The proud past and promising future of South Georgia Technical College was on full display recently at the college’s Spring 2024 commencement ceremony Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m. in the James S. Peters Gymnasium on the Americus campus in front of a capacity crowd. This is the 75th anniversary of the college’s first graduation ceremony in 1949.
Over 150 students, 40 of which were either Presidential Honor or regular Honor graduates, received awards of either an associate degree or a diploma during the 2024 May commencement ceremony. Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.9 or higher to qualify as a Presidential Honor graduate and a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89 to qualify as an Honor graduate. National Technical Honor Society members were also recognized.
A large crowd attended the SGTC Spring 2024 graduation ceremony recently in the James S. Peters gymnasium.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presided over the graduation ceremony and introduced Rev. Michael Coley from the SGTC Board of Directors to give the invocation.
President Watford welcomed graduates and their families and recognized special guests. Grant Buckley, Chair of the SGTC local Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, South Georgia Technical College Criminal Justice student Diquita Mathis, who is the SGTC 2024 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) student and an honor graduate.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above with presenting Brantley Vansickle of Americus with his associate degree in Criminal Justice. Vansickle will also represent SGTC at the National Skills USA competition in Atlanta in Criminal Justice in June.
In her brief talk to graduates and their family members, Mathis congratulated the graduates and stated, “today marks a monumental milestone in our lives. As we stand on the threshold of the future, we are filled with a mix of emotions, excitement and a hint of trepidation. But let me assure you, each one of us is prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We stand on the brink of a future filled with endless possibilities. We have achieved greatness, together we shall continue to soar.”
Mathis shared that she was a teenage mother of two while striving to complete high school, and overcoming health issues. “Education was not my priority during my early years, but life had a way of shaping and redirecting my paths. In just a year, I have gained transferable skills and applied hands-on experience that has prepared me for success in my career. South Georgia Technical College has proven to be one of the best decisions of my life. It exemplifies the transformative power of education.”
She also thanked South Georgia Technical College’s administration and faculty and staff for their support of the students, especially her instructor, Teresa McCook. She also recognized the family members who helped support the graduates to be able to reach this milestone.
After Mathis’ address, President Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presented the diplomas to the graduates. Seventy-five students received an Associate of Applied Science degree and 85 diplomas were awarded.
Joseph Jolly of Gordonsville, TN, a Presidential Honor Graduate received his diplomas in Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology at the Spring Graduation.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Agricultural Technology (AAS Degree) Jonathan Ryan Mobley of Tennille; Automotive Technology (Diploma) Zillie Daniels of Americus; Cybersecurity (AAS Degree and Diploma) Maurice Williams of Americus; Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology (Diploma) Joseph Azyriah Jolly of Gordonsville, TN; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Aiden Bestgen of Lone Jack, MO; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) David Andrew Ferguson of Ethel, MS; Noah Kristian Smith of McDonough, Justin Ethan Troglin of Crossville, TN; and Forest Weldon White of Rockford, AL.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Honor graduates (3.70 – 3.89 GPA) and their respective fields of study included: Agricultural Technology (AAS) Jacob Blankenship of Oxford, AL; Hunter Vance Knox of Waverly, AL; Parker Joseph Maroney of Cairo; Jake Wesley Pope of Silverhille, AL; and Cameron Chase Purser of Cordele; Business Technology (AAS and Diploma) Reashia Qawania Smith of Vienna; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS) Diquita Cherrel Mathis of Pinehurst; Criminal Justice Technology (Diploma),Kayara Ra’Niya Lindsey of Montezuma; Culinary Arts (AAS) Jakia Tynae Cox of Fort Gaines; Diesel Equipment Technology (Diploma) Caleb William Howard of Leesburg; and Kadarious Jawan Idlette of Americus; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Patrick Ryan Hambry of Stanley, NC; and Colgan Luke Jones of Florence, SC; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology (AAS) Blake Jackson Estep of Jonesborough, TN; Jackson Lee Gannon of Winder; Ashton Lane Rachels of Odenville, AL; and Benjamin Troy Smelcer of Dandridge, TN; Marketing Management (AAS Degree) Jychera Sherice Fluellen of Sparta; and Shakiya McDonald of Americus; Sports and Fitness Management (AAS and Diploma) Mohand Lounes Theo Ammad of Paris, France; Noah Ashby Barnett of Adelaide, Australia; Natasha Brown of Leslie; Greta Carollo of Vincenza, Italy; Sandrine Maeva Fotsa Fofou of Quebec, Canada; Tyler Shane Gruber of Albany; Vera Gunaydin of Anakara, Turkey; Israel Momodu of Atlanta; Deonte Jamal Williams of Americus: and Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma) Aidan Hunter Gourgues of Atlanta; Zachary David Mincey of Buena Vista; and Adriana Ann Szuch of Fayettville.
