A year ago, an unprecedented merger between two institutions introduced the new West Georgia Technical College to LaGrange. With five campuses serving seven counties, the expanded West Georgia Tech is the second-largest technical college in Georgia-and growing.

At the one-year anniversary of the merger, college officials reviewed the changes and looked to the future.

“Our main goal during the merger was to improve the student experience,” said LaGrange campus director Tony Jones. “We’ve invested $1.5 million in the LaGrange campus in this first year alone. From upgrades to the security and HVAC systems to new flat-screen technology in all the common areas, we’re making sure that we exceed the expectations of every student, employer, instructor and staff member who walks through the doors.”

To that end, the programs like welding, automotive technology, and nursing have received new equipment and upgrades in learning labs. The commercial truck driving program saw its entire fleet replaced with new vehicles.

Elsewhere on the LaGrange campus, improvements include new signage and lighting, furniture upgrades, and 300 new computers in classrooms and labs. Other changes benefit the community beyond the college, like the renovations to the Callaway Conference Center and the return of child care to the WGTC LaGrange East Campus, through a partnership with Community Action for Improvement.

“It’s not just the facilities and equipment,” said Perrin Alford, WGTC Provost. “We’ve made innovative partnerships with other colleges and universities to offer our students more options and value in the education they receive here. We’re always looking for new ways to expand on that.”

In the past year, West Georgia Tech has signed articulation agreements with Kaplan University, Mercer University, Brewton-Parker College, Strayer University, Southern Polytechnic State University, DeVry University and the University of West Georgia.

In April, WGTC signed an innovative agreement with Columbus State University and Columbus Tech, making it easier than ever for students to pursue the education that’s right for them. The agreement covers about 40 technical college courses where credit can be transferred more easily to Columbus State, with an emphasis on core courses.

West Georgia Tech has also expanded program offerings to meet the workforce needs of Troup County’s economy. More than 75 degree, certificate and diploma programs are now offered in LaGrange, including a new Registered Nursing program and an expanded evening cosmetology program.

This year brought a new flagship facility to WGTC’s trades and technology programs, too. The new Center for Integrated Manufacturing at West Georgia Technical College is a direct result of LaGrange’s new manufacturing environment and provides a unique educational experience to students studying one of nine trade programs. In addition to credit classes for WGTC students and dual enrollment options for high school students, the 25,000-square-foot CIM offers industry training through partnerships with local businesses.

Since opening, the CIM has boasted a 100 percent graduate job placement rate for all the trade and technical programs offered at the center.

Some of the changes over the past year aren’t as immediately noticeable as facility upgrades, but ensure the health and success of the college for decades to come. In February, the West Georgia Technical College Foundation merged with the West Central Technical College Foundation. The new WGTC Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that will encourage, solicit, receive and administer gifts and bequests of property and funds for the benefit of West Georgia Technical College and college activities.

With WGTC, LaGrange’s future is brighter than ever, officials said. As Troup County’s workforce education partner, West Georgia Tech will play a vital role in the economic growth of the region.

“We’ve been a part of this community since 1966,” WGTC President Skip Sullivan said. “And we’re more invested in the future of LaGrange and Troup County than ever before. Looking forward, we’re proud of our history as a progressive leader in workforce education here, and we’re going to keep fueling Troup County’s economic engine for years to come.”