STC Scholarship Recipients Recognized at 2025 Foundation Banquet
Courtesy of Southeastern Technical College
Southeastern Technical College (STC) scholarship recipients were honored at the annual Southeastern Technical College Foundation Scholarship Banquet on February 11, 2025, at the STC Economic Development Center in Vidalia.
STC President Larry Calhoun welcomed guests, commended the students for their dedication to their studies, and thanked the donors for their contribution to education.
Southeastern Technical College Foundation Executive Director Blythe Wilcox said, “I work with an amazing foundation board that wants to help students achieve academic success by providing assistance in the form of scholarships. I am very thankful for their guidance and dedication to STC and the Foundation. Scholarships would not exist without our generous donors. Donors include individuals and businesses in our service delivery area, our trustees and board of directors, and STC employees. We are very proud of the fact that 100% of full-time STC employees give to the Foundation and have for many years. We appreciate all of our donors who choose to invest in the common goal of seeing our students succeed in their programs of study.”
Stacy Adams of Montgomery County was recognized with the Giro Pack Scholarship and a General Scholarship. Doris Brock of Tattnall County was recognized for a Summer Semester Scholarship. Sabrina McLeod of Toombs County and Diana Nopal of Tattnall County were presented with Part-Time Student Scholarships. Andy Mullis of Dodge County received a Gene Haas Foundation CNC Scholarship. Melanie Purcell of Emanuel County was presented with a General Scholarship. Avery Robinson of Johnson County was recognized with the Kathy Carpenter Memorial Scholarship. Kyleigh Rollins of Toombs County received an Erica Scannavino Scholarship.
Scholarship recipients were seated and dined with the donors who were closely tied to their respective scholarships, giving students the opportunity to meet Foundation donors and trustees, as well as supportive community partners.
Guest speaker Charles Eames, a retired librarian from Waycross, Georgia, is a long-time supporter of STC students. Mr. Eames generously established the Eames Travel Fund for students at several technical colleges about 12 years ago, which includes Southeastern Tech. The fuel cards provided to students each semester assist with the cost of their transportation.
“I do not have kin in this area, but I have a lot of friends, and I have my technical college families,” said Mr. Eames, who encouraged guests to choose a good attitude, stay positive, continue to learn, and show appreciation in life.
STC’s 2025 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, Jason Colbert, spoke at the banquet and emphasized how important it is to never give up on pursuing a goal – at any age.
President Calhoun said, “Never underestimate the power of philanthropic efforts on the future of our community. Several years ago, STC recognized the need for an ASN (RN) program for our area medical providers but did not have the resources to develop the program – a two-year process before admitting students. A local foundation volunteered to fund the director’s position needed to get the program started. A director was hired and the program was developed, approved, and accredited. After graduating the first four classes, the program was named Best RN Program in Georgia by RegisteredNursing.org. If it weren’t for the generous support of that local foundation, one of the best RN programs in Georgia would probably not exist today.”
Students who were awarded STC scholarships but were unable to attend the banquet were: Erica Scannavino Scholarship: Kaland Brazell, Roberto Gomez, Chase McLain, and Jeffrey Mosley Gene Haas Founda tion CNC Scholarship: Danny Carter, Cameron Franklin, Wilder Peebles, Jack Williams General Scholarship: Olivia Hamilton, Takayla Williams, Anslee Woods Julia P. Musgrove Presbyterian Youth Fellowship Scholarship: Leslie Venegas Louie and BeGy Cal –
houn Scholarship: Melody Truett Mae Jones Memo rial Scholarship: Tydresha Jackson MaGhew Anders Me morial Scholarship: Sarah Beasley Medical Scholarship: Taylor Helms, Hannah Spikes Memorial Health Meadows Hospital Medical Scholarship: Destini Bush, Morgan Cope, Yadira Demillon, Jason Rodriguez, Christian Tankersley, Emma Tapley, Leslie Venegas, Zaren Williford Part-Time Student Scholarship: Abigail Goodman, Jamie Mallard, Chundrisica Roberson, Anslee Woods President's Scholar ship: Trenton Dubberly ScoG Meehan Memo rial Scholarship, Brittney Bryant Shot and Jean Strange Scholarship, Mercedes Williams Summer Semester Scholarship: Tamia Cooper, Paulino Cortes, Jamie Mallard, Jordan Taylor, Melody Truett, Takayla Williams, Latiba Woods Dr. Oscar "Sammy" Holton Memorial Scholarship: Summer Semester: Jacqueline Balderas Vidalia Campus Scholarship: Sarah Boyett For more information on scholarships and the STC Foundation, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.
