L to R: Mark Whitlock, TCFA president, James Whaley IV, Deborah Smith Stapleton
and Sparky Reeves, SGT president.

The late Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lee Smith have been outstanding champions of education and South Georgia Technical College.  They have left behind a legacy of life-long service and generosity to the college and community.  Roy Lee Smith was a charter member of the Foundation and served on the SGT Board of Trustees from 1990-1994.  Mr. Smith was named an Emeritus Trustee of the Foundation.

Roy Lee Smith and his wife, Susan, established an endowed scholarship fund in 1991.  Today, the Roy Lee and Susan Smith Endowed Scholarship fund is South Georgia Technical College's largest endowed scholarship.  In addition to their endowed scholarship fund, the Smiths also established a book scholarship fund in honor of the College Culinary Arts instructor, David Finley.  Each quarter, deserving culinary arts students are eligible for book scholarships from the Smith-Finley Culinary Arts Scholarship fund.  The Smiths also supported additional worthy projects at South Georgia Technical College, Georgia Southwestern State University and other community efforts.

Over 40 students have attended South Georgia Technical College on scholarships due to the generosity of the Smith family.  South Georgia Technical College President, Sparky Reeves commended the Smiths for their legacy of service and generosity and indicated that South Georgia Tech is a better place today because of their involvement.

The Technical College Foundation Association of Georgia extends its congratulations to the family of the late Roy Lee and Susan Smith for being selected as the 2007 Benefactor of the Year.  Smith daughter Deborah Smith Stapleton and grandson James Whaley IV were on hand to accept the award from TCFA president, Mark Whitlock.  The Frabel Galleries custom glass magnolia  was selected as the award because it reflected a name the Smiths used in their business.  In addition to the Frabel award, TCFA president Mark Whitlock presented a check for $1,000 to SGT president Sparky Reeves to be used to add to the  Smith's scholarship fund.

 

Volunteer of the Year - Ms. Kathelen V. Amos

L to R: Mark Whitlock, TCFA president, Kathelen V. Amos, 2007 TCFA Volunteer of the Year,
and Bob Jones, Columbus Technical College president.

Kathelen V. Amos is co-chair of the Columbus Technical College Foundation’s capital campaign, Tomorrow's Workforce… Today. Ms. Amos has been tireless in her support of Columbus Technical College, its programs, its staff and its mission -- both before and during this campaign. She is without question the single most important individual in this fund-raising effort.

Ms. Amos has spoken with leaders, legislators, friends, and business acquaintances across the greater Columbus community about the value of Columbus Technical College and its impact on the lives of its citizens. Her tireless efforts and high profile in the local community have given voice to the needs of workforce and economic development through technical education. Her voice is consistently one of conviction and passion for the citizens who are empowered by the ability to earn a living, the local employers who have their needs met for trained, qualifed employees and the resulting impact on generational poverty by nurturing Georgia's citizens and helping them succeed by fulfilling their own dreams.

Ms. Amos was at the forefront of the first one million dollar pledge to Tomorrow's Workforce… Today. This pledge came through the non-profit organization of which she is President, The Aflac Foundation, Inc. Kathelen Amos and her husband Dan have personally contributed $1 million to the campaign in the form of a challenge grant which was answered by another one million dollar gift. The couple also hosted a major event at their home. Ms. Amos has been responsible for bringing in over $2.25 million in additional contributions. She has personally solicited many of the campaign's top prospects and has spoken at several other fundraising events.

Kathelen Amos began her advocacy for Columbus Technical College long before the campaign kicked off. Several years ago, Ms. Amos was instrumental in getting more than $350,000 in unrestricted funds donated by The Aflac Foundation to support various programs within the college.
Ms. Amos' efforts have resulted in private financial support for the college but, more importantly, with her influence and character at the forefront, the respect of Columbus Technical College has grown significantly throughout the community.

Ms. Amos accepted the TCFA Volunteer of the Year award from TCFA president, Mark Whitlock during the 2007 Leadership Conference awards dinner on October 30, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel. The award, custom glass art from Frabel Galleries of Atlanta, was entitled Cattleya Orchid. TCFA president Mark Whitlock also presented a TCFA check for $1,000 to Columbus Technical College president Bob Jones to be used to establish a scholarship fund at Columbus Technical College in Ms. Amos' name.