Pictured: (l-r) Allen Rice, DTAE Board Member; Honorable Kathy Palmer, Chief Superior Court Judge of the Middle Judicial Circuit; Pam Griner, Chairperson of the Swainsboro Technical College Board of Directors; Larry Calhoun, President of Swainsboro Technical College.

The Commencement Ceremony for Swainsboro Technical College graduates was held Monday, June 18, 2007 in the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Civic Auditorium. This ceremony recognized 498 students for the Fall Quarter 2006 through Summer Quarter 2007.There were 5 Associate Degrees, 115 Diplomas, 206 were awarded Technical Certificates of Credit, and 172 were GED recipients.

Swainsboro Technical College Board Member Erma Jenkins gave the Invocation; and Travinea Sherrod, Swainsboro Technical College Receptionist sang an inspiring rendition of the National Anthem.

Larry Calhoun, President of Swainsboro Technical College, welcomed those attending, recognized the graduates and staff, and introduced guests.

Pam Griner, Chairman of the Swainsboro Technical College Board of Directors, recognized the Swainsboro Technical College Board of Directors, and introduced the Commencement Speaker Kathy Palmer, Chief Superior Court Judge of the Middle Judicial Circuit.

Judge Palmer congratulated the graduates, their families and friends in their accomplishments. Using quotes from Vince Lombardi and Helen Keller, Judge Palmer emphasized the importance of earning an education and the necessity of maintaining Honesty, Integrity, and Values of the education that they had received at Swainsboro Technical College.

During her speech, Judge Palmer challenged the graduates to remember that as they pursued the quests that were in front of them, one of the most important things in life is to realize that they are responsible for themselves.

Judge Palmer and Mr. Calhoun presented Diplomas to the graduates. Dr. Richard Thornton, Vice-President of Swainsboro Technical College, and Susan Cross, Director of Adult Education, called the names of each participant as they were recognized.

The Benediction was given by Rev. Kenny Griffin, Member of the Swainsboro Technical College Board of Directors and the ceremonies concluded with the recessional of the graduates.

Pictured: (l-r) Swainsboro Technical College Gerontology Instructor Mary Hill, and Gerontology graduate Antonio T. Daniels from Jefferson County.

At the end of Spring Quarter 2007, Antonio Daniels completed the requirements to graduate from Swainsboro Technical College in the Gerontology Diploma Program.

Antonio is the first graduate from Swainsboro Technical College’s Gerontology Program and participated in the graduation ceremony last Monday night, June 18, 2007, in the Swainsboro Auditorium.

The graduate has completed his certification exam and is waiting for the results. Once he has passed the exam, he will receive his certification as a Geriatric Specialist. Antonio plans to seek employment related to his field of study in the CSRA.

Pictured: Jonathan Woodward

Dr. Richard Thornton, Vice President of Instruction at Swainsboro Technical College, announced that Jonathan Woodward has been named as Swainsboro Technical College’s Management & Supervisory Development Instructor as of June 18, 2007.

Mr. Woodward is an honor graduate of Swainsboro High School, has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia Southern University, and a Master of Science in Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University.

Both he and his wife Monica are lifetime residents of Emanuel County. They currently live in Swainsboro with their eighteen month old daughter Marti.

Prior to working at Swainsboro Technical College, Mr. Woodward worked with his stepfather Julian Sconyers at Kilpatrick & Sconyers Agency and several local car dealerships.

"I am really excited about coming to Swainsboro Technical College," said Mr. Woodward. "My mother was the Child Development Instructor as Swainsboro Tech about twenty years ago and I have fond memories of those times. I am a strong advocate of post secondary education and look at this opportunity as a way of giving back to a community that is a great place to live and work."

"Jonathan is very enthusiastic individual, and I feel we are very fortunate to have him as an instructor. He will be a real asset," commented Dr. Thornton. "I look forward to working with him."

Pictured: Johnny Payne

Larry Calhoun, President of Swainsboro Technical College, announced that Johnny Payne has been named as Swainsboro Technical College’s Institutional Advancement Director as of July 2, 2007.

Payne, 56, resides in Dublin, Georgia. Upon graduating from Dexter High School and attending Middle Georgia College, Payne served two years in the United States Army. As a sergeant and infantry squad leader in Vietnam, he received several distinguished awards including the Bronze Star for Valor.

Payne was the owner of a successful insurance agency in Dublin for over twenty-five years, during which he propelled his agency to a position of top ten in sales of automobile and homeowners insurance for the state of Georgia. He obtained over 2000 hours of continuing education in the areas of insurance, sales, marketing, community relations, and presentation. Upon his retirement from the insurance business, Payne was affiliated with TV 35 in Dublin. As a co-owner, he served as news anchor, programming director, and hosted several programs of local interest including sports events and political forums.

For the past three years, he has been the Director of Public Relations and Information at Georgia Aviation Technical College in Eastman. His responsibilities included developing strategic statewide communication and marketing plans for the college. He directed all media relations and managed all press conferences. He also assisted departmental and senior management teams in the planning and implementation of special projects and activities.

Payne is a member and past president of the Dublin Exchange Club, as well as a past president of the Dublin Touchdown Club. He has served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 66 and Camporee Chairman for the entire Pine Forest District. Payne was formerly "Project Share" Community Assistance Chairman for the local Salvation Army Board. He was appointed to the Dublin Parks and Recreation Board for thirteen years, serving as chairman for six years, vice-chairman for four years, and acting administrator for one year. He was recognized as Honorary Leprechaun for the 1999 Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival. He is a member of Jefferson Street Baptist Church in Dublin, where he has taught Sunday School for twenty-five years and is Baptist Men’s Director. Payne and his wife, Sue Ann, have four children.

"I realize that this is a great opportunity," said Mr. Payne. "I have heard some wonderful stories about what is happening at Swainsboro Technical College, and I am excited about being part of the experience. It is a welcomed challenge; I look forward to getting to know everyone and being a part of Swainsboro Tech."

"Johnny and I work together at Georgia Aviation for the past three years," commented Larry Calhoun. "I found out early on that his enthusiasm was contagious and very productive. I am certain that he will do a great job at Swainsboro Technical College and I look forward to working with him again."