realizing the American dream as his business expanded throughout North Georgia. After founding Southern Heritage Bank in 1999 and earning his reputation as a community and business leader in Gainesville, he focused his efforts on serving the citizens of Georgia. In 1994, Cagle was elected the youngest state Senator at just 28 years old, and was overwhelmingly re-elected five times. In the Senate, he rapidly established himself as a capable and effective lawmaker. He was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of Science and Technology, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee and Natural Resources Committee. His ability to build consensus made him a successful leader in lowering taxes, protecting private property rights, and standing up for Georgia’s families. In 2006, Cagle became Georgia’s 11th Lieutenant Governor. As the first ever Republican in Georgia to serve in that office, he focused his conservative principles to help make Georgia a place where businesses could grow and families could prosper. Championing the Charter Systems Act, he improved education in the state, while providing a path to career technical education for Georgia’s high school students. Additionally, Cagle launched the Georgia College and Career Academy Network, a partnership between local community leaders, school systems, and Georgia’s technical colleges. The college and
career academies provide a relevant and rigorous curriculum aimed at preparing students for a highly skilled, 21st Century economy upon graduation. Thanks to Cagle’s leadership, Georgia has 33 college and career academies with additional academies planned every year. An avid triathlete, Cagle leads Healthy Kids Georgia, an effort to encourage local partnerships that introduce children to healthy lifestyle options. Under the slogan of “Be Fit. Be Healthy. Be You,” the initiative helps acquaint children with ways to improve their health and wellness. Working together, local communities are beginning to stem the tide of childhood obesity in ways that are proven to increase academic achievement and reduce long-term healthcare costs. Cagle’s leadership has been recognized beyond the state of Georgia as well. After being renamed one of the 100 most influential Georgians, Cagle was one of four public servants in the country to be honored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools with the Champion for Charters Award. access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 5
ATC Celebrated Arbor Day with Tree Planting Albany Technical College, a Tree Campus USA, celebrated Arbor Day on Wednesday, March 4th, beginning at 10 a.m. on the grounds north of the Nathaniel Cross Health Care Technology Building, by planting a tree. George Paul, Environmental Horticulture instructor at Albany Tech, selected a live oak, which is the Georgia state tree. The tree was planted in the large span of grounds between the Center for Excellence in Technology and the Nathaniel Cross Health Care Technology building. Albany Technical College also celebrated another year of being named a Tree Campus USA. The College has been named Tree Campus USA since 2008 for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship. Tree Campus USA, a national program launched by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors college and universities and the leaders of the campus and surrounding communities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship. Tree Campus USA is supported by a $750,000 grant from Toyota. Albany Technical College met the required five core standards of tree care and com6 | access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015
munity engagement in order to receive Tree Campus USA status. Those standards are establishing a campus tree advisory committee; evidence of a campus treecare plan; verification of dedicated annual
expenditures on the campus tree-care plan; involvement in an Arbor Day observance; and the institution of a servicelearning project aimed at engaging the student body.
Albany Technical College Signed Electronics Engineering Agreement with Fort Valley State University Albany Technical College and Fort Valley State University held an articulation agreement signing ceremony on Monday, March 9th in the Executive Board Room of Albany Tech’s Logistics Education Center. The goal with the articulation agreement is to provide Associate of Applied Science (AAS) graduates of Albany Tech’s Electronic Engineering Technology program with an opportunity to continue on with Fort Valley State University to earn their Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology (BSEET). “This signing will be a tremendous benefit for Albany Technical College, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology program and its students,” said Manual Hall, Chair of the Electronics Technology programs at Albany Technical College. By providing Albany Tech students who choose to specialize in Electronics Engineering Technology with a four-year degree option, this agreement is designed for students to matriculate his/her first two years at Albany Tech culminating
with an associate’s degree and completing their bachelor’s degree at Fort Valley State. “I, along with others from Albany Tech, are continuously seeking career and continuing education opportunities for our graduates,” said Hall. “This signing has been a long time in the making and I am honored to have had a role in making it happen.” Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, president of Fort Valley State University, said the agreement exemplifies the strategies the institutions are employing to expand the educational opportunities in Georgia. “By strengthening our partnership with Albany Technical College, we are providing a valuable venue for students to have more access to higher education opportunities,” Griffith said. “It also shows that at Fort Valley State University, we are in the partnership business and in the business of helping students to dream as well as do.”
