About the College
Fact BookA History of Southeastern Technical College
During the 1987 session, the Georgia Legislature appropriated $45,000 for the preliminary plans for a technical institute to be located in Southeast Georgia. During the 1988 session, an additional appropriation of $5,410,000 was approved for the construction of the new institute. Other state funds totaling $445,000 were added to the project. Additionally, the citizens of Toombs County, through a local option sales tax, contributed $1,689,000 to the project for the construction of a 776-seat auditorium. The total funds invested in the project amounted to $7,553,000.
Construction of Southeastern Technical Institute began in 1988. A local Board of Directors was sworn into office in July 1989. By November 1989, the Southeastern Technical Institute Foundation was incorporated. Although the facilities were still under construction, the first diploma program, Practical Nursing began in January 1990. Upon completion of construction in 1990, a dedication ceremony was held. Governor Joe Frank Harris delivered the dedicatory address.
October 1, 1990, marked the official opening of the new facility. Forty-six students enrolled in four diploma programs: Practical Nursing, Information and Office Technology, Accounting, and Cosmetology. An additional 32 students enrolled in Developmental Studies. In March 1991, nine Practical Nursing students graduated in Southeastern Tech's first commencement exercise. The institute remained constant in adding more programs to respond to the needs of the community.
In 1992, Southeastern Tech established a campus in Glennville. After having leased facilities in Glennville for a number of years, on June 14, 1994 the City of Glennville gave Southeastern Tech three buildings and the land the campus buildings are situated. Also of significance to the Glennville Campus was the award of a Community Block Development Grant to Tattnall County for the construction of a Technology Center. This facility is located on property adjacent to the Glennville campus and is utilized by Southeastern Technical College for adult literacy training, continuing education, and business and industry training.
On February 5, 1998, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia authorized the purchase of a building located in Vidalia to be used as the College's Economic Development Center. The building had been leased by Southeastern Technical College since 1994. Renovation of this facility was completed in October 2002. The facility also houses regional operations for the Technical College System of Georgia's Quick Start program, an organization which serves the training needs of new and expanding industries.
In 2000, the school had a 43% increase in enrollment over 1999 and a 257% increase in the continuing education department in two years. Beyond growth was the tremendous positive effect the institution has experienced through the development of a more technically skilled workforce.
On December 7, 2000, Southeastern Technical Institute officially changed its name to Southeastern Technical College. The name change was a facet of Governor Roy Barnes' Education Reform Bill. This also allowed STC to offer associate degrees and receive formula-funding based on enrollment from the State of Georgia.
Southeastern Technical College celebrated ten years of service to Toombs, Tattnall, and Montgomery counties while promoting the theme, "A Decade of Difference." Southeastern Technical College continued to increase enrollment and add new programs.
In 2001, the Toombs County Development Authority conveyed 15.92 acres of land in the Toombs County Industrial Park to Southeastern Technical College for the purpose of establishing a Commercial Truck Driving facility. The Commercial Truck Driving Facility was completed in June 2003.
A landmark occasion for adult literacy efforts occurred in September 2001 with the opening of the Reidsville-Tattnall County Adult Literacy Center. The facility, funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), provided a permanent home for adult literacy programs and services in Reidsville.
Construction began in November 2001 on the Medical Technology Building on the main campus. Due to unprecedented enrollment growth, funds were appropriated to construct an addition to this project.
In FY 2001, Southeastern Technical College served over 1900 students in credit programs alone. The College grew to more than 50 programs in business, health, technical and industrial fields. Online classes became available at Southeastern Technical College through the Georgia Virtual Technical College. Barriers of time and distance diminished as obstacles that could hinder students from receiving the education they desire and deserve.
Following the success in establishing a permanent home for adult literacy programs and services in Reidsville was the establishment of the Montgomery County Adult Literacy Center in Mt. Vernon. The construction of this facility was also established through a CDGB to Montgomery County. The Center opened in June 2002.
During FY 2002, the College had a major impact on the community as literacy classes were now able to be offered at four different sites. As previously stated, construction began on the regional medical technology building; construction started on the Glennville Campus renovations; STC added additional parking on the Vidalia campus, as well as completed the final phases for the new Economic Development Center in Vidalia.
Southeastern Technical College has experienced phenomenal growth during its relatively brief existence. Space constraints on the Vidalia campus were alleviated in January 2004 with the official opening of the Medical Technology Building. Southeastern Tech currently offers 11 associate degrees, 25 diplomas, and 38 technical certificates of credit. The college also continues to serve the community with its continuing education, customized business, and adult literacy programs, as well as conferencing and catering services at the Economic Development Center.
The hallmark of the success of Southeastern Technical College is the strong local support from its service area. This modern facility stands as a finely sculptured monument to the economic growth and development of the entire region. Adult students, regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, academic or economic disadvantage or disability may capitalize on the enhanced opportunities offered by technical education. Technical education has clearly become a desirable, attractive alternative for education for the citizens of Georgia.