(Acworth, Ga. – March 25, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College, with the assistance of more than 20 supporting agencies, hosted an education and resource summit Thursday at its North Metro Campus in Acworth to educate veterans and military members on how to transition from combat boots to loafers.

More than 100 guardsmen and reservists from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines, as well as CTC’s current student enrollment of veterans and other veterans residing in the area, attended the event to gain insight into resume building, networking opportunities and how to acclimate to the civilian environment.

From left, Dr. David R. Snow, director of military affairs, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia; retired Maj. Gen. Maria Britt, associate vice president for operations for Kennesaw State University; retired U.S. Air Force Col. Patricia Ross, military affairs director for the Technical College System of Georgia; and Eddie Williams, Atlanta economic liaison, Veterans Economic Community Initiative.

“Veterans come with extraordinary skills, but these skills don’t always translate to the civilian sector. Chattahoochee Technical College has put their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting veterans,” said retired U.S. Air Force Col. Patricia Ross, military affairs director for the Technical College System of Georgia. “There is a huge need to help our veterans get back to work.”

Retired Maj. Gen. Maria Britt, Kennesaw State University’s associate vice president for operations, served as the guest speaker during the event. She explained how every veteran has a unique story to tell and encouraged transitioning military members to lead themselves down a path to success.

“Find purpose in your life because if you don’t have a passion for the job you are doing, you won’t be any good at it,” Britt said. “Talk to others who have transitioned and begin planning for your future. You have to start early.”

Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Mike Lipper, who attended the summit, said when military members come home from deployment, one of the first steps in transitioning is looking for a job or finding a school to attend. The summit brought together resources that exist for the purpose of supporting veterans as well as their family members who may be struggling to adapt to civilian life.

“This was a great event and it’s exciting from our perspective because we have soldiers who are coming home, wanting to go to school and get jobs. This was an excellent combination of resources,” Lipper said. “We now have a list of new resources that we can provide to our soldiers.”

A partial list of vendors included Chattahoochee Technical College Human Resources Department, Georgia Vocational Rehab Agency, Georgia Department of Labor, Cobb Works, Technical College System of Georgia Office of Military Affairs, NCESGR/Emory Veterans Outreach, Marietta Veteran Center, Workforce Investment Opportunities Act, Office of Adult Mental Health and Kennesaw State University.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 25, 2016)

Busloads of middle school students from across North Georgia arrived at Chattahoochee Technical College’s North Metro Campus in Acworth Friday to attend “Science for EveryBODY: Inspiring Knowledge” – an event hosted by the college’s Health Sciences Division in conjunction with the Atlanta Science Festival, which runs through March 26.

CTC student Jessica Blankenship shows Barber Middle School seventh-grader Dylan Hughes, of Acworth, how muscles work during the “Science for EveryBODY: Inspiring Knowledge” event hosted by CTC in conjunction with the Atlanta Science Festival.

The walk-through exhibit at the North Metro Campus allowed students, as well as their families, to visit numerous stations and learn about the different aspects of the respiratory system and how it relates to the rest of the body. Stations featured a variety of models, demos and other engaging activities. CTC will also have a booth set up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the ASF Exploration Expo on Saturday, March 26, in downtown Atlanta within Centennial Olympic Park.

“The focus today is science for everyone and how the respiratory system works and ties in with every other organ in the body. Everyone knows that you need oxygen and we get oxygen by breathing, but they might not know how that oxygen impacts every other system, including things like your skin or kidneys,” said CTC Biology Instructor Juanita Forrester. “This is a way to show students how everything works together and to promote overall health.”

Barber Middle School seventh-grader Dylan Hughes, of Acworth, said he enjoyed learning about the heart, calling it a “real treat.” Acworth siblings Audrey Ledford, 8, and her brother, Hudson Ledford, 5, both said they enjoyed learning about human bones.

“The heart was also very interesting to learn about because you have to have your heart to live,” Audrey Ledford said.

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Health Sciences Division offers a variety of degree, diploma and certificate programs that prepare graduates for employment in the dynamic environment within the vital health care industry. CTC offers programs that support every aspect of health care, from nursing to medical records management.

“I think this event is important because it allows the community to see what our Health Sciences Division can do. We have very high academic standards, but we also have faculty and staff who will work together to promote community engagement,” Forrester said.