By providing Albany Tech students who choose to specialize in Electronics Engineering Technology with a four-year degree option, the agreement is designed for students to matriculate his/her first two years at Albany Tech culminating with an associate’s degree and completing their bachelor’s degree at Fort Valley State. access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 7
Pictured (left to right): Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Board Chairman Joe Yarbrough; Karen Thomas, former Director of Accounting at Albany Technical College (currently Vice President of Administration at Columbus Technical College); Kathy Skates, Vice President of Administration at Albany Technical College; Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College; Tommy Harp, Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts; and TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin.
Albany Tech Awarded the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Albany Technical College was awarded the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts on March 5th. The award was established to recognize excellence in financial reporting and controls. It encourages governmental organizations to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and recognizes individual organizations that are successful in achieving this goal.
“Keeping accuate records and using good accounting practices assist Albany Tech to be good stewards of the resources provided for us and
“Keeping accurate records and using good accounting practices assist Albany Tech to be good stewards of the resources provided for us and I commend Ms. Skates and her team for doing an excellent job,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College.
I commend Mrs. Skates and her team
“We are very honored to receive this recognition for our FY2014 audit,” said Kathleen Skates, Vice President of Administration for Albany Technical College. “Our financial staff does an excellent job to ensure that we are compliant with policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP).”
Dr. Anthony O. Parker President, Albany Technical College
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for doing an excellent job.”
Albany Technical College Law Enforcement Technology Program opens new Courtroom Simulation Lab to Benefit Students XXXXX
Albany Technical College’s Law Enforcement Technology program cut the ribbon on its new Courtroom Simulation Lab on February 4th.
During the latter part of 2013, Lynn Miller, Law Enforcement Technology instructor at Albany Technical College, saw a segment on WALB News regarding the old Federal Courthouse. Ms. Frances Krack, the property manager was advertising the courtroom basically “for rent.” As Miller watched, she thought to herself “who in the world is going to ‘rent’ a courtroom.” Over the next few days, she wondered if Albany Tech could somehow get the courtroom fixtures and use them for the Law Enforcement program. She then discussed the idea with Kenneth Singleton, Chair of the Law Enforcement Technology program at Albany Tech and Joy Knighton, Dean of the Technology, Business, and Personal Services Division at Albany Tech. They were on board with further investigating the possibility. Miller finally made contact with Ms. Krack. She and Singleton looked at the courtroom and took pictures. She drafted a proposal and provided it to Dr. Shirley Armstrong, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Albany Tech. She discussed it with Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Tech and he agreed to pursue the idea further.
An agreement was made with Louis Wiener, Property Owner, Frances Krack, Property Manager and Daniel Knoechelman, Property Engineer, for Albany Technical College to acquire the courtroom fixtures. It was the responsibility of ATC to safely and securely remove the courtroom fixtures ensuring the integrity of the fixtures. ATC Carpentry Instructors, Wayne Barnette and Steven Wengerd entertained the idea of having carpentry students with assistance of ATC Facilities Department remove and re-install the courtroom fixtures. Many considerations and measurements later, it was determined the courtroom fixtures were built inside the courtroom and were too big to be removed without disassembly.
lab already.
Students in the Law Enforcement Technology program at Albany Tech began using the lab at the beginning of spring semester.
