Take a minute to read about the exciting
news at Okefenokee Technical College news. Read about our
students, faculty, programs, facilities, and community.
Anna Champion Shares Healthy Living Tips with Adult Ed Class
Okefenokee Technical College’s Adult Education Program enjoys hosting guest speakers every Wednesday. Anna Champion (front, center) was the program’s most recent speaker. Champion will receive her Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology this month. She is a personal trainer and an exercise instructor at Energy Fitness in Waycross. Read More.
Manufacturing Appreciation Week - Counties Honored
The development authorities of Bacon, Brantley, and Clinch, along with the Okefenokee Area Development Authority (OADA) and Okefenokee Technical College hosted a luncheon at the Railway Express Depot on April 24, 2008, to honor local manufacturers who provide jobs and contribute greatly to our economy. Read More.
Congressman Kingston and USDA Director Present Check to OTC
Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA) and Stone Workman, US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director of Georgia, presented a ceremonial check for $99,000 to Dr. Gail Thaxton, president of Okefenokee Technical College, this past Monday at the Waycross/Ware County Airport. Read More.
Plant Sale at OTC Thursday, April 10
The public is cordially invited to the Spring 2008 Environmental Horticulture plant sale Thursday, April 10. The sale will take place at the Okefenokee Technical College greenhouse located across from the main campus. Read more.
OTC Radiologic Technology Students Pinned
Members of the 2008 radiologic technology class of Okefenokee Technical College were recognized and celebrated with a pinning ceremony held March 19, 2008, at the OTC Miller Lecture Hall. Donna Yeomans, the radiologic technology program director, assisted by Trey Lee and Stacey Thrift, pinned the nineteen graduating students, signifying that they had met the requirements of their program of study. Read more.
Waycross Rotary Presents “Service above Self” Award to Peggy Justice
Ed Avra, Scholarship Director of the Waycross Rotary Club, presented OTC Adult Education instructor Peggy Justice with the 2007 Rotary Club “Service above Self” award for Okefenokee Technical College. This award is reserved for post-secondary faculty and staff who exhibit a dedication to their calling that exceeds the normal bounds of duties and responsibilities. Read More.
OTC Employees are Recognized
Leighan Sweat, Lucious Hicks, and Debra Moody are the recipients of the Okefenokee Technical College winter quarter 2008 Eagle Award and were recognized recently at a local staff development meeting for their outstanding job performance. Read More.
Heidi Johnson is Okefenokee Tech GOAL Winner
Heidi Johnson, a radiologic technology student from Blackshear, was named the 2008 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) winner at one of the Waycross Exchange Club’s weekly lunch meetings recently. Read More.
Thomas Wesley Completes Certification Training in Telecommunications
Okefenokee Technical College electronics program director Thomas Wesley recently completed an intensive eight-day training program in Sparta, New Jersey, in which he earned three certifications. Wesley is now a C-Tech certified instructor in Copper Based Systems, Fiber Optics Based Systems, and Integrated Systems & Voice Messaging (ISVM). Read More.
Winners Announced in OTC MAW Art Contest
Four Blackshear Elementary students were named winners in the Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) Student Design Competition sponsored by Okefenokee Technical College. Read More.
Okefenokee Tech PBL Students Excel at Competition
Seven Okefenokee Technical College students competed in the Georgia Phi Beta Lambda South District Conference competition in Warner Robins recently, according to club advisors Leighan Sweat and Amanda Morris. The club brought home six certificates of award: one 1st place award, two 2nd place awards, and three 3rd place awards. Read More.
Gallagher and Smith Complete OTC Computer Program
Brenda Gallagher and Debra Smith receive their exit packets from Laree Thomas, OTC computer instructor, indicating that they are eligible for graduation from the Computer Applications program and will receive their Technical Certificate of Credit this month. Read More
Varn Employees Complete OTC Training for Supervisors
Ten selected employees of Varn Wood Products Co., Inc., in Hoboken, Georgia, recently completed a customized training program, "Performance Leadership for Supervisors," provided by the Economic Development Division of Okefenokee Technical College. Read More.
Okefenokee Tech Names Finalists for GOAL Award
Four Okefenokee Technical College students have been selected as the college’s finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Karen Boyle, coordinator for OTC’s GOAL program. Read More.
Waycross Middle Students Visit OTC
Radiologic Technology student Brenda Thrift presented information about the protective vest used when x-raying to Waycross Middle School students when they toured Okefenokee Technical College recently. Read More.
Community Career Expo Held at OTC
Okefenokee Technical College’s Community Career Expo was held February 28th on the Waycross and Alma Campuses. The Waycross Campus featured over 25 diploma programs. OTC staff and students were on hand to answer questions about all programs, while the Student Affairs staff fielded questions about admissions, financial aid, and job placement. Read More.
Austin Johnson Graduates from Executive Leadership Academy
Twenty-seven technical college executives from across the state of Georgia recently graduated from the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Executive Leadership Academy. Austin Johnson, Director of Instruction on the Alma Campus of Okefenokee Technical College, was among the 2007 academy class graduates. Read More.
OTC Foundation Hosts Appreciation Dinner
The Okefenokee Technical College Foundation recognized and thanked supporters and donors of the college and foundation at an appreciation dinner held Tuesday evening, February 19, 2008. The theme of the event was “Setting the Course for Individual Success and Economic Development.” Read More.
Students nominated for GOAL award
Instructors at Okefenokee Technical College have nominated 14 of their students for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Karen Boyle, coordinator for the college’s GOAL program. Read More.