Fifteen Chattahoochee Technical College horticulture students recently attended the 40th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition. Pictured, from left, are: Asa Weems, Heiny Martinez, Sylvia Ramey, William Kramer, Molly Ferguson, Scott Faulkner, Darious Hopkins, Aaron Driver, Josh Schrager, Dylan Cochran, Nathaniel Brigham, Corey Cantlon, Luke Brummeler, Denna Pace, Nathan Byrd and Instructor John Hatfield.

Fifteen Chattahoochee Technical College horticulture students celebrated over the weekend after learning that the team had fared well in the 40th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition ­– a three-day event designed to jumpstart horticultural careers for college students.

Organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly known as PLANET), the event was held March 16-19 at Mississippi State University. More than 600 students from approximately 65 universities and colleges competed in events directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the Green Industry, including tree climbing, hardscape installation, wood construction, sales presentation, skid steer operation, and plant identification. They also participated in a career fair that allows recruiters from approximately 75 companies to interview students for jobs.

Led by instructor John Hatfield, Chattahoochee Technical College’s team scored a combined 2393.30 points at the competition to secure a 23rd-place finish. Along with the school’s overall achievement, CTC student and Hiram resident Scott Faulkner was announced as a top finisher at the event, placing 20th out of 683 individual competitors and scoring 346.50 points in the five events he competed in.

In addition, CTC student Aaron Driver, of Powder Springs, earned a sixth-place finish in the business management event; Nathan Byrd, of Powder Springs, finished third in compact excavator operation; Darious Hopkins, of Powder Springs, and Driver finished 10th in hardscape installation; and Denna Pace, of Woodstock, finished ninth in turf and weed identification.

Faulkner finished eighth in computer aided design; William Kramer, of Marietta, and Sylvia Ramey, of Marietta, finished 12th in employee development; Nathaniel Brigham, of Marietta finished 11th in irrigation design; and Heiny Martinez, of Atlanta, and Hopkins finished 12th place in landscape maintenance operations.

Additional members of Chattahoochee Technical College’s team were: Dylan Cochran, of Adairsville; Josh Schrager, of Marietta; Luke Brummeler, of Marietta; Asa Weems, of Marietta; Molly Ferguson, of Marietta; and Corey Cantlon, of Dallas.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 30, 2016)

In an effort to build connections between students and businesses in the community, Chattahoochee Technical College’s Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs hosted an industry meet and greet at the North Metro Campus on Wednesday.

During an industry meet and greet hosted by Chattahoochee Technical College, Tim Lanier, owner of Killian Automotive in Canton, speaks to student Matthew Rollins about a future career in the automotive industry.

“The meet and greet serves as an opportunity for our students and businesses in the community to come together in an environment that is comfortable for the students. It’s a chance for students to network and become aware of the potential job opportunities that await them after graduation,” said Automotive Technology Instructor Eric Underwood. “Half of our job is teaching the students, but the other half is about helping them grow their future careers.”

Diesel Equipment Technology Instructor Evan Dover said Chattahoochee Technical College hosts the industry meet and greet twice a year to encourage students to find a career in their field of study. Representatives from about 18 industry-leading companies met with about 50 students during the three-hour event.

Tim Lanier, owner of Killian Automotive in Canton, is a 1994 Chattahoochee Technical College graduate and said he attended the industry meet and greet to not only seek out potential new hires, but to also give back to those who helped shaped his career along the way.

“I feel that it is important to be involved with students and maybe help point them down the path to a future career,” Lanier said.

Companies that attended the event included Killian Automotive, AutoNation, National Automotive Parts Association, Asbury Automotive Group, Mercedes-Benz, AAMCO Transmission, Ed Voyles Automotive Group, BMW, Rush Enterprises, Walmart, Ryder System Inc., W.W. Williams, Yancey Brothers Co., Crete Carrier Corporation, Sunbelt Rentals, Salem Nationalease, Dickinson Fleet Services and Kawasaki.

(Austell, Ga. – March 31, 2016)

The Chattahoochee Technical College Police Department will be hosting a multi-jurisdictional active shooter training drill on April 6 at the college’s Austell Campus, located at 1578 Veterans Memorial Highway. The campus will be open to faculty and staff; however, students will be on spring break during the training exercise.

A Chattahoochee Technical College Campus Police officer checks a classroom during a past training scenario.

The drill will commence with some familiarity training for campus police officers as well as officers from local law enforcement agencies, including Cobb County Police, Powder Springs Police, Acworth Police, Austell Police and Atlanta Police. The active shooter scenario will begin around noon, and Chattahoochee Tech staff as well as some students have volunteered to play the role of “victims.”