LRA Architects in Albany was contracted to disassemble the fixtures and deliver to ATC. The courtroom fixtures arrived in what seemed like a gazillion pieces. In January 2014, carpentry students under the careful guidance Wengerd reassembled each piece and refurbished all of the courtroom fixtures to their original grandeur. The Law Enforcement Technology students at Albany Tech began using the furniture at the beginning of spring term and have held several mock trials in the access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 9
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Associate of Science in Nursing First Graduating Class Makes ATC History 15 Students Graduated during Spring Commencement on April 30th Albany Technical College held a special Pinning Ceremony commemorating the first graduating class of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program on April 28th. Keynote speaker for the program was Dr. Dorothy King Garner, former Dean of Healthcare Technology division at Albany Technical College. Dr. Dorothy King Garner retired from Albany Technical College after serving as the Dean of the Health Care Technology division for 32 years. A native of Arlington, Georgia, Garner is a 1968 graduate of Monroe High School. She graduated from the Practical Nursing program at Albany Tech (then, known as Albany Area Technical School) in 1971, and from Darton College (then, known as Albany Junior College) in 1977 with her associate’s degree in Nursing. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Albany State College and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Valdosta State University, as well as her Ed.S. degree from the University of Georgia. She also earned a Doctor of Theology from the Christian Life School of Theology and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. Currently, Garner is the Senior Pastor of Rivers of Living Water Church, International. A nurse for 42 years, she has received honors recognition from SIGMA ALPHA CHI Honor Society, ALPHA CHI Honor Society, Albany State College Nurs-
ing Honor Society, and PHI KAPPA PHI Honor Society. She was a recipient of the Scholastic All-American Collegiate Award, the United States Achievement Academy Collegiate Award, Who’s Who in American Nursing, and the Outstanding Clinical Instructor for Health Education Occupation. She has served as an NCLEX Review Writer for Mosby Publishing Company and has written curriculum for several health programs. “The faculty is happy to see this historic event take place for the college,” said Annette Holloway, ASN Nursing Instructor at Albany Technical College. Being the first class graduating since Albany Tech began the ASN program in 2012, many of these students had to manage their studies, along with employment and family obligations. The program was offered in the evenings only with long clinical hours. “The faculty has worked hard to keep the students on track and motivated as they matriculated through the night program,” said Holloway. Fifteen Albany Tech ASN students who have been in the program for two years were recognized during the ceremony on Tuesday evening. Five of the 15 students have already secured employment, including three at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, one at a doctor’s office, and one at the VA Clinic.
Being the first class graduating since Albany Tech began the ASN program in 2012, many of these students had to manage their studies, along with employment and family obligations. The program was offered in the evenings only with long clinical hours. access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 11
a Congratulations!
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Albany Technical College, Albany State University sign articulation agreement Albany Technical College and Albany State University held an articulation agreement signing ceremony on April 13th that will make it possible for students to attend both schools and be able to earn a fouryear degree in business. “The signing of this agreement paves another pathway to four-year degree options for our students, giving them the opportunity of continuing their education,” said Albany Technical College President Dr. Anthony O. Parker. The goal of the articulation agreement is to provide Associate of Applied Science (AAS) graduates in various programs at Albany Tech with an opportunity to continue their studies at Albany State University, which would lead to a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management degree. “We are delighted to partner with Albany Technical College in this way,” said Interim Albany State University President Arthur Dunning. “With this signing, there is now an opportunity for students to have a seamless transition from one fine institu-
tion to another in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree and a promising future.” Albany Tech programs included in the agreement are Accounting, Business Management (General, Human Resources, Operations, Service Sector, and Small Business), Marketing Management (Entrepreneurship and Retail), Health Information Technology, Culinary Arts Technology, Design and Media Production Technology, Drafting Technology, Computer Information Systems (PC Maintenance Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, Internet Specialist-Web Design, Network Specialist), and Electronics (Biomedical Instrumentation, Communications, Industrial, and Field Occupation).
The goal of the articulation agreement is to provide Associate of Applied Science (AAS) graduates in various programs at Albany Tech with an opportunity to continue their studies at Albany State University, which would lead to a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management degree. access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 13
Faces/Events FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
Albany Tech held the annual Education Partners Workshop on Jan. 16th. Albany Tech’s Achieving the Dream Community Engagement Several high school principals, vice principals, instructors, and counselors Committee held a Strive2Thrive informational session on from area schools learned about Albany Tech’s dual enrollment options. Jan. 20th. Attendees were presented with information on academic options at Albany Tech.
Albany Tech’s Engineering Grant committee held an Engineering Arcade on April 7th. Attendees learned about all the opportunities available in Engineering fields.
