Atlanta Technical College (ATC) recognized the contributions of four business and community leaders during the 20th Annual Bridge Builder ceremony on April 8. This year’s virtual event honored ATC Board Member John DeVeer with the President’s Award, Bank of America’s Atlanta Market President Wendy Stewart, Atlanta Community Food Bank President Kyle Waide, and ATC graduate and entrepreneur Whitney Wilborn. This event also served as the college’s major fundraiser to support student success and academic achievement.
While this year’s event shifted to a virtual setting due to COVID-19 precautions, ATC’s leadership and the ATC Foundation members were ecstatic with the annual event’s success in bridging students’ financial gap. “For many of our students, the COVID-19 pandemic not only ushered in a global health crisis, but also brought on a financial one as well,” said ATC President Dr. Victoria Seals. “We leverage our Bridge Builders ceremony to generate critical funding for our students who may have encountered unanticipated financial hardships during their academic careers. These generous donations to ATC’s Foundation help bridge those gaps to help pay for books, fees, and other costs that would otherwise deter students from completing their technical education.”
The 2021 Bridge Builders ceremony also highlighted the accomplishments of four distinguished honorees who represent a range of notable leaders whose professional careers and community contributions bridge the gap between citizens and resources to enhance the quality of life in metro Atlanta. “It’s been such a privilege for us at Bank of America to partner with Atlanta Technical College over the last 20 years,” said Stewart, a 2021 honoree. “We are excited to see how our newest venture to support the Center for Workforce Innovation will result in more students graduating with living-wage jobs and robust benefits packages. There is no doubt that this important partnership will help drive economic opportunities for ATC students across metro Atlanta.”
The evening also featured presentations from various scholarship recipients and a special tribute video to former ATC board member Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron, whose legacy will live on through the Hank Aaron 755 Society and the “Four-for-Four” Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream scholarship endowments.
Proceeds from the event, which included a silent auction, support student academic scholarships and grants, provide faculty awards and support, and fund equipment needs for various technical program areas. “We are pleased to have exceeded our financial goal this year with the generous contributions from our village of corporate and private donors and the many contributors who believe in ATC’s vision and our remarkably talented student population,” said Dr. Jamar Jeffers, director of institutional advancement. “We know that the success of our Bridge Builders event will help ATC maintain its 99% percent job placement rate and advance our work to provide outstanding technical training here in Atlanta.”