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Below are news announcements, photographs and other information for use by the media.
For more information, please contact Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing.
First Early College Student Receives College Certificates
Honor awarded in Early Childhood at NTC
A year ago, Ridgeland High School senior Dedra Barrett became one of the first students to ever be accepted into the Early College Program at Northwestern Technical College. This month, she has become the first student in the program to receive her award from the college, while working towards finishing her high school diploma.
Barrett earned a certificate in the Early Childhood Program at Northwestern Technical College based in Rock Spring, Georgia. “Early College helped me realize what I want to do with my life,” wrote Barrett in a paper this year for the new program. “My dream is to become a Kindergarten teacher.” Early College first opened its doors in the Summer of 2007 to help students who were considered at-risk for dropping out of high school.
“She is very dependable, self-motivated, and extremely goal oriented,” says Brook Mobley, Director of Early College at Northwestern. “We are proud of each of our students we currently have enrolled from across Northwest Georgia.” Barrett is now in the Associate Degree Early Childhood Program at Northwestern and plans to transfer to the University of West Georgia next year after she completes her high school diploma next May.
During this first year of the NTC Early College program, five students from Northwest Georgia High Schools earned enough credits to receive certificates in their field. They are Barrett, Chasity Bradley of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, Trevor Gant of Ringgold High Schools, Joey Hiliand of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, and Zach Williams of Ringgold High School.
Early College students at Northwestern Technical College complete their high school credits with their home high schools by way of Odyssey Ware, software which allows the students to fulfill their high school diploma requirements.
Currently, the Early College program is in its second year of service to the students and high schools of Catoosa and Walker County. “This is a project that our last President, Dr. (Ray) Brooks, was very passionate about starting,” said Jeff King, Northwestern Technical College Interim President. “I feel the same way about the opportunity. It’s one which is something these students really can’t afford to miss out on.”
At the completion of the first year of the Early College project this past Spring, Northwestern honored nine high school students who earn their high school diplomas, by way of the new project. They are Twila Atwell, Merissa Hall, and Joey Hiland of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High Schools; Cody Azbill, Grace Neff, and Shelby Reuse of Ringgold High School; and April Holcombe, Jessica Lacey, and Amber Queen of LaFayette High School.
Schools in Dade and Chattooga County have shown an interest in the program serving as a possible tool for some of their students. Currently, those counties are not active participants in the program. At participating high schools, students must first be referred to Northwestern Technical College by officials at their high school for them to be considered for a spot in the Early College Program. For more information on Early College at Northwestern Technical College, call 706-764-3670.
Student Body Swells at NTC
24% increase in full time students
The size of Northwestern Technical College’s full-time student body has seen a 24% increase in just one year. “Traditionally, when we
see more of our neighbors enroll in the current Summer Quarter as opposed to the previous years’ Summer Quarter, the growth continues in the Fall,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College.
The size of the student body during the Summer months has doubled over the past ten years. The Rock Spring, Georgia-based campus offers more than 100 programs to students on campus and online as the school enters into its 43rd year of education in Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley.
“We want one thing, first and foremost. We want our neighbors, both individuals and businesses to achieve their dreams,” said Jeff King, Interim President of Northwestern Technical College. Northwestern is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. The TCSG has 33 colleges across the state of Georgia helping educate and train students to succeed in the career fields which are currently in demand in their region.
“To see these students, our neighbors, doing everything they can to get a jump start on their education is extremely inspirational,” said Foley. Fall Quarter classes at Northwestern begin on October 1. Deadline to apply for Fall Quarter is September 2. For more information on Northwestern Technical College, visit the college at NorthwesternTech.edu or call (706) 764-3510.
Mustangs Merchandise Makes Retailer Debut
Northwestern, Wal-Mart Do Business
By the end of the month, there’s a good chance you’ll see the Northwestern Technical College name in the nation’s largest retailer.
The LaFayette Wal-Mart will begin carrying the Northwestern Mustang image on different pieces of custom-made apparel. “They are going to carry t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, and more. It’s a great situation for both of us,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. “We have our name out there in one more place where we know our neighbors and our future students shop. And our Wal-Mart gets to do business by marketing a product which promotes a hometown team.”
The Northwestern Technical College Student Leadership Council first sold shirts promoting the college’s new athletic programs which began during the Fall Quarter of 2007. They will continue to offer the Mustang merchandise on campus at similar prices. A portion of on-campus sales goes towards the Student Leadership Council. A portion of sales through the local Wal-Mart will be given back to NTC through the Northwestern Technical College Foundation.
“The NTC Foundation has helped thousands of students over three different decades with helping make financial ends meet to help make college a reality,” said Foley. If you would like more information on giving to the NTC Foundation, call the Northwestern Technical College Office of College Development at (706) 764-3810.
Season Two of Mustang Basketball will begin in Mid-October when NTC Men’s Basketball Head Coach David Stephenson will hold tryouts for the team. “Last year, we were one of only three college basketball programs across the nation to end the season undefeated,” said Stephenson. “There are more than 1,700 on college basketball programs in the United States.”
College Seeking Actors
Northwestern Producing “Our Town”
Northwestern Technical College will be holding its first-ever dramatic production this Fall. Beginning this Summer Quarter, current students and Fall Quarter students are invited to tryout to be in the NTC Production of Thorton Wilder’s, ‘Our Town’.
From actors to stage hands, NTC is looking for people to fill all the roles necessary to make this production take place successfully. To participate, you must be enrolled as a student for the Fall Quarter. If you are not enrolled during Summer Quarter, you must still be willing to attend all meetings and rehearsals before your enrollment.
All meetings and rehearsals will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Rehearsals will involve only the individuals in the scenes which are being rehearsed on that day. The entire cast will run through the production in its entirety during the last two weeks before the performance.
For more information, contact Faith Lamb at (706) 764-3708 or Ronda Cox at (706) 764-3825. Summer Quarter classes are currently underway on campus and online at Northwestern. The deadline to apply for Fall Quarter is September 2. Fall Quarter classes begin October 1.
North Georgia Students Receive Spring Honors
Northwestern Technical College Recognizes Top Students
The following Walker County Residents have earned academic honors at Northwestern Technical College for the 2008 Spring Quarter.
Sixty-six Northwestern Technical College students from Walker County were recently named to the President’s List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.8 or higher with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Cynthia Abercrombie, Garry Abercrombie, Traci Allen, Kisha Barfield, Abbie Brooks, Deidra Bruning, Bonnie Byers, Zachary Callahan, Ernest Crooks, Christopher Crozier, Qin Dai, James Danforth, Nolan Daniel, Laura Davis, Barbara Ellis, Donna Estus, Frances Farmer, Mistina Franklin, Nikki Gazaway, Tangerine Goodwin, Wendy Gravitt, Philip Gregory, James Halenar, Anna Hall, Stephanie Harp, Michelle Hicks, Lindsey Johnson, Michelle Jones, Emily Keith, William Keown, Kimberly Kirk, Grady Lancaster, Jennifer Lawrence, Katherine Lewis, Tina Massey, Terry McCurry, Roberta McGhee, Julia McKay, Kimberly Norris, Wallace Parker, Jr., Addys Parker, Desiree Pepe, Kathy Plemons, Terrie Ramey, Kimberlyn Ransom, Sue Raulston, Teressa Reeves, Marcellous Searcy, Cindy Shaw, Shelly Skelton, Jessica Smith, Ruth Smith, Stacey Smith, Shannon Stevens, Anthony Sturdivant, Omar Swartz, James Tomlin, Joseph Toney, Mary Ulrich, Gary Varner, Jr., Kimberly Walker, Michelle Wallin, Daniel Watts, Corey Williams, and Sabrina Wilson.
Thirty-six Northwestern Technical College students from Walker County were recently named to the Merit List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Christopher Alexander, Stacy Blalock, Christina Blevins, Chad Bolt, Telela Bowman, David Bradford, James Brannon, Amy Carroll, Jeffrey Clowdus, Saeeda Darraj, Aundrea Davis, Douglas Davis, Deborah Dodski, Meagan Floyd, Priscilla Green, William Griffey, Priscilla Hibbett, Adam Hogue, Donna Johnson, Mary Jones, Matthew Jones, Angela Kendrick, Nicholas Lambert, Kristie Lewis, Meagan Matthews, Jennifer McClure, Marchella McFall, Courtney Paradise, Courtney Riley, Ashley Smith, Edward Stamey, Deborah Stephens, Angela Whitten, Connie Wilson, Tracie Wimpee, and Evelyn Wood.
The following Catoosa County Residents have earned academic honors at Northwestern Technical College for the 2008 Spring Quarter.
Forty Northwestern Technical College students from Catoosa County were recently named to the President’s List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.8 or higher with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Amanda Alexander, Katie Bell, Teri Bradberry, Fabian Burrage, Michelle Cioletti, Brynn Cochran, Roger Costner, Jr., Heather Dinkins, Kelly Dodds, Casey Dover, Lisa Early, Houston Ewton, Scott Federico, Delores Ferguson, Alicia Foskey, Kristina Girod, Nicole Haley, Heather Heaton, Patricia Hundl, Kerstein Kendrick, Ashley Keyes, Erica Lumpkin, Angelese Mackey, Rhonda Moses, Kevin Murdoch, Danielle Plummer, DeLaine Reynolds-Hunter, Sara Ridley, Matthew Rogers, Vanessa Rogers, Zachary Shrum, Tommy Southerland, Melodye Stephens, Natosha Sutton, Kimberly Wattenbarger, Sherri West, Tonja Wilkes, Gena Williams, Katie Womack, and Staci Young.