“The purpose of the exercise is to train our officers on what to do during an active shooter event. Chattahoochee Technical College’s Police Department trains for active shooter scenarios twice a year. As Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council-certified officers, campus police are required to keep up their training and education, and force-on-force training scenarios are imperative in preparing for crisis situations,” CTC Campus Police and Training Officer Tim Hilley said.

During the active shooter training drill, officers will be dispatched to a call that shots were fired on the Austell Campus in the A Building. CTC Communications and Records Manager Lynn Quick said campus dispatch will be responsible for fielding calls, watching campus cameras and updating officers on new developments.

Once the responding officers arrive, they will make entry into the building in order to locate the mock shooter and eliminate the threat. Local fire and medical services will also be on scene to make the multi-agency training drill as realistic as possible. Hilley said paramedics from a rescue team will be responsible for removing all mock victims from the scene.

The day will give officers eight hours of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council credit.

(Atlanta, Ga. – April 1, 2016)

The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Workforce division recently announced the launch of a grant and scholarship program designed to strengthen the state’s skilled-trade workforce.

Go Build Georgia (GBG) and the Go Build Georgia Foundation have partnered with the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Division (CTAE) of the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) to award Go Build Georgia Grants to GDOE middle and high school institutions for GBG-aligned special activities. Grants, up to $500 each, will be awarded to applying Georgia middle and high schools throughout each fiscal year.

The Go Build Georgia High Demand Career Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors entering a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) institution in a field of study that leads to a skilled-trade career. These $1,000 scholarships are made available by a collaborative partnership between Go Build Georgia, the GBG Foundation and TCSG. Go Build Georgia High Demand Career Scholarships work in conjunction with the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grants (SIWDG), as they can be used to cover tuition, requisite fees and materials.

Go Build Georgia Grant and High Demand Career Scholarship applications are now available online at www.gobuildgeorgia.com. Qualified applicants must apply by the following dates in order to be considered:

GBG High Demand Career Scholarship Deadlines:

Fall- June 15, 2016

Spring- November 15, 2016

Summer- March 15, 2017

GBG Grant Application Deadlines:

Fiscal Year 2016- May 15, 2016

(Austell, Ga. – April 6, 2016)

Officers from the Chattahoochee Technical College Police Department received eight hours of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) credit after completing active shooter training at the college’s Austell Campus on Wednesday, April 6.

Back row, from left: Jamille Bradfield, PIE, City of Atlanta Department of Corrections; MPO Louis Defense, PIO, City of Smyrna Police Department; LT. Glenn Daniel, PIO, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; and Phyllis Banks, PIO, Albany Police Department; front row: Dee Dee Doeckel,
CTC’s Executive Director for Marketing, Digital Media, Recruitment External Affairs; CTC Officer Dione Turner; and CTC Communications and Records Manager Lynn Quick.

“The purpose of the exercise is to train our officers on what to do during an active shooter event. Chattahoochee Technical College’s Police Department trains for active shooter scenarios twice a year. As POST-certified officers, campus police are required to keep up their training and education, and force-on-force training scenarios are imperative in preparing for crisis situations,” CTC Training Officer Tim Hilley said.

The multi-jurisdictional training exercise, which coincided with spring break for CTC students, began with familiarity training for campus police officers as well as officers from local law enforcement agencies.

Sgt. Dana Pierce, spokesman for the Cobb County Police Department, headed a morning classroom training session where he instructed officers on how to disseminate information to both the news media and the general public. Later in the day, public information officers from CTC campus police, the Atlanta Department of Corrections, Smyrna Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Albany Police Department tested their skills during a mock press conference hosted by the college.

“As the sergeant in charge of the Cobb County Police Department’s Public Information and Crime Prevention Office, my goal for those who attended the active shooter training being offered at the Chattahoochee Technical College campus was twofold: media relations and surviving active shooter public information officer 101,” Pierce said. “Hopefully, at the end of these two sessions, anyone attending my part of the day’s activities will better understand the media and how to perform the duties of a public information officer before, during and after an active shooter situation.”

The active shooter portion of the training exercise began just before 1 p.m. after officers were dispatched to a call that shots were fired on the Austell Campus. Responding officers, armed with airsoft training weapons, made entry into the building and quickly eliminated the threat. In order to make the training scenario as realistic as possible, some members of the Chattahoochee Technical College’s staff and a few students volunteered to play the role of “victims,” and after being rescued by local fire and medical services personnel, they were taken to a triage area.

