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by Su Ann Bird, Vice President Institutional Advancement

   Magnolia Manor Senior Living President and CEO Hill Fort and Senior Vice President for Communications Ty Kinslow presented the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with a donation in support of the “Bridging the Gap” TechForce 2024 drive which is helping fund life-changing benefits for South Georgia Technical College students.

   South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford accepted the donation on behalf of the SGTC Foundation.  “We are appreciative to our partners at Magnolia Manor for their generosity, support and commitment to South Georgia Tech and our students,” said President Watford.

   “Magnolia Manor is such a great asset to our community and to South Georgia Technical College.  Over the years, hundreds of our nursing students have gained their practical learning and skills through their clinical experience at Magnolia Manor.  Many of our graduates from the practical nursing, certified nurse assistant, medical assisting and business or technical programs have gained employment at Magnolia Manor and continue to serve there.  On behalf of our faculty, staff, students and graduates, we thank Magnolia Manor for their support of our workforce development mission,” added Dr. Watford.

   The SGTC Foundation will utilize the Magnolia Manor donation and other contributions to provide scholarships to academically deserving and financially disadvantaged students, purchase textbooks for students to use at no cost, purchase equipment for the SGTC Nursing and Medical programs, and assist with renovations to the James S. Peters gymnasium to expand the front lobby area, construct multipurpose classrooms for programs and community use and update technology.  All TechForce 2024 donations will be matched dollar for dollar through federal, state, and local grants and the Technical College System of Georgia.

   “Magnolia Manor is pleased to support the South Georgia Technical College 2024 “Bridging the Gap” TechForce annual fund.  We are grateful for our partnership with South Georgia Tech.  The programs they offer are an important part of maintaining a stable workforce not only for Magnolia Manor, but also for our local community and surrounding areas.  Our partnership with SGTC is critical to the future of our organization as we work together to provide more skilled nurses for the health care industry,” said Magnolia Manor President and CEO Hill Fort as he presented the donation to the SGTC Foundation.

      South Georgia Technical College has been recognized as the top community college in Georgia for the past five years by two different organizations.  The college is one of the oldest technical colleges in Georgia and has been providing workforce development education and training for over 75 years.  It is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing and it is nationally recognized for its outstanding academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics program.  It provides students with the “complete college experience.”

   The Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) has granted developmental approval for South Georgia Technical College to offer an Associate of Science Nursing (LPN to RN) Bridge program on the Americus campus.  The college is pre-accepting students now and classes are set to begin in the Fall of 2025.  There is currently a critical shortage of Registered Nurses in rural Southwest Georgia and the nation.  This new program will build on SGTC’s solid Practical Nursing program and prepare currently Licensed Practical Nurses to become Registered Nurses.  This will be a one-year program and allow LPN’s who have been working for six months or longer to get a jump start on the RN degree.

   “With the help of our community partners, the SGTC Foundation’s TechForce drive has made a significant impact on the lives of our students and the college,” said President Watford.  “Since the program began 22 years ago, our college has received over $6.75 million in community support.  And that support has benefited thousands of individuals and businesses and industries throughout the state and nation.”

   SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird agreed with Dr. Watford and added, “we appreciate the support of organizations, businesses and individuals who support the Foundation and students who will one day be employed in field in one of the critical areas needed by the citizens of the communities we serve. Their gifts today are helping ‘Bridging the Gap” for the workforce of tomorrow.”