Twenty-four Northwestern Technical College students from Catoosa County were recently named to the Merit List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Aurea Alba-Hernandez, Neal Barrett, Corey Bethune, Amber Butts, Matthew Dooley, Jessica Fowler, Harold Greene, Devona Hall, Crystal Jefferis, Robert Judd, Terri Long, Jessica McBryar, David Meredith, Jeri Mitchell, Thomas Morgan, Deanna O’Hanlon, Debbie Pennington, Jody Phillips, Jami Pressley, Christina Silvers, Rhonda Spencer, Nathan Tiffin, Donald Wilson, and Amanda Wright.
The following Chattooga County Residents have earned academic honors at Northwestern Technical College for the 2008 Spring Quarter.
Twenty-three Northwestern Technical College students from Chattooga County were recently named to the President’s List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.8 or higher with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Loretta Banks, Jennifer Bell-Mitchell, Anita Curtis, Sonya Darden, Jessica Duncan, Freedom Fowler, Ronald Gwin, Jr., Misty Hankins, Ricky Hines, Robyn Hines, Robert Houston, Mamie Hudgins-Carroll, Connie Langston, Jacqueline Manning, Nathan Petty, Joseph Schrader, Derek Smith, Matthew Sosebee, Scottie Spears, James Stallings, Emily Tomlin, and Kenneth Venable.
Twenty-one Northwestern Technical College students from Chattooga County were recently named to the Merit List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Bobbie Blackmon, Julie Bramlett, Brandy Bruce, Jessica Bryan, Carmen Cecil, Rachel Christopher, Cindy Corbitt, Kristin Davenport, Amy Dennis, Allen Hanson, Rachel Hicks-Hammock, Regenna Howard, Timothy McKee, David McNeese, Edward McNeese, Dawn Moore, Sylvia Pickle, David Reece II, James Wilson, Cathy Wood, and Amber Woody.
The following Dade County Residents have earned academic honors at Northwestern Technical College for the 2008 Spring Quarter.
Nine Northwestern Technical College students from Dade County were recently named to the President’s List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.8 or higher with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Sharon Brooks, Glenda Casey, Jonathan Exum, Samson Gilbreath, Christi Giles, Nancy Jeffrey, Andrei Jubea, Jenifer Ledbetter, and LeAnna Reed.
Six Northwestern Technical College students from Dade County were recently named to the Merit List. To be eligible for this list the student must maintain a quarterly GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. They are: Benjamin Castleberry, Tiffany Creech, Timothy Dunn, Christina Marlowe, Jessica McMahan, and Jacob Stevens.
Deadline to apply for Fall Quarter at Northwestern Technical College is September 2. Classes begin October 1. Call (706) 764-3510 for more information.
Sign Of The Times
Brooks Ceremony July 25
The sign for the re-dedication ceremony of the current 600 Building on the Northwestern Technical College campus is scheduled to be installed next week. The sign will read, “Dr. Ray Brooks Center of Health and Information Technology.” The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on July 25 on the NTC campus. The public is invited to attend.
“This is an honor that not only our college believed in, but the entire Technical College System of Georgia,” said Interim NTC President, Jeff King after the State Board of Directors unanimously approved the decision. Former NTC President, Dr. Brooks, is now the President of Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina. Dr. Brooks and his family, along with area business leaders, politicians, and those close to the NTC family will be in attendance for the event.
Dr. Brooks was an employee of Northwestern Technical College for 33 years, spending 21 years as the President of the college. For more information on the ceremony, you can contact the Northwestern Technical College Public Relations office at (706) 764-3813.
This is the first building on the 42-year old campus to be named in honor of anyone. Northwestern Technical College is one of 33 colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia.
NTC’s Gone Campin’
A Mustang Summer In TN Valley, North Georgia
Northwestern Technical College is “Gone Campin’” this Summer in the Tennessee Valley! From on-campus day-camps to Mustang sports camps, Northwestern students, staff, and faculty alike are working with the children of our service area.
Mustang Camp Part II will open next Monday on the back property of Northwestern Technical College. Approximately seventy campers between the ages of four and 12 took part in five full days of events on the NTC property.
This session of the camp will run from July 14-18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The fee for each camper is $75. There is a discounted rate for registering more than one camper. To register, call the Camp Registration office at (706) 764-3591.
In June, Mustang Men’s Basketball Head Coach David Stephenson and some of his players from the 2008 season took part in basketball camps across the area. From Cleveland, Tennessee to Rossville, Georgia, the Mustangs have shared their skill and spirit with hundreds of campers this Summer.
“We worked with camps held by area high schools and a camp operated by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” said Stephenson. The team held the first Mustang Basketball Camp June 14 at LaFayette High School.
If you have a question about any of the camps in which NTC participates, call the NTC PR Department at (706) 764-3813.
Good News For Future, Present Mustangs
Havens Speaks in Chattooga, Wins Scholarship 
The 2008 Northwestern Technical College GOAL Winner spoke to a packed house at the May Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. Corey Havens of Dunlap, Tennessee is enrolled in the college's cardiovascular technology program. Havens was among 37 finalists for the statewide award this year. As a result, Havens won a full scholarship to DeVry University.
Ridgelands' Carter wins NTC Scholarship
Ridgeland High School Class of 2008 graduate, Brittany Carter, received a $500 Northwestern Technical College Foundation Scholarship this past month. The foundation gives away eight $500 scholarships to a member of the graduating class of each of the eight public high schools it serves. Occupational Therapy Assistant Instructor Lisa Carruth awarded the prize.
Trion's Patel wins NTC Scholarship 
Trion High School Class of 2008 graduate Arti Patel, has received a Northwestern Technical College Foundation Scholarship for $500. The prize was awarded by Northwestern Technical College Board Member, Scott Tucker, President of United Community Bank in Summerville, Georgia.
Change For The Better
Brooks Dedication, Lottery Money, Board Moves at NTC
As Northwestern Technical College begins to close out its Spring Quarter, several changes are taking place to help the students of the school complete their education.
High School students who take part in dual enrollment programs with Northwestern Technical College have been eligible to use funding from the HOPE Lottery program. This funding had always counted against the amount a student would be awarded by HOPE to use for his or her educational career. A new law has changed this.
From now on, any student using HOPE funds to help finance a dual enrollment education with Northwestern will not be cutting their eligibility short when they leave high school and attend a college full-time. “This means they could get a free college education while still in high school and still have all your years of eligibility within the HOPE program once a student graduates,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College.
Beginning this Summer Quarter at the Technical College System of Georgia school, the HOPE Lottery program will no longer be issuing book vouchers for students to obtain their textbooks. Now, eligible students will receive checks which can be used to purchase their supplies. Missing the payment deadline for a given quarter will result in a $20 late fee.
Also starting this Summer, a student can drop a class within the first three instructional days of the quarter and receive a 100-percent refund. Students can also add a class within the first seven calendar days of a quarter.
Beginning July 1, there will be two vacancies on the Northwestern Technical College Board of Directors. Two long-time board members are stepping down on June 30. Dr. Robert Jones of Walker County and Sarah Moore of Dade County are rolling off of the board. No word on who may replace them at this time.
Later this Summer, a dedication will be taking place on the Northwestern campus. Former NTC President, Dr. Ray Brooks will receive an honor from the state of Georgia and the College he called home for more than 33 years. A unanimous local and state board of director vote led to the renaming of the newest building on campus, the “Dr. Ray Brooks Center For Health And Information Technology.”
“I can’t think of a single person who has had more impact on this college over the past several decades than Dr. Brooks,” said Jeff King, Northwestern Technical College Interim President. “We’ll be holding an event on campus from 1 – 5 p.m. on July 25.”
For more information on the changes taking place at NTC, call the Northwestern Technical College Public Relations office at 706-764-3813.
Serving The State
Georgia Honors Northwestern Faculty, Staff
In a campus ceremony on May 20, Northwestern Technical College Interim President, Jeff King awarded honors from the state of Georgia to a dozen NTC faculty and staff members.
Admissions Office staffer, Jennifer Watkins received the State of Georgia Recognition Award for her hard work and dedication to serving the students of the state college. Also receiving awards were eleven people being honored for their years of service.
Susan Doesburg, Diane Guinn, Lisa Rubner, Marianne Weddle, and Karen Whitfield have worked for Northwestern and the state of Georgia for five years. Ted Glenn and Suzie Russell have accumulated ten years of service. Denise Grant was recognized for fifteen years of service. Dennis Thomas has completed twenty years of employment with the state of Georgia. Greg Cross and Becky Mullinax now have more than thirty years of service to the state.
Northwestern Technical College has a student body of more than 2,300. NTC directly services the four counties of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker.
G.O.A.L. Winner at Chamber
Dade County Benefit Hosts
While hundreds dropped in for a Benefit Barbeque at the Dade County Courthouse on May 16, the 2008 G.O.A.L. winner from Northwestern Technical College, Corey Havens, served as the guest speaker at an outdoor version of the monthly Dade County Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
“We were extremely excited at the turnout for the benefit and the forum for Corey’s visit,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College.
