Middle Georgia Technical College

Middle Georgia Technical College Hosts First Graduation for Defense Acquisition University

Warner Robins - On November 20, Middle Georgia Technical College hosted the first on-campus graduation for Defense Acquisition University course PMT352B, Program Management Office Part B since becoming a host-site for DAU South Region in early 2007. Brenda L. Romine, executive director of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC), was the special guest speaker for the event.

Twenty five students participating in the five-week specialized Program Management course received certificates from Romine and Ron Fontenot, associate dean for Outreach-DAU South. Students included members of the Marine Corp, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and Department of Defense (DOD) civilians from across the nation and as far away as Japan. Jack Coyne serves as a lead instructor for DAU, and was one of three instructors teaching this course at Middle Georgia Technical College.

Romine encouraged the graduates to use their newly acquired knowledge when returning to their home installations.

"Don't be afraid to use lessons learned," she said. "Return to your home base and show why you were selected for this course."

During this course, the class participated in the MindRover Exercise. Teams were challenged through a simulation program to design and equip a vehicle with various sensors, movement components, and weapons. They also programmed and integrated the various components in a graphical interface to customize their vehicle's operational properties.

Since becoming the host site for the Robins Air Force Base satellite campus of DAU, Middle Georgia Technical College has benefitted the Department of Defense by reducing costs by almost $1 million. Prior to MGTC, DAU classes were hosted at Robins Air Force Base.

Romine, who has been a member of civil service for almost thirty years, was recently appointed executive director for the WR-ALC. She began her career at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center in 1979. Since then, she has served in many capacities at ALCs in Texas, Ohio, and Oklahoma before moving to Georgia.

After the DAU graduation ceremony, Romine and her assistant, Major Brad Douglass, were treated to a presentation given by MGTC Vice President for Economic Development Jim Newton. The presentation focused on MGTC's programs and services and spotlighted community partnerships and training agreements with Robins Air Force Base. Afterwards, the guests received lunch and a tour of the campus.

Defense Acquisition University is an institution that touches nearly every member of the Department of Defense Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) workforce throughout all professional career stages. DAU provides a full range of basic, intermediate, and advanced certification training, assignment-specific training, performance support, job-relevant applied research, and continuous learning opportunities.

Defense Acquisition University at Middle Georgia Technical College is a function of the Economic Development Department. Classes, usually one to two weeks in length, are scheduled at the MGTC campus year round. This marks the first five-week course at MGTC.

Brenda Romine (center), executive director of the WR-ALC, and Dr. Ivan Allen (right), president of Middle Georgia Technical College, discuss the future of the partnership between MGTC and Robins Air Force Base. Also pictured are Paul Hibbitts, Sr., past chairman of the Board of Directors, Roger Sopha, director of RAFB Programs and Contract Training, Jeff Scruggs, MGTC vice president for Technology and Institutional Support Services, and Craig Jackson, MGTC vice president for Student Affairs.