CTC campus police officers participate in an active shooter training exercise.

CTC Communications and Records Manager Lynn Quick said campus dispatch was responsible for fielding calls, watching campus cameras and updating officers on new developments during the training exercise.

The Chattahoochee Technical College Police Department is also looking to prepare civilians for active shooter situations and will host two Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event training sessions on May 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the auditorium (A112) at the Paulding Campus, located at 400 Nathan Dean Blvd. in Dallas, and on June 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the Appalachian Campus, located at 100 Campus Drive in Jasper.

For more information, contact Officer Tim Hilley at (770) 443-3634 or by email at tim.hilley@chattahoocheetech.edu.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 11, 2016)

The Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, at its First Monday Breakfast on April 11, recognized Chattahoochee Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner and nominees. GOAL winner Jourdan Ortiz, of Henry County, is pictured.

At its First Monday Breakfast on April 11, the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce recognized outstanding technical education students of Georgia, including Chattahoochee Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner Jourdan Ortiz, of Stockbridge, who is working toward an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree.
GOAL is a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, which honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s other technical colleges as well as the two Board of Regents colleges with technical education divisions.

This year, more than 30 students were nominated by CTC faculty, with 22 students accepting the nomination. The first round of interviews took place in the fall at the North Metro campus with the college’s internal committee. The students were required to give a three-minute speech on the topic “Technical Education in Georgia,” followed by an interview.

The six finalists had their second interview with an external committee made up of the college’s board of directors as well as community members. The interview included the nominees’ three-minute speech and a series of interview questions. At the end of the interviews, the committee was challenged with selecting CTC’s goal winner, Ortiz.

The five other GOAL nominees were Culinary Arts student Skyler Banks, of Ellijay; Marketing Management student Alexandra (Allie) Heeter, of Woodstock; Practical Nursing student Jewell Lucien, of Marietta; Early Childhood Care & Education student Ellen (Claire) Maston, of Dallas; and Clinical Laboratory Technology student Yasimar Parrilla, of Smyrna.

GOAL nominee Skyler Banks

GOAL nominee Ellen (Claire) Maston

GOAL nominee Alexandra (Allie) Heeter

GOAL nominee Yasimar Parrilla

Alfredrick Campbell
Deputy Chief

Deputy Chief Al Campbell attended the Chief Executive Training Class for newly appointed chiefs of police and heads of law enforcement agencies at the Dr. Curtis E. McClung Training Center in Duluth.
The 60-hour course, administered and provided by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP), is required by state law for all newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies.

The curriculum is designed to give newly appointed law enforcement administrators and command staff personnel training on police management, as well as inform them of laws and policies affecting their departments. Topics covered in the course include: Managerial Liability and E.E.O.C. Laws, Police Manpower Allocation & Staffing, Community Policing, Budget Administration, Political & Practical Realities, Risk Management, Evolution of Ethics, Media Relations, Departmental Organization, Employee Selection Process, Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Overview, Promotional Systems, United States Department of Justice Programs, Leadership/Management Role of the Chief, Employee Performance & Employee Discipline, Legislative Process, Social Media for Law Enforcement Leaders, and other timely topics.

“The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is pleased to provide executive level training for the professional development of Georgia’s new law enforcement leaders.” said GACP President George Turner of the Atlanta Police Department.

Deputy Chief Campbell was among 50 law enforcement administrators attending the course. The GACP provides the executive training for newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies and command staff personnel twice a year, along with several other training programs throughout the state. It is the largest professional association for law enforcement administrators in Georgia, and one of the largest in the country. The membership of over 1,700 includes executives representing municipal and county law enforcement agencies, college and university police departments, corporate and private security firms, and numerous state and federal agencies.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 14, 2016)

AutoNation Market Human Resources Manager Kristen Sowemimo announces Automotive Technology student Emmanuel Unachukwu as the Student of the Year.

The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation, in a partnership with AutoNation, recently named Automotive Technology student Emmanuel Unachukwu as the 2016 AutoNation Student of the Year. The Marietta resident, who also was named Student of the Month for April, was presented with a $1,000 cash award, which he will use to buy tools that will assist him as he pursues a career in designing and building cars.

The partnership between the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation and AutoNation is an initiative to recognize outstanding students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at Chattahoochee Technical College. During the fall and spring semesters, instructors are asked to nominate students who are excelling both inside and outside of the classroom. A committee from AutoNation reviewed the nominees and selected the Students of the Month.