Fourteen Albany Tech students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society during a ceremony held on March 17th.
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Albany Tech held the annual Faith-Based Luncheon on March 3rd. Clergy members from the area learned about opportunities available at Albany Tech and had the chance to tour program labs.
Albany State University, Albany Technical College, Darton State College, and the Dougherty County School System partnered to hold an “Albany Go to College” night on Feb. 9th. Potential students had the chance to explore options avalable at all three colleges.
Faces/Events
FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
The Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. held its annual “Roast” on Friday, March 13. This year’s Guest of Honor was Kenneth B. Hodges, III, former DA for the Dougherty Judicial Circuit. Roasters for the evening included (pictured left to right): Dr. Anthony O. Parker, Chris Cohilas, Jeff Sinyard, Ken Hodges (Guest of Honor), Victoria Darrisaw, Greg Edwards, and Joel Wernick.
Albany Tech students and the community were able to explore career opportunities during Albany Tech’s spring Career Fair, held on April 9th. Almost 50 companies were represented.
Albany Tech’s Law Enforcement Technology program held a Criminal Justice Club Induction Ceremony on April 15th. Ten students were inducted into the club.
Several Albany Tech Titans Athletes were honored during the Titans Annual Athletics Banquet held on Friday, April 10th. Keynote speaker was Dr. Eric Holland, Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Tift County High School.
New Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner, Gretchen Corbin (right), visited the Albany Tech campus on Feb. 13th. She was given a tour of the campus by President Dr. Anthony Parker (left).
F/E
Albany Tech’s Electronics Engineering Technology students held Capstone Project presentations for the end of the term on May 1st.
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Faces/Events FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
Diego Lizarazo (left), Microsoft Technical Evangelist, and Andrew Greenberg (right), President and Executive Director of the Georgia Game Developers Association, visited Albany Tech on May 11th to speak with Computer Information Systems (CIS) faculty about potential partnership opportunities. CIS students also had a chance to explore tools for gamers presented by the duo.
Nearly 100 Albany Tech students were honored at the Spring Honors Day program held on April 28th. Pictured (left to right): ATC Electronic Engineering students, Brandon Johnson, Brennon Farmer, Dexter Hooks; Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; ATC Electronic Engineering student, Jonathan Banks; and Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College. Dr. Hrabowski visted the ATC campus on April 2nd and presented during the college’s Spring Strategic Planning sessions.
F/E
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Faces/Events
FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
The ATC Criminal Justice Club conducted an unscripted Mock Trial for Law Day on April 22nd. Federal Judge Langstaff served as the judge.
ATC’s National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) students recently collected items for a School Supply Drive to benefit the Lily Pad Center of Albany.
F/E
ATC Pharmacy Technology students held their Capstone Projects for spring semester on April 23rd.
New Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Deputy Commissioner, Matt Arthur (right), visited the Albany Tech campus on May 1st. He was given a tour of the campus by President Dr. Anthony O. Parker (left).
Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech (center), recently presented ATC Associate of Science in Nursing staff with presidential coins in recognition of their hard work and dedication with the first ASN graduating students.
Spring Fling for ATC students was held on March 26th.
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Faces/Events FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
ATC Culinary Arts program chair, Todd White, donated his ponytail to Locks for Love on February 20th.
ATC’s Early Childhood Care and Education program held Week of Young Child Readers on April 12-18 with several guests readers.
ATC President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker (left) recently recognized three Health Care Technology programs with presidential coins on the reaccreditation of their programs. Pictured (left to right): Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President; Jim McPherson, Chair, Paramedicine program; Bryan Barnes, EMT instructor; Catherine D’Amico, Medical Assisting insturctor; Cathy Garmon, Medical Assisting Chair; Priscilla Ryals, Dental Assisting Chair; and Linda Cauley, Dental Assisting instructor.
ATC’s Culinary Arts program held its Spring “Albany’s Next Titan Chef” competition on April 10th. Pictured (left to right): Norma King; Ernest Small (runner-up); Kenneth Wright (winner); and Olivia Boyd.
