COMMUNITY RESOURCE

COMMUNITY RESOURCE

Athens Technical College: Then and Now

1958-2014
By April James

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cultural practices. Precision agriculture allows farmers to collect and use data regarding unique variations in a field to optimize management of crops, environmental production and economics. Athens Technical College is also developing programs to prepare students for work in the fast-growing film industry in Georgia, as well as computer-related programs of study. Dr. Tydings said, The computer-related programs will focus on post-PC technology, which is a term being used to emphasize the growing use of wireless devices like smartphones and tablets to handle their computing needs. These devices are diminishing the role of PCs in daily life. The computer programs will focus on media arts and 3D graphics, human and computer interaction, public safety and security and Cloud computing. With Athens Technical College working hard to offer programs that keep up with the technological and scientific demands of modern society, its hard to imagine anything less, but the school comes from modest beginnings. In 1943 the Georgia State Board of Education saw a need for community education through trade and vocational schools but only two cities answered the call. It wasnt until the mid-1950s when W.M. Hicks,

superintendent for trade and vocational schools, revived the need for an educated workforce that Athens Technical College opened its doors. In 1966 Robert G. Shelnutt, the schools director got the okay to open the present day campus on Highway 29. There, students from the North Georgia region were educated in 13 degree programs until expansion in 1970 gave the college space to add 10 additional programs. The next 10 years would prove eventful for the school, beginning with Joe Frank Harris election as state governor. Under his reign, vocational and technical schools were placed under the governance of the Georgia Board of Postsecondary Vocational Education, with Athens Area Vocational being one of the first five schools on board in 1986. The following year the school changed its name to Athens Area Technical Institute. Under a new president, Dr. Kenneth Easom, the school saw even bigger changes. Athens Area Technical Institute was recognized as the only school of its kind to earn accreditation as a two-year college. With this new status, the school became the first school under the new state-governance system to be cleared by the Georgia Board of Nursing to offer an associates degree to prepare future registered and licensed nurses. The

heres no doubt that an educated community has a positive impact on the economy, but the term higher education triggers images of 18-year-olds and 20-somethings. Athens Technical College is here to show that higher education can mean something a little different. Founded to fill a need to create an educated workforce, Athens Technical College still holds that commitment near and dear as its demographic and focus changes. The immense growth Athens Technical College has seen over the years has enabled it to expand past its original 13 degree programs to over 150, with a reach of over 9,000 students in a 10 county area and its still growing. President Flora Tydings, appointed in 2004, wasted no time and immediately after taking office she began expanding the programs offered at the Walton and Greene County campuses of Athens Technical College. Still today, she has big plans for the schools future.
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We will be introducing a number of new academic programs during the next two years in response to local economic development needs, said Tydings. The opening of the Caterpillar assembly plant here in Athens has created a need for new programming in mechatronics, materials and distribution management and engineering technology. The college received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create four pathways in engineering technology: nanotechnology, environmental, electromechanical and mechanical. Economic forecasts indicate that 3,717 engineering technician positions will open statewide between now and 2021. State employment data showed that the average hourly wage of engineering technicians was $23. We are also opening a number of agriculturally related programs thus helping to address the fact that agriculture is the largest industry in Georgia, Dr. Tydings said. We are creating a program in precision agriculture, which is a high-tech concept that relies on advanced technologies to increase efficiency in agriVolume 2:1 Southern Distinction 65

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2003 construction on the 41,000 square-foot Business and Technology building began. In 2008 and 2009 the Athens campus saw more growth with the construction of a 67,500 square-foot Life Sciences building. Now, under Dr. Flora Tydings, the school is not only expanding its programs to incorporate the latest technology knowledge and finesse, but is continuing its longstanding commitment to the Adult Education Program. Though the average age of the students at Athens Technical College is 25, there are many non-traditional students. Adults too, are seeking higher education as many dropped out of school before receiving their high school diploma due to family obligations, illnesses and other life circumstances or personal choices. Additionally, during the recession, many adults, including those with advanced degrees, returned to Athens Technical College to re-tool their career or learn a new skill because of a job loss. Athens Technical College is committed to getting these people on track to better career options through its Adult Education program. Adult Education includes basic and remedial classes as well as GED preparation courses and testing, evidence that the schools original drive to create an educated work force is still alive today, especially in the wake of some chilling statistics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people with a high school diploma or GED earn $10,000 more per year than the estimated 1.2 million adults with less than a high school education. This adds up to roughly $12 billion in unrealized earning potential, and Athens Technical College seeks to change that. With over 65 acres on the main Athens campus, plus the Athens Community Career Academy, now the fifth campus, and more than 150 programs in four divisions to choose from, Athens Technical College hopes to be a leader in the community and turn the Athens-Clarke County economy around, one student at a time. A 60 percent increase in the GED testing fees took the cost from $95 to $160, creating an increased hardship for those already traversing many obstacles to take the test. Fortunately, generous donors provided contributions through a campaign, Be the Stone. Cause the Ripple., specifically for the increase thus allowing students to resume or begin their GED testing. Adult Education is also one of the many focuses of the Athens Tech Foundation which supports the vitality of Athens Technical College through providing scholarships, GED testing fees, emergency loans, Adult Education and other pro-

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gram needs as well as professional development and capital projects. Particularly with the downturn of the economy which included cuts to both the HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant as well as the Pell Grant, many students could not sustain their class schedule. With assistance from the Foundation, many were able to continue yet others had to stop their educational pursuits entirely, according to Athens Tech Foundation Director, Elizabeth Dalton. A trip back in time to the Athens Technical College of old wont reveal professors teaching in a barn, nor will you find a one room schoolhouse. The students of Athens Area Vocational School in 1958 had classes in old army barracks. Although the school has come a long way since its inception, it has continued its mission to create an educated workforce.

school also saw the introduction of a paralegal studies program under President Easom. Athens Area Technical Institute welcomed new campuses in the 90s with facilities in Walton County in 1995, Elbert County in 1997 and Greene County in 1998. But the Athens campus saw growth as well. In 1995 the institution saw 34,000 square-feet of

growth, including a new lecture hall and library. The new millennium came with yet another new name, as Athens Area Technical Institute became Athens Technical College, and during the first year with that name the school saw a 27.9 percent increase in its student population. The larger student body needed space to occupy, so in

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Volume 2:1

Southern Distinction

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