Pictured front row (l to r): Cynthia Brown, Grady Cowart, Joel Nelms, Michael Mannion, Larry Christie. Back Row (l to r): Clayton Smith, Stoney Farmer, David Rice, Neil Youngblood.
Joel Nelms of Cleveland and Michael Mannion of Demorest each received a $500 Northeast Georgia Antique Auto and Truck Club Scholarship given through the NGTC Foundation. Nelms recently graduated with honors from the Automotive Technology Program, and Mannion is enrolled in the Auto Collision Program.
Theirs are among $60,000 in scholarships that were awarded to students at North Georgia Technical College this semester.
How is that possible?
Generosity. That’s what North Georgia Technical Director of Institutional Advancement Cynthia Brown says it all boils down to – generosity.
The North Georgia Technical College Foundation provided financial assistance to 246 students for the Fall 2016 semester through the generous donations of businesses, organizations and individuals. Over 30 named scholarships were awarded to students from the Clarkesville, Blairsville and Currahee campuses.
“We have the flexibility to help so many students in the way they specifically need because people are so generous,” she says.
In addition to providing over $60,000 in scholarships this semester, the NGTC Foundation also facilitated a lending library to assist students in obtaining required textbooks.
“We have the flexibility to help so many students in the way they specifically need because people are so generous. We are not asking people just to give money, we are asking them to make an investment in the life of another human being.” ~ Cynthia Brown, NGTC Director of Institutional Advancement.
Scholarship recipients must have documented financial need in order to be eligible for assistance. The gifts donated to the Foundation make it possible for more students to attend and complete college so they are better prepared to enter their chosen profession.
Since 2009, the North Georgia Technical College Foundation has helped over 2,800 students with financial assistance for tuition, fees, required program equipment or lending library books totaling $712,000. They have also made GED testing scholarships available to over 700 students at a cost of $63,000.
That money goes a long way in helping students to fulfill their dreams. Just ask Nelms and Mannion.
“I’m so thankful for this scholarship and the opportunity to study with extremely competent instructors at North Georgia Tech who are experienced in their field,” says Nelms. “These men not only taught me to work in the shop but have become my mentors. I truly appreciate my time with them.”
Michael Mannion, a USMC Veteran of six years, has worked in the Auto Collision Program under the instruction of Neil Youngblood, David Rice and Jeremy McAfee.
“I love my program because it makes me think,” said Mannion. “Every vehicle has different issues and damages that require me to assess what needs to be done and then learn how to do it well. The instructors are on hand to provide their knowledge to assist in any way needed. Once you gain the knowledge it no longer feels like work. It turns into art.”
Whether helping students turn work into art or education into careers, the NGTC Foundation relies on the generosity of the community to help make it happen. The foundation accepts donations year-round so it can provide student assistance year-round.
“We are not asking people just to give money,” stresses Brown, “we are asking them to make an investment in the life of another human being.”
To learn more about making a tax-deductible gift, call Cynthia Brown at 706-754-7714 or email her at [email protected].