Mark Deal Named as 2008 GGIA Board Member
Mark Deal has been selected to serve as one of the 2008 Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) Board of Directors. The GGIA is a non-profit association, incorporated in the State of Georgia, representing the interests of the state's nursery, garden center, and landscape industry. Read More.
King & Prince Seafood Reps Tour OTC
Jim Barton of King & Prince Seafood, along with Paul Ivankovics, HR manager of King & Prince Seafood, toured the Industrial Systems and Electronics lab at Okefenokee Technical College recently to learn more about the college’s maintenance technology and customized training programs. Read more.
Electrical Lineworker Committee Meets to Discuss Program Status
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce Kevin Metts, the new program director, to the group and to discuss program status and updates. As always, another goal of the meeting was to solicit input from the group for program improvement. Read more.
OTC Students Participate in FFA Weld Off
The FFA high school regional Weld Off was held at Okefenokee Technical College on February 7, with seventy-two students from 18 schools competing in four categories: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), oxyfuel cutting, and oxyfuel brazing. Read More.
Legislators Enjoy 3rd Annual ‘Taste of the Technical Colleges’
The 33 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), including Okefenokee Technical College, put technical education’s “wow” factor on center stage for more than 400 state legislators and other dignitaries during the third annual Taste of the Technical Colleges. Read More.
OTC Scholarship Recipients Thank Trustees
At the January meeting of the Okefenokee Technical College Foundation, Foundation trustees met three of this year’s OTC Foundation scholarship recipients. The students introduced themselves and thanked the trustees for their part in providing them financial assistance to attend college. Read more.
Jeremy Harrell Receives Dade-Behring Scholarship
Jeremy Harrell, a Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) student at Okefenokee Technical College, has been selected to receive the Dade-Behring Clinical Laboratory Technician Scholarship. Read more.
BB&T Gives to OTC Foundation Jeannine Holley of BB&T recently presented OTC President Gail Thaxton with a generous donation for the OTC Foundation.Read more.
OTC Foundation Will Offer Scholarships to Graduating Seniors
Thirty $400 scholarships will be awarded to gradating seniors who have plans to attend Okefenokee Technical College in the upcoming year. The scholarships are available to seniors who have a grade point average of 2.5 or better and have been accepted to OTC. Read More.
OTC Holds Memorable Commencement Exercises
The Waycross Middle School auditorium was full of proud and excited family members and friends at the Okefenokee Technical College Summer and Fall 2007 Commencement Exercises, which were held last Friday, January 18, 2008. Read More.
OTC Employees Receive Awards
OTC President Gail Thaxton, along with K. C. Thornton, congratulated Debbie Yarbrough, Christine Whitley, and Paul Dowling as recipients of the Fall Quarter 2007 Eagle Award. These OTC staff members were nominated by their peers as outstanding employees, deserving recognition for their job performance, attitude, customer service, and conduct. Read More.
McGauley is Recipient of OTC Scholarship Funded by Carter’s Body Shop
Jacob McGauley is the recipient of an Okefenokee Technical College Foundation Scholarship provided by Carter’s Body Shop. Cindy Tanner, OTC Foundation Executive Director, presented the $500 scholarship award to McGauley recently, and McGauley’s instructor, Terry Simmons, joined them for the presentation and congratulated Jacob for his success in the program. Read More.
Camden Wal-Mart Supports Literacy with Donation to OTC
On behalf of the Camden Wal-Mart Super Center in St. Mary’s, Doris Cotton, Community Involvement Coordinator, (second from left) recently presented Sharon Matejka, Charlton County Adult Education instructor, (left) with a check for $1,000. Read more.
American Proteins Donates to OTC Foundation
Forsyth County business and civic leader Tommy Bagwell and his wife, Chantal, established a $500,000 Bagwell Family Scholarship Endowment in 2005 to provide scholarships for students attending technical colleges located near their family business locations. The family business, American Proteins, Inc., currently has three locations, including one in Alma, Georgia. Read More.
David Sandiford Receives Pat Knox Award
David Sandiford, a surgical technology student at Okefenokee Technical College, has been selected as the 2007 recipient of the Pat Knox Scholastic Achievement Award for maintaining the highest academic average in the class. Sally Smith, Surgical Technology program director and Sandiford’s instructor, recently presented him with an award plaque and scholarship check. Read More.
OTC Officials Update
Legislators Dr. Gail Thaxton, OTC Board of Directors,
Foundation Trustees, and the administrative staff hosted the
local delegation and state technical college board members on
December 13, 2007, to bring them up to date on
programs, facility projects, and the needs of the college and
its state-affiliated agency – the Technical College System of
Georgia. Read More.
Bennett Named to OTC Foundation Board
Wes “Ben” Bennett IV was recently named as a member of the
Okefenokee Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees.
Bennett is owner of Bennett Insurance Agency in Blackshear and
has over eight years of experience in this business.
Read
more.
Second Annual OTC
Poster Challenge
Latheresa Bostick and
Brian Cribb were recently selected as the
winners of the 2nd Annual Poster Challenge Contest
sponsored by the Okefenokee Technical College Library and the
OTC Foundation.
Read More.
Hayes Is
Recipient of Brooksie A. Pike Scholarship
Ramona “Erica” Hayes (center) was recently
named as the Fall 2007 recipient of the Brooksie A. Pike
Scholarship. Cindy Tanner (right), OTC Foundation Director, and
Ollie Harkleroad (left), OTC cosmetology instructor, were on
hand to congratulate Hayes and present her with the award check.
Read more.
