Greg Garret retires from the La. technical college system

The Louisiana Community and Technical College board of supervisors honored Gregory Garrett for his leadership and service to South Central Louisiana Technical College.

Garrett, who recently announced his retirement as regional director, was presented with a resolution naming him “Regional Director Emeritus” which recognized his more than 32 years of leadership in all aspects of education.

“I want to thank Greg for his thirty-plus years of devotion and service to the campuses in South Central Louisiana,” said LCTCS President Dr. Joe D. May.

“He’s spent a large portion of his life advancing career and technical education, and his leadership has meant great success, growth and achievement for the college,” May said. “He will be truly missed.”

Garrett has served a total of 32½ years in career and technical education, including 28 years in leadership roles.

“Outgoing Director Garrett has left a remarkable legacy and big shoes to fill,” said incoming SCLTC Director Jimmy Sawtelle. “The leadership he provided the faculty, administration, staff, and students provides direction for the future, and we look forward to continuing in his longstanding tradition of offering excellent services for students, businesses, and industry. This college and our communities owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

In April of 1990, Garrett was employed as the Campus Dean at South Central Louisiana Technical College, Young Memorial Campus (formerly Louisiana Technical College, Young Memorial Campus), which is located in Morgan City.

“It was my pleasure to work with Greg Garrett for the many years he has served this state,” said Morgan City Mayor Tim Matte.

“Starting here as campus administrator, then moving on to the regional administrator, it was obvious to me that he had his students interest at heart,” Matte said. “He worked so well in meeting the needs of the business community and our citizens by preparing the students to meet the needs as expressed by that business community.”

“Our community has benefited by his tenure and I am confident that we will continue to benefit due to Mr. Garrett’s efforts,” the mayor said.

Garrett has served in a variety of leadership roles at the college, but has served as the leader of South Central Louisiana Technical College since November of 2003.

During his six years as regional director of South Central Louisiana Technical College, he successfully led the evolution of the region’s campuses from LTC Region 3 into what is now known as South Central Louisiana Technical College, while undergoing a significant accreditation process.

His most recent achievement includes helping orchestrate the new construction project for the Young Memorial Campus in Morgan City.

Under Garrett’s tenure the college amassed millions of dollars in grant awards and donations. These modes included Incumbent Worker Grants, donations through industry, donations through the H&B Foundation, Workforce Development Grants, and community involvement (City of Morgan City, St. Mary Industrial Group, and Chamber of Commerce). A recent example of this was the Communication Electronics program which was changed to Industrial Marine Electronics, which includes Remotely Operated underwater Vehicles (ROV) Technology.

“Oceaneering International donated over $100,000 in equipment,” said Karl J. Young, Jr., with Young Memorial Campus. “Mako Technologies donated $20,000 in equipment and a Rapid Response Grant totaled $55,167.70.”

As of 2010, several students have completed the course and are full-time employees at Oceaneering International, according to Young.

Efforts to “strengthen our partnership with PEC Premier in 2011” were attributed to Garrett by Young, noting “we provided maritime and safety training for students.”

From 1999 to 2012, it is estimated that well over 30,000 students have been taught in the Marine Operations program alone throughout the years. Many students have returned repeatedly for training due to industry based certification that comes with quality training.

Garrett’s reach also extended beyond Louisiana and the United States. Garrett presently serves as the Council on Occupational Education’s (COE) chairperson of the Commission Executive Committee. COE assures quality and integrity in international career and technical education. The goals that represent the significant values and purposes to which COE is dedicated to offering public assurance that accredited educational institutions provide quality instruction in career and technical education that facilitates learning by students and meeting the needs of the labor market.

In 2008, Garrett and Northshore Technical Community College Chancellor Dr. William Wainwright provided leadership and consultation for Jeddah Community College (JCC) in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the visit was to assist JCC with their accreditation process through the Council on Occupational Education (COE). The visit resulted in a candidacy visit for JCC followed by full successful accreditation.

Tony Tranchina with LaFourche Campus credits Garrett when the Lafourche Parish School Board and SCL entered into a memorandum of understanding where the school board funded the instructor of the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology program at the Galliano campus.

This has been provided for the past seven years and will again take place in the 2012-2013 school year, according to Tranchina.

The diesel program was sponsored by the Lafourche Parish School Board for the instructor salary. Instructor salary was paid by the school board and, in turn, Lafourche Parish High school students were not charged tuition to attend the program.

The diesel program trains on average, 45-50 students each school year during the past seven school years.

Also, the Commercial Vehicle Operator Program runs a new class every six weeks with 10 students, according to Tranchina. The practice pad was completed in March 2011. This is helping students be able to learn to drive without becoming stuck in mud puddles as well as assisting with the upkeep of the vehicle tires with the concrete rather than limestone practice pad.

Garrett was “actively” involved in the River Parishes Campus, too, according to Lily Galland with the River Parishes Campus. He was involved in the advisory council meetings, listened to the voices of business and industry, and also brought in Ms. Cindy Poskey, SCLTC River Parishes Campus Dean who has actively turned the college around, Galland said.