A Gathering of Minds at Lanier Tech

Three former presidents, along with the current president of gathered together for the first time recently at the college’s Oakwood campus in Hall County.

Current President Russell Vandiver, since 2010, hosted Dr. Ken Breeden (1975-1984), Dr. Joe Hill (1984-2001), and Dr. Mike Moye (2002-2010), for a presidential recognition and conversation.

The four presidents discussed various topics including:

• Expansion of academic opportunities,
• Economic growth potentials that are emerging for the college and the communities that the college serves, and
• The college’s historical focus on the core mission of workforce development.

“Lanier Tech started with one campus and two buildings in Oakwood, and we’ve grown to five campuses, 13 buildings, including a new state of the art conference center," said Vandiver in a press release.

He also said that two more new buildings would open soon, one at the Dawson campus and the other at the Winder-Barrow campus.

"We started with several hundred students, and last year we served over 26,400 students," Vandiver said.

The recently strengthened academic partnership between the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia provides students with more options to pursue higher education through improved transferability of 27 selected courses. 

“This strong partnership further enhances the higher education goals for our students," said Vandiver.

The four presidents also discussed the emerging economic and workforce development opportunities for the college.

“Lanier Tech’s workforce development capabilities combined with the state of Georgia’s Quick Start program truly help a business speed their products or services to the consumer," said Vandiver. "We take great pride in helping to recharge Georgia’s improving economy and in helping many Georgian’s find rewarding, new careers with the new corporate partners that are located in our service area."