Four students earned the distinction of being included in the National Technical Honor Society. Those students included: Zillie Daniels of Americus; Joseph Azriah Jolly of Gordonsville, TN; Zachary David Mincey of Buena Vista; and Adriana Ann Szuch of Fayetteville.
Seventy-five students earned Associate of Applied Science degrees and those students and their programs of study included: Agricultural Technology, Jacob Blankenship of Oxford, AL; Hunter Vance Knox of Waverly, AL; Parker Joseph Maroney of Cairo; Jonathan Ryan Mobley of Tennille; Michael Tyrone Musgrove, Newton; Jeremy Pollard of Lanett, AL; Gavin Anthony Poole of Baconton; Jake Wesley Pope of Silverhill, AL; Cameron Chase Purser of Cordele, Stephen Scott Statham of Macon; and Brian Westin Wiley of Tifton; Business Technology, KShatarra D. Brinon of Ashburn; Erika Felicitas Carrillo Arias of Americus; Suzan Deborah Lindell Monson of Americus; Anna Elizabeth Schofill of Cordele; Reashia Qawania Smith of Vienna; and Alexander Shemar Wooden of Sylvester; Computer Support Specialist, Asia Nicole Harden of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology, Tra’Neisha Alicia Burns of Cochran; Maritcia Ayleen Garcia of Americus; Nykeria De’Aja Gibson of Americus; Diquita Cherrel Mathis of Pinehurst; James Patrick Milliner, Sr., of Leesburg; Brantley Matthew Vansickle of Americus; Jessica Wiley of Cordele; Culinary Arts, Jakia Tynae Cox of Fort Gaines, Nykeria De’Aja Gibson of Americus; and Donald A. Gooden of Kathleen; Cybersecurity, Maurice Williams of Americus;
Early Childhood Care & Education, Felicia Denise Angry of Leslie, Catherine Nicole Daniels, of Andersonville; Taner Marie Miller of Buena Vista; Krishenna Latifah Stevens of Americus; Latonia Na’Untra Thomas of Leesburg; Electrical Power Generation Dealer Service Technology, Aiden Bestgen of Lone Jack, MO; Jacob DeLeon Critzman of Chapin, SC; Patrick Ryan Hambry of Stanley, NC; and Colgan Luke Jones of Florence, SC; Electronics Technology, Gilbert Austin Weeks of Americus; Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology; Thomas Walker Cely of Evans; Blake Jackson Estep of Jonesborough, TN; David Andrew Ferguson of Ethel, MS; Jackson lee Gannon of Winder; Isaac Patton Graham of Jonesborough, TN; Ashton Lane Rachels of Odenville, AL; Benjamin Troy Smelcer of Dandridge, TN; Noah Kristian Smith of McDonough; William Joseph Thompson of Roanoke, AL; Justin Etha Troglin of Corssville, TN; and Forrest Weldon White of Rockford, AL; Marketing Management, Jychera Sherice Fluellen of Sparta; and Shakiya McDonald of Americus; and Sports and Fitness Management, Mohand Lounes Theo Ammad of Paris, France; Noah Ashby Barnett of Adelaide, Australia; Nathasha Brown of Leslie; Isabel de Souza Bueno of Sao Paola, Brazil; Greta Carollo of Vicenza, Italy; Ryan Djoussa of Dublin, Ireland; Justin Scott Evans of Covington; Sandrine Maeva Fotsa Fofou of Quebec, Canada; Honore Batosse Gado Bouentara of Miami, FL; Kadeejah L. Gibson of Americus; Tyler Shane Gruber of Albany, Vera Gunaydin of Ankara, Turkey; Hinano Imamura of Toyama, Japan; Rashad Antwan Lucas of Unadilla; Israel Momodu of Atlana; Jacob Smith of Americus; and Deonte Jamal Williams of Americus.
