Atlanta – Ogeechee Technical College’s Laura “Molly” Bickerton, a student in the college’s radiologic technology program, has been selected as Georgia’s technical college Student of the Year in the 37th annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) competition.

Bickerton was announced as winner at a banquet held Thursday night at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta.

A panel of judges representing business and industry selects the Technical College System of Georgia’s Student of the Year from among the top echelon of students representing 33 state technical colleges as well as three state university system colleges with technical education divisions. Judging criteria included personal interviews with each student along with their scholastic accomplishment, leadership qualities, community involvement and future aspirations.

“On behalf of the Technical College System of Georgia, I congratulate Laura Bickerton on this outstanding achievement,” said Commissioner Ron Jackson. “The competition to be our student of the year is a challenging experience, and Laura impressed our judges as the being ‘best of the best’ among 36 exceptionally talented students.  We take tremendous pride in knowing that a person of the caliber of Laura Bickerton will be next ambassador for technical education in Georgia.”

For the next year, Bickerton will travel the state representing the Technical College System of Georgia at conferences and events, as well as in meetings with the Governor, legislators and other state leaders.

As the grand prize winner, Bickerton was also presented with the keys to a new 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt by Tom Gilbert, Chevrolet southeast zone manager.  Chevrolet is the statewide corporate sponsor of the Technical College System of Georgia’s GOAL program.

Bickerton’s professional goal is to pursue a career in radiologic technology that, in her words “will reflect the knowledge and skills mastered through technical education.”
She added, “I chose technical education because of the boundless career opportunities, high job placement, hands-on experience and one-on-one relationships with instructors. My technical education and training makes me a viable future employee in my field.”

Dr. Dawn Cartee, president of Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, called Laura
“a shining example of what technical education is all about.” She continued, “We are
very proud of her and her accomplishment of being named GOAL winner at the state
level for 2008. Laura is deserving of the honor, and she will be an excellent
representative for Ogeechee Tech and the Technical College System of Georgia.”
       
The GOAL program was the first statewide program in the nation to recognize and reward excellence among technical college students.

The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 33 technical colleges throughout the state. In 2007, more than 140,000 students attended TCSC colleges, which offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences, and much more.  The TCSG also manages the state’s adult education and GED programs as well as Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.

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