Havens competes in Atlanta the week of May 19 against the winners from each of the other 37 technical colleges and division in the Technical College System of Georgia. This is the 37th year of the G.O.A.L., Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership, competition which recognizes outstanding leadership qualities among the students in Georgia’s colleges.
Faculty at Northwestern and the 37 other branches of the TCS of Georgia nominate a student for the award on the local level. A campus winner is selected by area business leaders. Then, a statewide winner is selected every May in Atlanta.
Mustangs Help Hoop Dreams
May Basketball Camp at Henry YMCA
Members of one of the nation’s only undefeated college basketball programs took a day to work on the hoop dreams of basketball campers at the Henry Family YMCA this month.
Northwestern Technical College Head Coach, David Stephenson brought three of his Mustangs to the Henry “Y” camp in May. LaFayette alum, Brandon “Skinny” Harris, Ridgeland alum, Manny Davis, and Trion alum, Dustin Rosser worked with the kids on fundamentals of the game.
Northwestern Technical College will be holding its own Mustang Basketball Camp at LaFayette High School on Saturday, June 14. Middle school students through new high school graduates are eligible for the camp. The entry fee is $25.
For more information on the Mustangs or this camp, call the Northwestern Athletics office at 706-764-3814. You can also email to basketball@northwesterntech.edu.
Highest Honors at Northwestern
Local Students Recognized
Forty-One Northwestern Technical College students from across Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley have been nominated this Spring to become members of the National Technical Honor Society at Northwestern Technical College.
A student must hold a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be nominated by a member of the faculty or staff at Northwestern Technical College to be considered for induction. Induction ceremonies for the society are held twice a year on the Rock Spring, Georgia campus.
The nominees this Spring are Garry Abercrombie of Rossville, GA; Cynthia Abercrombie of LaFayette, GA; Carlton Baxter of LaFayette, GA; James Brannon of Chickamauga, GA; Wyatt Bruce of Dalton, GA; Tiffany Creech of Trenton, GA; Natalie Cunningham of Tunnel Hill, GA; Sadie Darraj of Ringgold, GA; Jonathan Exum of Rising Fawn, GA; Frances Farmer of Chickamauga, GA; Ashley Gibson of LaFayette, GA; Amberleigh Gilmer of Rossville, GA; Tangerine Goodwin of LaFayette, GA; Freda Hartman of Ringgold, GA; Corey Havens of Dunlap, TN; Robert Judd of Ringgold, GA; Margie King of Rossville, GA; Jennifer Lawrence of LaFayette, TN; Angelese Mackey of Ringgold, GA; Jessica McBryar of Rossville, GA; Julia McKay of Rossville, GA; Sherri McWhorter of Ringgold, GA; Christina Morgan of Tunnel Hill, GA; Jennifer Mozingo of Fort Oglethorpe, GA; Danielle Plummer of Ringgold, GA; Abbi Pullen of Dalton, GA; Teressa Reeves of Rossville, GA; Tonya Rhudy of East Ridge, TN; Gwennita Roberts of Ringgold, GA; Dorothy Rowland of Summerville, GA; Scott Salyer of Rocky Face, GA; Travis Shrader of Ringgold, GA; James Slatton of Fort Oglethorpe, GA; Jeannie Smith of Chattanooga, TN; Ruth Smith of Rock Spring, GA; Sandra Weiss of Chickamauga, GA; Elicia Whaley of Trion, GA; Jason Wigbels of Fort Oglethorpe, GA; Billie Jean Wilson of Ringgold, GA; and Tracie Wimpee of Chickamauga, GA.
Honoring The Best At NTC
Top teacher, GOAL student, staffer, and athletic programs
The best and brightest of Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley were honored by Northwestern Technical College in 
April. NTC recognized the top teacher, G.O.A.L. student, and the members of the college’s first two athletic programs in history.
A ceremony held at NTC’s 500 Building was the site for the event. Dunlap, Tennessee’s, Corey Havens was announced as the winner of the 2008 G.O.A.L. award at NTC. Havens is a student within the Cardiovascular Technology program at the college. Havens was nominated by his instructor, Beverly Fritts. G.O.A.L. stands for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership. Havens will compete against other statewide winners during the third week of May.
The 1999 winner of the G.O.A.L. award at NTC is now the top instructor at the college. Business
Information Technology instructor, Charles Estes of LaFayette, Georgia won the Rick Perkins Award which honors the top instructor at the school every year. Estes will compete against other winners of the award across the state this Summer.
Also receiving honors that night was administrative assistant, Donna Henderson of Trion, Georgia. Henderson won NTC’s R.O.S.E. award which recognizes outstanding staff excellence at the college. Along with other honors, 
Henderson, Estes, and Havens will also receive a personal parking space on campus for the entire year.
Rounding out the ceremony were awards for the college’s first two athletic programs in school history. First, officials recognized Women’s Head Volleyball Coach, Tricia Goodwin and her Lady Mustangs for their progress so far this season. They end their season on May 17 at Georgia Highlands College. They will host a tri-match against the Coosa Valley Lady Bruins and the West Central Lady Golden Knights on Saturday, May 10 at Ridgeland High School. Matches begin at 1 p.m.
Then, Men’s Head Basketball Coach, David Stephenson and his undefeated Mustangs took the stage as they were recognized for their accomplishments during this inaugural year of athletics at Northwestern. NTC Interim President, Jeff King shared some words on the future of the programs at the college, as well as the perception of the programs by other colleges across the state. “It didn’t matter that the men went undefeated in basketball, Northwestern did it right,” said King recalling the words he heard at a meeting earlier that week in which administrators discussed year two of the programs.
Northwestern’s PBL Tops in the ATL
Academic Stars In Northwest Georgia
Northwestern Technical College’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda Professional Skills organization came out on top in Atlanta in April. Now, the top finishers in several categories will compete on the national level this June against universities and colleges across the nation.
NTC’s Sadie Darraj, Amy Thornton Webster, Robert Beasley, Matt Sosebee, and Joseph Culbert will represent Northwest Georgia in the national competition. The top two finishers in each category on the state level earned national spots. The team of Beasley, Sosebee, and Culbert took first place in Georgia in the Emerging Business Issues category to earn their spot on the national team. Darraj placed second in Georgia and will compete in Accounting Principles. She will also compete nationally in Business Decision Making along with teammate, Amy Thornton Webster.
Other top state participants were Angelese Mackey (4th, Accounting), Katy Henderson and Aaron Hunt (3rd, Desktop Publishing), and Ashley Langston (4th, Project Management).
The 2008 Phi Beta Lambda participants from NTC were Ashley Langston of Summerville, Katy Henderson of Trion, Kera Powell of Summerville, Amy Thornton Webster of Fort Oglethorpe, Sadie Darraj of Ringgold, Jessie Marie Dobbins of LaFayette, Aaron Hunt of Chickamauga, Brandy Rhodes of Rossville, Robert Beasley of Chickamauga, Raven DeLaigle of Ringgold, Angelese Mackey of Ringgold, Matt Sosebee of LaFayette, and Joseph Culbert of Summerville.
NTC’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda also won in the category of State’s Largest Chapter. The national competition will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.
Shaw, Bluebird, Nissin Honored
Parris wins statewide art award
Three of Northwest Georgia’s largest employers of people in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County make it to the final round of the Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week (M.A.W.) award process. Shaw, Bluebird, and Nissin Brakes were nominated by Northwestern Technical College officials earlier this year.
In the end, though, it would be Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Honda Precision in Tallapoosa, and Spectral Response in Duluth to win top honors in Atlanta. A banquet was held at the Cobb Galleria on April 17 to honor all of Georgia’s top companies.
“We are incredibly proud of Shaw, Bluebird, and Nissin for being named finalists. They truly deserve the honor,” said Jeff King, Interim President of Northwestern Technical College. Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle presented the awards. The event was co-sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia. The manufacturing sector employs more than 400,000 Georgians at nearly 10,000 facilities across the state, contributing more than $100 billion to its economy annually.
Chattooga High School junior, Heather Parris manufactured a third-place finish in the M.A.W. Statewide Art Contest. All high school
students in the state of Georgia were asked to submit a design for a t-shirt to pay tribute to manufacturing in Georgia. Ms. Parris’ entry was one of thousands submitted by elementary, middle, and high-school students across Georgia over the past four months. Elementary students submitted placemat designs, while middle-school students designed posters.
“Heather was incredibly poised during the ceremony. We are happy for her and very thankful for all of the local entrants,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. Northwestern coordinates the Northwest Georgia portion of the M.A.W. art contest.
S.R.O. at G.E.D.
Capacity Crowds Cause Ceremony Changes
Standing-Room-Only crowds at G.E.D. ceremonies in years past has led to the creation of four individual ceremonies. Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County will each have their own G.E.D. Ceremony this year.
Previously, students who took part in classes and then tested for the G.E.D. through one of Northwestern Technical College’s 13 sites across the four counties would only have one ceremony they could attend. However, beginning April 15, the first “county-only” ceremony was held at the Walker Civic Center in Rock Spring, Georgia for Walker County G.E.D. graduates. “With just forty G.E.D graduates from Walker wishing to take part, we still had 300 family members, friends, and supporters in the audience,” said Carol Shoemaker, Director of Adult Literacy at Northwestern Technical College.