The newly formed ATC Faculty Council held a signing with Albany Tech President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, on March 23rd. ATC and the City of Albany teamed up to offer a Career Transition Fair at the Albany Civic Center on April 16th and 18th. 18 | access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015
Faces/Events
FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
ATC Nursing students completed Capstone Projects on April 8th.
ATC Titans Alliance students presented their winning trophies recently to ATC President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, for display in the campus trophy cases.
TCSG Executive Director of Business Development/External Affairs, Niki Vanderslice, and Georgia QuickStart Director of Organizational Development, Pam Griffin, recently visited and toured Albany Tech with President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker and Matt Trice, Vice President of the Center for Business Solutions at Albany Tech.
ATC Titans Alliance students competed in the National Robotics Competition in St. Louis on April 23rd and won the “Rookie Inspirational Award.”
ATC Titans basketball players signed to play with four-year universities on April 28th. Miles Inman and Brandon Hudson signed with Albany State University. Loren Hall signed with Armstrong Atlantic State College. Carlos Beverly signed with Miles College.
ATC Students, Faculty, and Staff volunteered at ATC’s water station for the 2015 Albany Marathon held on Saturday, March 7th. We appreciate all our volunteers! access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 19
Faces/Events FACES/EVENTS
The latest campus happenings ...
Albany Tech Paramedic Technology 2014 Class Graduates (from December 2014 graduation) soared with 100 percent pass rate on National Registry Certification Exam.
ATC Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) students competed and won awards at the 2015 Southern Region PBL Competition held on March 6th at Southwest Georgia Technical College in Tifton.
ATC Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) members and advisors attended the State Competition in Atlanta April 10th and 12th and brought back awards in Students from Kennesaw State University and the University several categories. of Florida used Albany Tech’s Courtroom Classroom to complete mock scrimmage trials in preparation for upcoming tournaments in March.
Albany Tech’s President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, served as the keynote speaker at Central Georgia Technical College’s Spring Commencement held in Macon on May 8th.
Photo Courtesy of CGTC PR Dept
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Lee County High School dually enrolled students recently had a breakfast at the high school with Albany Tech President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker (right), and Dr. Lawrence Walters (left), Superintedent, Lee County School System.
Memorial Day 2015
Albany Technical College held their third annual Memorial Day ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 2pm in the George Kirkland Conference Center. Keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony was Michael Eric Hooper of Moore, Clarke, Duvall and Rodgers, PC of Albany. Michael Eric Hooper comes from a more current era and saw combat that many of us experienced only in television broadcasts. Serving as an attorney with Moore, Clarke, Duvall and Rodgers of Albany, his expertise lies in taxation, trusts and estate planning, corporate law, partnership law, probate and the administration of estates and trusts, including the preparation and filing of federal estate and gift tax returns.
A graduate of Westover High School, Hooper accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2000. He served as a combat infantry officer in Kosovo, Iraq and Korea. Among his medals and commendations are the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, having served from 2000 to 2006. He received his Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 2009 and his L.L.M. in Taxation from the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida in 2010. A member of the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, and
the American Bar Association, Hooper serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Southwest Georgia and the Boy Scouts’ Chehaw District Committee. He is also a member of the Dougherty County Rotary Club, the American Legion, and is a Lifetime Member of the Seventh Infantry Regiment Association. He and his family reside in Cordele, where he served as a member of the Cordele Historic Preservation Commission and as an active member of Christ Episcopal Church. The ceremony began with a welcome from Albany Tech’s President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, followed by the presentation of colors by the Young Marines of the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and the National Anthem, performed by Beverly Grimsley, Admissions Assistant at Albany Tech. After the invocation, there was a Flag Folding ceremony given by Major Lawrence DesJardines, Detachment #1260, Marine Corps League.
Keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony was Michael Eric Hooper, who served as a combat infantry officer in Kosovo, Iraq and Korea.
