SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Center for Traditional Craft’s Historic Homeowners Academy (HHA) September weekend workshops feature wood carving and timber framing.

The HHA workshop cost is $50 per weekend, plus a materials fee (if required). The workshops have limited space. To register or for a list of future workshops, go to www.savannahtech.edu/HistoricHomeownersAcademy or like the STC Historic Preservation Department on Facebook. The deadline to register, if space is available, is the Thursday prior to the workshop.  The workshops will be held at the STC Historic Preservation lab (5717 White Bluff Road).

Introduction to Architectural Wood Carving: Under the instruction of Rooney Floyd, students will learn the basics of traditional wood carving techniques? This class will provide a fundamental understanding of the tools, equipment, knife cutting techniques, gouge and chisel techniques associated with decorative and architectural woodcarving. Students will work of a relief carving project. Materials fee is $25 for a total of $75 for this workshop. Register online for woodcarving. [Sept. 17-18, 9AM-6PM.]

Introduction to Timber Framing: What did they do before nails? Led by Kevin Wilson, September’s Visiting Artisan, this workshop will teach the basics to cutting timber frame joinery. Using tools available at a local building supply, students will learn to make a basic mortis and tenon connections fastened by wooden pegs in small timber projects. The class will build some “saw horses” that will be assembled using only these age old techniques. Basic familiarity with circular saws, drills, measuring and using a mallet or hammer is very helpful but not required.  Cost to attend is $50. Register online for timber framing. [Sept. 16 from 6-9PM, Sept. 17 from 9AM-4:30PM and Sept. 18 9AM-Noon]

Kevin Wilson first discovered timber framing from a book he saw in an airport bookstore in 1979. He knew right away that was the direction he wanted to go with his life. The question was, how to do it. It was 1983 when he first was able to attend a weeklong Timber Frame workshop with Steve Chappel and Fox Maple Post and Beam at their shop in Brownfield, ME. He came back and built his first small frame and realized how much he still had to learn. 33 years later, with projects in 25 states, the Bahamas, and Bermuda he is still learning with each project and teaching the next generation of framers. He is currently a consultant and timber frame designer for Triton International Woods, LLC. Living in eastern North Carolina has given him a great deal of experience with the Tidewater style of timber framing that was prevalent in the south during the 18th and 19th century.

In addition to being a Timber Framer, Kevin lives on property near Tarboro, NC with a timber frame home built in 1832 and a 1920’s deconsecrated Episcopal Mission Chapel that is used for weddings, drum circles, meditation and spiritual events. Kevin serves on the advisory Board for the Edgecombe County Community College Preservation Trade School, is an avid environmentalist and a promotor of organic farming.

Rooney Floyd trained and worked in engineering all his professional career, but he has worked in various aspect of woodworking all his life beginning at a very early age.  He has studied and/or taught numerous woodcarving and blacksmithing classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC for over 30 years. During this time his special interest has been woodcarving and studied many times under the late Elmer Tangerman known as the Dean of American Woodcarving.

Floyd uses the teaching methods of the Danish folk school learned at John C. Campbell, called the “living word”.  In this method students learn by word of mouth while performing hands on work as opposed to text and lectures.

About STC’s Center for Traditional Craft:

The College’s Visiting Artisan Series brings world-class craftspeople to campus each for week-long intensive classes throughout the year. The program works in concert with the HHA to provide weekend classes for the general public. This series has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. In its first year of inception, the department’s Visiting Artisan Series has featured “The Red Mason” Dr. Gerard Lynch, internationally acclaimed brickwork consultant, master bricklayer, educator and author; H. Thomas Kupper and Dan Beal stained-glass artisans of the world-renowned Lincoln Cathedral in Lincolnshire, England.

As the only public hands-on Historic Preservation program in Georgia and one of seven in the U.S., Savannah Technical College has led the way in preservation education, specializing in training not typically held by construction workers. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities.Traditional Building Magazine named Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation program one of the nation’s Up and Coming programs. For more information visit:www.savannahtech.edu/CenterTraditionalCraft or contact Curran at bcurran@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864.

