CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) Alumni Association recently announced the 2023 Alumni Award recipients during the college’s annual homecoming.
The Association presented awards in five categories. Individuals nominated alumni and voted for them based on their outstanding contributions to the college and community.
Alumni Hall of Fame Award
NGTC named Donald Lovette of Hinesville, Ga., as the 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame Award winner. Lovette is a 1975 graduate of NGTC and a lifelong resident of Liberty County, where he is currently serving a third term as chairman of the Liberty County Board of Commissioners. He boasts an astounding 45.5-year career with Liberty Regional Medical Center, where he retired as director of laboratory services in December 2020. Lovette also serves as chairman of the Savannah Technical College Board of Directors. He is affiliated with numerous civic organizations and founded Love It Productions as a way to educate others on Liberty County’s African-American history.
Alumni Career Achievement Award
The college presented its Alumni Career Achievement Award to Josh Huff of Clarkesville, Ga. Huff attended NGTC while working full-time at Freudenberg NOK. Huff graduated with a CNC technology diploma in 2012 and a tool and die specialist certificate in 2013. Freudenberg promoted him to die tech/lead setup over the second shift. Huff currently serves as the Industrialization Specialist for Freudenberg NOK. In this role, he has created and implemented an internal development program focused on providing new technical resources for the company and hiring NGTC graduates and engineering interns from Georgia colleges.
Bridge Builder Award
North Georgia Tech presented this year’s Bridge Builder Award to Kevin Panter of Blue Ridge, Ga. Panter is the owner of Kevin Panter Insurance, where he has served the Northeast Georgia mountains for over 30 years. Panter has served on the NGTC Business Technology Advisory Committee for the past six years, is an avid supporter of technical education and NGTC’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and has hired two NGTC graduates. In addition to his support of NGTC, Panter has been active in Kiwanis for more than 30 years and serves as a volunteer firefighter.
Young Alumni Award
The NGTC Alumni Association selected Brandon Mendoza of Blairsville, Ga., as the 2023 Young Alumni Award winner. Mendoza graduated from NGTC in 2019 with a diploma in cosmetology as well as a salon and spa support specialist certificate. He is currently the owner/operator of The Refinery Gentlemen’s Barbershop in Blue Ridge. Since graduating, Mendoza has shared his story and inspired current students on numerous occasions, including NGTC Entrepreneur Day and the Nontraditional Program Breakfast.
“On behalf of the NGTC Alumni Association, I would like to congratulate our 2023 Alumni Award recipients,” said Emily Sullens, NGTC Alumni Association president and student affairs specialist. “These individuals are a true representation of the spirit of NGTC, and we know they will continue to inspire others and impact their communities.”
NGTC held its second annual homecoming at its main campus in Clarkesville the weekend of Oct. 12.
