Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South got a jump start on its annual fundraising campaign with a very generous gift of $50,000 from a special friend of the college, Clarence Smith. 

Clarence Smith is a longtime supporter of technical education.  He has previously received the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Founder of The Year Award.  In an effort to continue his support of technical education, more specifically, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, he has made a $50,000 donation to the WGTC foundation to begin an endowment that will continue to grow in an effort to support the students who are served by Wiregrass.

Mr. Smith was an employee of Tri-County Gas in Tifton Georgia for many years.  He sold, installed, and serviced thousands of HVAC units throughout South Georgia.  Away from work with Tri-County, he was an entrepreneur as well as a farmer.  Over the years he has farmed row crops and raised livestock as well as developed residential and commercial properties.  Mr. Smith shared that he believes in supporting the efforts of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College because he is so impressed with their job placement rate.  “If a student goes through a technical education program, they can get a job and earn a good wage to support themselves and their families.  If I can help a student achieve this goal through supporting the foundation, I am happy to do so,” shared Smith.