Albany Tech began the tradition in 2013 of holding both a Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Ceremony on the campus on the Thursday following the Monday holiday to commemorate our veterans and allow our students, faculty, staff, and the community to recognize and honor those who fought for our country. access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 21
Albany Technical College Board Member Featured in GaMEP’s “Faces of Manufacturing in Georgia” Werhner Washington, Plant Manager at the Albany Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) and Albany Technical College Board Member, was featured as the May “Faces of Manufacturing in Georgia,” a segment produced by the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), a part of the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute. Faces of Manufacturing was developed by the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech and is supported by Georgia Tech, organizations and companies across Georgia, their partners, and a national sponsor, NIST MEP. In the feature, Washington cited Albany as the place where he received his first job and how he has now returned to Southwest Georgia where he started his family and launched his career. Eleven years after getting his start in Albany, Washington worked in another P&G plant in Pennsylvania and later, at P&G’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. Washington began service on the Albany Technical College Board of Directors in September of 2014. In his recently appointed role as Plant Manager for P&G Albany’s Global Family Care Business Unit/ Product Supply, he leads a manufacturing plant with 1200-plus employees and contractors who produce over $40MM cases annually of Bounty Kitchen Towels and Charmin Bathroom Tissue.
In the feature, Washington cited Albany as the place where he received his first job and how he has now returned to Southwest Georgia where he started his family and launched his career. Eleven years after getting his start in Albany, Washington worked in another P&G plant in Pennsylvania and later, at P&G’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
To view the “Faces of Manufacturing in Georgia” segment featuring Washington, visit http://facesofmanufacturing.com/ portfolio/werhner-washington/ access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 23
Congratulations!
2015 ATC GOAL, EAGLE & PERKINS WINNERS
ATC’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner was Jerri Jarrell (Medical Assisting student), pictured left with TCSG Commissioner Corbin. On the right, Lisa Riddle (Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management instructor), ATC’s Rick Perkins winner is pictured with Commissioner Corbin. Both represented ATC well at the State Competition held in Atlanta on April 21-24.
ATC’s EAGLE winner (Maleeka Stephens center) recognized at State competition held on April 15th in Atlanta. Pictured on the left is TCSG Commissioner, Gretchen Corbin. On the right, Beverly Smith, TCSG Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education.
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ATC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
TOM KERREY
Tom Kerrey 2011 Graduate, Surgical Technology Clinical Specialist, Florida Surgical Specialties
Tom Kerrey advanced his career by obtaining his CST degree at ATC Prior to enrolling in the Surgical Technology program at Albany Technical College, Tom Kerrey worked in the medical field for nine years in the Physical Therapy market. He also worked for 20 years in the legal market and is also a graduate of Florida State University and a United States Air Force veteran, attaining the rank of Captain.
ceed. Their exam preparation was excellent, since it was a difficult, long exam.”
Wanting to advance his career into surgical sales, but lacking the needed experience in the OR, according to some past job interviews he had, Kerrey took the leap and enrolled in Albany Tech’s Certified Surgical Technologist program.
“You can always advance and improve your life at any time with the right resources,” he said. “ATC provided all the help I needed with excellent instructors, and a great, safe learning environment.”
Since graduating from Albany Tech’s CST program in December of 2011, Kerrey was able to land a position with Florida Surgical Specialties, a surgical distributor, and is in charge of leading sales for a brand new, second generation Biologic Matrix made out of porcine liver, called MIROMESH, which is used for any soft tissue repair by general, colorectal, and plastic surgeons. Kerrey says that through ATC’s program, he was able to learn all the related skills needed to perform in the OR and the fact that through hard work, determination, and dedicated study skills, you can achieve your goals in life. “My instructors, Lori Day and Rashae Oliver, were the best,” said Kerrey. “They were always encouraging and made the classwork very enjoyable. They provided us the guidance and support needed during clinical rotations at the local hospitals to meet our degree requirements and suc-
Kerrey is glad that he took the time off at mid-career as an adult, to help refocus his life and attain new goals. He said he would recommend ATC to anyone starting a new career or changing course as he did mid-career.
Kerrey says he is very glad he took the time to attend ATC at a difficult time in his life. “It helped me to keep my perspective positive, while providing me with the selfdetermination I needed to graduate and succeed to further my career,” he added.