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#1709 | Sept. 8, 2016

Historic Homeowners Academy Information
STC Center for Traditional Craft Director: Benjamin Curran
912.443.5864 or bcurran@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

  

SAVANNAH – Eighteen students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a completion ceremony today.

The five women and 13 men have completed coursework containing the entire Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. Their successful completion of the program qualifies them to be state-certified peace officers.

This is the 19^th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 271 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Several candidates have been hired by area police departments. Savannah Tech’s Peace Officer Academy has a 97% placement rate.

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. The cohorts have a tradition of giving the family of the fallen officer a challenge coin dedicated to the officer. A challenge coin is a symbol of an unbreakable bond of dedication and allegiance among military personnel and law enforcement officers. The challenge coin tradition started as a military tradition in World War I and was later adopted by law enforcement.

This cohort honors Sheriff Al St Lawrence of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff St Lawrence served the citizens of Chatham County for more than 56 years, first as a member of the Chatham County Police Department, rising to the rank of Chief of Police, and then as Sheriff of Chatham County. Sheriff St Lawrence passed away November 24, 2015. He was survived by his wife Pat, seven children, 16 grandchildren, and two brothers.

The Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become competent law enforcement officers. The 18-week cohort program utilizes classroom instruction pertaining to criminal justice theory and the prevailing principles of modern law enforcement, as well as practical application of pertinent enforcement skills. College coursework contains the entire Georgia Peace Officers Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course so that successful completion of the program will qualify the student to be a state-certified peace officer.

For more information about the Peace Officer Academy visit www.savannahtech.edu/PeaceOfficerAcademy or contact Sheree Rogers at 912.443.5191 or srogers@savannahtech.edu.

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#1707 | August 9, 2016

 

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – AT&T announced this week, that Savannah Technical College Foundation won a total of $15,000 for third place in of the inaugural $20k for 2020 workforce development competition. Savannah Technical College Foundation competed with six other organizations from across the state to generate social media activity in support of their work in the community.

“All of the organizations who were competing in AT&T’s $20k for 2020 competition are true assets in their communities, doing the vital work to identify and address the needs of our workforce here in Georgia,” said Bill Leahy, president of AT&T Georgia. “The response from the communities associated with this competition makes it clear that the skills that these organizations are developing in Georgians all across the state are invaluable.”

Savannah Technical College’s contest entry featured a two-minute video about the City of Savannah’s Summer 500 program. During the nine-week Summer 500 program, participating students invested at least 32 hours per week, split between direct work experiences (Monday-Thursday) with their mentoring employer. Fridays were reserved for leadership development, career pathway training and mentoring at Savannah Technical College.  Summer 500 students, who have attended classes STC on Fridays, will earn both high school and college credit for Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development (EMPL 1000) through Move On When Ready.

“The business community has long been a strong partner of workforce development initiatives in the state, and it is encouraging and exciting to see this kind of creative approach by AT&T to highlight the hard work being done by educators and students across Georgia. Hard work that is keeping Georgia attractive to employers who are bringing quality careers to the Peach State,” said State Senator Butch Miller.

With the state’s recent ranking as the number one state in which to do business, AT&T’s $20k for 2020 competition is designed to highlight organizations that are engaged in education and workforce development efforts around Georgia. In this, the first year of the competition, organizations from communities across the state were recognized for their work to engage business, community and educational leaders to address local workforce needs and further position Georgia as the best place to do business in the country.

Lanier Technical College and Dekalb Workforce Development finished first and second respectively in the final tally. The other remaining organizations that competed for the $20k for 2020 prize were:

• Albany Technical College
• Chattahoochee Technical College – Veterans Center
• Communities in Schools – Augusta/Richmond County
• Middle Georgia Regional Commission

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#1706 | July 29, 2016

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College is proud to offer college classes for the City of Savannah’s Summer 500 program. To showcase the program, the College created a Summer 500 video featuring student interns and speakers from the kickoff event in May.