Starry Night
Festival The Okefenokee Technical College campus
sparkled with starry lights at the second annual Starry Night
Festival held Thursday night at the Waycross Campus. OTC staff,
students, friends and their families attended the festive
event. Read More.
Educators Tour OTC A group of Ware County High School
educators visited the Okefenokee Technical College Waycross
Campus on fall quarter’s Campus Tour Day held November 15, 2007.
The group enjoyed presentations by OTC students and instructors.
They also received information about course requirements, salary
ranges, and job opportunities relevant to the many programs
available at the college.
Read More.
Furman Earns Welding Certifications
Doug Furman, Welding and Joining Technology instructor at Okefenokee Technical College, earned his welding inspector (CWI) and welding educator (CWE) certifications on November 1, 2007, after completing a certified inspection seminar held October 14-21, 2007, in Miami, Florida at the American Welding Society world headquarters. Read More.
Davis Is WSL Scholarship Recipient at OTC
Amanda Morris (right), representing the Waycross Service League (WSL), recently presented a scholarship check to Leslie Davis, who is the 2007 recipient of an OTC scholarship made possible by the members of the Waycross Service League, a service organization for women. Read more.
CSX Gives to OTC Foundation
Jim Strickland, CSX Superintendent of the Waycross Rice Yard, and Gus Karle recently presented Cindy Tanner with a very generous donation to the OTC Foundation. Read more.
Ambia Kicklighter is OTC Scholarship Recipient
Ambia Kicklighter (left) was recently chosen as the first recipient of the Okefenokee Technical College Medical Assisting Scholarship. Kicklighter, who is in her last quarter, has excelled in the program. Read More.
Satilla REMC Foundation Gives to OTC
R. L. (Bobby) Lewis, Chairman of the Satilla REMC Board and Director of Appling County, recently presented Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of Okefenokee Technical College, with a very generous cash donation of $10,000 on behalf of the Satilla REMC Foundation. Read more.
Judge Michael Boggs Joins OTC Foundation Board
The Honorable Judge Michael P. Boggs was recently selected to serve as a member of the Okefenokee Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees. Superior Court Judge Boggs serves on the Waycross Judicial Circuit, which serves Bacon, Brantley, Charlton Coffee, Pierce and Ware counties. “Judge Boggs has been a good friend to OTC over the years,” states OTC President Gail Thaxton, “and we are pleased that he has joined our Board.” Read More.
GED Graduation Ceremony Held
Okefenokee Technical College held its Adult Education Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, October 25, 2007, at 7 p.m. in the Waycross Middle School Auditorium in Waycross, Georgia. GED graduates from six counties - Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Pierce, and Ware - were in attendance. Read More.
Flash Foods Gives To OTC Scholarship Fund
Patrick Jones of the Jones Company recently presented a very generous contribution to Okefenokee Technical College President Gail Thaxton toward a $25,000 endowed scholarship fund. Read More.
Respiratory Care Week
Please join the Respiratory Care Technology department at Okefenokee Technical College in recognizing and thanking respiratory care professionals for their contributions to our health. This week is National Respiratory Care Week.
Respiratory Therapists are sometimes referred to as “The Lung Health Experts.” Read More.
OTC Submits Grant Application for BCHS Career Academy
Okefenokee Technical College recently submitted a grant application with hopes of being awarded funding for a Career Academy. The Career Academy funding would be used toward the construction of an additional facility for the Brantley County Schools Career Academy. Read More.
Brian Cribb Receives Ministerial Fellowship Scholarship
Brian Cribb was recently selected as the Okefenokee Ministerial Fellowship Scholarship recipient for 2007. The award of $500 is generously donated by the Okefenokee Ministerial Fellowship. The OTC Foundation Ministerial Fellowship fund was established in 2005 to help students with expenses related to attending Okefenokee Technical College. Read More.
OTC Recognizes Medical Assistants during MA Week
The Okefenokee Technical College Medical Assisting department is gearing up to celebrate Medical Assistants Recognition Week October 15–19, 2007. Medical assistants will be recognized across the country during this special week and honored on Medical Assistants Day, October 17, 2007. Read More.
Spears Receives Dr. Shirley D. Miller Scholarship
Nicole Spears, a nursing student at Okefenokee Technical College, has been selected as the first recipient of the Dr. Shirley D. Miller Scholarship. Cindy Tanner, OTC Resource Development Director, recently presented Spears with her scholarship check. Read More.
NEW GED Test Scholarships Available
The GED Testing Service in Atlanta recently received a monetary gift that will be used as a scholarship fund to pay the GED test fee for qualified candidates who live in counties in rural Georgia, including Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Pierce and Ware. Read More.
Okefenokee Tech Receives “Stay In School” Grant
Okefenokee Technical College (OTC) has been awarded a $61,375 grant aimed at helping young people stay in school. The "Stay in School" grant is a competitive grant, totaling $1 million; it is funded through Georgia's Stay in School program. Okefenokee Technical College was one of nine recipients out of 34 schools in Georgia's Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) to be approved for these funds. Read more.
Andy Stone Joins OTC Foundation Board
Miles A. Stone “Andy” of Clinch County was recently elected to serve as a member of the Okefenokee Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees. Read More.
Dr. Neil Aspinwall Is Honored at OTC
The Okefenokee Technical College staff gathered on August 9, 2007, to honor and extend best wishes and continued success to Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Vice President of Economic Development. Read More.
Lauren Stevens Receives OTC Workforce Scholarship
Cindy Tanner, OTC Director of PR/Resource Development, recently presented Lauren Stevens, a cosmetology student, with a scholarship award check for $125 to be used toward her state board license exam fee. Read More.
