Author Kathryn Wall to Visit Ogeechee Tech

Ogeechee Technical College’s Southern Authors series will welcome Kathryn Wall on June 9 at 9:30am in the auditorium of the Joseph E. Kennedy building. Wall has a number of novels to her credit, including In for a Penny, And Not a Penny More, Perdition House, Judas Island, Resurrection Road, Bishop’s Reach, Sanctuary Hill, The Mercy Oak, and Covenant Hall. Wall’s latest book, Canann’s Gate will be the subject of her presentation at Ogeechee Tech. In addition to a discussion about her latest book, Wall will relate stories of how she came to be a writer, and will answer questions from the audience. Canann’s Gate is a murder mystery set in nearby Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. In addition to the presentation, a meet and greet will be held in the Kennedy lobby from 10:45 to 11:30am. Wall’s website is http://www.pennynovels.com/index.html. During the meet and greet, Wall’s books will be available to purchase and have signed by the author.
“We hope everyone will come out to hear this great southern author. The presentation is free of charge, and the public is invited to attend,” stated OTC Library Services Coordinator, Dr. Lynn Futch. For more information about the presentation, call Futch at (912) 871-1606
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

Screven Announced as Work Ready County

Governor Sonny Perdue recently announced five new Certified Work Ready Communities, a designation communicating a county has the skilled workforce needed to meet business demands and drive economic growth, as well as the educational foundation to build a pipeline of workers ready to create ongoing success.
“By earning Work Ready Certificates and building a culture of lifelong learning, these communities gain a valuable competitive advantage,” said Governor Perdue. “These counties have developed the tools necessary to attract new industry and jobs, give their citizens confidence and boost opportunity.”
The five new Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence are Polk, Screven, Telfair, Turner and Wilkes. These counties represent the seventh group to complete their Work Ready Certificate goals and successfully meet at least the required minimum increase in their county’s public high school graduation rate.
The new Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence achieved the following:
Polk County: 1,891 Work Ready Certificates earned (251 percent more than goal); increased public high school graduation rate from 64 to 74.9 percent
Screven County: 359 Work Ready Certificates earned (74 percent more than goal); increased public high school graduation rate from 72.2 to 78.6 percent
Telfair County: 516 Work Ready Certificates earned (98 percent more than goal); increased public high school graduation rate from 73.8 to 78.5 percent
Turner County: 335 Work Ready Certificates earned (60 percent more than goal); increased public high school graduation rate from 62.8 to 72.3 percent
Wilkes County: 645 Work Ready Certificates earned (205 percent more than goal); increased public high school graduation rate from 79.8 to 88.7 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. Ogeechee Technical College’s Vice President for Economic Development, Dr. Ben Thompson, worked with Screven County Team Leader Gayle Boykin to coordinate Work Ready efforts in Screven County. The goal was accomplished through partnerships with a number of local groups, including the Screven County Industrial Development Authority, the Screven County Chamber of Commerce, the Screven County Board of Education, the East Central Georgia Consortium, local industries, and Ogeechee Technical College. “Without a true team effort the Work Ready designation for Screven County would not have been possible. The combined work of so many will help benefit the county’s ability to attract industry and jobs,” said Thompson.
Additionally, Wilkinson and Lanier Counties have reached their Work Ready Certification goals by earning 374 and 124 Work Ready Certificates, respectively, and are now focusing on attaining their public high school graduation rate increase goals to become Certified Work Ready Communities.
Once counties attain their Certified Work Ready Community goals, they are able to maintain their status by ensuring a small percentage 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.
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.
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations
Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

OTC's Holloway Receives Recognition at GSU

Shenavian Holloway, a Student Affairs Assistant at Ogeechee Technical College, recently received recognition for public speaking at Georgia Southern University. Holloway placed second out of 500 students who were required to give a persuasive speech to other students, department chairs, and vice-presidents at GSU. Holloway’s speech topic was “Why going green benefits GSU and its students.” The text of the speech was submitted to the Statesboro Herald and to the GSU campus paper, The George-Anne. “I was excited to have placed so high, especially given that I am a non-traditional student and a little older than most of the students. It was a great experience,” stated Holloway. Holloway is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in History, with a minor in Psychology. Congratulations Navi!
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958

Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

Successful Blood Drive Held at Ogeechee Tech

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile visited Ogeechee Technical College recently with a goal of 44 units of blood. The drive was very successful and surpassed the goal with a total of 60 units of blood collected. Nancy Martin, Senior Account Manager with the American Red Cross Blood Services, stated, “The efforts of Ogeechee Technical College have always been greatly appreciated and their support of the community blood program will go a long way toward replenishing blood supplies and ultimately saving lives.” Various organizations on the OTC campus sponsor each blood drive visit. The most recent bloodmobile was sponsored by the College’s Medical Assisting program. Students and faculty members from the program recruited donors, assisted with the drive the day of the event, and also gave blood. “A blood drive is not only a great community service project, but for our medical program students it is good clinical experience,” stated Academic Dean, Teresa Allen.
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958

Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

OTC Graduates Look to Future

By CHARLES MINSHEW Herald Intern
A fire alarm briefly interrupted the ceremony but it didn’t take away from the pomp and circumstance of Ogeechee Technical College’s Spring Commencement Thursday night. More than 1,400 students were eligible to receive degrees, the largest number in OTC’s history. Thousands of friends and family filled Hanner Fieldhouse to celebrate with the more than 300 graduates who participated in the ceremony. Georgia Southern University president Dr. Brooks Keel was the commencement speaker for the ceremony. He spoke to the graduates about the importance of a vocational education. “Vocational education removes all barriers - age, race, gender, class, disability,” Keel said. “We must prepare our future workforce for the realities of today’s hard economy.” OTC president Dr. Dawn Cartee offered her personal congratulation to the graduates, as well. “You have accepted the challenge of learning something new,” Cartee said. “I am sure that you feel exhilaration for what you accomplished and the knowledge and skills you’ve gained are your reward, something that can never be taken away from you.” Graduates of all programs at Ogeechee Tech were excited about their degrees. Melissa Wilson, of Bryan County, earned her GED certificate Thursday night. She plans to attend classes at OTC. She said that she hopes anyone who wants to earn a GED should take advantage of the OTC program. “If you’re out there and didn’t graduate high school, go back and do it. It’s all worth it,” Wilson said. One graduate, who only identified himself as “Tex,” said that he plans to try to open his own business. “As far as my degree goes, I’m trying to further my knowledge of automotive technology and I plan to open my own shop one day,” he said. Ashley Deason of Guyton earned a diploma in diagnostic medical sonography. Her brother, Brandon, earned a diploma in industrial electrical technology and a certificate of commercial wiring. Brandon said that he plans to continue to work for an electrician while Ashley said that she would be looking for a job. Keel offered advice to the graduates about finding their passion in life. “Remember that these skills will take you anywhere you want to go,” Keel said. “So, pack your bags and get on board with life. You’ve got a long ways to go. Just remember, there is no finish line.”

Inside Bulloch Business with Jan Moore-OTC's Cartee looking for more ways to boost students

This past week, Ogeechee Technical College president Dr. Dawn Cartee announced an articulation agreement between Ogeechee Tech and the University of South Carolina at Beaufort.Now, OTC graduates will be able to transfer their OTC associate degree class credits to USC Beaufort, and not have to repeat those core classes when they attend the university to pursue a bachelors degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management.
I think it is a very good thing that OTC grads have this option to further their education, but the fact remains that the student would not be able Dr. Dawn Cartee to use the HOPE scholarship program, and it would be out-of -state tuition for Bulloch County residents that choose to attend the university until they are able to establish residency in South Carolina, Bryan, Chatham, or Effingham Counties.
That prompted me to ask Cartee about the options her students had in attending a local university or college under the same scenario. "Right now, we don't have a formal agreement with any other institution," she said. "It is a top priority of mine, and something I have been working on for some time. Unfortunately, as it stands, if one our students enrolled in Georgia Southern, for example, after receiving a degree from OTC, they would have to repeat those core classes in math, science, English, etc."Cartee said it becomes a huge financial burden. "HOPE pays for tuition at OTC just like it does for any college or university in Georgia," she said. "But as you know, it is limited to a certain number of course hours. If you have to take your core courses twice, you will run out of HOPE well before you finish your four-year degree."Cartee said she feels very strongly that students need to have options, particularly with the uncertainty in today's job market, and in the economy in general. "We are all here to serve students, people that come to get an education so that they become productive citizens and support themselves and their families," she said. "We are blessed in that there are a number of educational opportunities in addition to OTC in this area from Georgia Southern to East Georgia College, as well as Armstrong and Savannah State. I just want us all to work together with the student's best interest in mind."I asked Cartee if accreditation was an issue preventing local colleges and universities from accepting technical college credit hours if a student enrolls in that school. "No, there isn't based on the guidelines and regulations that have been provided to me," she said. "In fact, schools in our surrounding states readily accept the transfer of credits from technical colleges. That is where I want us to be."Ogeechee Tech is going through the process of receiving accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the organization responsible for accrediting colleges and universities in the South. "We will be submitting our candidacy for accreditation in November 2011, and hope to receive our accreditation in 2013," she said. "At that point, there should not be an issue with course transfer. But until that time, I am going to continue to work with our surrounding colleges and universities to create avenues for people to receive credit for the education that they have." Cartee estimates that ten percent of OTC graduates enroll in a four-year degree program. Cartee said next quarter's enrollment should eclipse 3,000 students, and the college will be converting to a semester calendar from a quarterly calendar in fall 2011.
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958

Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

Ogeechee Technical College will hold its 2010 commencement exercises at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13 at Hanner Fieldhouse on the Georgia Southern University campus in Statesboro. Nearly 1400 candidates are eligible for graduation, and hundreds are expected to be on hand to receive Associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and GED certificates at the ceremony which annually attracts thousands of family members, friends, and other supporters. This will be a record number of graduates to walk at a commencement for Ogeechee Tech, according to OTC registrar, Michelle Meyer. Dr. Brooks Keel, president of Georgia Southern University, will be the guest speaker for the evening. Faculty, staff, administration, and Board of Directors members from Ogeechee Tech will also be on hand to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates. “This is always an exciting time for us as we prepare for another large group of students to graduate. We know that it is a special time for the graduates, but their families and friends also join in the festivities to make it even more special,” stated Dr. Dawn Cartee, president of Ogeechee Tech. “Doors will be open at Hanner Fieldhouse at 6:00 p.m. for those who want to make sure they get a good seat with the best view of their graduate,” stated Meyer. All candidates for graduation who will walk at the ceremony have been invited by the Ogeechee Tech Alumni Association to attend a rehearsal reception the day of commencement. The Alumni Association also adds to the excitement of the evening by dropping miniature beach balls, emblazoned with the Alumni Association logo, on the graduates as they recess out of the auditorium. Ogeechee Tech will continue with the custom of having the color guard from the Georgia State Patrol and the State Patrol bagpipe player lead the procession into the auditorium. They will also present the colors during the National Anthem. “Commencement represents the celebration of accomplishment, and we are proud of our students for reaching this milestone,” concluded Cartee. For additional information or questions about commencement exercises for Ogeechee Tech, call the Registrar, Michelle Meyer, at (912) 486-7865.
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958

Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

OTC Ag Students Visit Organic Farming Operation

Relinda Walker (right) explains her organic farming operation to students from Ogeechee Technical College’s Agribusiness program during a recent visit by the class to Walker Farms in Screven County. Walker grows a variety of organic crops, including beans, squash, potatoes, carrots, and a variety of other products. Aside from supplying a number of different retail and food service businesses with her products, Walker regularly participates in the Main Street Farmers’ Market in Statesboro. According to Elliott Marsh, OTC Agribusiness program director, exposing the students to all aspects of agriculture, including organic operations, is important to providing a broad view of the industry they are studying. “This type of operation is different than many of the larger non-organic operations that the students see, but it is important that they realize that organic production is becoming more prevalent, and that it is a viable option as a business,” stated Marsh. For information about Agribusiness education at Ogeechee Tech, visit www.ogeecheetech.edu, or call Elliott Marsh at (912) 688-6034.
Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958

Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu

Main Street Farmers’ Market Celebrates Ogeechee Tech Day

Saturday, May 1, was Ogeechee Technical College day at the Main Street Farmers’ Market in Statesboro. OTC President, Dr. Dawn Cartee and husband Jamey, were honorary Market managers for the day, and Ogeechee Tech employees and students participated in the activities of the Market. Several Health Science programs had representatives present to check blood pressures and to promote wellness, including a display which illustrated the amount of fat in several popular snack foods. Agribusiness, and Wildlife and Plantation Management instructors were on hand to discuss their programs and Ogeechee Tech’s Donny Collins was the musical entertainment for the day.The highlight of the Market was a cooking demonstration by chefs from the OTC Culinary Arts program. Chefs Tony Pisacano and Bryan Richard were assisted by President Cartee in preparing dishes made with products available at the Market. In the picture above, Dr. Cartee takes pointers from Chef Tony on whipping cream to be used in a fresh trifle. “The Farmers’ Market is a great event each Saturday here in Statesboro, and it offered a prefect venue for promoting several of our programs which are related to the mission of the Market, namely heath and wellness, wholesome foods, and sustainable agriculture,” stated Cartee. The chair of the Main Street Farmers’ Market, Debra Chester, stated, “Ogeechee Tech has supported our Market since its inception, and this is a great way to help the College showcase some of their programs while providing an educational and entertaining addition to our Market.”The Market is held each Saturday from 9a.m. to 1p.m. from April to November in downtown Statesboro.

Contact: Barry Turner-Executive Director for Public Relations

Phone: (912) 688-6958

Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu