AMERICUS — The Smarr-Smith Foundation presented the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Foundation with a check for $5,500 to endow scholarships in memory of Americus Police Officer Nicholas R. Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Campus Safety Officer Jody C. Smith recently.  SGTC President John Watford, Ed.D., and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird accepted the donation on behalf of the SGTC Foundation. Family members of the two fallen officers were also present at the check presentation.
“On behalf of the South Georgia Technical College faculty, staff, and students, I would like to thank the Smarr-Smith Foundation for this generous gift. I also continue to offer condolences to the family and friends of Officers Smarr and Smith,” said President Watford. “This gift will assist other POST-certified officers who wish to continue their education. However, the donation comes at a very high price because it is at the expense of the lives to two outstanding former South Georgia Technical College students and law enforcement officers. We hope that the fine men and women who earn these scholarships will honor the memories of Officers Smith and Smarr through their service to our citizens.”
Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith both attended the SGTC criminal justice program. Smarr attained his associate of applied science degree in June 2011, and became a certified law enforcement officer in 2012. Jody Smith had attended SGTC in 2010, and had returned in 2016, to begin completing his criminal justice associate degree.
Members of the Smarr-Smith Foundation chose to endow a scholarship fund named after the two fallen officers at SGTC because both young men had attended classes here.
“We also believe that this is an excellent way to honor the memories of these fine young men by giving back to this community and helping other POST-certified officers have the financial resources to continue their education,” said Chad Roberson, chairman of the Smarr-Smith Foundation. “This community has supported the Smarr-Smith Foundation and its “Back the Blue” efforts. Our gift to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation in the form of an endowed scholarship was one of the first things that the Smarr-Smith Foundation wanted to accomplish. We are hoping that this is the first of many gifts in honor of Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith. This scholarship is an excellent way to honor the memory of these fine young men, while also helping others who plan to serve our citizens by following in their footsteps.”
“This endowed scholarship is a tremendous support to our students and we are very pleased that the Smarr-Smith Foundation is assisting with the growth of our community and workforce through this educational scholarship opportunity,” said Watford, who added, “partnerships like this one and others are crucial to our success. Your investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to our students indefinitely. We appreciate what you are doing in our community. Thank you again for recognizing the value of the educational opportunities that we are able to provide to our students.”
For more 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