OTC Students Learn About Job Opportunities with Gulfstream
Ashley Samuels, Gulfstream Workforce Development Program Manager, and James Kelley III, Gulfstream Senior Manager of Service Center Operations, visited the Okefenokee Technical College campus recently to promote Gulfstream and share information about current and upcoming job openings. Read More.
Phi Beta Lambda Makes Donation
Okefenokee Technical College Phi Beta Lambda Chapter members Brad Williamson and Alana Peeples recently spearheaded an effort to donate school supplies and backpacks to Lisa Hyatt of the Magnolia House. Read More.
OTC “breaks a block”
Hailed as a “driving force in the economic engine” that will help propel Alma and Bacon County in the future — Okefenokee Technical College is preparing to begin work on their new Alma campus. Read More.
Carter’s Body Shop Gives To OTC Foundation Mike Carter, owner of Carter’s Body Shop, Inc. on Highway 84, recently presented Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of Okefenokee Technical College, with a generous donation to the OTC Foundation to help fund scholarships for deserving students in the Automotive Collision Repair Technology program. Read more.
OTC GroundBreaking Ceremony
With the turn of a few shovels of dirt, officials at Okefenokee
Technical College began a process that will assure future medical,
nursing and laboratory technology students have the best, most
affordable and most thorough means of learning their chosen trade. Read More.
OTC Holds Commencement Exercises
Okefenokee Technical College’s Winter and Spring 2007 Commencement Exercises were held on Friday, July 13, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Waycross Middle School auditorium. Read More.
Hollee Elliott Receives SunTrust Scholarship for OTC
Sam Wiley, Vice President of SunTrust Bank, recently presented Hollee Elliott, a 2007 Ware County High School graduate, with an award check. Elliott is the recipient of the 2007 SunTrust Scholarship for Okefenokee Technical College. Read more.
Summer Manufacturing Academy is Great Success
The second annual Summer Manufacturing Academy was held June 5-7, 2007, as a joint partnership between East Central Technical College and Okefenokee Technical College. Nine students participated in the program, which was sponsored by B-Way Corporation and Lee Container. Read More.
OTC Adult Ed Instructors Complete Computer Class
Okefenokee Technical College’s Adult Education instructors, along with several staff members, completed OTC’s 15-month Computer Application Specialist certificate on June 12, 2007. Read More.
Cochran Is Recipient of Brooksie A. Pike Scholarship
On behalf of Dr. John Pike, Cindy Tanner recently presented a check to cosmetology student Allison Cochran, who is the recipient of the Brooksie A. Pike Memorial Scholarship for the Summer 2007 graduating class. Read more.
South Georgia Street Rods Gives to OTC Foundation
Lenard Johnston, President of South Georgia Street Rods, Inc., recently presented Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of Okefenokee Technical College, with a generous donation to the OTC Foundation to help fund scholarships for deserving students in the Auto Collision Repair Technology program. Read more.
OTC Cosmetology Students Get Trend Update
Gloria Timmerman of the Amici Salon in Augusta, Georgia, conducted a Trend Update Class on color and cuts for Okefenokee Technical College cosmetology students recently. Read more.
Carr is Selected as 2007 Outstanding Instructor
Dr. Steve Pearce, vice president of student services at Okefenokee Technical College (OTC), announced at a recent staff development meeting that Larry Carr was selected as the winner of the 2007 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education at OTC.Read More.
Strickland Takes Top Honor in State SkillsUSA Event
Okefenokee Technical College SkillsUSA is pleased to announce that Selena Strickland, an Automotive Collision Repair student and the 2007 college GOAL winner, won 1st place (Gold) in the Collision Repair Technology competition held at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon, Georgia. Read more.
OTC’s Outstanding Instructors Announced
Okefenokee Technical College (OTC) president, Dr. Gail Thaxton, is proud to announce the college’s finalists for the 2007 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education. The nominees are Larry Carr, Automotive Technology; Derrell Harris, Computer Information Systems; and Laree Thomas, Computer Technology. Read more.
Brantley Adult Education Graduation
The Brantley County Adult Education Honor’s Banquet was held May 14, 2007, at the Nahunta First Baptist Church Social Hall. The elegant event feted 19 of the 52 graduates of the Brantley County program, 17 of whom are honor graduates. The Brantley County Family Connection organization sponsored the memorable evening. Read more.
OTC Students Selected for Bagwell Scholarship
Cindy Tanner, Director of Resource Development at Okefenokee Technical College, recently presented Daniel Alderman, Alice Flaborea, and Bradley Williamson a scholarship check made possible by the Bagwell Family Scholarship fund. Read more.
OTC Radiology Student Pinning Ceremony
Members of the 2007 Radiologic Technology class of Okefenokee Technical College received their pins during an impressive ceremony at the OTC Miller Lecture Hall on March 15, 2007. Read more.
Crosby's Supports OTC Driver Education
Jack Anderson (left) and Tara Morrison, Sales Managers of Crosby Pontiac – Cadillac – GMC, recently turned over the keys to this Nissan Altima to Okefenokee Technical College Driver’s Ed instructor E. B. Price (right), for use in the college’s spring quarter Driver’s Education classes. Crosby Pontiac – Cadillac – GMC generously supports OTC and this program by providing a new vehicle each quarter for use in the program. Read more.
Kelli Delk Is OTC Child Enrichment Director
Kelli Delk assumed full-time employment with Okefenokee Technical College as the new Child Enrichment Center Director August 2006. The college administration and staff are pleased to have Delk on board. As director, Mrs. Delk directs and manages the overall operation of the center. Read more.