“You can always advance and improve your life at any time with the right resources. ATC provided all the help I needed with excellent instructors, and a great, safe learning environment.” - Tom Kerrey
access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 25
JANICE BROWN
ATC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Janice Brown 1998 Graduate, Medical Assisting 2001, Radiography 2008, Allied Health (Radiography) Healthcare Science Instructor, Lee County High School Work Ethics learned at Albany Tech have carried Brown through her career Completing three programs at Albany Technical College, Janice Brown emphasizes that she really has carried the Work Ethics aspect into every part of her career. Brown wanted to go into the medical field because she loved helping people and seeing them well and in good health. She also enjoys the aspect of educating the patients about the procedures they are receiving. It’s no surprise that she started her college education in the Medical Assisting program at Albany Tech, graduating with her diploma in 1998. But, she didn’t stop there. She went on to complete her diploma in Radiography in 2001 and then, her associate’s degree in Allied Health (Radiography) in 2008. With the love of education, Brown didn’t stop with her associate’s degree. She went on to Darton College to receive an additional associate’s degree in Middle Grades Education in 2009 and then, her bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Albany State University. “I worked very briefly in middle grades as a teacher until I received a call from Lee County High School that they were looking for a Healthcare Science teacher and I was offered the job,” said Brown. Brown said she had just been offered a job at Lee County Middle School for a sixth grade Language Arts teacher, so she had to choose between the two. “Because of my love of the medical field, I chose the Healthcare Science teaching 26 | access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015
position and I’m now going into my fourth year teaching at Lee County High School,” she said. A strong Work Ethics education at Albany Tech has influenced Brown’s career in many ways. She said it has taught her the value of being a team player, and most importantly, putting your patients first. She carries this concept into her classroom every day. “I would definitely recommend Albany Technical College to anyone who dreams to accomplish any goals they may have as far as college,” said Brown. “Not only do you learn what you need to enter a great workforce in your chosen field, but you also learn about how important it is to show up on time for work, look the part, and be a team player.” Brown is currently enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Georgia in the M.Ed Workforce Education Program. This summer, she is teaching her first college course.
“I would definitely recommend Albany Technical College to anyone who dreams to accomplish any goals they may have as far as college. Not only do you learn what you need to enter a great workforce in your chosen field, but you also learn about how important it is to show up on time for work, look the part, and be a team player.” -- Janice Brown
FACULTY/STAFF RECOGNITIONS
Albany Tech Instructor Chosen for NISOD Excellence Award ence at Albany Tech as an adjunct instructor in 1999, she later became a full-time English instructor and advocate for technical education. Currently, she serves as the chairperson for the General Core, Learning Support, and Academic Achievement Center division at the college.
Albany Technical College ‘s 2015 recipient of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards was Frederia Sampson, English instructor. NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. In 1989, in connection with a University of Texas at Austin national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony honoring NISOD Excellence Award recipients. The response to that ceremony was so positive that NISOD began what has become the largest and most inspiring gathering that recognizes the contributions and achievements of community and technical college faculty, administrators, and staff. A native of Albany, Georgia, Sampson has been employed with Albany Tech for over 10 years. Beginning her postsecondary experi-
Prior to her employment with Albany Tech, Sampson was employed with Albany State University for over three years as a Grants Specialist in the Sponsored Programs division where she was responsible for receiving millions of dollars in external funding each year for both the university and the community. In addition, she served for over two years as a project coordinator with a Department of Labor/Albany State University partnership grant. After leaving Albany State University, she worked as a high school English teacher with the Dougherty County School System’s Performance Learning Center at the Southwest Georgia Regional Achievement Center. Recently, Sampson has served as a facilitator and presenter at various meetings and conferences throughout the state sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and other organizations. Alongside teaching hundreds of students per year, she served as a board member for the Georgia Council of Teachers of English (GCTE), a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), International Reading Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her recent awards include the Affiliate Award recognition from NCTE National Conference, the Albany Tech Teachers in Excellence (TIE) Award, and participation in ASU’s 2013 “Big Read” program. “My philosophy of education is rather simple – Education is a freedom – without it, we are bound to the chains of poverty,” said Sampson.