The ceremony for Dade County G.E.D. graduates was held on April 24 at the Trenton United Methodist Church. The other two counties will hold graduations as follows: Catoosa, May 1, at 7 pm at Catoosa Colonnade Theater; and Chattooga, May 8, at Trion Recreation Center at 7PM.
Kenneth and Jillian Crowder, a married couple from Walker County, experienced the event as graduates. Kenneth, 28, and Jillian, 26, both dropped out of high school at 16. Now, with three children and a pair of full-time jobs, the couple made the decision to get their G.E.D.
More than 800 G.E.D. graduates met entrance requirements and enrolled at Northwestern Technical College in 2007. For more information on the Adult Literacy Program through Northwestern Technical College, call NTC at (706) 764-3510.
Careers Start At Night
Evening NTC Nursing Grads
As our area hospitals continue to grow and new doctor’s offices continue to open in North Georgia, Northwestern Technical College is honoring the night student of the Practical Nursing program who graduate this quarter.
Graduates taking part in the evening program graduation this Spring are pictured front row, from left, are Jennifer Ball of Rossville, Bobbie King of Chickamauga, Kenya Talley of Chattanooga, Peggy Bohannon of Summerville, and Lisa Morgan of Trion. Second row; Julie Smith of Fort Oglethopre, Shelley Murry of Ringgold, Cindi Logan of LaFayette, Dolly Gann of LaFayette, Danita Coker of LaFayette, and April Elliott of Rossville. Back row; Brittany Spurgeon of Lookout Mountain, Michael Williams of Rossville, Keely Barron of Ringgold, Christy Forrest of LaFayette, Lisa Wade of Rossville, and Pamela Davenport of Fort Oglethorpe. Amber Baker of Rossville is not pictured.
“So many of our evening students are working full-time jobs during the day,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. “We want them to truly feel the reward when they graduate. For many, it’s not just the student that has worked hard for this. The family may have sacrificed, too.”
If you are interested in the Practical Nursing program or any of the more than 100 programs offered every quarter at Northwestern Technical College, call the Admissions Office today at (706) 764-3510. Or, you can log on to their website at www.northwesterntech.edu. Deadline for enrolling into Summer Quarter classes is June 4.
Mustangs Trap Bruins at LaFayette
Northwestern Lady Mustangs Volleyball
More than a hundred fans showed up to support the very first home match of the Northwestern Tech Lady Mustangs during their inaugural season Friday night as they played host to the visiting Coosa Valley Tech Lady Bruins from Rome.
In a best-of-five match hosted at LaFayette High School, the gates to the Mustang corral were slammed open as Head Coach Tricia Goodwin’s squad chalked up three straight wins to take home the match. Northwestern earned the win, 30-16, 30-27, and 30-17.
“We were really pleased with the crowd which came out to be a part of history,” said Goodwin. “We’re extremely excited about this opportunity this year. These former high school players who are now college students get to be student-athletes again. It’s a win-win situation.”
Former Ridgeland players, Melissa Long and Christa Plank led the team with 10 digs each.
Another one-time Panther standout, Carrie Hawkins, pounded a baker’s dozen’s worth of kills on the Lady Bruins. LaFayette alums Morgan Newby and Katie White led the team with five aces and 30 assists, respectively.
The Lady Mustangs will take a week off before heading back on the road on May 3 to play the West Central Lady Golden Knights (5-0) and Coosa Valley (0-5) at Georgia Highlands College in Rome. On Thursday night on the Northwestern Technical College campus in Walker County, Georgia, the Lady Mustangs and the Men’s Mustang Basketball Team will be part of a Recognition Banquet at the college. They will be honored for their spots on the inaugural athletic programs at Northwestern.
“Whether they realize it or not, some of these players will be the answer to trivia questions one day,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. For more information about the Lady Mustangs, contact Northwestern Technical College Public Relations Director, Don Foley at (706) 764-3813.
NTC 30 30 30
CVT 16 27 17
‘Stangs Split Again, Head Home Friday
NTC remains at .500
Head Coach Tricia Goodwin’s Lady Mustangs gave West Central Tech another shot on Friday after losing to them in Carrolton just
one week ago. Northwestern did manage to force a deciding game three in a best-of-three match during a league event held at Georgia Highlands College in Rome on Saturday.
Dropping the first game by a dozen, the Lady Mustangs rallied to win game two, 30-25. However, after the two teams went back and forth in game three, the Lady Golden Knights of West Central went on a late scoring spree to take home the game, 30-24. West Central improved to 4-0 with the victory.
Northwestern had no time to reflect as they headed back on to the court to battle Coosa Valley Tech’s Lady Bruins. NTC won the first game of the set, 30-15. Then, the Lady Mustangs pounded the nets hard in the second game as they pulled out the win, 30-26. Northwestern ended the weekend with a .500 mark at 2-2. Coosa Valley falls to 0-4.
Former Ridgeland volleyball players, Carrie Hawkins and Christa Plank led the Lady ‘Stangs with 15 kills and 19 digs, respectively, on the weekend. Plank also served up five aces on Saturday. Gordon Lee alum, Kara Durham picked up four blocks, while LaFayette grad, Katie White added 19 assists to her stat line for the first season in school history.
The Lady Bruins will get another chance this Friday as Head Coach Jim Williams and his squad will battle with Northwestern in their first home match ever. The match will be a best-of-five set held at LaFayette High School. The match begins at 7 p.m. NTC’s only other home event will be held at Ridgeland High School on May 10.
“With former standouts from Ridgeland, LaFayette, Gordon Lee and more, we are really hoping to see a decent showing in the stands for the first home game ever for a women’s athletic program from Northwestern Technical College,” said Don Foley, Director of Public
Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College.
Match #1
NTC 18 30 24
WCTC 30 25 30
Match #2
NTC 30 30
CVTC 15 26
Mustang Hopefuls Corral Futures
Reaching out to North Georgia’s high school seniors
The high school student in your house is getting everything from free food to free manicures at school during this past month as colleges and businesses line up to recruit your child into a world of either education, business, or military. College and career fairs have taken place across Northwest Georgia during this past month.
The recruitment team of Stuart Phillips and Leigh Ann Pettigrew at Northwestern Technical College has a big goal every Spring; to be sure every student in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County know what they will get from Northwestern.
Over the past four weeks, Phillips, Pettigrew, and teachers from several of the programs offered at NTC hit the road to take part in Career and College Fairs across Northwest Georgia. First it was Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Then, LaFayette High School. After that, Ringgold, Ridgeland, and every other school in between.
“We see the low completion rate in our area and we want to give these high school students every reason possible to stay in school,”
said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. The completion rate is the percentage of people who earn at least a General Equivalency Diploma by the time they turn 24 years of age. Depending on the county you live in Northwest Georgia, that rate is approximately 60-percent. “This means two in every five of our students are not getting the education they need to help get the career they want,” said Foley.
Ridgeland High School senior, Dustin Blewer stopped by Northwestern’s exhibit at Ridgeland’s Career Fair this month. “I was just seeing what they had,” said Blewer. “I even got my nails worked on.” The Northwestern Cosmetology program was on hand, to work on hands. “When these programs come out and showcase what they do, it really adds to it. It’s one thing to hand out a brochure or cd-rom. It has a completely different impact if you can show them something, first-hand.”
Like other companies in the Tennessee Valley, it’s not just about speaking with teens directly out of high school. “We spent April 10 not only going to a couple of fairs at high schools, but we were at fairs at Bluebird and Ringgold Telephone Company,” said Stuart Phillips, Director of Admissions at Northwestern Technical College. “There fairs were for different purposes, but we want them to know 
we are here and can help not only the worker, but the company, too.”
Lady ‘Stangs Take Split on Opening Day
Historic opener takes place in Carrollton
With a powerful thrust which sent a kill shot down the middle of the court, Carrie Hawkins became the first Lady Mustang to score a point in any sport for Northwestern Technical College during their first match in school history Saturday in Carrollton.
The Lady Mustangs, led by head coach Tricia Goodwin, won their first match ever played by a NTC women’s team, 30-25, 30-9, over Coosa Valley Tech’s Lady Bruins. Northwestern, Coosa Valley, and West Central Tech played a pair of best-of-three matches each in this historic Technical College System of Georgia event held at East Carrollton Recreation Complex in Carrollton, Georgia.
“We were extremely excited and couldn’t wait for the day to finally come,” said Goodwin. “The first match went well for us. However, the match against West Central, was a real battle.” The Lady Mustangs held in for a grueling first game as long volleys between the two teams led to a West Central win, 30-23, in game one of the best of three set.
In game two, the Lady Golden Knights of West Central took control of the match posting a 30-13 victory. West Central (2-0), Northwestern (1-1), and Coosa Valley (0-2) will play once again at Georgia Highlands on April 12. Play begins at 1 p.m. The same three teams will face off in a tri-match at LaFayette High School on Friday, April 18. Start time for the evening event is to be announced. NTC’s only other home event will be held at Ridgeland High School on May 10.
Ridgeland grad Carrie Hawkins led Northwestern in Saturday’s inaugural event with 16 hits, nine kills, and six blocks. Fellow former Ridgeland student, Christa Plank led the Lady Mustangs with 16 digs. LaFayette grad, Morgan Newby led the way with 13 assists. Lady Mustang Mary Neal led the way from behind the service line firing six aces on the opposition in Carrollton.