Eighty-five students were awarded diplomas and those students and their programs of study included: Air Conditioning – Christopher Windwalker Davis of Americus; Jakeb Andrew Heber of Byron; Aircraft Structural Technology – Ethan Bryce Pollock of Cordele;
Automotive Technology –Zillie Daniels of Americus; Barbering – Cameron Burton of Americus; Michael Anthony Davis, Jr. of Lawrenceville; William Omarion Hubbard of Americus; Jaleisha Shauntay Mann of Americus; Business Technology – Erika Felictas Carrillo Arias of Americus; Javon Latrell Dexter of Vienna; Dequeta High of Cordele; Suzan Deborah Lindell Monson of Americus; Reashia Qawania Smith of Vienna; Tammie Terrell Spivey of Cordele; and Alexander Shemar Wooden of Sylvester; Computer Support Specialist – Asia Nicole Harden of Americus; Cosmetology – Amirra Shanice Green of Americus; Criminal Justice Technology –Tra’Neisha Alicia Burns of Cochran; Keyshonna Maniya Felton of Cordele; Maritcia Ayleen Garcia of Americus; Janya Nicole Glover of Cordele; Keyara Ra’Niya Lindsey of Montezuma; James Patrick Milliner, Sr., of Leesburg; AnTonia Wafford of Americus; Jessica Wiley of Cordele; and Brantley Matthew Vansickle of Americus; Culinary Arts –Alice Faye Bridges of Americus; Donald A. Gooden of Kathleen, Danielle Marie Morgan of Cordele; and Jamecia Renee Pride of Americus; Cybersecurity – Maurice Williams of Americus; Diesel Equipment Technology – Kentravian K. Clark of Cordele; Caleb William Howard of Leesburg; ad Kadarious Jawan Idlette of Americus; Early Childhood Education – Felicia Denise Angry of Leslie; Catherine Nicole Daniels of Andersonville; Taner Marie Miller of Buena Vista; Krishenna Latifah Stevens of Americus; Latonia Na’Untra Thomas of Leesburg; and Tawanna Cle’Shay Williams of Cordele; Electrical Construction Technology – Joseph Azyriah Jolly of Gordonsille, TN; Edu Olmedo of Cordele; Kanavious Montrell Turner of Pinehurst; Electrical Systems Technology – Joseph Azyriah Jolly of Gordonsville, TN; Edu Olmedo of Cordele; and Kanavious Montrell Turner of Pinehurst; Electronics Technology– Gabriel Austin Weeks of Americus; Marketing Management – Jychera Sherice Fluellen of Sparta and Shakiya McDonald of Americus; Medical Assisting – Edmaleen Gaultney of Montezuma; Keyona Denae Stone of Americus; Gayla Lynn Jade Walker of Cordele; Jalexia Shavonne Zanders of Americus; Motorsports Vehicle Technology – Ethan Maximus Vazquez of Douglasville; Networking Specialist – Kendell Coley of Americus; Sports and Fitness Management – Mohand Lounes Theo Ammad of Paris, France; Noah Ashby Barnett of Adelaide, Australia; Natasha Brown of Leslie; Isabel de Souza Buena of Sao Paolo, Brazil; Greta Carollo of Vincenza, Italy; Ryan Djoussa of Dublin, Ireland; Justin Scott Evans of Covington; Sandrine Maeva Fotsa Fofou of Quebec, Canada; Honore Batosse Gado Gouentara of Miami, Fl; Kadeejah L. Gibson of Americus; Tyler Shane Gruber of Albany; Vera Gunaydin of Ankara, Turkey; Hinano Imamura of Toyama, Japan; Israel Momodu of Atlenta; Jacob Smith of Americus; and Deonte Jamal Williams of Americus; and Welding and Joining Technology – Aidan Hunter Gourgues of Atlanta; Kararious Denard Hall of Americus; John Douglas Hartley of Richland; Curtis Lee Hawkins of Vienna; Jayden Maleek Holder of Butler; Jacob Wyatt Jones of Pinehust; Jonathan Cole Jones of Vienna; Jason Eugene Lynn of Cordele; Zackary David Mincey of Buena Vista; Aaron Walker Sandwich of Americus; Adriana Ann Szuch of Fayettville; and Billington Sanders Walker of Dawson.
After each graduate had received their award, Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain declared to President Watford that the graduates had completed the requirements for graduation as set forth by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
Afterwards, the graduates recessed to the music of Pomp and Circ*mstance. Photos from the graduation ceremony can be found on the South Georgia Technical College website: www.southgatech.edu in the photo gallery section and on the college’s Facebook page.