Out of those students, the Student of the Year was determined.

This past fall, Michael King, of Canton, was named Student of the Month for September, Dr. Tharis Word, of Cartersville, was the Student of the Month for October and William Beasley, of Canton, was the Student of the Month for November. For the spring semester, Sean Davis, of Canton, was selected as the Student of the Month for February and Cameron Weaver, of Acworth, was named Student of the Month for March.

AutoNation awarded each Student of the Month with a certificate of recognition and a $250 cash award. Additionally, in the fall, AutoNation recognized Dr. Tharis Word as the Student of the Semester and presented him with a $500 cash award.

Pictured, back row, from left: AutoNation HR Manager Julie Banker, AutoNation Market Human Resources Manager Kristen Sowemimo, AutoNation Toytota Service Director Brian McClain, Automotive Technology students Emmanuel Unachukwu, William Beasley, Dr. Tharis Word, Sean Davis and CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb; front row: Automotive Technology students Cameron Weaver and Michael King.

“The Foundation is very appreciative of its partnership with AutoNation. Since many of our students exhaust their financial aid options before they complete their program of study, the financial obligation of tuition, books and fees can fall heavily upon the student,” said CTC Vice President of External Affairs Jennifer Nelson. “Scholarships and awards attract the best students, enable those who apply themselves to remain in school, and recognize academic achievement. AutoNation’s support has helped our students make education attainable.”

Unachukwu was nominated to be the Student of the Month by his instructor Larry Cardell. According to Cardell, Unachukwu has demonstrated a good work ethic and desire to perform both in the classroom and in the shop. He has shown consistent improvement with each new challenge.

“Being recognized by AutoNation was unexpected and truly amazing,” Unachukwu said. “After graduation, I will need to buy some tools and this award will help me pursue my dream of designing and building automobiles. I would like to design cars for BMW’s M division or Mercedes-AMG, and I would like to see my designs become a part of automotive history.”

(Dallas, Ga. – April 14, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College sponsored the Paulding Chamber of Commerce Industry Appreciation Luncheon on April 14, during which the college’s President Dr. Ron Newcomb served as the keynote speaker and presented awards to the 2016 Manufacturer of the Year, Dobbs Defense, and the 2016 Industry of the Year, Aerospace Fabrications of Georgia.

The 2016 Manufacturer of the Year winner was Dobbs Defense.

The 2016 Industry of the Year winner was Aerospace Fabrications of Georgia.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 15, 2016)

Pictured, from left, are: CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb, Alan and Clair Peterson, automotive and diesel repair students Justin Gross, Jessica Revere, Michael King, Nathaniel Welch, Austin Brown, Adam Dupuis and Andrew Mabry.

Seven Chattahoochee Technical College students who are starting their careers in the automotive and diesel repair industries recently were presented with a Snap-On toolbox and $1,000 worth of tools. The tool sets were purchased through proceeds from the Mike Peterson Memorial Golf Tournament, which was held in October 2015 at the BridgeMill Athletic Club in Canton.

The annual tournament celebrates the life of automotive enthusiast Michael Peterson, who passed away in 2002. As a way to remember their son, Alan and Claire Peterson held the inaugural golf tournament in 2005, and 13 years later, the tournament has evolved into a major event helping to provide over $100,000 in scholarships to more than 70 deserving students in automotive, diesel and motorcycle programs at Chattahoochee Technical College. The tools awarded through the scholarship are the foundation for graduates to build their careers.

“We have been truly blessed with a network of supportive family and friends. What we are able to do today for the automotive and diesel repair students at Chattahoochee Tech is because of everyone’s dedication to this initiative,” Alan Peterson said. “We are extremely impressed with the Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs at the college. They are second to none.”

The qualifications for the scholarship includes completion of at least one year of study in a Chattahoochee Technical College program and having a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students applying for the scholarships are asked to complete an application, including a written essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from a current faculty member of Chattahoochee Technical College.

Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology students who received the Mike Peterson Memorial Scholarship were Austin Brown, of Avondale; Michael King, of Canton; Jessica Revere, of Tate; Nathaniel Welch, of Dallas; Adam Dupuis, of Acworth; Andrew Mabry, of Ellijay; and Justin Gross, of Marietta.

“I am very excited and really thankful to the Petersons and Chattahoochee Tech for providing these tools,” King said. “This is an added bonus to finish off in good spirits.”

