Warner Robins, Ga. – Summer semester at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) saw quite a few changes, most notably the end of service for three long-standing members of its Board of Directors, who together, played a key part in post-merger growth.
Danny Carpenter, of Houston County, David Danzie, of Macon-Bibb County, and Marsha Buzzell, of Houston County, all served the College following the merger of Middle Georgia Technical College (MGTC) and CGTC in 2013.
They end their service having helped the College expand its commitment to veteran and active-duty personnel through the College’s administration of the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR), as well as supported growth and development within the Economic Development and Academic Affairs Divisions, expanding the College’s position in central Georgia’s economy.
“The whole mission about the College is something I had believed in for some time,” said Carpenter on his dedication to service on the Board. “Technical education provides a service to this community that a lot of people don’t bother to appreciate. The whole area benefits from this.”
In 2018, the Economic Development Division of CGTC accounted for 46 percent of the customized contract training hours delivered in the state. Just this year, Academic Affairs and its Aerospace, Trade, and Industry programs completed the move of two programs to co-occupied hangar space at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport as a part of the Central Georgia Aviation Partnership.
Additionally, their service on the Board helped lead to an unprecedented rate of graduates over six years. From 2014 to 2018, CGTC surpassed 3,000 total graduates, according to data from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), becoming the only technical college in Georgia to achieve this benchmark. In 2019, the College was the first and only TCSG college to exceed 4,000 graduates.
But of all the completed efforts of the College’s mission, they are most proud of a commitment to Adult Education is among the highest.
“We’ve always made such a dedicated and adequate commitment to GED® testing and programs and I’m proud of that,” Carpenter said.
Danzie agreed, saying that there is not a school that cares more for its community and (all) students. He said he would continue to promote technical education as long as he can.
“The mission will never suffer as long as they continue to ensure everyone who strives to get an education can do so.”
Buzzell calls her time with the Board, humbling, because of the development opportunities within its structure, its diversity, and the impact members can have on community education. She encourages the individual who will serve next to come having knowledge about the students CGTC serves and how the academic programs available affect the student body, community, and future workforce.
“Great board qualities (individually and as a team) are having a vision for the future, an understanding of the community and its needs, respect for the institution, faculty, staff, and students, and the ability to empathize with the student body to obtain their goals.”
Carpenter, Danzie, and Buzzell all expressed their gratitude to CGTC and their leadership for being outstanding professionals to work with and always have a keen perspective on the needs of the community.
The scope of impact is not lost on any of them. Each is proud that when they walk out into the community they are likely to see or hear the influence of the College, whether that be in a doctor’s office, a checkout line, or their own line of work.
About the Board of Directors
The CGTC Board of Directors is a group of community and business leaders from counties in the College’s service area, including Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, and Twiggs. This group, known as the Local Board, assists CGTC’s governing board, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia. In addition to reviewing and approving the local policies, procedures, and educational programs of the College, the local directors also serve as advocates for Central Georgia Technical College.
Photos: Danny Carpenter, David Danzie, Marsha Buzzell.