The Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation recently honored scholarship donors and sponsors who have enriched the lives of Georgia Piedmont students through financial and in-kind contributions at its annual scholarship luncheon.
 
“This occasion is meaningful because it allows the college to pay tribute to donors who support our most valuable asset, which is our students,” said Dr. Tony Neal, vice president of institutional advancement and director of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation.  “The students we are recognizing today have met the scholarship requirements, and are pursuing their academic goals, thanks to the support of many organizations and individuals in this room. “At the foundation, our mission is to ensure no student has to discontinue his or her educational pursuits because of financial hardships.”  
 
Several scholarship recipients shared stories about how the scholarships have positively impacted their lives.  Vannessa Brennan, the recipient of the Tucker Rotary Scholarship and Spearman Ovbije International Leadership scholarship, said she began her college career at a four-year institution but realized that the four-year route was not the best path for her.  After investigating other options, she discovered Georgia Piedmont and decided to enroll at the college to study business administration.  “Growing up in the foster system, I didn’t get much support when it came to my education.  I want to thank the donors who have made it possible for me to get an associate degree at Georgia Piedmont,” Brennan said.  “I’m very grateful for your support,” she said.  
 
Nancy Harter, an executive at United Maintenance, discussed her company’s funding of the R. Pat Rogers Scholarships for Building Automation and Heating and Air Conditioning Technology.  Harter stressed that four-year colleges are not necessarily the right choice for all high school graduates, and she emphasized that students should consider pursuing internships prior to graduation in order to obtain “real world” experience.  
 
Georgia Piedmont’s Student of the Year, Crystal Wright, also addressed the audience.  Not only is Wright the college’s Student of the Year, but she also was recently named statewide Student of the Year during the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership competition administered by the Technical College System of Georgia. Wright was chosen as statewide Student of the Year from nearly 100,000 students who participated in programs offered through Georgia’s technical colleges.    
 
In addition to those honors, Wright is the recipient of the Stone Mountain Rotary and Paul Starnes scholarships. She recounted how family obligations kept her from graduating from a four-year institution, and that she knew she had made a wise choice by subsequently enrolling at Georgia Piedmont.  As a graduate of the college’s Licensed Practical Nursing program, Wright’s ultimate career goal is to become employed as a nurse in psychiatric services.