ALBANY, GA – In 2020, Albany Technical College (ATC) lost two very committed friends of the college. To honor these two ATC supporters, the college will host two special campus dedications in honor of Lemuel Griffin, a member of the Albany Tech Foundation Board of Trustees and Robert Chester, a member of the Albany Technical College Board of Directors.
On Friday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m., the college will rename a street on campus to Lem Griffin Memorial Drive. Formerly Career Drive, the street is the main entrance to the campus from Slappey Blvd. The renaming ceremony will take place in front of the Logistics Education Center and will be attended by family members, as well as community dignitaries.
On Friday, March 19, the College’s Executive Board Room will be dedicated to Robert Chester at a 10 a.m. ceremony. The Executive Board Room is located on the second floor of the Logistics Education Center. Family members, as well as other local officials will also attend the event, which will feature the unveiling of a memorial plaque inside the room.
“These gentlemen were devoted to the education process and supported the college unfailingly,” said Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Tech. “Both were dear friends and dedicated members of our boards. Their commitment warranted a special recognition here on campus and we are proud to make them a permanent part of our history. They certainly will be missed as we move forward, but both have left a lasting legacy at the college.”
Lemuel Griffin was no stranger to this community. He served as a longtime member of the Albany Tech Foundation Trustees and was a leader in the refrigerated warehouse industry for 52 years. This included 20 years as co-owner of Flint River Services. Mr. Griffin also served in leadership roles all over the community including Phoebe Putney Health System Board, the Boy Scouts of America, and The Salvation Army.
Robert Chester, a resident of Early County, had been an active member of the Albany Tech Board of Directors since 2005. Mr. Chester was a civil service engineer with the U.S. Department of Defense for 32 years. He was well known in the Southwest Georgia community because he volunteered and served on several boards including Albany Technical College, State Coordinator for the Association of Community College Trustees, Early County Chamber of Commerce, Hospital Authority of Early County, and the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council.
Both events will be recorded and posted on the official college social media including YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.