For over four decades, change has been constant at South Georgia Tech, but one thing has remained consistent – Gary Lamar “Sparky” Reeves. Today, that one constant factor has announced his intention to retire as President of South Georgia Technical College effective September 30th, 2015.  

Gary Lamar “Sparky” Reeves has served as President of this prestigious two-year technical college since August 12, 2004, and has had a tremendous impact on the college and the surrounding communities in each of his different roles throughout the last four decades.

“I had a vision for the college when I was named President,” said Reeves, “and I feel like I have accomplished my goals. Now it is time for me to step back and let someone else take the reins while I make time for myself and my family.”

Looking back over the rich history of South Georgia Tech, Reeves stated, “We have come a long way! I think our progress is a testimony to anyone who has ever attended, worked or supported the college and I am honored to be among that group.”

Reeves also paid tribute to each of the five individuals that served as Presidents or Directors at South Georgia Tech before him and for their tremendous influence in making this institution what it is today. Those five individuals are: Jed Yingling, Horace Odom, Hugh Ford Hayes, Dea Pounders, and Jon Johnson. “I am honored to be associated with the legacy that each of these leaders built. I hope that the accomplishments that each of us achieved will continue to pay tremendous benefits for years to come," said Reeves.

The seven main goals that Reeves set for himself and his faculty and staff to accomplish during his tenure as President included: 1.) expanding the quality educational programs and providing instructors and students with the equipment needed to train individuals for rewarding careers; 2.) improving facilities and beautifying the campus; 3.) increasing enrollment to over 2,000 students; 4.) having athletic teams and clubs and organizations compete at the national level; 5.) attaining the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation and other national recognition; 6.) building partnerships with business and industry and other educational institutions; and 7.) growing the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and offering more scholarships for students.

“We have been able to make tremendous strides in each of those areas over the past 11 years and I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of making this happen. I would like to especially thank my family for their support and for the outstanding individuals who have worked diligently at the college to provide our students with one of the best technical educations available in the state,” added Reeves.

South Georgia Technical College has grown to offer more than 150 associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificate of credit education programs with quality instructors and state-of-the-art equipment.  

The South Georgia Technical College campus has flourished under Reeves’ watchful eye and attention to detail. He has had over 500 live oak trees planted around the campus. “These trees grow for 100 years, live for 100 years, and then die for 100 years,” laughed Reeves, who added they should be around for several more generations.

In addition to the campus beautification with trees and landscaping, Reeves and his team have renovated the gymnasium, renovated two existing dorms to include private bathrooms, redesigned the college tennis courts and softball field, almost doubled the size of the Crisp County Center on Midway road in Cordele with an expansion, renovated one of the existing aviation hangars into the Energy and Transportation Center building, created a campus commons area and walking paths throughout the center of the campus, and started the $3.48 million renovation of the Diesel Technology and Automotive Transportation buildings.

He and his team have also increased enrollment. He had set a goal of 2,000 students and the college surpassed that goal and hit an all-time enrollment high in 2011 of 4,407 students. He also ushered in the quarter to semester change that the Technical College System of Georgia initiated in the fall of 2011.

His fourth goal of having athletic teams and clubs and organizations compete at the national level has spiraled upward to include having national champions in each of his 11 and nearly 12 years as President. The South Georgia Technical College Jets and Lady Jets basketball squads have made five appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament and been featured as “sweet sixteen” finishers three times and an “elite eight” performer one time. SkillsUSA, Phi Beta Lambda, and other clubs and organizations have competed and won almost every year at their national competitions. The college itself has been recognized nationally as one of the top associate degree producing colleges in the nation four years straight.

The fifth goal realized by Reeves and his team of attaining Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation came in 2011. “That was a great day for South Georgia Technical College,” said Reeves. “This accomplishment was a tribute to every member of the college’s faculty and staff. This is a stamp of approval for our college, faculty, staff, and students,” said Reeves.

Building partnerships was a goal that was near and dear to Reeves’ heart since he had served 17 years as the Vice President for Economic Development at South Georgia Technical College. “Partnerships have been a driving force behind the success of South Georgia Technical College for the past 67 years. The college has partnered with business and industry giants in order to assist students in their quest for career opportunities and has also forged partnerships with various educational institutions to allow students to have the opportunity to expand their education beyond an associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit,” explained Reeves. Some of the national business partnerships created under Reeves’ as President include: Georgia Power, John Deere, and Kauffman Tire. He has helped maintain and expand other partnerships including Caterpillar, Metro Power, Gulfstream, Weyerhaeuser and many others.  

Reeves and Dr. Kendall Blanchard, former president at Georgia Southwestern State University, with the help of local citizens formed the “Two Great Choices, One Great Community” partnership between Georgia Southwestern State University, South Georgia Technical College, the City of Americus and Sumter County to promote the area’s positive educational opportunities with the slogan, “Two Great Choices – One Great Community.” Over $100,000 has been raised to help promote the area as a college town and provide scholarships to local citizens who hope to continue their education at GSW or SGTC.

The final goal for Reeves was to grow the South Georgia Technical College Foundation. In 2004, the Foundation provided services to South Georgia Technical College valued at approximately $375,000 and awarded 22 foundation scholarships. The foundation had approximately $3 million in assets at that time.

Over the past 12 years, the Foundation has grown to nearly $8 million in assets, and has awarded over 150 scholarships annually. The Foundation office has also helped secure approximately $3 million in grants for the college.  

Each of these tasks were important to Reeves and proved to be extremely important to the college, its faculty, staff, students, and the communities supported throughout the South Georgia Tech service area. In addition to an outstanding education, Reeves has also been a natural leader in the community. He has been recognized as the Boy Scout Distinguished Citizen of the Year, Americus and Sumter County Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Service Award winner, Sam Walton Business Leader and is a certified Economic Development Trainer.

When asked who had a profound effect on his career, President Reeves said, “the late Dr. William B. King, Georgia Southwestern President from 1963 to 1978. I was a student when Dr. King was president,” explained Reeves. “And I was always impressed with how he walked the campus and met students and talked with them. As I moved into the education arena years later, I still remember the impact that had on me.”

Reeves took what he learned from Dr. King and merged that with his, “Every Day is Special” philosophy and became a dominate force when he arrived at South Georgia Tech in 1973 after working a few years in the sales industry. He began his educational career as an instructor in accounting, business, and business psychology. Reeves worked his way up in progressively responsible roles. He became a supervisor in 1978 and then was named Vice President of Economic Development in 1987, a position he held until being named President in 2004.

Despite all his accomplishments professionally and personally, Reeves said the greatest moment of his life was “meeting an attractive college co-ed by the name of Allene Camp from LaGrange. Allene is the best and I am so thankful for her and for our family.” The Reeves have three grown children: Kevin Reeves, Mandy Reeves Young, and Ryan Reeves and four grandchildren, Parker and Will Reeves, and Tate and Reeves Young. Aside from spending time with his family, Sparky Reeves also enjoys playing golf and attending Georgia Bulldog events.

For over four decades, change has been constant at South Georgia Tech, but one thing has remained consistent – Sparky Reeves. Today that one constant factor has announced that change is coming once again as Sparky Reeves announces his retirement as President of South Georgia Technical College.