Ogeechee Technical College

Ogeechee Technical College's Impact

Ogeechee Technical College has had a remarkable impact upon its community even in the brief time that it has existed. In thirty-nine years, it has placed thousands of graduates into productive and satisfying employment; it has helped hundreds of citizens improve their literacy or earn a GED; it has assisted dozens of businesses and industries in retraining their workers.

The Georgia General Assembly established Ogeechee Technical Institute as a public, two-year technical school in 1986. Soon afterward, Ogeechee Tech began offering Practical Nursing courses to 25 students who met for classes at the local hospital. Faculty, staff, and students moved into the original 75,000 square foot, $6 million facility in the fall of 1990. By this point, the school was also offering instruction in Adult Literacy and the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) exam preparation. Programs in business, industry, and other health programs were soon added. The school was accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.

Ogeechee Technical Institute’s growth during the mid-1990s coincided with the expansive growth of Georgia Southern University and the Statesboro area. Local support and the establishment of the Georgia State Lottery funded HOPE grant (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) in 1993 were contributing factors in the rapid growth of Ogeechee Tech. The school continued to add programs to better serve the employment needs of its three-county service area: Bulloch, Evans, and Screven.

Throughout the years, the excellence of Ogeechee Tech’s instruction has been recognized. In 1999, John Groover, an English instructor, was named the statewide winner of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. In 2021, Casey Corbett, a Fish & Wildlife Management Instructor, was named the State Rick Perkins Award winner. Three Ogeechee Tech students have been named as the top student in the state by winning the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) award:

• Molly Bickerton in 2008
• Alvie Coes III in 2011
• Lucas Teague in 2014

An ever-present resolve to provide innovative programs of study keeps Ogeechee Tech at the forefront of meeting the educational demands of citizens in this region of Georgia. With over 3,200 students attending credit classes in academic year 2025, and many others attending adult education, and continuing education classes, the demand for Ogeechee Tech’s services is constant.

Whether credit programs, continuing education, GED and literacy instruction, or various other services, the College’s commitment to meet the needs of the region remains strong. The rich heritage of Ogeechee Technical College serves as a solid foundation and inspiration for seeking greater success in the future.