For media information, contact:
Dana Urrutia, 678-495-3638
durrutia@gwinnetttech.edu

May 24, 2006

Gwinnett Tech’s D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center Receives Support from Atlanta Gas Light

Donation Funds Classroom in State-of-the-Art Childcare Facility on GTC Campus

Gwinnett Technical College received another corporate show of support this month when The Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Resources Foundation presented a $25,000 check to fund a classroom in the college’s D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center.

The Hudgens Early Education Center on Gwinnett Tech’s campus has received supporting contributions from more than 50 area businesses, corporations and private citizens who recognize the quality learning environment the Center will provide for children and GTC’s early childhood education students when the Center opens in July.

AGL realized this impact, as well. AGL’s Northeast Georgia Operations Manager Connie McIntyre and Southeast Service Area Manager Wendell Dallas presented a contribution in the amount of $25,000 to Gwinnett Tech’s President Sharon Rigsby and Executive Director for Institutional Advancement Mary Beth Byerly at the newly constructed Pre-K playground for the Center. AGL’s contribution will support a Center classroom.

“We recognize that education is the best investment we can make for the future of our company and communities we serve,” said McIntyre. “We are delighted to partner with Gwinnett Tech for the production of quality graduates who will join the workforce and grow future leaders for our state and nation.”

The opening of the 26,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center on the college’s campus will provide students studying early childhood education a hands-on experience in a quality learning environment, as well as serve as a nurturing educational center for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. The Center will provide infant, toddler and before- and after-school care, plus a Pre-Kindergarten program, following the National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC) accreditation standards.

Atlanta Gas Light is one of the nation's oldest utility companies, chartered originally in 1856 to provide 50 gas lights for the streets of Atlanta. Today the organization serves nearly 1.5 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in 243 communities throughout Georgia. It is the eighth largest natural gas distribution utility in the United States, and the largest in the Southeast. AGL’s donation to the D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center is part of the organizations commitment to supporting three philanthropic areas, including education (math & science), community enrichment (low-income housing and energy assistance) and environmental stewardship.

To learn more about the D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center, call 770-685-1250 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu. To pre-register a child for the Center, log on to www.GwinnettTech.edu/heec.

# # #

About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. GTC is Gwinnett County's largest provider of corporate training and now serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097,404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.