Southeastern Technical College President Larry Calhoun Announces Retirement

William “Larry” Calhoun, President of Southeastern Technical College, has announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2026, following a distinguished career in education, public service, and military leadership.

Calhoun has devoted his life to serving his country and the people of Georgia through education.

“As he steps down as president of Southeastern Technical College, the institution — and the entire Technical College System of Georgia — is stronger, broader, and more impactful because of his steady hand,” said Greg Dozier, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. “Over the course of his tenure, he has been a steady and respected leader, guiding the College through growth, strengthening partnerships across his region, and ensuring students have access to high-quality, workforce-aligned programs.”

Before Calhoun’s leadership within TCSG, he worked at the former Georgia Aviation Technical College as a classroom instructor, chief flight instructor, academic program chair, and vice president for academic and student affairs. Earlier, he served our nation for 30 years in the United States Air Force.

In his thirty-year military career, Colonel Calhoun flew combat missions in Southeast Asia, logged over 270 combat hours in Vietnam-era operations, commanded a flying squadron, served at the Pentagon, and retired in 1998 with over 5,000 military flight hours. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal.

Rather than rest on those accomplishments, Calhoun walked out of his retirement ceremony and into a classroom the very next morning, beginning a second career in technical education. He rose through the ranks of Georgia’s technical college system, served as president of Swainsboro Technical College, and became president of Southeastern Technical College in 2015.

“Larry has remained deeply connected to the communities he has served throughout his career. His commitment to service—whether in uniform or in education—has made a lasting impact on countless students, colleagues, and communities across Georgia,” said Dozier.

A native of Georgia, Calhoun was born in Vidalia and raised in Montgomery County. After graduating with honors from Montgomery County High School, he earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Under his leadership, Southeastern Technical College earned the TCSG College of the Year award, achieved SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation with no findings, and set enrollment records in both total and dual enrollment. He expanded career academy access so that seven of ten school systems in the College’s service area now benefit from these transformative programs, investing directly in Georgia’s future workforce. Calhoun has given Georgia more than fifty-eight years of service — in the skies above us, in the corridors of the Pentagon, and in the classrooms and boardrooms of technical education. His legacy is measured not only in institutional achievements but in the countless students whose careers and lives were shaped by the opportunities he championed.

Photo: Southeastern Technical College President Larry Calhoun