Clarkesville, GA – North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) Alumni Association recently announced the 2023 Alumni Award recipients during the college’s annual homecoming. Recipients are nominated and selected for the Young Alumni Award, Bridge Builder Award, Alumni Career Achievement Award, and Alumni Hall of Fame Award based on their outstanding contributions to the college and community.
Donald Lovette of Hinesville, Ga., was named the 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame Award winner. Lovette is a 1975 graduate of NGTC and lifelong resident of Liberty County, where he is currently serving a third term as chairman of the Liberty County Board of Commissioners. Lovette boasts an astounding 45.5 year career with Liberty Regional Medical Center, where he retired as director of laboratory services in December 2020. He also serves as chairman of the Savannah Technical College Board of Directors, is affiliated with numerous civic organizations and founded Love It Productions as a way to educate others on Liberty County’s African American history.
The Alumni Career Achievement Award was presented to Josh Huff of Clarkesville, Ga. Huff attended NGTC while working full time at Freudenberg NOK. He graduated with a CNC technology diploma in 2012 and a tool and die specialist certificate in 2013 and was promoted to die tech/lead set up over second shift. Huff currently serves as the Industrialization Specialist for Freudenberg NOK. In this role, he has created and implemented an internal development program focused on providing new technical resources for the company and hiring NGTC graduates and engineering interns from Georgia colleges.
The Bridge Builder Award was presented to Kevin Panter of Blue Ridge, Ga. Panter is the owner of Kevin Panter Insurance, where he has served the Northeast Georgia mountains for over 30 years. Panter has served on the NGTC Business Technology Advisory Committee for the past six years, is an avid supporter of technical education and NGTC’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and has hired two NGTC graduates. In addition to his support of NGTC, Panter has been active in Kiwanis for more than 30 years and serves as a volunteer firefighter.
Brandon Mendoza of Blairsville, Ga., was selected as the 2023 Young Alumni Award winner. Mendoza graduated from NGTC in 2019 with a diploma in cosmetology as well as a salon and spa support specialist certificate. He is currently the owner/operator of The Refinery Gentlemen’s Barbershop in Blue Ridge, Ga. Since graduating, Mendoza has shared his story and inspired current students on numerous occasions including NGTC Entrepreneur Day and the Nontraditional Program Breakfast.
“On behalf of the NGTC Alumni Association, I would like to congratulate our 2023 Alumni Award recipients,” said Emily Sullens, NGTC Alumni Association president and student affairs specialist. “These individuals are a true representation of the spirit of NGTC, and we know they will continue to inspire others and impact their communities. I would also like to extend thanks to everyone who attended our second annual homecoming as well as our alumni car show. It was great to reconnect with so many alum!”
For more information regarding North Georgia Technical College programs or admission or the Alumni Association, visit northgatech.edu or call 706-754-7700.
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