President's Blog

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker Recent increases in energy costs have caused America to consider a reset. The cost of fuel has negatively impacted families, governments, and businesses. Work has already begun on the fix. Cars and trucks weighing less are more fuel-efficient with motors that provide more horsepower. Almost every home has a programmable thermostat with modern, efficient heating and air conditioning units. Most organizations have an energy conservation plan. The...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE READY TO EARN TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE CREDITS AT NO DIRECT COST. The state of Georgia has provided its young citizens an excellent opportunity to succeed early. In my opinion, the most forward-thinking educational initiative was high school dual enrollment. When high school students demonstrate that they are ready, they can move on to preparing for a well-paying job. They can also earn enough credits to receive an associate...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker Field of dreams is one of the "feel good" movies of all time. The ghost in the cornfield didn't ask a question; he made an emphatic statement Ray, Kevin Costner's character in the movie, misunderstood. Like Ray, many former athletes feel that we could have had a professional career if we were a little taller, heavier, and faster. Ray lacked talent, speed, and endurance but, he had faith. Ray traveled throughout the Midwest and the Northeast,...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker "It is not well to forget the past. Memory is given to man for some wise purpose. The past is the mirror in which we may discern the dim outlines of the future. The nation may forget, it may shut its eyes to the past, and frown upon any who may do otherwise, but the colored people of this country are bound to keep the past in lively memory until justice shall be done to them". – Frederick Douglas. Each February, we write essays, blogs and sit...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker Dr. King Luther King always went where he was needed, when he was needed. In April 1968, the sanitation workers needed him in Memphis, Tennessee. He didn’t hesitate when they called. His speech on the evening of April 3, 1968 at Mason Temple illustrates that he knew that any day could be his last. He had other plans, but the sanitation workers of Memphis, Tennessee, needed him there. Before leaving for Memphis, Dr. King began planning for a...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker Programs offered by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) have high value and relatively low cost. Although cost and value are related, they are not identical. If the cost of an education experience is too high, regardless to the outcomes after graduation, enrollment of non-affluent students will decline. Even additional financial aid may not create much more than a marginal increase in enrollments. Price rations scarce resources. When...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker While channel surfing, at approximately 11:15 PM on October 23rd, I found a tape-delayed football game between the Montana Grizzlies and the Idaho Vandals. Why was I watching the Grizzlies and the Vandals, you ask? It’s because South Carolina State played Delaware State in Dover. The SC State game was also tape-delayed, and I wanted to see my SCSU Bulldogs in a victories effort. However, I couldn’t find the SC State vs Delaware State game on...

Written by Dr. Anthony O. Parker When I fly into Albany I do my best to get a window seat. I hope the approach is from north to south. I enjoy seeing the landmarks such as Chehaw Park, the Georgia Power Lake, River Point & Flint River golf courses, downtown, Albany State, etc. However, I must admit, I’m looking for Albany Technical College. Yes, I’m biased. I’m proud of the work that my team has done in developing our campus. I think that we are the most attractive landmark...

Posted October 11, 2021 I wasn’t born at Phoebe Putney Hospital. I didn’t start or spend my entire life in this community. However, I’ve lived here longer than I lived anywhere else. I’ve lived in Dougherty County for 26 of my 68 years. I am more at home in Albany than anywhere else I’ve been. We are a resilient community. I arrived during the recovery from the flood of 1994. I’ve experienced with you the flood of 1998, the tornados of 2018, Hurricane Michael, and the COVID-19...

Posted on October 2, 2021 A combination of resources is available in Albany Tech’s eight-county service areas that could allow high school students to earn an associate degree, a workforce diploma, or two technical certificates of credit. Georgia’s dual enrollment program provides the first 30 credits, and the Rebuild SW Georgia Initiative can provide an additional 30 credits for children who are economically disadvantaged. The children from both affluent and economically...

Posted on September 2,2021 It’s not news that we have an acute nursing shortage across the entire length and breadth of the United States. Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, reported a nurse shortage of 500. On NBC nightly news with Lester Holt, Parkland also said that they have temporarily closed labor and delivery to devote more space to treat COVID-19 patients. Our local hospital has fared no better. Scott Steiner, President and CEO of Phoebe Putney Health System reported an...

Posted August 2, 2021 Albany Technical College has made plans to resume offering a more robust fall semester 2021 course calendar. We understand that it is our responsibility to make the learning and teaching environment as safe as possible. We also understand that other activities related to college attendance require safe interaction between students and our staff. We intend to do as much as we can, as safely as we can, as quickly as we can. Your community’s technical college has...