Match #1 - April 5
NTC 30 30
CVTC 25 9
Match #2 - April 5
NTC 23 13
WCTC 30 30
First Lady Mustang Squad, Schedule Set
Practices, Conditioning Underway at Northwestern
(LaFayette, GA) – The names of nine women are now written in history. The first ever Lady Mustang athletic roster is now set for Northwestern Technical College.
Tryouts took place in mid-March with practices now underway. The members of the inaugural team are Kara Durham (Gordon Lee), Carrie Hawkins (Ridgeland), Melissa Long (Ridgeland), Mary Neal (Gateway Christian, Memphis, TN), Morgan Newby (LaFayette), Alicia Phillips (Whittier Regional, Haverhill, MA), Christa Plank (Ridgeland), Holly Tallant (Rossville, GA), and Katie White (LaFayette).
“Right now, the team is practicing three times a week,” said Tricia Goodwin, Head Coach of the Lady Mustang Volleyball Team. “We plan on having them hit the gym, as well, for some workouts.”
Four colleges within or associated with the Technical College System of Georgia are expected to take part. Northwestern, Coosa Valley Tech in Rome, West Central Tech in Waco, and a fourth school are expected to be inserted into the schedule of play for this pilot year of Women’s Volleyball.
“There is a lot of planning going into this first season,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at
Northwestern Technical College. “Coach (Tricia) Goodwin is working really hard with her squad. Everyone’s excited about the birth of volleyball.” Goodwin has coach Junior Olympic Volleyball in the southeast over the past 12 years. She also played Volleyball at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan from 1989 to 1992. Goodwin was a co-captain of her team during her senior season.
The first-ever Women’s Volleyball season in the TCS kicks off on April 5 in Carrollton, Georgia as all participating colleges will face-off in a tournament-style event. They’ll play a similar event the very next weekend at Georgia Highlands College in Rome, Georgia.
The Lady Mustangs will play its first home game on April 19 at LaFayette High School. They will play host to the Coosa Valley Bruins. The only other home appearance the Lady Mustangs will make in this inaugural season will be on May 10 as they will host all TCS teams in an event also held at LaFayette High School.
For more information on the Lady Mustangs Volleyball Program, you may contact Mr. Foley at (423) 838-7319. You may also look at the “Athletics” page on the NorthwesternTech.edu website for details.
NTC-Chattooga Dual Enrollees Place at State
FBLA Computer Specialists Showcase Skills
Two of Northwestern Technical College’s Dual Enrollees at Chattooga High School placed in their field of expertise on the state level of the Future Business Leaders of America competition held in Athens, Georgia the weekend of March 14-16.
Instructor Dr. Dwight Watt teaches the A+ Technician Preparation Dual Enrollment program at the Summerville-based school. His students, Colby Luther and Cody Bentley placed third and tenth in Network Design and Network Concepts, respectively.
Watt teaches the Dual Enrollees classes such as computer concepts, operating systems and PC repair. “I am proud of both of these students on this accomplishment,” said Watt. “They have learned a lot with their training in this dual enrollment program this year.”
The Northwestern instructor teaches these classes at Chattooga High each day for students who will receive both high school and college credit for the classes.
NTC Sends North Georgia Nurses To Work
Pinning Practical Nurses in ‘08
Northwestern Technical College does its part to help with the shortage of healthcare workers by graduating a new batch of Practical Nursing students this month. NTC PN Instructor, Suzanne Pauley has 13 students who are moving on to the professional world after 18 months of instruction, lab work, and clinical experience across Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley.
Graduates taking part in the pinning ceremony this Spring are pictured here in the 500 Building on the Northwestern Technical College campus. Pictured, front row, from left, are Heather Rhinehart, Walker County, April Ham, Chattooga County, Debbie Bing, Walker County, Christian Lawson, Chattooga County, Frankie Love, Chattooga County, Lynn Harris, and Chattooga County. Back row, from left, are Patience Okoronkwo, Catoosa County, Jennifer Schrader, Walker County, Melanie Phillips, Dade County, Brandy Barrett, Dade County, Jennifer Tittle, Walker County, Lisa Bencaz, Dade County, and Andrea Haynes, Walker County.
“For 42 years, Northwestern has been educating the people of this region and helping staff the workforces of local companies,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. “These students are looking forward to using their new skills here at home.”
If you are interested in the PN program or any of the more than 100 programs offered every quarter at Northwestern Technical College, call the Admissions Office today at (706) 764-3510. Or, you can log on to their website at www.northwesterntech.edu. Deadline for enrolling for Summer Quarter classes is June 4.
M.A.W. Produces State Winner, Company Nominees
State Banquet to be held April 17
Elementary, Middle, and High School students across Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County recently took part in the Northwestern Technical College leg of the Georgia M.A.W. Design Contest. Chattooga High School student, Heather Parris finished third in the state in the t-shirt design portion of the contest. M.A.W., Manufacturing Appreciation Week, is an annual
event which showcases what manufacturing does for Georgia’s economy.
Elementary school students across the state entered place mat designs, middle school students designed posters, and high school students created t-shirts. For her third place finish, Parris will win $100 and may bring three guests to the Annual M.A.W. Awards Luncheon which will be held at the Cobb Galleria on April 17. Governor Sonny Perdue is expected to speak at the event.
Shaw Industries in LaFayette, Bluebird in LaFayette, and Nissin Brakes in Rock Spring all have been nominated to win the Manufacturer of the Year award which will be presented at this event.
Mustangs Stampede TCS, Earn Perfect Season
Northwestern goes 11-0 in pilot league
(Rome, GA) – More than 100 Northwestern faithful made the trip through weekend storms to Georgia Highlands College to witness history. Just like the Georgia Bulldogs had to do this past Saturday, the Mustangs corralled a pair of wins on the same day. However, Coach David Stephenson’s team was putting the final touches on a perfect season in the Technical College System of Georgia League.
The 10 a.m. tip-off saw the Mustangs run rough shot through the West Central Golden Knights, 79-46. Trion grads, Dustin Rosser and Bud Todd dropped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, to lead the winning effort. Then, just four hours after chalking up their tenth victory of the inaugural season, Northwestern tipped-off game number two. This time, it was against a much tougher Coosa Valley Tech squad.
With only a four point lead going into the half, Stephenson’s squad faced a three-point deficit as the game went under the ten-minute mark. A full-court press which the Mustangs ran several times throughout the game would prove pivotal in the final minutes. Northwestern forward, Anthony Lumpkin managed to connect on four three-pointers during the final ten minutes of the game, leading the Mustangs to a 90-80 victory and an 11-0 season in the TCS.
“We didn’t have to have a winning season,” said Stephenson, “But, we did want to do it right when it came to planning what we did before, during, and after this first season. I believe that hard work has truly paid off and has us looking forward to 
the next steps.”
What’s next for the Mustangs? “We are in the process of planning a Summer Basketball camp for area players,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. “The feedback from students, people in the community, and even possible future Mustangs from our area high schools has been very encouraging. We hope that it will continue to lead to more of our neighbors making the decision to get the education they want for the future they want.”
Northwestern has had input from area high school players on intentions to enroll this coming school year and try-out for the second season of Mustangs basketball. “To be eligible, a student has to be in good standing with Northwestern and be enrolled in at least ten hours of classes during the quarter(s) of participation,” said Foley. Spring Quarter classes begin March 31.
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At the same time the Mustangs were tipping-off their first game on Saturday, the first Lady Mustang team was being selected. Northwestern Women’s Volleyball practices are underway this week with Head Coach Tricia Goodwin at the helm. With college playing experience and coach experience on the junior Olympic level in the region, Goodwin will lead her team to Carrollton High School on April 5 for a TCS League event.
Tryouts were held this past Saturday at LaFayette High School. Goodwin, along with the keen eye of assistant Billy Newcom and Gilbert Elementary teacher, Kari Krouse, selected the first group of Lady Mustangs. “Kari is going to help us out with this team as she is available,” said Goodwin. Krouse holds the distinction of being the only woman in Southern Conference history to make the all-conference volleyball team during all four years of participation. She is also a two-time All-American student-athlete from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Local students nominated for collegiate honors
G.O.A.L. finalists compete for top spot at Northwestern
Representatives from businesses and chambers of commerce from Walker, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties met Thursday to select the winner of the local level of Georgia’s G.O.A.L. program, administered at Northwestern Technical College each year.
G.O.A.L., or the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership, is entering its 37th year. In February, a judging panel took a group of more than thirty nominees from Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County and beyond who attend Northwestern Technical College and reduced it to four finalists.
The goal of the judging panel was to find an exemplary student who excels academically and has great personal achievements to their name. The four finalists are Chris Crozier of Walker County, Saaeda Darraj of Catoosa County, Corey Havens of Sequatchie County, Tennessee, and Ocellia Whatley-Raulston of Catoosa County.
This year’s winner on the local level will be announced at a banquet held on the Northwestern Technical College campus in April. “Judges from across our region took part in picking our local representative,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. “They had a really tough job this time. Any one of the four could have represented us and their families very well.
The local judges included Stacy Mauer, Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce President, Melody Day, Chickamauga City Schools Superintendent, Teresa Mullis, Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce, Rev. Hugh Hendrickson, Smith Chapel United Methodist Church, Shannon McConnell, Walker County Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Jason Winters, Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Chairman, and David Tidmore, Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce President.
In addition to the four Northwest Georgia finalists are these qualified nominees which includes Deborah Dodski, LaFayette, Kera Powell, Summerville, Katherine Thompson, Ringgold, Joann Page, Trenton, Jamie Ellis, Dalton, Tim Dunn, Trenton, Carolyn Bonner, Wildwood, Beverly Nelson, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Vonzella Williams, Rossville, Georgia, Nicole Ross, Chattanooga, Tammy Daugherty, Chickamauga, Terri Bradberry, Rossville, Georgia, Holly Tallant, Rossville, Georgia, Helen Gaillard, Ringgold, Wyatt Bruce, Dalton, Cynthia Bowen, Flintstone, Donna Bell, Ringgold, Jeffrey Ashworth, Chickamauga, James Appugiese, Ringgold, Denise Beard, Ringgold, Paula Bowers, Trion, Elizabeth Bundy, Rossville, Georgia, Cindy Corbitt, Trion, Daniel Driver, Summerville, Matt Kerr, Chickamauga, Tammy Knight, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Lyle Ledford, Cohutta, Jennifer McClure, Rock Spring, Sharon Mulkay Ringgold, Blake Owen, Ringgold, Melinda Peeples, Chatsworth, Brandy Rhodes, Rossville, Georgia, Talisyn Ridley, Rising Fawn, Jeannie Smith, Chattanooga, Stacey Smith, Rossville, Georgia, Angela Stoker, Chickamauga, Kevin Summerlin, Summerville, Bradley Walters, Chickamauga, Sandra Weiss, Chickamauga, Sherri West, Ringgold, Dennis Williams, Red Bank, Tennessee, and Jill Van Dyke, Ringgold.
Once the winner is announced on the local level, he or she will represent Northwestern Technical College at the statewide competition in Atlanta in May. Finalists from all 37 of Georgia’s technical colleges and technical divisions will receive a scholarship to attend the DeVry University. The statewide winner will also receive a brand new automobile.
Last year’s local G.O.A.L. Award winner was Katie Womack of Ringgold, Georgia. If you are interested the G.O.A.L. program, or would like information on enrolling at Northwestern Technical College, call the Admissions Office today at (706) 764-3510. Or, you can log on to their website at NorthwesternTech.edu. Deadline to apply for Spring Quarter is March 12. Classes begin March 31.
Mustangs Get Scare On Road, Remain Perfect
Northwestern breaks century mark for first time
(Lindale, GA) – Three was the magic number in Lindale, Georgia as the only remaining undefeated team in the Technical College System of Georgia league was on the ropes in the final seconds as they went toe-to-toe with the Coosa Valley Bruins for the third time this season. Strong play in the final minute helped Northwestern stay perfect as they hit the century mark for the first time this year beating the Bruins, 100-95.
From the three-point line, Coosa Valley shooting sensations Jonathan Little and Jewey Monford were a combined 9-of-11 in the game. Mustang shooting guard and LaFayette High School graduate, Brandon Harris did not hit a three-point shot in his first game as a Mustang. A very aggressive game saw four of Northwesterns’ starters with three fouls midway through the second half. But it was the three that Trion grad, Bud Todd had under his belt going into the last minute that stands out.
"Bud did not have an outstanding game,” said Coach Stephenson. “However, he hit when it mattered most.” Todd only had three points and was on the bench in the final minute when he went into the game for Ringgold grad and Mustang forward, Anthony Lumpkin who was fouled and mildly injured in a play. Todd went into the game to shoot a pair of foul shots for Lumpkin. Northwestern had a two-point lead at the time. Todd sank both pressure shots to make it a two-possession game, icing the win.
The Lumpkin play was a controversial one as he was locked in for a dunk when Bruin center, Jazz Gregore challenged the shot and collided in mid-air with him.
Both fell to the ground. However, Lumpkin slammed into the wall behind the basket. “It appeared to be unintentional,” said Stephenson. “They were both full steam ahead playing aggressive basketball.” Lumpkin reportedly had a sore back and neck at the end of the game.
Mustang forward and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe alum, Tim McKeever had a game to remember. McKeever cleaned the nets for 22 points in the first half, alone. He ended the day with 30 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Lumpkin dropped in 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the winning effort.
Northwestern (8-0) will host the Griffin Tech Tigers (3-5) on March 8 at LaFayette High School at 2 p.m. The two teams last locked up in Griffin, Georgia on February 9. The Mustangs were down 14 with six minutes to go in that match-up. However, Stephenson’s crew was able to turn up the defense to pull out a 74-69 win.
Admission is free to all TCS games in this inaugural pilot season. Concessions, Mustangs gifts, and more will be available at the March 8 game. For more information, contact the Mustangs Public Relations office at (706) 764-3813.
King Named Interim President
NTC V.P. To Tend To Top Post
(Augusta, GA) - The Technical College System of Georgia announced today during an Annual Conference in Augusta, Georgia
that Northwestern Technical College Vice President of Administration, Jeff King will be the interim President following the last official day of long-time President, Dr. Ray Brooks. His last day of service at Northwestern is February 15.
Brooks is retiring from the State of Georgia after 33 years of service, 21 of those as President of Northwestern Technical College. The search for the permanent President of the Rock Spring-based school is currently underway.
Northwestern Technical College serves more than 2,300 students from all across Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley including Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County. Spring Quarter begins March 31. Deadline to apply is March 12.
ADN Program Headlines for NTC in Atlanta
Health Takes Stage at Annual "Taste"
The ADN, Associate Degree Nursing, transition program helped showcase technical colleges to Georgia legislators on January 29 at the Freight Depot across for the
Georgia State Capitol Building in Downtown Atlanta at the Annual Taste of the Technical Colleges event.
“We got to see a lot of our lawmakers and show just what we do in our program at Northwestern,” said Diane Peters, Director of LPN to ADN Transition program.
There are 33 technical colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia. Northwestern has been open for business for 41 years. The school currently educates more than 2,300 students in more than 100 programs throughout the year either on-campus or online.
Mustangs Sting West Central by 35
Northwestern Holds First Ever Home Game
(LaFayette, GA) - Hundreds of interested fans made the trip to LaFayette High School for a historic day on January 26. LaFayette gra
duate Brandon "Skinny" Harris led all scorers with 21 as the Northwestern Technical College Mustangs ran wild on West Central Tech, 88-53.
"It's like the coach said, it's an awesome opportunity, but an incredible responsibility," said the 5'7" 145 lb. shooting guard from LaFayette. "It felt good to be at home playing for family and friends." The Mustangs (2-0) set the tone in the first half as 6'5" power forward Anthony Lumpkin scored all 16 of his points before the intermission. "They had a lot of good shooters, but we just kept pushing," said the former North Georgia High School Player of the Year. Lumpkin was named the Chattanooga Times Free Press Player of the Year after his senior year at Ringgold High School in 2004-05.
The 
Golden Knights (0-2) of West Central Tech travelled with a small band of fans from Waco, Georgia. "(Mustangs) have a lot of talent," said Golden Knights head coach, Roy Knapp. The top man on the West Central bench was previously a longtime head boy's basketball coach at Carrolton High School in Carrolton, Georgia.
West Central guard, Dale Boykin scored 14 points to lead the way in the losing effort. The Golden Knights fall to 0-2 in the TCS of Georgia Men's Basketball League. "They (West Central) kept it close in the first half," said Mustangs' Head Coach, David Stephenson. "Our defense really locked down on them, though."
The most impressive stat from the historic day on the hardwood; every Mustang on the Northwestern bench found the bottom of the basket at least once. Trion High School grads Dustin Rosser, Matt Hill, Bud Todd, and Casey Day teamed up to tally 22 points. LaFayette grads Harris and Nate Smith dropped in 31 points, combined. Former LFO roundballer, Tim McKeever cleaned the nets for ten more on the scoreboard. Ridgeland grad, Emmanuel Davis dropped in a half dozen. Stepbrothers and former Gordon Lee athletes, Colten Gorrell and Casey Hall corralled a trio of points, as well.
For those of you who were wondering, Ringgold's Lumpkin scored the first ever points at a home Northwestern game. And where did the big inside presence rack up the historic points? From 22 feet away beyond the three-point line. Northwestern guard Matt Hill became an answer to a trivia question two weeks ago during the Mustangs first game ever when they travelled to Lindale, Georgia to play Coosa Valley Tech. The Trion High School graduate became the first player to ever score in a game for Northwestern Technical College when he hit a jump shot on January 12 to give the Mustangs their first two points in school history.
The Mustangs put their perfect record on the line twice in one day on February 2 as they play the Golden Knights once again. Northwestern will follow that game with a hardwood showdown with the Griffin Tech Tigers from Griffin Georgia. The two games will be part of a four-game jamboree tipping off at Pepperell High School in Lindale, Georgia. The action begins at 10 a.m. The Mustangs play at 12 noon and 2 p.m.
Mustangs (88) - Rosser 9, Brandon Harris 21, Hill 4, Tim McKeever 10, Anthony Lumpkin 16, Davis 6, Day 6, Gorrell 1, Hall 2, Nate Smith 10, Todd 3.
Golden Knights (53) - Satterwhite 7, Garyeon Boykin 12, Dawson 3, Tay Allen 10, Dale Boykin 14, Nation, 7, Hill, Wilson, Kerr, Heflin, Neal, Moore.
