AMERICUS — Charles Eugene Anderson of Covington was selected as the recipient of the Lt. Michael Sangster endowed scholarship from the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) Class of 15-02.
Anderson was recognized at the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy graduation ceremony recently in front of members of the Sangster family and friends, fellow LEA graduates, and college officials. He was also selected as the Class Representative of the LEA Class of 15-02 and presented brief remarks to the crowd on behalf of the class.
Anderson was selected for the scholarship based on academic performance, leadership qualities, and financial need. He was a member of the 15-02 SGTC Law Enforcement Academy graduation class and earned his Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification.
SGTC Law Enforcement Academy instructor and Academic Affairs Dean Vanessa Wall made the announcement of the Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship recipient during the graduation ceremony.
“I am honored to receive the Lt. Michael Sangster Scholarship,” said Anderson. “Attending the Law Enforcement Academy was a financial hardship for me. I had to be away from my home and my wife in North Georgia and I had the expense of the weekly travel to and from home as well as the expense of lodging, meals and other living expenses while away from home attending the academy. So this scholarship did help relieve some of that burden as well as allow me to move forward with my advance education,” added Anderson.
Anderson plans to continue his education and obtain his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree and to one day give back by teaching at the college level and/or at a Law Enforcement Academy.
“I have always felt that law enforcement was my calling and I am excited to be able to reenter this profession,” said Anderson, who was a former Georgia law enforcement officer and served as a deputy sheriff from 1977 to 1984. He left law enforcement due to health reasons and went into the information technology field, but he always had the desire to return to law enforcement. SGTC and the Lt. Michael Sangster scholarship helped give him that opportunity.
Lt. Michael Sangster was an officer with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and served as a volunteer instructor for the SGTC  Law Enforcement Academy from the inception of the program. He lost his battle with cancer and passed away in 2013, at the age of 35. With the help of LEA students, friends, SGTC faculty and staff, and Lou Couch, the Sangster family was able to endow a scholarship in his memory for SGTC LEA students.
Michael Sangster of Cordele held numerous POST certifications, including General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, TASER Instructor, and Driver Instructor.
Sangster was born in Dooly County but spent most of his life in Cordele. He was the son of Robert Sangster Sr. and Connie Sangster. He has a sister, Melissa Sangster and a son, Caleb.
“On behalf of South Georgia Technical College and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, I would like to thank the Sangster family, Lou Crouch and the other individuals who donated to this particular scholarship for partnering with us,” said South Georgia Technical College Acting President Janice Davis. “We appreciate the opportunities that this scholarship is providing for our deserving Law Enforcement Academy students. Your investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to our students indefinitely. We appreciate what all of you are doing for our students and our community.  Thank you again for recognizing the value of the educational opportunities and for supporting this effort. The students you help today will be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”
Anyone interested in donating to the Lt. Michael Sangster LEA Scholarship at SGTC may designate donations to the SGTC Foundation to that fund.
For more information about making a donation to the SGTC Foundation or endowing a scholarship at SGTC contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation executive firector at 229-931-2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu