GSW and SGTC Presidents discuss ‘Two Great Choices, One Great Community’ partnerships

June 17, 2024

GSW Assistant Vice President for Advancement and GSW Foundation Executive Director Stephen Snyder is shown above with GSW President Dr. Michelle Johnston, SGTC President Dr. John Watford and SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird as the group spotlights the benefits of cooperation between the two higher education institutions.

Newly appointed Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) President Dr. Michelle Johnston and South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) President Dr. John Watford met to discuss opportunities for the two higher educational institutions to work together to promote educational and economic prosperity for this region.

Dr. Michelle Johnston became President of Georgia Southwestern State University on June 1, 2024. She and her Assistant Vice President for Advancement Stephen Snyder visited South Georgia Technical College and met with SGTC President Dr. John Watford and SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird. Dr. Watford gave Dr. Johnston a tour of the campus and the two discussed partnership opportunities.

Georgia Southwestern State University and South Georgia Technical College combined forces with the city of Americus, Sumter County officials and local business leaders in 2007 to begin promoting the positive educational opportunities offered in our area using the slogan, “Two Great Choices – One Great Community.”

Today, that partnership entered into its third decade as South Georgia Technical College President Dr. Watford and Georgia Southwestern State University President Dr. Johnston met and discussed the educational and economic impact of the two schools on Sumter County and the surrounding areas.

“Georgia Southwestern and South Georgia Tech are vital to the workforce development and economic impact of Americus and Sumter County as well as the state and the southeast,” said SGTC President Dr. Watford. “I look forward to working closely with Dr. Johnston and her staff to build a stronger partnership to promote the educational and workforce advantages offered by our two great institutions.”

“I am honored to work alongside President Watford in the vibrant Americus community,” said Johnston. “South Georgia Tech has been an outstanding partner in enhancing higher education opportunities in this region, and I look forward to building upon this strong foundation. By fostering the collaboration between our institutions, I am confident we will continue to serve as a pivotal partner in the growth and development of our community. Together, we will advance our shared mission of providing quality educational opportunities in South Georgia.”

Earl and Barbara Gammage of Gammage Print Shop in Americus worked in conjunction with former SGTC President Sparky Reeves and former GSW President Dr. Kendall Blanchard to forge this unique partnership nearly 17 years ago. That tradition continued under current SGTC President Dr. John Watford and former GSW President Dr. Neal Weaver. The baton has now been passed to GSW President Dr. Michelle Johnston.

“By working together, we can strengthen the educational opportunities available and promote the positive attributes of this community while also supplying a trained workforce for business and industry,” said Dr. Watford.

Scholarships generated by the initial ‘Two Great Choices, One Great Community’ efforts are still offered at both Georgia Southwestern State University and South Georgia Technical College to encourage local high school graduates to continue their education at one or both of the “two great choices” available in Sumter County.