NGTC Honoring Award Winners This Month

North Georgia Technical College is getting ready to hand out some awards to alumni who have excelled in their professions.

The college does this each year and this year, four outstanding alumni have been selected to receive awards.

Those include the Hall of Fame induction, Career Achievement Award, and the first-ever Bridge Builder Award.

At this year’s Alumni Lunch and Awards celebration, Jane Simmons Pitts and Lydia Wilkinson will receive Career Achievement Awards.

Career Achievement Awards are given to graduates of NGTC working in the field for which they studied at the college. The winners must have distinguished themselves in their careers and be respected by fellow employees and by citizens of their community.

Pitts is the Vice President for Oconee Federal Bank and graduated from the North Georgia Tech business program in 1974. She also serves in a variety of civic and volunteer roles.

Wilkinson is a Clinical Laboratory Technology Instructor at North Georgia Technical College and graduated from the Medical Laboratory Technology program in 1978. Working in the industry for more than 30 years, she has held positions such as shift supervisor, department supervisor, and laboratory supervisor, all while pursing advanced degrees.

Meanwhile, Jerry Ivester will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Award is bestowed on a deserving alumnus who graduated from North Georgia Tech at least 20 years prior to nomination. The candidate must have distinguished himself/herself in his/her professional life.

Ivester was a graduate of several programs at North Georgia Tech including Automotive Technology, Electronics, Electronic Construction, Masonry, and Management. He was also a certified Boiler/Chiller Mechanic. Ivester worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation before serving as Facilities Director for the college from 2001 to 2009.

Finally, Leon Osborne of Osborne Wood Products will be the first recipient of the Bridge Builder Award.

This award recognizes individuals who tirelessly commit themselves and their organizations to the goal of bridging education and skills to workplace environments.

Osborne is the owner of Osborne Wood Products, Inc. and has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of both the college and more specifically the Engineering Technology program.

The winners will receive their awards at this year’s Alumni Lunch and Awards celebration on June 13.