Revere said the tools will help her advance in her career at Cherokee Toyota. With seven children, Revere said funds are budgeted toward other necessities, adding that the scholarship award will give her a leg up in getting into the shop at Toyota.

Microbiology students at Chattahoochee Technical College’s North Metro Campus hosted an exhibit on Monday, April 18, to show exactly what bacteria on the skin looks like and how bacteria is grown in the lab. The exhibit also educated attendees on what kind of microbes are helpful in food and in industry, as well as which disinfectants are more effective in killing them.

(Acworth, Ga. – April 19, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program partnered with Wellstar’s Trauma Outreach & Injury Prevention Program to conduct CarFit check-ups on Tuesday, April 19, at the WellStar Acworth Health Park, located at 4550 Cobb Parkway NW in Acworth, and at the WellStar East Cobb Health Park, located at 3747 Roswell Road NE in Marietta.

CTC student Lauren Lameier, of Cherokee County, and Ginny Bush, RN in WellStar’s Emergency Department, perform a car safety check.

CarFit is a national program developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association and is designed to give a quick, yet comprehensive check on how well an older driver and their vehicle work together.
The free event is designed to help all senior drivers find a better “fit” with their cars for comfort and safety. At the CarFit event, trained volunteers completed a 12-point checklist with each driver. Among the items checked were correct position of the driver’s seat, driver’s ability to easily reach pedals and proper mirror adjustment. Occupational therapists from CTC were also on hand to educate drivers on how to maintain and improve aspects related to their driving health.

The therapists also provided information to participants addressing individual needs, including information about local community resources on exercise, nutrition and other programs to help keep them safe on the road.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 19, 2016)

Antoine Guerrier, pictured, and his teammate Frank Brown earned a first-place finish in the Trash Can BBQ Competition.

From Asian-inspired barbecue sauce to coffee-flavored rubs, Chattahoochee Technical College culinary arts students were challenged to think outside the box for the annual Trash Can BBQ Competition – an event hosted on April 18 by the Culinary Arts Department in conjunction with the White Hat Brigade, which is a student organization.

For the competition, which was held in the parking lot of the Mountain View Campus in Marietta, students were asked to enter two of the three categories of brisket, pork shoulder or pork ribs. Side dishes were also required and students served up everything from bacon macaroni-and-cheese to fruit salsa. The culinary chefs also created rubs and sauces for the barbecue.

The competing students were divided into teams of five and had approximately four hours to cook over open flames in a galvanized garbage can that had been bought specifically for the event.

The Grill Sergeants, made up of Antoine Guerrier and his teammate Frank Brown, dished up St. Louis-style ribs and a brisket for the competition, topping the cuts with a blend of brown sugar, paprika, and salt and pepper.

Seriously Smokin’ team member
Dustin Saghy checks the temperature of his team’s ribs.

“You need to have knowledge of what you are doing when it comes to cooking barbecue. It’s not like putting a burger on the grill in the backyard,” Brown said.

Another team, Seriously Smokin’, brought a unique twist to traditional backyard barbecue by adding coffee to both the rub and sauce. Team member Victor Torrico said each person submitted ideas for the side dish, rub and sauce, and, as a team, they decided what ingredients would be used in the actual competition.

CTC Student Advisor Rockfield D’Amour, Mercer Culinary Director of Business Development John Nunez, and Chef Ted Lahey, who previously served as the executive chef of Roswell’s Table & Main and Osteria Mattone, were responsible for judging each category on taste/flavor, presentation and texture/tenderness.

“I am looking for a nice char on the outside of the brisket and tender ribs. The meat shouldn’t fall off the rib bone, but it should be tender,” Nunez said.

Teams and results were:

First Place Winners – “The Grill Sergeants”

Antoine Guerrier, of Douglasville

Frank Brown, of Canton

Second Place Winners – “Spicy Kittens”

Celina Vicente, of Marietta

Sara Sheets, of Evans

Sophia Amiri, of Alpharetta

Third Place Winners – “Seriously Smokin’”

Dustin Saghy, of Cartersville

Victor Torrico, of Austell

Sydney Everett, of Alpharetta

Thomas Everets-Deveney, of Acworth

Fourth Place Winners – “Hog Wild”

Steven Moore, of Roswell

Brian Rush, of Silver Creek

Stanley Simon, of Atlanta

Fifth Place Winners – “The Amazing Cue Master”

Tony Collins, of Canton

Sam Stavely, of Louisville

Richard Robinson, of Marietta

(Acworth, Ga. – April 21, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Center for Service Learning hosted the 4th Annual Service Learning Conference on Mental Health Awareness at the North Metro Campus on Thursday, April 21.

