Columbus Technical College is proud to announce its 2016 winners for the adult education student of the year, college student of the year, and instructor of the year.

The 2016 GOAL student for Columbus Technical College is 50-year-old respiratory care technology student, father of two, and Army veteran Donald Thrasher. Thrasher holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mercer University and after completing his degree at Columbus Tech, hopes to pursue his Master’s degree as a physician assistant. Thrasher said he chose this field after watching his hospitalized mother struggle with breathing on a ventilator.

“I am learning and experiencing my chosen field of study prior to entering the patient room,” Thrasher said. “This has provided me the greatest sense of confidence in being able to care for people the way I wanted my mom to be cared for.”

Thrasher will be part of a regional GOAL competition in March and then participate in the statewide event in April. The winner for Georgia will drive home in a brand new car!

The 2016 Rick Perkins/Tim Justice Instructor of the Year is Dr. Tara Scott. The Early Childhood Education instructor has been with Columbus Tech for three years and says, “Teaching at Columbus Technical College has allowed me to use innovative, creative, and meaningful technological tools to support students with different learning styles. Columbus Technical College has changed my life by providing me with numerous opportunities to present and collaborate with students with what they already know, which is truly invigorating and exciting.”

Dr. Scott will also compete on the regional stage in March and at the statewide level in April.

The 2016 EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) winner for Columbus Technical College is 26-year-old mother of two, Lacie Spencer. Spencer hails from New Iberia, Louisiana. She completed her GED program in September and has kept the momentum going by enrolling at Columbus Tech in hopes of entering the Associate Degree Nursing program. Spencer wants to eventually transfer to Columbus State University for a bachelor’s degree.

“I’d like to be a nurse practitioner,” Spencer said. “I want to make a positive impact on my community and be a good role model for my girls.

As the EAGLE delegate, Spencer will represent Columbus Technical College at the annual state competition in March.