Benjamin Chase Kelly Is Coastal Pines Technical College 2015 GOAL Winner
Coastal Pines Technical College President Dr. Glenn Deibert (L to R), OTC Foundation Chair Larry Paulk, and Chad and Mallory NeSmith of NeSmith Chevrolet joined Coastal Pines Technical College GOAL Winner, Chase Kelly, for a photo in front of a Chevrolet Cruz, a car similar to the one that will be given to the state GOAL winner. The NeSmiths graciously demonstrated support of the GOAL program with their participation, representing the State’s partnership with Chevrolet.
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Benjamin Chase Kelly, a railroad systems management student at Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC), is the college’s first Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. The announcement was made at the GOAL/ Rick Perkins Awards Luncheon January 22 in Jesup. To be nominated, a student must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, maintain a satisfactory mark in work ethics and exhibit qualities of leadership in the classroom and community.
Finalists were chosen by a screening committee who reviewed nominations and conducted personal interviews. The four finalists - Abbie Brown, Katrina Rucker, Guylee Washington, and Kelly - then took part in another round of interviews and evaluations, where a panel of representatives from local business and industry considered the students’ academic achievement, personal character, leadership abilities and enthusiasm for technical education.
As the 2015 CPTC GOAL winner, Kelly will participate in the upcoming regional competition in Tifton. GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among Georgia’s technical college students. It is the highest student honor for the system. GOAL winners from across Georgia will travel to Atlanta in April to compete for the state GOAL title.
A panel of leaders from the business, industry and government sectors will interview them and choose one to be the 2015 TCSG GOAL winner and the recipient of the GOAL medallion. The title of state GOAL winner earns the student the responsibility of traveling Georgia as the ambassador for the entire technical college system. To make that travel easier, the statewide winner receives a new car, courtesy of Chevrolet, the statewide corporate sponsor of the GOAL program.
The announcement of Benjamin Chase Kelly, a Ware County resident, as the Coastal Pines Technical College GOAL winner was made by Karen Boyle, GOAL coordinator for the College.
Kelly told judges and guests, “Technical education has given me the ability to pursue a great career without having to place life on hold. I have the opportunity to have a 40-hour per week job while getting a great affordable education. Without the flexibility of the technical education system, I would not have been afforded the opportunities that I am receiving.”
Kelly chose to attend Coastal Pines Technical College to earn his Associate Degree in Railroad Systems Management. Upon graduation he plans to further his education at a four year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree in Logistics Management and secure employment in transportation/logistics, and later advance to a managerial position.
Boyle congratulated Kelly on his accomplishment, “Chase will represent Coastal Pines Technical College well. He is a great student and will be a wonderful ambassador for technical education. All CPTC GOAL nominees and finalists are commended for excelling in their programs. The GOAL process, by its very nature, requires participants to exhibit excellence in academics and leadership. It’s an honor to be nominated and included in the process.”
CPTC President Dr. Glenn Deibert extended congratulations to Kelly on behalf of the faculty and staff. Deibert also thanked the selection committee and those who coordinated the event.
Kelly is currently working at Vyve Broadband as a dispatcher. He is married, and he and his wife are expecting their first child in July. Congratulations to Benjamin Chase Kelly.
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