This video was posted as a tweet in a Twitter contest this week for workforce development sponsored by AT&T. The College is competing against seven other organizations across the state that are focused on workforce development, vying for the grand prize in AT&T Georgia’s $20k for 2020 competition for the Twitter contest. Designed to highlight the efforts of workforce development organizations in urban and rural communities across the state that are preparing Georgians for the demands of the 2020 workforce, the $20k for 2020 campaign encourages the eight finalists to further engage their communities – through twitter and other social media activities.

Starting on July 18 and ending at 5 p.m. on July 22, Savannah Technical College pushed out a single “tweet” on Twitter (bit.lySavTEchSummer500RT). This “tweet” includes the two-minute video debuting the City of Savannah’s Summer 500 program launch this summer.

To watch the video and vote for Savannah Technical College, please visit: www.savannahtech.edu/Summer500 for the simple steps or the Twitter link directly: bit.lySavTechSummer500RT. Only retweets of the original tweet from July 18 will count with the contest total.

During the nine-week Summer 500 program, participating students will invest at least 32 hours per week, split between direct work experiences (Monday-Thursday) with their mentoring employer. Fridays are reserved for leadership development, career pathway training and mentoring at Savannah Technical College.  Summer 500 students, who have attended classes STC on Fridays, will earn both high school and college credit for Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development (EMPL 1000) through Move On When Ready.

“Savannah Technical College is a great resource for workforce development in our area, and it was a perfect partnership to team up with for the Summer 500!” said Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach.

The College has expanded the traditional EMPL 1000 curriculum for this Friday class to include guest speakers, interactive group activities and more. It emphasizes human relations and professional development in today’s rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills and professional image skills.

AT&T recently identified Savannah Technical College’s role with the City of Savanah’s Summer 500 program, as a key contributor in the effort to improving Georgia’s already great workforce. The College’s engagement of business, community and educational leaders is helping to address local workforce needs and further position Georgia as the best place to do business in the country.

Eight other colleges and organizations in Georgia were also awarded $12,000. These finalists are competing in the Twitter contest with a two-minute video telling the story of their community and why the work they are doing is preparing people in the community for the demands of the 21st century.

With the state’s recent ranking as the number one state to do business, AT&T is working to help support and amplify organizations that are engaged in education and workforce development efforts around Georgia.

Cash rewards for the contest are $8,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $3,000 for third. Awards are based on the number of tweets generated.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services. We’re the world’s largest provider of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. We offer the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider*. And we help businesses worldwide serve their customers better with our mobility and highly secure cloud solutions. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com.

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#1704 | July 18, 2016

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Kimberly NeSmith, a master cosmetologist graduate from Savannah Technical College, won silver in the Employment Application Process competition at the 52^nd annual SkillsUSA 2016 national competition in Louisville, Kent. The Employment Application Process competition included scoring for application completion, a portfolio review and an interview.

NeSmith won gold at the Georgia state competition in the spring to be eligible to compete at the national level for post-secondary students. In 2015, she won silver in Georgia for the same competition. She is a stylist at Color Me Crazy! salon in Savannah, Ga.

STC’s cosmetology program emphasizes not only specialized training in the field of cosmetology, but also interpersonal relations development, employability skills and work ethics. The curriculum meets state licensing requirements of the State Board of Cosmetology. Once program graduates receive a Cosmetology diploma and pass their board exams, they are eligible to work as a hair stylist, nail technician, makeup artist, or skin care specialist.

At the 2016 state competition in Atlanta earlier this year, Peter Vega won gold for mobile electronics installation and an entrepreneurship team won gold with Darryl McCray, Ocie Barrett, Aria Jones and Vincent Thomas. Students also won silver at the state competition: Charles Carter (Industrial Motor Controls), Megan Brannen (Nurse Assisting), Joni Poppell (Practical Nursing), Daphane James (Medical Math). Students winning bronze at the state competition were Travis Sheffield (Medical Math), Reginald Lupo (Automotive Service Technology) and the Quiz Bowl Team: Taylor Leiviska, Brandi Beard, Jordan Turner, Ramon Gonzalez, Kyle Koskela and Jacob White.