Winners Announced in OTC Manufacturing Appreciation Art Contest
Dr. Tammy Theologus, principal of Blackshear Elementary School, was on hand recently to congratulate eleven Blackshear Elementary students for winning the Manufacturing Appreciation Week Student Design Competition sponsored by Okefenokee Technical College. Students in Mrs. Lisa Gillis’s and Mrs. Sprucy Jones’ classes were asked to depict the importance of manufacturing to their lives and communities through a placemat design.Read More.
Selena Strickland Is OTC’s 2007 GOAL Winner
Selena Strickland, a Brantley County student at Okefenokee Technical College, was honored with the 2007 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Thursday. Strickland is pursuing a diploma in Automotive Collision Repair Technology. Read more.
OTC Student Receives Street Rods Scholarship
Selena Strickland was recently presented a scholarship check by Cindy Tanner, OTC’s Director of Resource Development. The scholarship was made possible by South Georgia Street Rods, Inc. Read More.
OTC Dual Enrollment Students Are “Top Gun” Welders
Justin Harris, Dusty Rowland, and Brent Strickland, dual enrollment students at Okefenokee Technical College, along with Mitch Sinclair (not shown), placed first in the FFA Area VI Welding CDE “Weld Off,” held recently in the welding lab at Okefenokee Tech. Read More.
OTC Holds GOAL Reception
Dr. Gail Thaxton, Okefenokee Technical College President and the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a reception for all 2007 GOAL nominees, their guests, and the nominating instructors on February 13, 2007. Read More.
OTC Students Nominated For GOAL
Okefenokee Technical College instructors have nominated 15 students for the 2007 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Karen Boyle, coordinator for the college’s GOAL program. The nominees attended an orientation luncheon sponsored by the OTC Student Government Association (SGA) on February 2. Read More.
Legislators Enjoy a ‘Taste’ of the State’s Technical Colleges
A huge crowd of legislators and state leaders filed into the Georgia Rail Depot in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 30, to take part in the Technical College System of Georgia’s second annual “Taste of the Technical Colleges.” Each of the system’s 34 technical colleges, including Okefenokee Technical College, was featured in the gala that showcases the very best in technical education programs for the members of the General Assembly. Read more.
Blackshear Elementary Teachers Complete Class
Learning computer software can be fun. Several teachers from Blackshear Elementary School recently completed Okefenokee Tech’s SCT 100 class in order to earn PLU credit. Their instructor, Laree Thomas, described the Tuesday night group as very enthusiastic and gregarious. They named themselves the “Tuesday Night Talkers,” but according to Thomas, the “talking” was about their studies. Read more.
OTC Holds Commencement Exercises
Okefenokee Technical College’s Summer and Fall 2006 Commencement Exercises were held on Friday, January 12, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Waycross Middle School auditorium. Following the invocation by Dr. Steve Pearce, Waycross Fire Chief Cedric Scott delivered the commencement address. Read more.
Lelia Timmerman Receives Dade-Behring Scholarship
Lelia Timmerman, a Medical Laboratory Technology student at Okefenokee Technical College, has been selected to receive the Dade-Behring Clinical Laboratory Technician Scholarship. Read more.
OTC Officials Update Legislators
Representative Mark Hatfield (left) and Representative Mark Williams (back center) listen as Dr. Gail Thaxton and OTC welding instructor, Doug Furman (right), update them on the work of the college and the need for additional space in the welding lab to increase efficiency, growth, and mobility. Read more.
Rotary Awards Service above Self
Ed Avra (left), Scholarship Director of the Rotary Club, presented Lisa Howell and Sally Smith (right) with the 2006 Rotary Club “Service above Self” awards. This award is reserved for post-secondary faculty and staff who exhibit a dedication to their calling that exceeds the normal bounds of duties and responsibilities. Read more.
CSX Gives to OTC Foundation At a recent luncheon held at Okefenokee Technical College, CSX executive vice president Clarence Gooden presented a check to Dr. Gail Thaxton for the OTC Foundation. Read more.
Poster Challenge Winners Announced
Cassie Clemons, Christine Whitley, Amy Johns and Wanda Jacak display the two winning posters at the Poster Challenge Celebration Ceremony held November 5, 2006, in the Miller Lecture Hall at Okefenokee Technical College. Read More.
Satilla REMC Donates to Foundation
Robert Rentrow, President/CEO of Satilla REMC, along with Mark Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Satilla, recently presented Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of Okefenokee Technical College, with a generous donation to the OTC Foundation. Read More.
OTC Foundation Celebrates Campaign Success
At a recent staff development meeting, the Okefenokee Technical College faculty and staff celebrated another successful internal campaign drive. Cindy Tanner, Director of Resource Development, announced that the fund drive was immensely successful. Read more.
OTC Holds Adult Education Graduation Ceremony
The Okefenokee Technical College Adult Education Program held its General Educational Development (GED) Graduation Ceremony on October 26 at Sweat Memorial Baptist Church in Waycross, Georgia. Read more.
Jewell Sweat Promoted to Director of Instruction
Dr. Jewell Sweat, employed with Okefenokee Technical College as a radiologic technology instructor since 1990, has accepted a new position at OTC - Director of Instruction for General Education/Learning Support/Personal Services/Allied Health. Read more.
American Proteins Donates to OTC Foundation
Forsyth County business and civic leader Tommy Bagwell and his wife, Chantal, recently established a $500,000 Bagwell Family Scholarship Endowment to provide scholarships for students attending technical colleges located near their family business locations. The family business, American Proteins, Inc., currently has three locations, including one in Alma, Georgia. Read More.
