AMERICUS — Sharad and Ila Patel, owners of the Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel in Americus, endowed a new culinary arts scholarship at South Georgia Technical College. Sharad Patel is the vice chairman of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and has been able to see how scholarships help students as well as local businesses and the entire community.
“Ila and I wanted to endow a scholarship for the culinary arts program at South Georgia Technical College,” he said. “We believe that this will be good for our community and possibly inspire students to continue their education. We hire South Georgia Technical College graduates and an endowed scholarship is a great way to encourage students as well as provide a trained workforce for the community and other businesses that use South Georgia Tech graduates.”
The Windsor Hotel is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A special 125th anniversary gala has been scheduled at the Windsor on Sept. 16. The public is invited to help celebrate this tremendous accomplishment. Tickets are on sale for $125 per person and special overnight packages are available. Part of the proceeds raised from this event will go to help beautify downtown Americus.
The hotel was established in 1892, and built originally to attract winter visitors from the north. The Windsor was a 100-room, five-story Victorian masterpiece architecturally designed with tower and turret balconies, and a three-story open atrium lobby. It occupies nearly an entire city block and was the site of numerous balls and celebrations.
The hotel closed its doors in 1972, after almost 80 years in operation. In 1991, the hotel re-opened after a $6.5 million renovation. In 2010, the hotel underwent another extensive renovation to update the hotel with the most modern amenities including a Fitness and Business Center. The Windsor currently has 53 individually appointed guest rooms, including six suites and two Tower suites which includes the Bridal Suite and the Carter Presidential Suite, which is named in honor of 39th President and local resident Jimmy Carter.
“Sharad and Ila Patel and their other family members are exceptional ambassadors for our community,” said South Georgia Technical College President John Watford, Ed.D. “Sharad has been a valuable member of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees and we are honored that he chose to give back to the college, its students, the foundation, and the community. The Windsor Hotel and his family are assets to this community and we appreciate his willingness to help others help themselves by endowing a scholarship at South Georgia Technical College.”
South Georgia Technical College Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SGTC Foundation Su Ann Bird agreed with Watford. “Sharad Patel exemplifies all the traits that you want in a board member,” said Bird. “He is a hard worker, has served as the treasurer and now serves as the vice chairman. He is always willing to do whatever he can for the college and the students. I really appreciate him and Ila and their family and the contributions that they make to this community.”
For information about making a donation to the SGTC Foundation or endowing a scholarship at South Georgia Technical College, contact Su Ann Bird at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu.