OTC’s Cartee Resigns, Durden To Serve As Acting President

Ogeechee Technical College’s president, Dr. Dawn Cartee recently announced that she is resigning her position. Her resignation is effective June 30, 2016. Cartee has been with the Technical College System of Georgia for 26 years.

As of July 1, Ogeechee Tech’s Vice President for Economic Development, Lori Durden, will be the acting president.

Press Release:

Dr. Dawn Cartee has announced that she is resigning her position as president of Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) effective June 30, 2016. Cartee has been with the Technical College System of Georgia for 26 years, originally in various capacities at Ogeechee Tech, before serving at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. She became Ogeechee Tech’s president in January 2007.

During Cartee’s tenure as president at OTC, the College has seen substantial growth, including the addition of 133,000 square feet of building space, expansion from 80 to 120 acres, and tripled program offerings at the College which resulted in an enrollment increase of over 63 percent. The success of the College has been evident with Technical College of the Year awards in 2011 and 2015, three Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) state winners in 2008, 2011 and 2014, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) initial accreditation in 2014.

In an email to the employees of Ogeechee Tech, Cartee stated, “It is with great emotion that I inform you of my resignation as President of Ogeechee Technical College effective June 30, 2016. As you all are aware, my passion for the last nine years has been the transformation of Ogeechee Technical College into one of the best, if not the best, technical college in our state. We have been able to accomplish this together, and I am so proud of the institution that we have become.”

Beginning July 1, Cartee will become the Director of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education at the University of Georgia in Athens. In her communication to employees of the College, Cartee stated, “Now it is time for me to turn to a different challenge. I hope you understand that it would take a very special, unique opportunity for me to leave this College, and this is just that kind of an opportunity.”

Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Gretchen Corbin stated, “Dr. Cartee has been a tremendous asset to Ogeechee Technical College, its surrounding community, and the Technical College System of Georgia as a whole. I will always appreciate the stellar leadership Dr. Cartee has provided Ogeechee Tech and its students, and I look forward to watching her have new successes at the University of Georgia.”

Commissioner Corbin also announced that effective July 1, Ogeechee Tech’s Vice President for Economic Development, Lori Durden, will be the acting president. “I have asked Lori Durden to serve as acting president beginning July 1 and at the August 4 TCSG State Board meeting, I will recommend Lori Durden be appointed as the next president of Ogeechee Technical College,” stated Corbin.

“I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve as acting president of Ogeechee Technical College. The College is vital to the economic well-being of this region, and the difference it makes in the lives of students and the citizens of our communities would not be possible without a true team effort on the part of employees, local board members, Foundation members, and others. I am committed to continuing that good work,” said Durden.

As Vice President for Economic Development at OTC, Durden’s responsibilities include continuing education and industry training, adult education (GED and literacy programs), and facility rentals. “Lori has deep ties within the Ogeechee Tech region and possesses an outstanding combination of technical, academic, business, and relationship skills to lead Ogeechee Tech’s faculty, staff, and students on a continued path of greatness,” stated Corbin. “As we begin this time of transition, I want to express my personal appreciation to the Ogeechee Technical College faculty, staff, local board of directors, foundation trustees, and members of the college’s service delivery area for their support of these two outstanding leaders in our great state.”

For more information on Ogeechee Technical College, visit www.ogeecheetech.edu, and for the Technical College System of Georgia,www.tcsg.edu.