Wiregrass Georgia Technical College recently hosted a joint dedication of the South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) Atrium and Ben and LaVonne Copeland Nursing Wing in the Edward and Rhonda Mark Health Sciences Building on the Valdosta Campus of Wiregrass.  The dedication ceremony celebrated the partnership between SGMC, the Copeland Family, and Wiregrass to provide more opportunities for students to become registered nurses.  SGMC’s $1 million donation and the Ben & LaVonne Scholarship both support the new Transitions to Nursing program. The ceremony was held as a joint ceremony given the Copeland's close ties with both the college and hospital.  Copeland currently serves as a member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Hospital Authority. 

The newly constructed health sciences building opened in January 2022 and the second floor was named the South Georgia Medical Center Atrium.  The hospital’s donation supports Wiregrass’ faculty for the Transitions to Nursing program, LPN to RN Bridge Program. The program is a three-semester program and helps the college and hospital reach important goals.  Wiregrass is able to provide students an additional avenue to become RN’s and SGMC will have a larger hiring pool.  “South Georgia Medical Center is proud of our partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College as we continue to seek out innovative ways to expand health sciences and nursing educational offerings for these exciting and growing healthcare career paths. We are fortunate to have Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in our community to provide vital educational programs that help ensure access to a well-trained and a quality healthcare workforce,” shared Ronald E. Dean, president and chief executive officer of SGMC.

“Wiregrass has had a long-standing relationship with SGMC,” shared Wiregrass President DeAnnia Clements. “SGMC serves as one of our clinical sites, donates program equipment, hires our graduates, and supports the efforts of our college to be able to educate more students and fill the need for more RNs.”

Ben and LaVonne Copeland have served Wiregrass for more than 35 years in different capacities.  Over the years Copeland has served on the College Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Trustees, including being one of the founding trustees of the college’s foundation. Copeland also served on the Technical College System of Georgia Board of Directors and now serves as a Trustee for the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation. The Copelands have repurposed their scholarship fund at Wiregrass to support the LPN to RN Bridge Program and were honored by the naming of the nursing wing of the Ben and LaVonne Copeland Nursing Wing.  The Copeland Scholarship Fund will award up to 13 students $5,000 this coming fall semester. One of the Copeland scholarship recipients for the summer semester, Angie Pleasant spoke at the ceremony on how this has helped her return to school.  She has worked as an LPN at SGMC for the past 12 years and completes her Associates Degree in Nursing this semester.  Upon obtaining her RN license she will take a position in the Cardiac ICU unit at SGMC. “The Copelands have blessed our college and students for many years and with this scholarship, they will continue their legacy of student support for many years to come in support of the Transitions to Nursing program,” shared President Clements. 

Other speakers for the event included SGMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald E. Dean and Wiregrass Foundation Trustee Chairman Stacy Bush. 

During the ceremony, the college presented the eight students who were the first to receive the new Ben and LaVonne CopelandScholarship during this summer semester. Wiregrass President DeAnnia Clements announced that beginning August 2023, the college will be able to increase the number of students accepted into the Bridge program from 20 to 30 students.  New for Fall Semester Paramedics can enter the Bridge program. 

Wiregrass is accepting new students for Fall Semester.  Fall classes start on August 16.  Apply in person in the One-Stop Center or online at wiregrass.edu.