Keinosia Brown Recognized as SGTC Student of Excellence

February 13, 2025
Pictured are nominees for SGTC Student of excellence and their instructors. Seated (l-r) are Kylie Underwood, Kyler Walton, Dy’asiah McCoy, Keinosia Brown, Philip Quillope, and Johnathan Giese. Standing (l-r) are instructors Johnny Griffin, Kristie Hudson, Patrick Owen, Brandon Gross, Mike Collins, Jake Pittman and Ted Eschmann.
Pictured are nominees for SGTC Student of excellence and their instructors. Seated (l-r) are Kylie Underwood, Kyler Walton, Dy’asiah McCoy, Keinosia Brown, Philip Quillope, and Johnathan Giese. Standing (l-r) are instructors Johnny Griffin, Kristie Hudson, Patrick Owen, Brandon Gross, Mike Collins, Jake Pittman and Ted Eschmann.

Keinosia Brown, a horticulture student from Sumner, recently earned recognition as the South Georgia Technical College Student of Excellence for January. Brown was nominated for the honor by her instructor, Brandon Gross.

“She’s a fantastic student,” Gross said as he introduced Brown as his nominee. “She’s one of those students who constantly gets better and works harder.”

Brown, who chose to attend South Georgia Tech after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 19 and needing to be closer to home for treatment, was honored to receive the Student of Excellence award. “I’m thankful for my family,” she said, “and I’m thankful for having an understanding teacher as well.”

Horticulture student and SGTC Student of Excellence Keinosia Brown (right) is pictured with her nominating instructor, Brandon Gross.
Horticulture student and SGTC Student of Excellence Keinosia Brown (right) is pictured with her nominating instructor, Brandon Gross.

Other students nominated for the award were Dustin Swymer of Americus, Air Conditioning Technology, nominated by Johnny Griffin; Kylie Underwood of Woodbury, Drafting Technology, nominated by Kristie Hudson; Kyler Walton of Ellaville, Electrical Systems Technology, nominated by Patrick Owen; Philip Quillope of Buena Vista, Electronics Technology, nominated by Mike Collins; Dy’asiah McCoy of Blakely, Industrial Systems Technology, nominated by Patrick Owen; Jayden Hutto of Georgetown, Precision Machining and Manufacturing, nominated by Jake Pittman; and Jonathan Giese of Leesburg, Welding and Joining Technology, nominated by Ted Eschmann.

Each month, students from certain divisions selected for that month are nominated for the Student of Excellence award by their instructors. The Student of Excellence is selected based on a number of criteria, including grades, work ethics, participation in clubs and organizations, and amount of program completion.

As the winner, Brown was awarded with a plaque of recognition, a personal letter of recommendation from SGTC President Dr. John Watford and a $50 check for her accomplishments. Additionally, her name will be displayed on SGTC’s digital marquee as well as inscribed on a plaque in Hicks Hall among previous Student of Excellence winners. Each nominee was awarded with a nomination certificate and an exclusive student of excellence t-shirt.