AutoNation Recognizes Marietta Student of the Year

MARIETTA, GA -- The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation, in a partnership with AutoNation, recently named Automotive Technology student Emmanuel Unachukwu as the 2016 AutoNation Student of the Year. The Marietta resident, who also was named Student of the Month for April, was presented with a $1,000 cash award, which he will use to buy tools that will assist him as he pursues a career in designing and building cars.

The partnership between the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation and AutoNation is an initiative to recognize outstanding students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at Chattahoochee Technical College. During the fall and spring semesters, instructors are asked to nominate students who are excelling both inside and outside of the classroom. A committee from AutoNation reviewed the nominees and selected the Students of the Month.

Out of those students, the Student of the Year was determined.

This past fall, Michael King, of Canton, was named Student of the Month for September, Dr. Tharis Word, of Cartersville, was the Student of the Month for October and William Beasley, of Canton, was the Student of the Month for November. For the spring semester, Sean Davis, of Canton, was selected as the Student of the Month for February and Cameron Weaver, of Acworth, was named Student of the Month for March.

AutoNation awarded each Student of the Month with a certificate of recognition and a $250 cash award. Additionally, in the fall, AutoNation recognized Dr. Tharis Word as the Student of the Semester and presented him with a $500 cash award.

“The Foundation is very appreciative of its partnership with AutoNation. Since many of our students exhaust their financial aid options before they complete their program of study, the financial obligation of tuition, books and fees can fall heavily upon the student,” said CTC Vice President of External Affairs Jennifer Nelson. “Scholarships and awards attract the best students, enable those who apply themselves to remain in school, and recognize academic achievement. AutoNation’s support has helped our students make education attainable.”

Unachukwu was nominated to be the Student of the Month by his instructor Larry Cardell. According to Cardell, Unachukwu has demonstrated a good work ethic and desire to perform both in the classroom and in the shop. He has shown consistent improvement with each new challenge.

“Being recognized by AutoNation was unexpected and truly amazing,” Unachukwu said. “After graduation, I will need to buy some tools and this award will help me pursue my dream of designing and building automobiles. I would like to design cars for BMW’s M division or Mercedes-AMG, and I would like to see my designs become a part of automotive history.”