About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. At the heart of this mission are SkillsUSA’s core values: integrity, responsibility, citizenship, service and respect.

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#1703 | July 15, 2016
Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR, STC Director of Communications
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected John Grace as its technical film instructor. In this role, Grace is responsible for oversight of all instruction, curriculum development, administrative and budgetary aspects for the College’s on-site film production assistant program with the Georgia Film Academy.

Grace has more than 25 years of experience in film production with nearly two decades working as a film and media educator. He co-founded the SouthWest Institute of Film and Television in 1997. Selected credits include: Better Call Saul; Whisky, Tango Foxtrot; Breaking Bad; The Space Between Us; Independence Day – Resurgence; Longmire; and many more.

He attended the University of Denver and University of New Mexico. He also has participated in and led multiple workshops and seminars.

The projected film industry growth in Georgia during the next three to five years will generate 3,000 to 5,000 new jobs, and the average earnings for jobs on set are $84,000 a year.  That’s why Georgia has launched the Georgia Film Academy, a unique-in-the-nation, statewide initiative to prepare Georgia citizens for these high demand careers. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/GA-Film.

About the Georgia Film Academy
The Georgia Film Academy is a collaborative effort of the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia supporting workforce needs of the film and digital entertainment industries. The academy certifies workforce ready employees in needed areas, connect students and prospective employees with employers, and offer a unique capstone experience for top students that will provide them a path to employment in Georgia. Special partnerships include Pinewood Studios located in Fayetteville, Georgia. 

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#1702 | July 8, 2016

Georgia Film Academy Academic Advisor: Secene Dorsey
912.443.5859 or ssdorsey@savannahtech.edu

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah has selected five Culinary/Baking & Pastry Arts students to study at the Academy of Toulouse in France this fall.

Jennifer Case, Megan Driggers, Hailey Maurer, Rachel Peeples, and Colby Todd were named finalists for the educational exchange based on grade point average and exceptional classroom performance in addition to a culinary competition and personal interviews. These students are now taking weekly French classes with STC Culinary Arts Department Head Chef Jean Vendeville.

STC Culinary/Baking and Pastry Arts student and STC 2016 Student of the Year Jennifer Case has always been fascinated with French culture and language. “The opportunity for this is the culmination of everything I’ve been doing up to this point,” said Case. “Not only will I learn new techniques and traditional French methods, but I’ll also have the opportunity to showcase what we’ve learned.”

Peeples and Driggers both took STC Baking and Pastry Arts classes in high school through Move on When Ready. Peeples graduated from Richmond Hill High School in 2015, and Driggers graduated from Effingham County High School in May 2016. Peeples graduated with an associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from STC in May 2016 and is taking classes for a second associate degree in Culinary Arts.

The educational partnership includes student and faculty exchanges to enhance Baking and Pastry Arts training including hosting students and faculty, immersion training, mentor companies, educational research tutors and evaluation.

Students are hosting fundraising sales to raise funds for travel/lodging expenses. Bistro Savoir now offers five items from the region of France by pre-order sale through June 27 and pickup on June 30 and July 1. The summer sale features a traditional French cake, Gateau Basque, which is made with layers of a butter-sugar pastry dough with a layer pastry cream and a layer of preserved cherries. Other items for sale include: nanterre brioche, orange hazelnut pound cake, apple walnut muffins and challah.

Orders will be available for pickup at the College’s Savannah campus June 30 from 4-6:30PM and on July 1 from 9AM – noon. By request only, pickup will be available at the Crossroads, Liberty and Effingham Campuses. For a pick-up schedule, a list of items for sale and to place orders, visit www.bistrosavoir.com.

Students will also join Georgia Grown to sell artisan breads like Nanterre, challah and almond hazelnut pound cake, along with cookies from 10AM to 3PM on Saturday, June 25, at Tanger Outlets in Pooler, Ga.