This year’s forum was a community- and campus-wide Mental Health Awareness Conference, where the focus was on PTSD survivors, practices for promoting a healthy mental state, and medications and how they are selected. Individuals also discussed coping with various mental health issues. Speakers included representatives from healthcare, first responders and other government entities.

This year’s conference was sponsored by Carman Research and Associates as well as Reinhardt University.

(Atlanta, Ga. – April 21, 2016)

CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb is pictured with Heatco CEO Rob Hankinson at the 22 Annual Manufacturers of the Year award luncheon.

Representatives from Chattahoochee Technical College and the nominees for Manufacturers of the Year attended the 22nd Annual Governor’s Award Luncheon at the Georgia International Convention Center on Thursday, April 21.

The annual Manufacturers of the Year event was developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to recognize the contribution of manufacturing to the state’s economy. Awards were given to companies in small, medium and large manufacturer categories that exhibit a high degree of corporate responsibility, have an economic impact on Georgia and display workforce excellence.

In his keynote speech, Gov. Nathan Deal noted the tremendous contribution manufacturing makes to the state’s economic well-being.

“There are many other areas that we can be proud of, but certainly job growth in the manufacturing arena is one that we take great pride in because it is one of those sustaining elements of a state’s economy and of the nation’s economy,” he said. “If we can’t manufacture things ourselves, we are going to be even more dependent on other parts of the world. The development of domestic manufacturing is important on every scale: politically and economically.”

Gov. Deal named Cives Steel Company Southern Division the 2016 Small Manufacturer the Year, Suniva Inc. the Medium Manufacturer of the Year and Caterpillar the Large Manufacturer of the Year.

Toyo Tires representatives, from left, are: John Broussard, Akito Tanaka and Don Waterhouse

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Department of Economic Development nominated four businesses for the prestigious awards. Ampacet Corporation and Heatco, both located in Bartow County, were nominated for the small manufacturer category, Quality Synthetic Rubber Inc. in Pickens County was nominated for the medium manufacturer category and Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. in Bartow County was nominated for the large manufacturer category.

“We all were both elated and humbled to hear the news (of the nomination),” said Heatco CEO Rob Hankinson. “Elated that we are recognized by those we so admire and humbled as a family-owned business, whose founder immigrated to the United States in the early 70s with a wife, a 1-year-old son, $1,000 and a dream. America remains the leader of the world for those that yearn for freedom and the chance to make a mark in living. We are so blessed to be part of this wonderful community, awesome state and the greatest country in the world.”

Ampacet Plant Manager Donnie Bagwell said it was very humbling to be nominated.

“We have won the Bartow Manufacturer of the Year award three times since we began production in Cartersville in 1995. To be nominated at the state level is very rewarding, humbling and an amazing honor,” he said. “I believe it speaks volumes to the principles and beliefs Ampacet has for community and for being a positive employer in Cartersville.”

Matt Ledford, the plant manager at QSR, said his Jasper team has worked very hard to provide world-class products and solutions to the automotive industry.

(Atlanta, Ga. – April 22, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner Jourdan Ortiz and Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year winner Celnisha Dangerfield were named regional finalists in the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2016 Student and Instructor of the Year awards.

The regional finalists for the technical college student and instructor of the year were announced on Tuesday, April 19, during the GOAL and Rick Perkins Award Conference – an event that honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students and instructors.

On Wednesday, April 20, TCSG announced that Ashley Elizabeth Rodgers of South Georgia Tech College took home top honors in the GOAL program, and Angela Hines Brown of West Georgia Technical College was the winner of the 2015 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence. 

GOAL

CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb presents Jourdan Ortiz with the GOAL award.

Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges as well as one Board of Regents college with a technical education division. This year, more than 20 Chattahoochee Tech students accepted nominations by faculty, and of those, six finalists were named. An external committee made up of the college’s board of directors as well as community members selected Ortiz, of Stockbridge, as CTC’s 2016 GOAL winner.

Ortiz, who is working toward an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree, said he felt a deep sense of accomplishment after being nominated as a regional finalist.

“I knew that all the sacrifices, long study hours and tears were worth it,” he said. “I had finally defeated the thoughts of inadequacy that I had when I walked into Chattahoochee Tech, and I now feel an unrelenting responsibility to not only keep pressing toward my goals, but I also feel a calling on my life to help others overcome their fears. I am now inspired to be a light in the dark moments of people’s lives.”