Deedee Thomas Joins OTC Staff
Deedee Thomas recently accepted the position of Director of Tech Prep and Career Transition Services at Okefenokee Technical College. In this position, Mrs. Thomas is responsible for implementing and marketing Tech Prep and career transition program activities and preparing grant proposals, among other duties. Read More.
Brooksie Pike Scholarship Awarded
Kathy Davis, cosmetology program advisory committee member recently presented a check to cosmetology student Carol Williams, who is the recipient of the Brooksie A. Pike Memorial Scholarship for the fall 2006 graduating class. Read more.
Flanders Sponsors “Toolbox Scholarship”
Chris Huff, President of Flanders Provision Company, recently presented Cindy Tanner with a check for the OTC Foundation Toolbox Scholarship Fund. Read more.
PrimeSouth Bank Gives to OTC Foundation
Bruce Tison, President of PrimeSouth Bank in Waycross, recently presented Dr. Gail Thaxton with a generous donation to the OTC Foundation Toolbox Scholarship fund. Read more.
WSL Provides OTC Scholarship
Amanda Morris, representing the Waycross Service League, recently presented scholarship checks to Kristen Griffin and Nancy Davis. Read more.
BWAY Announces Quick Start Training Initiative
BWAY Packaging of Homerville, Quick Start, and Okefenokee Technical College recently entered into a training agreement that brought the directors of all three together for a formal signing ceremony. The Training Agreement Signing Ceremony took place at 9 a.m., October 25, 2006, at Brockway Packaging. Read more.
Plant Sale at OTC this Friday
The public is cordially invited to the Okefenokee Technical College Fall 2006 Plant Sale to be held Friday, October 27, 2006. Read More.
OTC Recognizes Medical Assistants During MA Week
Okefenokee Technical College is proud to announce the outstanding accomplishments of the OTC medical assisting students and the medical assisting program during this week, as it is designated as Medical Assistants Recognition Week. October 16-20, 2006, is designated by the American Medical Technologist (AMT) and the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) as a time that medical assistants are recognized across the country. Read More.
OTC Kicks Off Fall Quarter
During the traditional lunch or supper hours students were treated to grilled hotdogs, chips, and drinks by the instructional staff. Read More.
Marla Tyler Is Recognized
The Adult Education staff of Okefenokee Technical College treated Marla Tyler to an elegant retirement party on September 14, 2006, at the Okefenokee Country Club. She has held her current position of Director of Adult Education at OTC for the past six years, but has worked in education since she first moved to Georgia. Read More.
FFA Students Prepare for Exchange Fair Competition Floriculture Identification for FFA students in an effort to help prepare them for the regional FFA Floriculture Identification Competition at the Waycross Exchange Club fairgrounds next week.Read More.
Gibson is Director of Career Placement and Development
Charlie Gibson recently accepted the position of Director of Career Placement and Development at Okefenokee Technical College. In this position, Mr. Gibson will be responsible for coordinating the division of career placement services, which includes collecting and analyzing placement data; marketing career services to area employers; and assisting students in the following: resume and interview preparation, job opportunities, and career majors.Read more.
Tanner Named Public Relations Director
For the past 14 years, Cindy Tanner has been making a significant difference in the lives of students enrolled at Okefenokee Technical College and in the Waycross community as well. She has worked to secure student scholarships for deserving students, and has supported our community through the American Cancer Society and the Lighthouse Institute. Read More.
OTC Announces Winners of Prevention Brochure Contest
Paula Pittman and Samantha San Nicholas are the winners of the Health Psychology Prevention Brochure Contest sponsored by New Connections to Work and the OTC Student Government Association. Read More.
Karen Boyle Is New OTC Retention Coordinator
Karen Boyle recently accepted the new position of Retention Coordinator at Okefenokee Technical College. As Retention Coordinator, Mrs. Boyle provides retention counseling services and is responsible for the overall effort to develop and implement the college’s retention strategies. Read More.
Entrepreneurship Camp – “Exploring the Possibilities of Entrepreneurship” is Huge Success Thirteen Brantley County FBLA Middle School students participated in the first ever Entrepreneur Camp funded by a grant from the One Georgia Authority. The $2,500 grant enabled the young, developing entrepreneurs to attend Okefenokee Technical College and participate in activities designed to engage them in entrepreneurial thinking. Read More.
Art Display at OTC Library
Come see what the talented employees of Okefenokee Technical College do when they are not working. Wanda Jacak, the librarian at the OTC library and her staff would like to invite everyone to drop by the Waycross Campus library during regular hours and view the OTC staff art work. Read More.
Cardwell Represents OTC at Consortium
Bob Cardwell, the Okefenokee Technical College Rick Perkins recipient for 2006, attended a consortium level competition for the statewide Rick Perkins award on July 20, 2006. Read More.
Judy Hesters-Scott Joins OTC
Judy Hesters-Scott was recently hired at OTC as the new Business and Industry Services Specialist. She began her duties May 15. As the Business and Industry Services Specialist, Ms. Hesters-Scott coordinates and promotes the continuing education program of OTC to public and private organizations in the college’s service area. Read More.
Kayla Chaney To Address OTC Graduates At Friday Night Ceremony
Kayla Chaney, a Radiologic Technology student at Okefenokee Technical College and the 2006 statewide GOAL winner, will be the featured speaker at OTC’s evening commencement to be held at the Waycross Middle School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on July 14. Read more.
Robert Sweat Retires from OTC
Robert Sweat, Career Placement Director at Okefenokee Technical College, was honored with a retirement luncheon on June 28, 2006, for his 29.5 years of service at the college. Read more.