In Spring 2017, four students from Toulouse will study at the Culinary Institute of Savannah for four weeks. Toulouse students will also take English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes while in Savannah.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah
Under the direction of the American Culinary Federation’s 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Jean Vendeville, Savannah Technical College offers associate degrees in Culinary Arts along with Baking and Pastry Arts. The Culinary Institute of Savannah has earned distinction as one of the top four culinary programs in the country according to the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have earned national ACF certification under his leadership. For more information about STC Culinary Arts visit:www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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#1644 | June 15, 2016

Culinary Institute of Savannah Academic Advisor: Amber Robinson
912.443.5719 or adorsey@savannahtech.edu

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College inducted more than 20 students into its 2016 class for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Beta Xi Tau Chapter recently in the Eckburg Auditorium. To be eligible for membership, students must have completed a minimum of 12 degree-level semester credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The STC Beta Xi Tau Chapter now has more than 450 members.

In the ceremony, STC President Dr. Kathy Love challenged the new members to continue their hard work here at Savannah Tech and at future colleges or universities or occupations.  She said, “Phi Theta Kappa is not the end of your studies.  It is, in fact, just the beginning.”

The American Association of Community Colleges recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

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#1639 | April 27, 2016
STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

ATLANTA, Ga. – Breanna Davis, a fourth grader at Savannah’s Heard Elementary School, won honorable mention in the 2016 Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design contest in the kindergarten through fifth grade category. She received a $50 scholarship check presented by Gov. Nathan Deal at the MAW awards luncheon held on April 21 at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta.

“My art teacher Mr. Sanchez in Savannah is the one who inspired me to enter this competition, and I feel really great about winning, because it’s my first competition,” said Davis at the luncheon.

Students from around the state submitted design entries featuring Georgia manufacturers and their products.

The MAW Student Design Contest is held annually in conjunction with Manufacturers’ Appreciation Week and is designed to promote awareness of the important role manufacturing plays in the economy of the State of Georgia for elementary to high school students statewide. Co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, MAW brings attention to this significant component of Georgia’s economy. According to Gov. Nathan Deal’s proclamation declaring Manufacturing Appreciation Week, nearly 9,456 manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, and they provide 364,724 jobs, generating nearly $20.1 billion in wages for Georgia’s citizens and contributing more than $100 billion to the state’s economy each year. This is the 22nd year celebrating Manufacturing Appreciation Week in Georgia.

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#1638 | April 25, 2016

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah has established a partnership with the Lycée des Métiers Lautréamont through an agreement by the Academy of Toulouse in France to facilitate educational exchange for STC Baking and Pastry Arts students.

“We are delighted this partnership will offer elite Savannah Technical College students the opportunity to augment their culinary training in France,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “We look forward to hosting French bakers and confectioners for Baking and Pastry Arts courses at the Culinary Institute of Savannah.”

The educational partnership includes student and faculty exchanges to enhance Baking and Pastry Arts training including hosting students and faculty, immersion training, mentor companies, educational research tutors and evaluation.

“This project provides an exchange between student bakers and confectioners, and between teachers, which further promotes the exchange of expertise,” said Lautréamont Headmaster Cyrille Courade. “

Beginning Fall 2016, four students from each institution will exchange for four weeks. In order for STC Baking and Pastry Arts students to qualify for selection, they must have a high grade point average and maintain exceptional classroom performance. Toulouse students will also take English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes while in Savannah.

“France leads the way in regard to confectioner technique and products,” said STC Department Head Chef Jean Vendeville. “Flour is milled differently in France, so it is a slightly different product. Our students will also learn advanced techniques and new methods for both baking and pastry.”

Lautréamont has similar partnerships with institutions in Uruguay, Spain, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah
Under the direction of the American Culinary Federation’s 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Jean Vendeville, Savannah Technical College offers associate degrees in Culinary Arts along with Baking and Pastry Arts. The Culinary Institute of Savannah has earned distinction as one of the top four culinary programs in the country according to the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have earned national ACF certification under his leadership. For more information about STC Culinary Arts visit:www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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#1637 | April 5, 2016

STC Culinary Arts/Public Service Academic Advisor: Amber Robinson

STC Director of Communications/Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu