OTC GOAL Winner
Enjoys State Competition

Laura Nottingham, Ogeechee Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner for 2007 traveled to Atlanta recently for the state Department of Technical and Adult Education GOAL competition.  Nottingham was honored, along with winners from all the other technical college system schools across the state, over several days at the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel in downtown Atlanta.  Several OTC faculty members and administrators also traveled to Atlanta to support Nottingham in her quest for selection as the state GOAL winner. While Laura was not the official state winner, she feels that her experience there made her and all the other participants winners in the broader sense.  “The whole experience was an accomplishment in itself,” stated Laura.  “I gained so much confidence for speaking in front of groups, met so many great people from around the state, and was so honored with the accolades and gifts that I really do feel that each of us are winners, even if not chosen the overall top winner,” she further said.

Laura Nottingham

Nottingham’s nominating instructor, Jan Martin, summed up the qualifications of OTC’s winner by saying, “Laura is just a special kind of student.  From day one in her classes she was determined to do well and to be on task with every element of the class.  It was an easy decision to nominate her for this honor.”  When asked if she would go through the GOAL process again, and what advice she might give future students who are nominated locally, Nottingham expressed her thoughts by saying, “I would definitely go through this process again.  It has been such a growing experience for me and I would encourage anyone who is nominated in the future to challenge themselves to participate in GOAL, not for the chance of winning prizes but for the opportunity to learn and grow through the experience.” 

An Imaging Science Services Assistant student at OTC, Nottingham plans to pursue further education at OTC by enrolling in either the Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Echocardiography programs.  As a flight attendant on international flights, Nottingham has seen the need to pursue a career which will allow her to be home to spend time with her family more.  “Laura’s experience here is an excellent example of how OTC can meet the needs of all sorts of students, whether those just out of high school, or those who need or want to change careers,” stated OTC president, Dr. Dawn Cartee.  “We are so proud of her accomplishments and we feel honored that OTC is represented by such a worthy GOAL winner.  Laura has certainly done her part to spread the message that Ogeechee Tech is about changing and improving lives,” Dr. Cartee concluded.

“I’ll take the leadership and speaking skills that I learned at GOAL with me into all walks of my life.  The experiences and memories will be with me forever, and that is better than any other aspect of this opportunity,” Nottingham stated.  For information on how you can pursue your education and career through Ogeechee Tech, visit the campus or the website at www.ogeecheetech.edu. 

Contact: Barry Turner
Executive Director of Public Relations
Phone: (912) 688-6958
Email: bturner@ogeecheetech.edu