Okefenokee Tech Officials Gain Economic Development Skills
Dr. Steve Pearce, vice president of student Services at Okefenokee Technical College, and Austin Johnson, Director of Instruction, are two of 20 professionals to earn Certified Economic Developer Trainer (CEDT) status after completing a rigorous program of specialized training. Read More.
Eddie Murray Joins OTC Staff
Eddie Murray, a former statewide GOAL finalist and active PBL member at Okefenokee Technical College, is now part of the staff. Mr. Murray accepted the position of Computer Information Systems Networking Specialist/Microcomputer Specialist instructor in March 2006. Read More.
OTC Electronics Program Welcomes Engineer and Entrepreneur from Baltimore
Morris Tischler, an experienced teacher, research scientist, licensed broadcast engineer, writer, inventor, and seasoned international educational consultant, conducted a two-day workshop at Okefenokee Technical College June 19 & 20. Those attending the workshop learned about Biomedical Engineering, among other related topics. Read More.
Wal-Mart Donates to OTC Adult Education Program
On behalf of the Wal-Mart Super Center in St. Mary’s, Doris Cotton, Community Involvement Coordinator, recently presented Sharon Matejka, Charlton County Adult Education instructor,with a check for $1,000. Read More.
Georgia Street Rods Donate to OTC Foundation
Lenard Johnston of the Georgia Street Rods, Inc. recently presented a generous check to Cindy Tanner, Okefenokee Technical College Resource Development Coordinator, for the OTC Foundation. Read more.
Kayla Chaney is Technical College Systems Statewide Student of the Year
An Okefenokee Technical College student has been named the 2006 state winner of the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) award. Kayla Chaney, a radiologic technology student who lives in Douglas received the honor during the annual GOAL banquet in Atlanta on May 25. Read more.
Cardwell is Selected as Outstanding Instructor
Dr. Ron Key (Right), vice president of instruction at Okefenokee Technical College (OTC), recently announced that Bob Cardwell was selected as the winner of the 2006 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education at OTC. Read More.
OTC's Outstanding Instructors Announced
Dr. Ronald Key, vice president of instruction at Okefenokee Technical College (OTC), recently announced the college’s finalists for the 2006 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education. Read More.
OTC Nursing Students Assist Satilla Care Center and WMS
Okefenokee Technical College nursing students who are interning at Satilla Care Center on Riverside Avenue this quarter volunteered to help add a little sunshine to the center by planting flowers and installing a goldfish pond. Read More.
Nurses Honored in OTC Pinning Ceremony
Members of the Okefenokee Technical College Practical Nursing Class of 2006 received their nurses’ pins and caps during an impressive Pinning and Candle Lighting Ceremony on March 16, 2006, in Alma, Georgia. Read more.
Area Manufacturers Are Honored At Luncheon
The Development Authorities of Bacon, Brantley, and Clinch, along with the Okefenokee Development Authority and Okefenokee Technical College hosted a luncheon at the Railway Express Depot on April 25, 2006, to honor area manufacturers who provide jobs and contribute greatly to our economy. Read more.
Jones Company Scholarship Endowment Established at Okefenokee Tech
Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of Okefenokee Technical College, Patrick Jones of the Jones Company, and Cindy Tanner of OTC recently met at the Phoenix to complete the paperwork that will establish the first endowed scholarship at OTC to fund two scholarships annually. Read More.
OTC Graduates Ten Classes from Freight Conductor Program Since January
Since January 2006 the Okefenokee Technical College Freight Conductor program has had the privilege of holding ten graduation ceremonies. Right now, OTC is running two freight conductor classes and will have two more starting in less than two weeks. Read more.
OTC Welcomes Cassie Clemons to Staff
Cassie Clemons has joined the staff of Okefenokee Technical College as the new Library Assistant. Cassie began her new position April 3, assuming responsibility for circulation and statistical reports, among many other duties. Read more.
Rhonda Jordan Receives OTC Workforce Scholarship
Suzanne Britt, Practical Nursing instructor, presents Rhonda Jordan with her scholarship “tools.” Rhonda is the first recipient of the Okefenokee Technical College Foundation Workforce Toolbox Scholarship. Read more.
OTC Students Embrace National Gardening Month
April is National Gardening Month. Okefenokee Technical College Environmental Horticulture EHO 102 students celebrated the event by planting a flower garden next to the OTC Childcare Center. Read more.
It’s Official – State Funds OTC Expansion in Waycross and Alma
Governor Sonny Perdue had recommended funding for two building projects for Okefenokee Technical College back in January and indications were favorable that the funding would be approved, but now it is official. The General Assembly has appropriated the bond funds in the FY 2007 budget to complete both proposals. Read more.
Brooksie A. Pike Scholarship Awarded
Dr. John Pike, former President of OTC, recently presented a check to cosmetology student Kimberly Pollock, who is the recipient of the Brooksie A. Pike Memorial Scholarship for the spring 2006 graduating class. Read More.
Gloria Thomas Retires From OTC
Gloria Gattis Thomas, Director of Public Relations at Okefenokee Technical College, was recently honored at a retirement luncheon by the faculty and staff for her twenty-six years of service to technical education at OTC. Read More.
OTC Students Pass Exam
The eleven students in Business 108 at Okefenokee Technical College recently completed the course and took the Microsoft Office Specialist Word 2003 exam. Read more.
OTC Radiologic Technology Pinning Ceremony
In an impressive pinning and awards ceremony held in the Okefenokee Technical College Miller Lecture Hall on March 15, twelve students received their pins upon completion of the Radiologic Technology program at Okefenokee Technical College (OTC). Read More.
