South Georgia Tech hosts registration and orientation for CAT Think Big trainees
Published 2:54 pm Friday, July 21, 2023
- South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is revealed speaking with the almost 100 people that were associated with the SGTC-Caterpillar Orientation/Registration Day for Fall Semester 2023.
Photo by SGTC
From Staff Reports
AMERICUS – Approximately 100 Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Service Technology and CAT Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Service Technology Electrical Power Generation trainees and their moms and dads, relative, and Caterpillar Dealers from throughout the southeastern United States participated in an unique Fall Semester Registration/Orientation session at South Georgia Technical College just recently.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford invited the group to the Betty Deriso Pope Conference Room in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center building. He thanked each of them for selecting South Georgia Technical College and the CAT programs for their education and profession.
“Thank you for choosing to attend South Georgia Technical College and become a part of the CAT ThinkBig program,” said Dr. Watford. “South Georgia Technical College is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. We were established in 1948 and we have a legacy of occupational education. You have made a wise decision and we look forward to seeing you on campus this fall and also at graduation in five semesters.”
SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain echoed Dr. Watford’s remarks and likewise thanked them for trusting their trainees to SGTC and the CAT Think Big programs. She worried the value of interaction with trainers and likewise with other staff and administrators.
Brad Manis of Stowers Caterpillar described expectations for the trainees from the Caterpillar dealerships.
Photo by SGTC
In addition to the welcome by President Watford and Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, Brad Manis from Stowers Caterpillar likewise talked with the group and presented the other CAT dealerships at the registration/orientation session. “I hope to see each of you back in this room two years from now for our graduation celebration. The Caterpillar dealers host a dinner for each of our graduates prior to the commencement or graduation ceremony and that is really a new beginning for each of you because you will have completed your degree and are ready to enter the workforce. Two years will go by quickly,” said Manis.
South Georgia Technical College Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Service Technology trainers Don Rountree and Keith McCormick likewise presented themselves to the moms and dads and trainees.
The trainers shown the trainees and moms and dads the structure of the two-year associate degree program and described the expectations of the college, the trainers, and the dealerships. Josh Curtain, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at SGTC, likewise reviewed housing and security information for those who prepare to live on-campus.
He likewise shown the trainees about RA applications, move-in day info, and trainee activities available to the trainees at South Georgia Technical College.
South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird talked with moms and dads and trainees about the value of good grades and about scholarship and grant opportunities available from the SGTC Foundation.
Shown above are a few of the Caterpillar trainees and households showing the complimentary Celebrating Success for 75 years tee shirts that they received at the orientation/registration day at SGTC.
Photo by SGTC
Students looking for this two-year associate degree program should be accepted by South Georgia Technical College, satisfy particular dealer and college requirements. Students participate in class at South Georgia Technical College for 8 weeks of each term and after that operate in a car dealership using that class understanding for the 2nd 8 weeks. They go back to school the following term and repeat the procedure for the complete two-years. SGTC turns friends of trainees for the very first and 2nd half of each term so one friend is on school and one is at the dealer throughout each part of the term.
The Caterpillar dealerships who support the Think Big About Your Future program at South Georgia Technical College consist of: Thompson Tractor of Birmingham, AL; Yancey Brothers Company of Austell, GA; Stowers Machinery of Knoxville, TN; Puckett Machinery Company of Flowood, Mississippi and Blanchard Equipment of South Carolina.
For more info on how to enlist in the Caterpillar Think Big Program or the Electric Power Generation program, contact SGTC Admissions Director Candie Walkers at [email protected] or call 229-931-2394 or your regional Caterpillar Dealers or browse the web at www.CAT.com/thinkbig or www.southgatech.edu. A video explaining the SGTC program lies at:
Donald Rountree, [email protected], and Keith McCorkle, [email protected], are the Heavy Equipment Technology Instructors for South Georgia Technical College and can likewise respond to concerns about the program.
Fall term at South Georgia Technical College starts August 17. There are over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs available. Students can use, test, and enlist in one day. To use check out the SGTC website at www.southgatech.edu and click Apply Now. An unique Registration/Orientation Day is set for Tuesday, August 15 from 9 a.m. up until 5 p.m. in the Odom Center on the Americus school and in the primary building on the Crisp County Center.
