Middle Georgia Technical College

MGTC's Nikita Griffin Honored at EAGLE Awards Ceremony

Atlanta - Nikita Griffin, Middle Georgia Technical College's (MGTC) 2010 EAGLE delegate, was recently honored at the Technical College System of Georgia's (TCSG) Office of Adult Education Annual Leadership Institute. Griffin was among 30 adult learners recognized for their outstanding achievement in the state's adult education program.

EAGLE, which stands for Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education, is the highest honor for students pursuing a GED in TCSG colleges. One EAGLE delegate from each service delivery area in the state was recognized at a banquet held in their honor at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. Keynote speakers for the event were Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Ann Cramer, director of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for IBM North America.

Griffin, who is from Vienna, was nominated for MGTC's EAGLE Award by her instructor, Ethel Ross. Griffin was accompanied to Atlanta by Ross and Vice President for Adult Education at MGTC, Brenda Brown.

At the conference, Griffin was honored by her peers by being chosen to receive the Spirit Award. This award is voted on by all EAGLE delegates and recognizes the student who is most congenial.

"We are all so proud of Nikita for the wonderful job she did representing MGTC at the EAGLE awards ceremony," said Brown. "She is very deserving of this award and we know that Nikita will be successful in reaching her goals."

The 30 EAGLE delegates were nominated by their instructors from among the more than 95,000 men and women who are enrolled in adult education programs throughout Georgia. The exceptional effort that they put forth in their studies and the success that they have achieved makes the EAGLE delegates outstanding role models for the million-plus Georgians who have not yet obtained their high school diploma or a GED.

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson presented the students with their EAGLE award. He noted that each student is considered to be an ambassador for Georgia's adult education program and a spokesperson for the positive effect that working toward and earning a GED can have on people's lives and their job potential.

"Through hard work and perseverance you've proven to yourself and others like you that it's possible to overcome life's obstacles and get the education and respect that you've always deserved," said Jackson. "Now, I call on you to not only continue your education, but also to help spread the word that obtaining a GED is a very important step toward discovering your potential, getting a better job, and improving the future for you, your family and your community."

MGTC offers adult education classes in Dooly, Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties. GED classes are offered at no cost, as well as test preparation courses, English as a second language course, and family and workplace literacy. To find out more about the Adult Education program at Middle Georgia Technical College, call 478.929.6789 or log on to www.middleGAtech.edu.

Photo: MGTC's EAGLE delegate, Nikita Griffin,(far right) was recognized at the February MGTC Board of Directors meeting. She is pictured with (l to r) MGTC Vice President for Adult Education, Brenda Brown; Griffin's instructor, Ethel Ross; and Dr. Ivan Allen,
President of MGTC.