The Southern Regional Technical College Foundation recently received a generous donation from Dr. Freida Hill-Harrell and Bill Harrell. Dr. Hill-Harrell and her husband presented a check for $20,000 to the SRTC Foundation, Inc. to support student scholarships at SRTC. 

“We are honored and so thankful for the generosity of Dr. Freida Hill-Harrell, and her husband, Bill,” said Dr. Craig Wentworth, president of Southern Regional Technical College. “Not only are we appreciative of the donation to our SRTC Foundation toward student scholarships, but we are also so pleased to continue to have the support of and connection to former presidents of our college. Gifts, such as this one, are so important in helping our students afford all the expenses of attending college.” 

Dr. Hill-Harrell, longtime supporter of the SRTC Foundation and former Southwest Georgia Technical College president, along with her husband Bill, a retired State Farm agent, made the largest individual contribution in the foundation’s history. 

“Before I took the job at SWGTC (now SRTC), I made a reconnaissance visit to scope the town,” she said. “I vividly recall how friendly and helpful everyone was as I visited different places and walked the streets of downtown. The best years of my career were as president, and it was because of the faculty, staff and students. Establishing this scholarship is my way of giving back and to help students be successful.” 

The Foundation will use these funds to support scholarships that reward students for their academic achievement. They also will provide financial support to students who need assistance with tuition, books, and other fees. By offering more scholarships for students, the Foundation and SRTC hope to improve the job skills, technical training, and educational level of the citizens of their community.

“My role was to support Dr. Hill, but I quickly started to love the college and community,” said Bill Harrell. “I was especially impressed with the acceptance they both gave her. Student success was always her mission, and her vision was to grow the college in every way. Helping to fund this scholarship not only honors her many efforts but will also fulfill that goal of assisting students.”  

As SRTC loyal contributors, Dr. Hill-Harrell and Mr. Harrell are recognized on the college’s Donor Wall, which highlights the cumulative and annual donations of all supporters of the SRTC Foundation.   

“We sincerely appreciate the Harrells for their commitment to technical education and for the unwavering support of SRTC’s students, faculty, and staff,” said Amy Maison, SRTC vice president of Institutional Advancement and Marketing. “The Harrells have not only made a generous financial commitment to our college but also to future SRTC students for years to come.” 

Students wishing to apply or get more information about the scholarship program at SRTC should visit www.southernregional.edu/scholarships. 

The Southern Regional Technical College Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation who strives to promote the cause of higher education and expand educational opportunities to the citizens of Colquitt, Grady, Mitchell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties. The Foundation endeavors to create scholarships and endowments, assist in the financing of capital improvements and promote programs that provide the students of South Georgia with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.