The American Welding Society (AWS) Atlanta Section representing the state of Georgia selected Savannah Technical College Welding & Joining Department Head Jonathan Hinnant for the Howard E. Adkins Georgia Section Educator Award in 2024. He was honored in recognition of his quality of instruction and devotion to the growth of knowledge and skills of his students in the field of welding 

“It is an honor to work with and have nominated Jonathan, who goes above and beyond for his students and the welding industry,” said AWS Atlanta Section Chairman Robert Trudelle. “He promotes and encourages students’ growth in the field of welding through involvement in welding competitions, career day events with local industry, guest speakers, and continued involvement with industry leaders to improve the effectiveness of the welding program at Savannah Technical College.” Hinnant is the advisor to the AWS Savannah Student Chapter at Savannah Technical College.

He was selected for this award during the annual AWS District Conference. The Howard E. Adkins award is sponsored by Mrs. Wilma Adkins and family and is given as a means of recognizing high school, trade school, technical institute or community college instructors whose teaching activities are considered to have advanced the knowledge of welding to students in their respective schools.

Prior to being appointed department head for Welding & Joining two years ago, Hinnant was a welding instructor through the College’s economic development training program. He has two years of industry experience fabricating structures and producing weldments on different metal alloys. He was a squad leader for the U.S. Army for eight years, training more than 600 recruits with basic skills and knowledge before progressing to other military units. He also assessed training needs and evaluated training effectiveness for his platoon/team.  He is a STC graduate with a Welding & Joining diploma.

Welding & Joining Technology training prepares students for careers in all types of welding including shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc and flux cored arc. Graduates master all types of welding with a degree or diploma or may take short-term technical certificates of credit to focus on specific types of welding. Welding and Joining Technology is offered at the Savannah and Effingham campuses, along with welding labs in Hinesville and Richmond Hill, Ga. Welding diploma graduates have had a 100% placement in field for the past four academic years (AY19-22).

For more information about Welding and Joining, contact STC Industrial Technology Advisor at 912.443.5859 or [email protected].