STC Celebrates Calhoun’s Retirement

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Southeastern Technical College recently celebrated the retirement of College President Larry Calhoun during a celebration at the Vidalia Community Center on Thursday, June 25.

During the ceremony, several College administrators, colleagues, family members, and friends came together to share about Calhoun’s dedication to the institution, emphasizing that he had been instrumental in the school’s growth.

Calhoun has devoted his life to serving the community, whether it be through his service in the United States Air Force or in the education system. A Montgomery County native, Calhoun excelled from a young age, graduating with honors from Montgomery County High School, earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia, and eventually, being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Calhoun dedicated 30 years of his life to the Air Force, where he flew combat missions in Southeast Asia, logged over 270 combat hours in Vietnam-era operations, commanded a flying squadron, served at the Pentagon, and retired in 1998 with over 5,000 military flight hours after having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal.

After his time in the military, Calhoun worked at the Georgia Aviation Technical College to inspire other pilots as a classroom instructor, chief flight instructor, academic program chair, and vice president for academic and student affairs.

He retired from the College and the military, and rather than enjoying a life of leisure, then began his second career in technical education. Beginning as an instructor, Calhoun rose in ranks through Georgia’s technical college system, ultimately serving as the President of Swainsboro Technical College before taking the reins as the leader of Southeastern Technical College in 2015.

Under his leadership, Southeastern Technical College has earned a reputation as a leading institute in technical education, as it has earned the Technical College System of Georgia College of the Year award, achieved Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmation of accredidation with no findings of any issues within the College, and set enrollment records in both total and dual enrollment. He expanded career academy access so that seven of ten school systems in the College's service area now benefit from these transformative programs, investing directly in Georgia's future workforce.

Calhoun exited the stage from addressing the community one last time to the song “Small Town Southern Man” by Alan Jackson, as he emphasized that is how he hopes to be remembered.

Calhoun’s last day leading the college was Tuesday, June 30, as he left his office one last time and embarked on the next adventure of retirement.

EXCITEMENT FOR ALL AGES – The Annual Alamo Independence Day Celebration brought fun to community members of all ages, as the event featured live music, vendors, kids activities, and the famous “best fireworks show around” on Saturday, June 27. L to R: Acey Moxley, Tess Moxley.

SMALL TOWN SOUTHERN MAN – After addressing the community during his retirement celebration, Southeastern Technical College President Larry Calhoun exited the stage as “Small Town Southern Man” by Alan Jackson played.Photo by Evan Riekhof