Sampson holds a bachelor’s degree in English, master’s degree in Education in English Education and an education specialist degree in Reading from both Albany State University and Georgia Southern University. NISOD’s Excellence Award recipients were celebrated during their annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence on May 23-26 in Austin, Texas. During the Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration, held in conjunction with NISOD’s annual conference, each Excellence Award recipient received a specialty cast, pewter medallion hung on a burnt orange ribbon. The names, titles, and colleges of all Excellence Awards recipients are included in a special booklet that features congratulator ads from many of the recipients’ colleges. In addition, presentation at the conference involving Excellence Award recipients are indicated in the Conference Program with a special icon. All Excellence Award recipients and their colleges are also listed in a special multi-page display in a special edition of Community College Week. “Recognizing those individuals who have contributed to student success and their colleges’ mission is something we look forward to doing each year,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “The extraordinary work of these men and women includes, not only what they do for their students and colleagues, but what they do for the communities in which they live and work. We’re honored to be able to play a part in celebrating their achievements.” “It is indeed an honor to serve as the NISOD ambassador for Albany Technical College,” said Sampson. “To be selected from a plethora of esteemed educators as a representative is a humbling experience. I am thankful and will always be grateful that I am a Titan.”
a Congratulations! access | Albany Technical College | Summer 2015 | 27
2015 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges Albany Technical College Named to the List
The Center for Higher Education Enterprise (CHEE) announcedthe results of the 2015 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges. It was an honor to conduct this study as part of a partnership with Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and NISOD, a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges.
these community colleges are not the more recognizable systems nationally, it speaks to the fact you don’t have to have a big name to succeed and do great work.”
For the first time ever, CHEE partnered with NISOD to implement this study by contacting member institutions. Highlights of the 16 most promising institutions for 2015 was released in the May 21st edition of Diverse magazine.
And as principal investigator, Terrell Strayhorn shared, “CHEE is excited about releasing the results from the 2015 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges study and we share this enthusiasm with our partners at NISOD and Diverse. This study yields insight into diversity practice at the nation’s community colleges and offers a useful tool for employers, career services staff, and jobseekers across the country. We hope it serves as a tool for the broader community college enterprise too.”
CHEE, under the leadership of Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn, professor and director was selected to conduct this study.
The list of the 2015 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges (in alphabetical order) is:
With the study’s focus on workplace diversity, staffing practices, and work environment, CHEE researchers used a web-based survey approach to elicit information such as family friendliness, salary and benefits, and professional development opportunities, to name a few. A multipart, weighted algorithm is used to classify the responding institutions in the final phase on analysis.
• • • • • • • • • • • •
“I am extremely excited about this year’s honorees,” said Dr. Edward J. Leach, NISOD’s Executive Director. “These community and technical colleges are very deserving of this recognition because of their outstanding work to enhance equality, diversity, and inclusion across their campuses.” Ralph Newell, vice president of business development and technology for Diverse, remarked, “We were excited to see the geographic diversity of the schools recognized. We were even more pleased that
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Albany Technical College (Albany, GA) Big Sandy Community and Technical College (Prestonsburg, KY) Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, NC) Genesee Community College (Batavia, NY) Illinois Central College (East Peoria, IL) Kilgore College (Kilgore, TX) Lorain County Community College (Elyria, OH) Luzerne County Community College (Nanticoke, PA) Mountain View College (Dallas, TX) New Mexico Junior College (Hobbs, NM) Piedmont Technical College (Greenwood, SC) Seward County Community College and Area Technical School (Liberal, KS)
• • • •
South Florida State College (Avon Park, FL) Southwest Virginia Community College (Richlands, VA) Tallahassee Community College (Tallahassee, FL) Zane State College (Zanesville, OH)
“We were excited to see the geographic diversity of the schools recognized. We were even more pleased that these community colleges are not the more recognizable systems nationally, it speaks to the fact you don’t have to have a big name to succeed and do great work.” -- Ralph Newell Vice President of Business Development & Technology, Diverse
Are you an ATC Grad? Have a career success story to share?
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We want to share your story in our next edition of Access.
Contact Wendy Howell at 229.430.3816 or email whowell@albanytech.edu to share your story.
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A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.