Date Posted: August 8, 2024
At the August 6, 2024 meeting of the Griffin-Spalding County School Board, Southern Crescent Technical College President Dr. Irvin Clark, introduced a new College initiative called the Dundee Community Association Technical Education Promise Program which begins Fall Semester 2024. This unique program provides an opportunity for graduating seniors and/or Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) Adult Education/GED students from Spalding County to have their unpaid tuition balances paid for up to two semesters. This important initiative will make technical education accessible to more individuals and ensure that SCTC remains a first-choice for Spalding County students.
Known as the Dundee Promise Program, this initiative was made possible from a generous donation to Southern Crescent Technical College from the Dundee Community Association (DCA) which named the main building on the Griffin Campus the Dundee Education Technology Center and provided funds to support projects for the betterment of the College. Members of the Dundee Community Association including Tom Gardner, Harry Kierbow, and Elaine White were present for the presentation and approved using a portion of the funds donated to support the new Dundee Promise Program.
Participants must meet specific qualifications to receive funding from the Dundee Promise Program. In order to be eligible for the program, students must be a resident of Spalding County and a U.S. citizen, be enrolled in SCTC’s Adult Education/GED program or have graduated from a Spalding County high school or accredited home school no earlier than Spring 2024, be enrolled at SCTC within one semester of high school graduation or must have completed SCTC’s Adult Education program, be enrolled for nine credit hours of coursework each term to retain eligibility and remain in good academic standing and have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and State of Georgia HOPE Application. Adult Education students concurrently enrolled in credit courses must participate in Adult Education’s IET program in order to be eligible for the Dundee Technical Education Promise Program.
Based on annual year 2023 data, Spalding County residents account for 15% of the total student enrollment and 11% of the dual enrollment student population at SCTC. The estimated student impact for the program is 135 Griffin students and 50 Adult Education students. Based on the past three academic years, students have an average balance of $525.00 after financial aid has been applied.
Dr. Irvin Clark stated, “Southern Crescent Technical College is delighted to partner with the Dundee Community Association and the Griffin-Spalding County School System to offer the Dundee Community Association Technical Education Promise Program to Spalding County students. This program will enable the Dundee name and the textile industry to be remembered for its contributions to Spalding County and its citizens for many years to come. Thank you to the Dundee Community Association for being a part of the growth, development, and future of Southern Crescent Technical College in this community.”
About Dundee Mills/Springs Industries:
Originally formed in 1888 and operating under various names throughout the years, Dundee Mills was a textile mill located in Griffin, Georgia. Operating six plants to support manufacturing, the company produced various goods and products throughout the years although Dundee’s primary products produced were bath towels and accessories. Springs Industries purchased Dundee Mills in 1995 where it continued to operate until 2009.
The Dundee Community Association (DCA) was founded in the 1940’s by Dundee Mills to provide benefit to employees and the local community. Through the years, DCA provided scholarships and benevolence to Dundee Mills and Springs Industries employees and made significant annual contributions to many Spalding County charitable organizations. DCA has supported Southern Crescent Technical College for many years through donations to its educational programs, including the Adult Education Program.