When Alice Towe of Rome graduated with her General Educational Development diploma from Georgia Northwestern Technical College, she saw it as a foundation to build on.
“I felt kind of free, like I had the whole world ahead of me,” said Ms. Towe.
So far building on that foundation includes winning GNTC’s 2015 GOAL Award, graduating with an associate’s degree in horticulture from GNTC, and being selected to give a presentation at the Technical College System of Georgia’s Annual Leadership Conference in October.
“Alice is not only smart, carrying a GPA of 3.94, but she is also practical, service-oriented, fun and engaging,” said Shannen Ferry, director of GNTC’s Horticulture Program, when she nominated Ms. Towe for the GOAL Award.
GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors Excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges as well as one Board of Regents’ college with a technical education division.
Ms. Towe’s presentation for the TCSG Leadership Conference “Green Thumbs Re-gain Grounds at Historic Heart of Rome,” will address the renovation and restoration of the gardens at the historic Clock Tower in Rome. The Conference takes place Oct. 26-27 in Atlanta.
“I wanted to give to the community, for the enhancement of the Clock Tower and for people who come into Rome to see our historic landmarks,” said Ms. Towe.
The project was featured as the cover story for the May 2015 issue of V3 Magazine.
“I was really excited about the magazine article; it was a great experience,” said Ms. Towe. “I think it really helped us get the word out to the public about the restoration of the historic landmark gardens.”
Ms. Towe has served as a horticulture work study student, a floral design intern for Bussey’s Florist and Gifts, a garden sales associate for Home Depot, a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society at Georgia Highlands College, and as editor of Old Red Kimono Literary Magazine at Georgia Highlands College.
She remains very active in the community by performing additional volunteer work for numerous organizations including the Road to Recovery Program, American Cancer Society; volunteer, GNTC Plant Sale; member of the Student Government, Georgia Highlands College; volunteer, Thanksgiving Love Feast; volunteer, Rome Humane Society; and parade judge, Rome Humane Society.
Ms. Towe plans to continue her education at GNTC in the Health Information Technology program. She says that anyone considering the GED program at Georgia Northwestern shouldn’t go into it thinking that they will fail.
“It’s something that is worth accomplishing and everyone has the ability to do it,” said Ms. Towe.