Rosie Morris Is Guest Speaker at OTC
Rosie Morris of Flanders Provision Company recently spoke to the Office Procedures class at Okefenokee Technical College. Rosie, a 2001 graduate of OTC’s Business Office Technology program and the school’s GOAL winner that year, explained to the students the process of interviewing for a job and how to keep the job you get. Read More.
OTC Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Members of the 2006 practical nursing class of Okefenokee Technical College received their nurses’ pins and caps during an impressive ceremony in Miller Lecture Hall at Okefenokee Technical College on Thursday evening, March 16. Read More.
OTC Child Care Center Students Visit SRMC
The three and four-year old children from the Okefenokee Technical Center Child Care Center were the guests of Satilla Regional Medical Center for a tour on Tuesday, March 7. Read More.
Kayla Chaney Named OTC's 2006 GOAL Winner
Kayla Chaney, a student in the Radiologic Technology program at Okefenokee Technical College (OTC), was named as the OTC 2006 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Read More.
OTC's EAGLE Representative
Mrs. Eugenia Evans was chosen to represent Okefenokee Technical College at the EAGLE Leadership Institute February 21-22, 2006 in Atlanta. The Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult literacy classes and programs. Read more.
Okefenokee Tech Prep Consortium Nominates Champions
Kristin Bell, a student in the Registered Nursing program at South Georgia College, and Chris Jones, the former human resources manager for Milliken & Company’s Alma Plant, were recently nominated as Tech Prep Champions to represent the Okefenokee Tech Prep Consortium. Read More.
OTC has Guest Speaker
Becky Bennett from Satilla Regional Medical Center spoke to the Office Procedures classes at Okefenokee Technical College on February 27 and 28 about employment opportunities and the application process at Satilla Regional Medical Center. Read More.
Fruit Tree Care Seminar Held at OTC
The Ware County Extension Office and the Okefenokee Technical College horticulture program jointly sponsored a workshop for the community on Fruit Tree Care on February 24. James Jacobs, County Extension Coordinator, and Dr. Gerard Krewer, extension horticulturist for the University of Georgia, presented the program. Read More.
MLT Program has new Instructor
Mary Ann Hursey, B. S., MT (ASCP), began her duties as Medical Laboratory Technology Instructor at Okefenokee Technical College on December 1, 2005. Read More.
WeldOff at OTC
The FFA Welding Competition for the southern region, area 6, was recently held at Okefenokee Technical College. Read More.
OTC Names Four GOAL Finalists
Four Okefenokee Technical College (OTC) students have been selected as local semifinalists for the 2005 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Karen Boyle, coordinator for the college’s GOAL program. Read More.
Dr. Jewell Sweat is Published
Dr. Jewell Sweat, Radiologic Technology instructor at Okefenokee Technical College, recently received the good news that a portion of her doctoral dissertation, “Tech Prep’s Affect on Graduation,” was selected for publication in Techniques, a professional magazine in the field of career and technical education with a paid circulation of 38,000. Read More.
OTC Welding Programs Hosts Tour
Doug Furman (L to R), Welding instructor at Okefenokee Technical College, paused to talk to David Logan, Darrell Shaw, Michael Shubert, and Eric Mixon as they visited OTC on the recent Tour Day. Read More. Read More
Okefenokee Technical College Instructors Nominate 14 Students
for GOAL
Instructors at Okefenokee Technical College have nominated
fourteen students for the 2006 Georgia Occupational Award of
Leadership (GOAL), according to Karen Boyle, coordinator for
the college’s GOAL program. These students attended an
orientation luncheon sponsored by the OTC Student Government
Association on February 1. Read more.
Andy Brannen Certified
as OSHA Trainer
Andy Brannen, Director of Business and Industry Services
at Okefenokee Technical College, recently completed training
that authorizes him to conduct 10-and 30-hour general industry
outreach training classes in accordance with the guidelines
provided by the OSHA Office and Training and Education. Read
more.
Martin to Serve as OTC Foundation Trustee Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of Okefenokee Technical
College, and Larry Paulk, chair of the Okefenokee Technical
College Foundation Board, welcomed new trustee Phil Martin
to the OTC Foundation Board at the winter quarter meeting.
Read more.
OTC has new Recruiter
Gerald Whitehurst has accepted the position of recruiter
for the Freight Conductor program at Okefenokee Technical
College. As the recruiter for this specialized program, Whitehurst
will be actively seeking potential candidates for the program
from designated market areas in Alabama, Georgia, and South
Carolina. Read more.
OTC Participates in Taste of Technical Colleges Event
Atlanta – The talents of the instructors and students
from each of Georgia’s technical colleges, including
Okefenokee Technical College, were on display for legislators,
state officials, and others last Thursday evening at the
Georgia Freight Depot next to the State Capitol in Atlanta.Read more.
New Psychology Instructor at OTC Christine L. Whitley recently joined the Okefenokee
Technical College staff as the psychology instructor. She
holds a Master
in Industrial Psychology from Neuchatel, Switzerland. Read
more.
Ola Smith Elected to State Office
Ola Smith, a member of the Board of Directors of Okefenokee
Technical College, was recently elected as Treasurer of the
Technical College Directors' Association of Georgia. Smith,
CEO of the McKinney Community Health Center in Waycross,
has served on the OTC Board of Directors since August, 1999. Read
More.
Stay In School Grant
Okefenokee Technical College was recently awarded a Stay
in School Grant and with the awarding of the grant funds,
several new initiatives have been started. Read
More.
