Lanier Technical College Adult Education Program’s annual kick-off event
This is National Literacy Week, and using the theme of a professional airline that helps adult education students take flight with GEDs and ESL studies, over 100 adult education staff and volunteers assembled for the Lanier Technical College Adult Education Program’s annual kick-off event at the Forsyth Conference Center.
A welcome will be given by “Lanier Tech Airway’s CEO”, Dr. Ray Perren (Lanier Tech’s President) welcomed the “flight crew” and “airline support staff” and told the audience that they play a strategic role for the College and truly change the lives of their students. Dr. Perren shared the story of his mother, who earned her GED, went on to be a nurse and an instructor at one of Georgia’s technical colleges, and who inspired his own love of education.
Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tavares Holston, Interim Vice President of Adult Education and VP of Academic Affairs, shared how his mother-in-law also received her GED and continued her journey until she earned a Doctorate, becoming a true role model for all that know her.
Dinah Wayne, a member of the Technical College System (TCSG) of Georgia’s State Board and Lanier Technical College’s Board of Trustees challenged the airline to continue its success. Ms. Wayne was a professional airline attendant earlier in her life. Ms. Charita Boles of the TCSG System Office of Adult Education serves as “security for the airline”. Ms. Boles remarked that LTC is an example of a well-run “airline”.
Senor Flight Attendant, Brenda Thomas, LTC Executive Director of Adult Education, served as master of ceremonies and ensured that all “passengers” arrived at the proper training “gate”. The evening was filled with training sessions that dealt with language, science, civics instruction, correctional education, technology, and the statewide database.
Recognition for “airline crew and staff” performance were awarded to members of Lanier Tech’s seven county service area.
The Dawson “flight crew” had the highest GED test score in the State of Georgia! GED student, Jonathan Hopkins, was first in Georgia, and he is now enrolled in the Horticulture Program at Lanier Tech’s Forsyth Campus. Dawson was also first in the category for county improvement with 57.1%, beating their score last year by 21.2 percentage points. Dawson was second in the “Highest Level of Completion” with 66.1%, and this is the first year that Dawson has placed in this category. The Dawson crew had the third Highest GED Pass Rate with 84.6%. Additionally, Dawson earned first place for Highest Increase in Level Completions with 17.08% at the Dawson Detention Center.
Photos available on Dropbox:
1-2 Dr. Ray Perren
3-4 Dinah Wayne
5-6 Charita Boles
7-10 Dr. Tavares Holston
11 Brenda Thomas
12 Flight Attendant, Shannon Cole