Being nominated for GOAL has reaffirmed and impacted his entire perspective when it comes to leadership and success.

“A leader is someone who understands that humility and courage are absolutely necessary to be effective. A person must be humble enough to know that success isn’t attained by one individual person; instead, it is a collective effort given by those who have a common ‘GOAL,’ and courage is necessary to overcome temporary failures without losing enthusiasm,” he said. “What I have taken away from this experience is the simple fact that hard work, perseverance and loving your neighbor as you love yourself should be everyone’s ‘GOAL’ and that by striving to achieve that ‘GOAL,’ you will never be left unsatisfied.”

Rick Perkins

CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb presents Instructor of the Year winner Celnisha Dangerfield with the award.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction began in 1991 and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award immediately prior to his untimely death.

Dangerfield, of Marietta, represented Chattahoochee Technical College at the state competition as the 2016 Instructor of the Year, and being nominated as a regional finalist was what she called a “humbling experience.”

“There are so many outstanding instructors around the state, and they are committed to the mission of the Technical College System of Georgia, too. Yet, a group of educators, politicians and business leaders trusted me to represent Chattahoochee Technical College –and our entire region — as one of the nine finalists for the state Rick Perkins Award,” she said. “It was a humbling moment for sure; I just wanted to present what I do in the classroom, what we do as a college, and what we do as a system — all in the best light possible. I was honored to have this opportunity.”

Dangerfield has been a speech instructor at Chattahoochee Tech for 12 years, and she said receiving the Rick Perkins Award from CTC and being nominated as a regional finalist means that her markers for success have to be redefined, making her classes even better as a result.

“If you only do well when others are watching, you are not being your best — and that simply will not do. My students get my best because I believe in the strength of the concepts that I teach, just as I believe in each student that walks through my door,” she said. “The only thing is that the challenge from now on is to be even more outstanding. After all, if I’m CTC’s Instructor of the Year, I can’t have my students wondering why I was chosen for this honor.”

Dangerfield said getting to meet other outstanding instructors from around the state during the 2016 GOAL & Rick Perkins Award Conference merely crystallizes her commitment to her students and technical education.

“What we do in the classroom makes a difference,” she said. “It changes individual lives and families, our local communities and the economic prospects for the state of Georgia, as well. I was proud to see that the communication skills that I teach were on full display as the best instructors and students within the Technical College System of Georgia shared their stories of success.”

(Dallas, Ga. – April 23, 2016)

Members of Chattahoochee Technical College’s engagement team participated in the Paulding Touch a Truck event on Saturday, April 23. During the event, children got an up close look at one of CTC’s commercial trucks.

Touch a Truck was held at Veterans Park in Dallas and children also had the opportunity to explore and learn about a variety of other vehicles, including police cars, fire trucks and Department of Transportation trucks.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 25, 2016)

To keep up with the growing demand in the design market, Chattahoochee Technical College’s Interiors program will begin offering a Kitchen and Bath Designer certificate program at the beginning of the fall semester, which begins Aug. 22.

The Interiors program, which has been based out of the college’s Mountain View Campus in Marietta, will also be relocating to the Woodstock Campus in Cherokee County by the start of the new academic year.

CTC Interiors program instructor Ginger Burton said the new certificate program is intended to prepare students to work as specialized interior designers with the knowledge of design layouts, material options, lighting requirements, and business practices. Students will also learn presentation techniques and how to apply solutions for environmental and energy efficiency as well as accessibility within these critical rooms of residences.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, certification is a way for kitchen and bath professionals to enhance their careers and market themselves as experts in their field. And, as the population within Chattahoochee Tech’s six-county service area continues to flourish, Burton said housing and related industries will see a direct impact.

Professionals with a Kitchen and Bath Designer certificate can use their knowledge to find job opportunities planning for residential remodeling and new construction projects, as well as in showroom and specialty studio settings. The national trend for design ideas shared through social media and through video productions continues to bring awareness of ideas and methods to home owners; however, professional training is needed for meeting the needs of these demanding projects.

“After completing the Kitchen and Bath Designer certificate program, professionals will be able to manage projects from start to finish. This includes meeting with clients, assessing architectural spaces and systems, creatively designing for both functions and aesthetics, communicating design plans with the project team, and maintaining budget and schedules,” Burton said.