A Celebration of Education
Public Invited To Brooks Honor
T
he Northwestern Technical College Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees invite the public to celebrate the educational service of Dr. Ray Brooks.
On Sunday, February 10 from 2 - 4 p.m., a celebration will be held in honor of the Technical College System of Georgia's longest-serving President. The event will take place in the dining room of the 500 Building on the Rock Spring, Georgia campus.
Brooks has served as President of Northwestern Technical College for 21 years. Brooks was first a student at the school which opened its doors in 1966. For more information, please contact Northwestern Technical College at (706) 764-3813.
Brooks Retires, Faces New Chapter
Long-Time President Makes Move to S.C.
After spending 33 years working in education in Northwest Georgia, the longest standing President in the Technical College System of Georgia is retiring as head of Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring, Georgia.
In a staff and faculty meeting on the campus of Northwestern Technical College on Monday afternoon, Dr. Ray Brooks made the official announcement that he was going to bring his 22-year run as President of the school to a close to take advantage of a new venture on his horizon. Brooks will become President of Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina on March 3.
“I’m glad I could be a part of this very special place,” said Brooks to more than 150 of his current employees who work to help educate the more than 2,300 students currently enrolled at Northwestern Technical College. “I grew up here,” said Brooks, outgoing President of the college which has now been in operation for more than 41 years. Brooks says he will serve his last day as President of the Rock Spring, Georgia-based college on February 15.
“Everything this school has accomplished was done by a team, not one person. I am very proud of what we have accomplished working together,” said Brooks. Northwestern Technical College serves the people of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker County, Georgia. Northwestern is one of 37 technical colleges and divisions currently in operation across the state of Georgia.
Brooks’ new school, Piedmont Technical College serves seven counties in the southern region of the Palmetto state. Brooks will be replacing Dr. Lex Walters who has served for 39 years as the college’s President.
Brooks himself was a student at the school in 1973. He earned a diploma in Auto Mechanics. The LaFayette, Georgia product went on to earn his Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Dalton Junior College in 1973, a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from the University of Georgia in 1984, a Master’s of Education in Trade and Industrial Education from Georgia State University in 1987, an Educational Specialist certification from The University of Alabama in 1994, and a Doctorate of Education from The University of Alabama in 1996.
Northwestern Technical College has seen its share of growth during Brooks’ tenure which began in 1986. The credit enrollment of 275 students during Brooks’ first year has ballooned to more than 2,300 students in just 20 years.
Brooks has left his mark on the college and its campus over the years. Under his leadership, the college currently offers more than 100 programs, has a new Early College program benefitting special situation high school students in Northwest Georgia, has purchased land adjoining the current campus which will allow for the school to double in size in the future, and just this year became one of four colleges to begin the first athletic programs within the Technical College System of Georgia.
Brooks was born in 1951. He and his wife, Pam, have one son, Ben, who is currently a teacher in the Walker County, Georgia school system. Brooks is a graduate of LaFayette High School in Walker County, Georgia.
“I have mixed emotions about the decision and I am very excited about the future,” said Brooks. “Pam and I have prayed about it and talked about it and we really are at peace with this decision.”
The Northwestern Technical College Foundation is in the process of creating a Brooks Scholarship Fund to honor the school’s outgoing President. “He has proven his dedication to the education of the people who work, live, and play in Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley,” said Jason Gamel, Director of College Development at Northwestern Technical College.
Mustangs Corral First Win in First Game
NTC To Host First Home Game Saturday
(Lindale, GA) - January 12 went down as a day of firsts. The first ever basketball game was held between two teams in the Technical College System of Georgia pilot league and the Northwestern Mustangs corralled their first win.
The Mustangs’ Anthony Lumpkin and Brandon Harris dropped in 24 and 13 points, respectively, leading Northwestern to a big win on the road in this monumental game against Coosa Valley Technical College, 74-65. Lumpkin and Harris are cousins who played their high school ball in North Georgia. Lumpkin is a graduate of Ringgold High School in 2005 and Harris graduated from LaFayette High School this past year.
NTC (1-0) held only a four point lead at the half, 33-29. However, the first game jitters which the young Mustangs experienced in the first half began to vanish as the players came into form in the second half. “You could’ve touched these guys with your finger nail in the first half and they would’ve shattered into a million pieces,” said Mustangs’ Coach David Stephenson. “We have a lot of players to be proud for the parts they contributed to this game. The one thing they all did well was represent Northwestern in an extremely respectable manner.”
Former Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe standout, Tim McKeever added 12 points and 10 rebounds in the winning effort. Eight of the 11 Mustangs on this historic roster actually found the bottom of the net at least one time. “We made sure all eleven of these guys saw playing time,” said Stephenson. “They all worked way too hard leading up to this game to not get that in this first game.”
A quartet of former Trion High School stars who now attend Northwestern teamed up for 21 points in the game. Starting point guard, Dustin Rosser only hit on a pair of jumpers, but he did manage to swipe the ball from Bruin ball handlers on five different occasions. His most impressive stat was pulling down five rebounds. Mr. Rosser measures a lengthy 5’3” tall.
“We had a good size group of fans who came down to cheer on the team,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “Now, we are all very excited about hosting our first home game next week.” The Mustangs host the Griffin Tech Tigers (1-0) from Griffin, Georgia on January 19 at 2 p.m. at LaFayette High School. “All of our home games will be held at the high school this year.”
There will be free admission to all games at Coosa Valley Tech, which is playing their home games at Pepperell High School, and to the home games of Northwestern. Concessions and giveaways will be available while supplies last. For more information, contact the Northwestern Technical College Public Relations office at (706) 764-3813. Mustang team information is also available on the school website at www.northwesterntech.edu.
Northwestern (74) – Anthony Lumpkin 24, Brandon Harris 13, Tim McKeever 12, Hill 9, Todd 5, Smith 4, Rosser 4, Day 3, Davis, Gorrell, and Hall.
Coosa Valley (65) – Dee Johnson 13, Keyvan McClinic 11, Jewey Monford, 11, Macon 9, Duvall 8, Robinson 7, McConnell 3, Nicholson 3, Banks, Brown, Orr, Shropshire, and Thompson.
Milestones For North Georgia Educators
Northwestern honors faculty, staff
Northwestern Technical College is in the middle of its 41st year of educating the people of Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley during this Winter Quarter. However, the more than 2,000 students enrolled at the Rock Spring, Georgia-based college would have a much tougher job if it wasn’t for the long-time faculty
and staff at NTC.
This Winter Quarter, the administration of the school honor Karen Cook, Shannon Goodwin, Diane Guinn, Patty Hart, Brigitte Kay, Karen Kwiatkowski, Suzanne Pauley, Leigh Ann Pettigrew, Karen Spivey, Thomas Street, Marianne Weddle, and Doris Wheeler for five years of service to the State of Georgia and Northwestern Technical College.
Marilyn Buckner, Lisa Carruth, Marilyn Essex, Donna Henderson, Al Hutchison, Tammy Livingstone, Selena Magnusson, LaToya Porter, Sue Russell, and Jennifer Watkins have served the State of Georgia and Northwestern Technical College for 10 years.
Ronda Cox and Carol Shoemaker have completed 15 years of service. While Jean Skates and Michael Walker have completed 20 years of service to the State of Georgia and Northwestern Technical College.
2,300 students are enrolled in more than 100 different programs at Northwestern Technical College. Winter Quarter classes at the Rock Spring-based campus and online began on January 3.
COURTESY: WALKER COUNTY MESSENGER
Northwestern rounds up a mascot
Northwestern Technical College unveiled the new mascot, colors and logo during a ceremony on Friday. It is the first mascot in the 40-year history of the school. You might say the selection of Northwestern Technical College’s first mascot was a simple matter of horseplay.
The Rock Spring-based school had never had an official mascot or school colors during its 40-year history, but that all changed on Friday as the “Mustangs” were unveiled as the school’s nickname.
The mascot, logo and school colors of black and Vegas gold were unveiled to the faculty and staff during a ceremony at the school on Friday, which ended a long search for the school’s first mascot.
Thirty possible names were submitted before the list was paired down to 10. The Mustangs, Patriots and Knights were the top three vote-getters after faculty and staff voting with the Mustangs winning out after a recent student vote.
“The students are excited about it,” said Dione Hodge, Northwestern’s Coordinator of Student Life. “It was the hot topic of week with everyone wondering what the mascot was going to be and what the logo was going to look like. The morale around here has been real high because of it.”
The new names and colors come on the heels of the announcement of the school’s first men’s basketball team, which begins play on Jan. 12.
Head coach David Stephenson, along with players Brandon Harris and Matt Hill, were on hand at the ceremony to unveil the team’s new logo.
“The big thing for us to get an identity out there for this program,” said Don Foley, the college’s Marketing and Public Relations Director. “We knew the first step was putting a name out there to get the community behind us.
"I think once the community learns who is playing for us, they’ll get behind us. This is a big deal for us. Anytime you can give something a name, it gives you a connection.”
Foley said he expects apparel with the new logo and colors will be available for the public in the next two or three weeks.
“We’ve had a lot of interest from the first day students began hearing about us getting sports,” he added. “We can’t go anywhere in the community without people asking us how the basketball team is coming along and who is on the team.”
Northwestern is also planning to offer women’s volleyball in the spring.
