|
Former students attribute their current success to Floyd
College
By Michelle Huskins
Staff Writer
Since its humble beginnings in 1970, Georgia Highlands College has educated,
empowered and provided a foundation for thousands of students.
They studied in this library, listened in these classrooms and took their
knowledge down these halls and out the door to the professional world
they use it in today.
Less
than 10 years ago Tesha Stokes spent most of her days at FC as a nursing
student. Now her days are spent on the fourth floor of Redmond Regional
Medical Center as a registered nurse.
Stokes' desire to help people and her interest in the medical field led
to her decision to become a nurse.
"There is a lot of pressure on my job; it is not a career one should
choose for the money. I enjoy being here for the patients and their families,"
she said.
Despite the pressures, Stokes continues to do what she feels she was born
to do, and Georgia Highlands College was instrumental in helping her reach that goal.
Nurses are not the only ones finding their future in a Georgia Highlands College classroom.
Many teachers have made their way across this campus as well.
"I had heard good things about Georgia Highlands College, and I liked the fact
that it was aconvenient, smaller school," Angela Green, a former
middle grades education major, said.
"I had wonderful instructors like Dr. Margaret Davis (professor of
math) and Dr.Kristie Kemper (professor of English) who were so very helpful
and taught on every student's level," she said.
Green received an associate degree from FC and earned her Bachelor of
Science Degree from Berry College.
After teaching at Armuchee Middle School for a while, Green is now employed
at Vineyard Harvester Christian Academy, where she currently teaches math.
It was also location that drew Jan Pace to Georgia Highlands College. but she soon
felt at ease and welcomed as a non-traditional student and remained at
Floyd until graduation.
"I was nervous about going back to school, but my instructors and
advisers made it an easier process." Steve Burns and Dr. Wesley Walraven
were just two influential instructors that Pace will never forget.
"I was treated with respect, not like a number," she said. Pace
went on to graduate from West Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in early
education. She now teaches kindergarten at North Side Elementary in Cedartown.
Kevin
"K" Jones, a former art major, chose Georgia Highlands College because it
was affordable and close to his home. Jones trained with former art professor
David Mott, and after graduating, opened Crypt Kicker Tattoos in Rome
in 1994.
He said his favorite part of his job is "being able to draw for a
living." He has plans for his own comic books.
Since most students' days are filled with studying, reading and preparing
for class, it is easy to lose sight of the day when they too will don
graduation attire and join these and many other graduates as they embark
on new careers.
Many look back and count Georgia Highlands College as one of the stepping stones on
their journey to success.
|