Griffin Technical College

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Griffin Technical College is a public, accredited two-year postsecondary college located in Griffin, Georgia. Griffin Tech provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for initial employment; offers continuing education and training to acquire advanced levels of competency; offers a general education curriculum that encourages intellectual, personal, and social values; sponsors co-curricular activities to assist in the development of leadership traits; and facilitates public adult education programs to improve general population and workforce literacy levels.

Griffin Technical College traces its roots to September of 1963 when students began attending classes in temporary quarters of the Griffin-Spalding County Area Vocational Technical School, under the supervision of the Georgia Department of Education. The first 48,000 square foot building was completed in 1966. The school was expanded in 1978 with the addition of 18,748 square feet of classroom space.

In 1985, the State Board of Postsecondary Vocational Education was established. Schools were encouraged to join this network. In July 1988, Governor Joe Frank Harris elevated this Board to a Department, changing the name to the Department of Technical and Adult Education. Griffin Tech adopted the name Griffin Technical Institute and joined the system in July of 1987.

In August of 1990, Griffin Tech dedicated a new facility, a 26,000 square foot office, classroom and lecture hall addition. In the spring of 1995, the new Academic Building provided 15,297 square feet of additional classroom and office space. In September 1995, seven acres were acquired from the City of Griffin, and in February 1997, an additional 7.49 acres vacated by the Georgia State Patrol Station was acquired providing an additional 7,223 square feet of classroom and office space.

During the spring 1999 legislative session, funds were given for the planning phase of a 65,000 square foot addition. Construction funds are currently being sought from the state legislature. The facility will include classroom and lab space for ten new programs, office space and a conference room, an expanded library, and a large student break area with hot grill.

In March of 2000, Governor Roy Barnes included the name change initiative in his "A+ Education Reform Act of 2000" (HB 1187). This act passed the Georgia General Assembly during the 2000 session, and went into effect on July 1, 2000. Until this legislation was approved, the institutions governed by the Board of Technical and Adult Education were prohibited from using the word "college" in their official names. The term "technical college" more accurately reflects the quality and levels of services provided by these institutions to the citizens of Georgia.

On July 6, 2000 at 3:30 p.m., Griffin Technical Institute officially became Griffin Technical College. As the future unfolds, Griffin Technical College will continue to offer certificate, diploma and associate degrees designed to prepare students to enter the work force immediately upon graduation.