Hodge said sign-ups and the search for a coach would mostly likely begin in January with practice beginning by February in time for the season opener sometime in April.
She said that the addition of athletics has had students buzzing,
“Lots of questions were asked at orientation about what sports were being offered and when they were starting because they had seen stories about it in the papers,” she said. “I feel like this is going to be a great tool to help us in recruiting and getting more students in here. I think it’s also going to boost a sense of community and make it seem like a complete college, more than just a place to take classes and leave.”
The Mustangs will play its home games at LaFayette High School.
The Birth Of Basketball
Northwestern Chooses A Mascot, A Team
After 41 years of educating the people of Northwest Georgia and beyond, Northwestern Technical College is heading down yet another path: College Athletics.
The birth of an athletic program comes with hundreds of issues and thousands of questions. “Where are you going to play home
games? Are you going to be in a particular league? We have heard, discussed, and solved just about every issue imaginable,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at the Rock Spring, Georgia-based college. “Now, there’s one big question almost every person asks. No matter where I go to visit in the area, people ask me, ‘Hey, what are you going to call yourselves?’ Or, ‘Don’t you need a mascot?’”
With more than 2,300 students enrolled at Northwestern this quarter, President Dr. Ray Brooks made this issue a simple one. “We wanted the students of this school to have the final voice in the process,” said Brooks.
In November, a committee at Northwestern came up with dozens of mascot ideas which were quickly narrowed down. “We had simple criteria,” said Foley. “The mascot we selected had to be unique to the area. We serve eight public high schools across the four counties of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker. So, we couldn’t be the Ramblers, Tigers, Wolverines, or any other local high school mascot.”
The Northwestern committee also wanted to avoid popular collegiate mascots. “We weren’t going to be the Northwestern Bulldogs or the Northwestern Crimson Tide,” said Foley. “This needed to be a team that represented these students, our neighbors, and these communities.” After narrowing the list to ten finalists, they were presented to the faculty and staff of Northwestern. “Teachers and staff voted for the final five from which the students would select the winner,” said Foley. Director of Planning and Institutional Research at the college, Dr. Craig Harston coordinated the surveying efforts of our faculty, staff, and students.
After students completed a campus-wide survey process on December 6, these are the three finalists. “The students casted the most votes for the Patriots, Mustangs, and Knights,” said Dione Hodge, Student Life Coordinator at Northwestern Technical College. “We would be happy with any one of the three finalists.”
The official unveiling date of the winning mascot is still being decided. “We are considering revealing the mascot at the first Northwestern home game,” said Men’s Head Basketball Coach, David Stephenson. Home games in 2008 will be played at LaFayette High School.
This first year of athletics at Northwestern Technical College will be a pilot year for Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball. “They are playing in a test league of sorts with three other technical colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia,” said Foley. “Griffin Tech in Griffin, Georgia, West Central Tech in Waco, Georgia, and Coosa Valley Tech in Rome, Georgia, will be playing in a four-team league. Now, there are 29 other schools in the Technical College System of Georgia that will be watching what happens closely this year.”
Four of the 33 schools in the Technical College System of Georgia are already members of the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association. Albany, Chattahoochee, South Georgia, and Valdosta Technical Colleges are currently members of the 16-team conference. “We’ve been asked if it’s a goal of ours to join this group,” said Foley. “Our goal right now is simple. We need to learn all we can as this pilot year progresses from the planning stages to completion of the season. We want this to be something that will make everyone at Northwestern and in our communities proud.”
Northwestern will play a 12-game schedule beginning on January 12 in Rome against Coosa Valley Technical College. “We will play four road games, four home games, and four games at a neutral site,” said Foley. Northwestern’s first home game will be played on January 19 at LaFayette High School when they host the Griffin Tech Tigers.
Northwestern Technical College made their first big decision on the new basketball program last month when they hired David Stephenson of Chattanooga to lead the team in its inaugural season.
“This is a huge opportunity for me and an incredible responsibility,” said Stephenson who was faced with something a little different than established programs have to encounter. “We pretty much were dealing with the guys that were already on our campus or heard about it by word of mouth. There really wasn’t a recruiting period.”
More than two dozen interested players signed up for the opportunity to be a member of the first-ever basketball team at Northwestern Technical College. In the end, only twelve would be named as official members of the very first team. “Every one of the guys who came to try-outs gave it their all,” said Stephenson. “We even had several of the guys who didn’t make the cut volunteer to be managers on the team. It was obvious that they just wanted to be a part of this.”
Stephenson held three days of try-outs. Two days at Parkway Nazarene in Fort Oglethorpe and one day at the LaFayette Recreation Center in LaFayette. “I was very thankful for Parkway and the recreation department crews for accommodating us with these sites,” said Stephenson. When the squeaks of the high-tops came to halt, twelve players would be left standing to fill the first uniforms for Northwestern.
The members of the 2008 Northwestern Men’s Basketball Team are Emmanuel Davis (Ridgeland), Casey Day (Trion), Colton Gorrell (Gordon Lee), Casey Hall (Gordon Lee), Brandon Harris (LaFayette), Matt Hill (Trion), Anthony Lumpkin (Ringgold), Tim McKeever (LFO), Jordan Reynolds (Trion), Dustin Rosser (Trion), Nate Smith (LaFayette), and Bud Todd (Trion).
Practices for the Northwestern squad began on December 6. “This gives the coach five weeks to prepare for the first game,” said Foley. “Coach says he plans on practicing three times a week.”
The Northwestern Public Relations Director says there has been interest from a lot of people outside of the team. “We had one young lady in one of our programs who had an offer to cheer at an S.E.C. school and decided to stay in the area. She says she’d love to help form a cheerleading squad here,” said Foley. “We are just taking things one day at a time and making sure to cover everything as we go along. We can feel the excitement of our students and our neighbors in these counties beginning to grow.”
Northwestern Hosts NW Georgia Seniors
Hundreds visiting NW Georgia college
Seniors from eleven Northwest Georgia high schools across Dade, Catoosa, Chattooga, Walker, and Whitfield County took part in an orientation session for the 2007 College Day held at Northwestern Technical College on November 27.
Approximately 600 seniors took the day to visit Northwestern in Rock Spring, Georgia. Students and teachers got to work with instructors in the classrooms and labs on the Northwest Georgia campus during the 2007 College Day event hosted by Northwestern at Northwestern.
Seniors received free lunch, t-shirts, and one-on-one financial aid and admissions counseling, if requested. Winter Quarter classes at Northwestern Technical College begin on campus and online on January 3, 2008.
Northwest Georgia Schools Go
To College For Alternatives
Early College, Tech Programs answer questions for high schools
Staffers from Northwest Georgia schools spent September 25 finding answers for 2008 high school graduates and their future in Northwest Georgia and the Tennessee Valley. Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring, Georgia gave them a first-hand look at the latest in Industrial Technology advancements and the careers available to their seniors locally and around the world.
“There’s just so much for our students to take away from an experience like this,” said Jason McKinney, Assistant Principal,
Ridgeland High School. McKinney, along with graduation coaches and other officials, got a sneak peak at training programs available to students in Northwestern’s Electrical Controls, Electronics, Drafting, Machine Tool, Heating and Air, and Automotive Technology programs.
“Being able to put them in the shoes of our students so they can see the benefits is a remarkable opportunity for everyone,” said Leigh Ann Pettigrew, Northwestern Technical College Recruiter. “These programs are designed to provide local students with the skills necessary to capture careers in the local job market.”
Among those in attendance were Betty Curry, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, Diane Hale and Joel Svoboda, Ringgold High School, Rejeana Brooks and Pat Clifton, Chattooga County High School, Byron Ballard, Dade County High School, Jason McKinney, Ridgeland High School, Jeff Guffey, Gordon Lee High School, Bert Bradford, Gordon Lee Middle School, Donna James, Gwen Gregory, and Sara Ange, LaFayette High School, and Faye Christensen, Catoosa County PLC.
The visit included a close-up look at the brand new Early College being administered by Northwestern Technical College and local school systems. “It’s an alternative to the traditional high school curriculum,” said Don Foley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Northwestern Technical College. “It’s a great tool for the right student to be able to take their education to a new level. All classes take place on the Northwestern campus. Candidates have to be recommended by several members of their high school staff.”
Currently, Catoosa and Walker County Schools are taking part in the very first year of the Early College program. “Students just wrapped up their first quarter of studies,” said Mandy Howard, Director of Early College. Dade County High School is very interested in taking part in Early College in 2008. “It appears to be something that would be really good for some of our students,” said Byron Ballard, Dade County High School Graduation Coach.
For Fall Quarter, the Northwestern Early College has twenty-eight students enrolled. “Depending on the programs they have chosen, a student could literally graduate from high school and college at the same time,” said Foley.
Northwestern Technical College has more than 2,000 students enrolled this Fall. Classes began at the Rock Spring-campus and online through the college on October 1. Deadline to apply for Winter Quarter is December 6.
Operation Of Hope
Northwestern Helping Crisis Center
A group of surgical students in a North Georgia college are performing their very first operation this month; an operation of hope to help 
the families in need in Northwest Georgia.
The Northwestern Technical College Surgical Technology program is collecting donations for the Northwest Georgia Women’s Crisis Center in North Georgia. “This started off as something to draw attention to our program,” said Jan Hage