Paul Hancock of Texas visits SGTC after establishing scholarship in memory of his parents

     Paul Hancock of Ft. Worth, Texas visited South Georgia Technical College recently after establishing a limited term endowed scholarship for students from Dodge, Wilcox, Crisp and Sumter Counties in memory of his parents, John and Kate Cheek Hancock.

       The John and Kate Hancock limited term endowed scholarship should be able to assist approximately 15 students from Dodge, Wilcox, Crisp and Sumter Counties each year over the next 10 to 12 years with scholarships of $500 or less.

      Paul Hancock wanted to give academically deserving but financially disadvantaged students the opportunity to attend college or further their education in memory of his parents.  SGTC President Dr. John Watford and SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird met Hancock and gave him a tour of the Americus campus.  SGTC Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Michelle McGowan gave Hancock a tour of the Crisp County campus.

   “I would like to thank Dr. Watford, Su Ann Bird, and Michelle McGowan for the tour and the time they provided me,” said Hancock.  “I came with high expectations, and those expectations were exceeded with what I experienced.  I am pleased to be a small part of what is being done for students in that part of Georgia.”

    Paul’s father, John Hancock, was born June 24, 1922 in Cordele.  He served his country as a commissioned officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was able to attend Georgia Tech after the war.  He received a BS and MSA in Chemical Engineering.  John passed away in 2014.

    He married Kate Cheek Hancock, who grew up in Dodge County, on March 20, 1948.  She attended a technical school in Atlanta thanks to outside support.  She served her country in the Navy WAVES in World War II.  Kate passed away in 2019.  The couple had four sons, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 

   The couple came from humble beginnings and both enjoyed the benefit of financial assistance beyond what their immediate family could provide to further their education.  They felt fortunate to receive that assistance and their son, Paul, wanted to give back to others in memory of his parents.

   “My parents and their relatives were from Dodge, Wilcox, Crisp, and Sumter Counties so I searched for a place to be able to give back in honor of them,” explained Paul Hancock. He selected South Georgia Technical College because it has campuses in Sumter and Crisp County and also serves students from Dodge and Wilcox Counties. 

   South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford expressed his appreciation to Paul Hancock and his family for their willingness to partner with South Georgia Technical College and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with the sponsorship of this limited term endowment.

    “This is a wonderful way for the family to honor the memory of their mother and father while also allowing their legacy to continue for years to come,” explained Dr. Watford.  “We are very appreciative that the family selected South Georgia Technical College to honor their parents.”

   South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird echoed Dr. Watford’s comments.  “The John and Kate Hancock scholarships will be a blessing to our students.  We have many academically deserving students who would like to continue their education but are concerned because they may not receive enough financial aid to complete that education.  This is especially true of our nursing students who may exhaust their financial aid one or two semesters before graduation.  These scholarships will be a lifeline to those individuals while also helping the very rural communities where Mr. and Mrs. Hancock began their lives.”

   For more information about the John and Kate Hancock Scholarship or the South Georgia Technical College Foundation contact SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2248 or sbird@southgatech.edu or the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA 31709.