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DeKalb Technical College expands its reach into Morgan County Georgia by opening a new facility in an historic building. Ribbon was cut this morning on a 3,000 square foot facility on the second floor of the creamery building just off the square in Madison. The recently renovated facility will house consolidated programs and services offered by DeKalb Technical College. “We’ve moved the Adult Education/GED from Calvary Baptist Church to the creamery building,” says Richard Smith, Vice President of Economic Development for DeKalb Tech. The new location offers classroom space, office areas for economic development and a computer lab.
DeKalb Tech’s goal is to get people on the right educational path. For many it begins with getting their GED. But the learning process does not stop with getting that certificate. “If we can bring people together then we can show them more programs as they get their GED; then we can show them what else is available to them…We need that continuity to keep people moving. Don’t think GED is an end. They need to keep moving along and getting their education, and really working towards a career,” says Smith. Dr. Robin Hoffman, President of DeKalb Tech was on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony this morning and added that “DeKalb Technical College is the conduit for an educational journey. For nearly five decades DeKalb Tech has offered a pathway to help individuals reach their goals as well as serving the needs of the growing business community.”
While DeKalb Tech helps individuals grow, the school plans on growing itself. “Plans are to apply for a community block grant next year, hopefully we’ll get that, and then we can renovate 5,000 square feet on the first floor for four classrooms and offices for Economic Development programs and continuing ed. As well as some credit programs,” says Richard Smith. Students often encounter many obstacles and challenges in returning to school for either their GED or continuing education classes. DeKalb Tech hopes that by offering a central and convenient location, at least one obstacle will be eliminated. “So many of the people here have limited transportation or no transportation, so a local site is very important to them,” says Smith. DeKalb Tech has more than 17,000 students enrolled in adult and continuing education classes for 2009. The Morgan County students now gather on the second floor of what was once a dairy facility called the creamery. The building that once helped process milk now is used to process the dreams and hopes of a community through education.
DeKalb Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, promotes a student-centered environment for lifelong learning and development, encompassing academic and technical education for employment in a global community. The college has eight centers of learning in DeKalb, Newton, Rockdale, and Morgan counties. Established in 1961, DeKalb Technical College currently has more than 4,000 students enrolled in diploma or degree programs and more than 9,000 in adult education classes. Academic and technical programs at DeKalb Tech cover more than 100 different occupations. For more information visit our website at www.dekalbtech.edu.
