Beginning early last fall when the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia decided to merge 14 colleges, certain amounts of angst, anger, skepticism, and feelings of betrayal surfaced in most communities. Many felt it to be a shot in the heart for their College and certainly for their identity and more importantly their autonomy. Not to discount the hard work, the investment over the years, and the fundraising efforts that appeared to be almost fruitless. Such a merger, that of West Central Technical College (WCTC) and West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), was met with vocal and sometimes pointed opposition. Perhaps the process of the decision and the surprise, along with little or no communication beforehand simply fueled the impassioned response.

Looking back10 months ago, the road has been bumpy, the process grueling, and the investment by employees no less than staggering. July 1, 2009, West Georgia Technical College will emerge as a vibrant, student-centered College with student enrollments ranked second in the state. West Central Technical College will no longer exist in name. The geographic distinction of West Georgia and the recommendation by the West Central Technical College Board to take the name of West Georgia Technical College should not be overlooked as a milestone in moving the process forward.

Accreditation issues, budget issues, political issues, community issues, personnel issues, curriculum issues, and others too numerous to name all complicated the merger-designed to save the state money. I am proud to say as of July 1st, West Georgia Technical College is fiscally sound and ready to meet the growing needs of residents in the seven county service area. Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, Heard, Meriwether, and Troup counties have a College that is poised to fulfill its mission like never before.

The mission of the technical colleges is technical education, adult education, and economic development. The original design team that met in the fall of last year, with the leadership of the boards of both Colleges, committed to be student centered and to define the best practices of both Colleges to bring about the BEST technical college in the state. Without the leadership of Wayne Livingston of WGTC and Janice Thompson of WCTC, what we have today would not have been possible. To both boards and the staff of both Colleges I can only offer my sincere thanks.

Many question the value of the merger. I would like to provide some detail of a few of the things we have seen evolve from the merge. First-if it is all about students, then students should benefit. There are more program selections for students, well over 100. Students now have the opportunity to have more physical locations to attend class and access to over 350 full and part time faculty choices. Student organizations have almost doubled, the student population has become more diverse, and more scholarships are available to provide access to education. The Golden Knights athletic program will add a new dimension for the College. Men and women basketball, ladies volleyball, and cheerleading are all new aspects that WGTC will see. These among others, are excellent venues for recruiting, retention, and establishing our College as having the variety of student activities that make us look and feel more like a College. A bookstore has been added in LaGrange, new security systems have been installed, new signage, and additional infrastructure has been added. These benefit the students!

With the merger, no longer will WGTC and WCTC compete for students. That was a costly and often awkward activity. Less duplication of services, more buying power with more resources, and the ability to add technology will enhance instruction at every level. A regional approach to economic development and industrial recruitment with the assets of the new West Georgia Technical College will benefit everyone. Now, WGTC has 16 legislators at the state level that will represent our College. The strength of numbers is important as the College continues to grow. All seven counties will see additional continuing education classes.

Change is difficult. While many new positions have been created at WGTC, many do not exist in the same format they did before. However, employees have opportunities to work in different areas, in new positions with a more narrow focus, new faculty have been hired, overhead has been reduced, a tuition reimbursement plan for staff development has been established, and numerous opportunities for personal advancement have been created.

I cannot say everyone has been happy, or that everyone is happy. I can say that West Georgia Technical College will be fiscally sound, student-centered, progressive and innovative, and certainly responsive to the communities we serve. Faculty and staff are the best in the state! I am certain that the new era of educational opportunities will be the very best in the storied histories of both Colleges. Our partners are many and growing. We invite you to the campuses of WGTC to visit and experience the exiting things that are happening.