Hinman Scholars Named in STC Dental Hygiene Program

Courtesy of Southeastern Technical College

On behalf of the Thomas P. Hinman Board of Trustees, Southeastern Technical College (STC) is pleased to announce that Dental Hygiene students Olivia Barnes of Tattnall County and Melanie Garcia of Toombs County have been selected as Hinman Scholars.

Scholarship recipients were selected based on scholastic performance, earning the highest overall averages in their class. Each student received a $500 scholarship.

“Receiving this award is an honor, and I’m deeply grateful for the recognition. It means so much to have my efforts acknowledged as I work toward a career in dental hygiene. This scholarship will assist me in continuing my education, and I am thankful for the encouragement and guidance from the faculty and staff who have supported me on this journey,” said Barnes.

Garcia said, “I’ve always been interested in the dental field, but my interest piqued after having my own children. Three of my four kids are missing their two front teeth. I wanted to be their personal ‘tooth fairy.’ I want to help people feel confident in their smiles, starting with my own family. I also value the flexible work schedule, which will allow me to balance career and family time. I am grateful to be part of the STC Dental Hygiene Program with hands-on, skills-based learning and a fast path to employment in a high-demand career. I am honored to be selected for this scholarship, which will help ease some expenses.”

The nonprofit Thomas P. Hinman Society has been granting scholarships to dental students since 1986, adding dental hygiene students in 1989. Since 2006, the Hinman Dental Society has awarded more than $11 million in scholarships and financial support to universities and institutions associated with dental education.

The Hinman Dental Society sponsored its first Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting in 1912 with the motto, “Devotion to detail is the secret of success.”

Born in 1870, Thomas Hinman graduated from Southern Dental College in Atlanta with his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1891. The following year, he joined the faculty of his alma mater and became a professor of oral surgery. Dr. Hinman held high offices in many professional organizations, including the appointment by President Woodrow Wilson as the U.S. Delegate and Honorary Chairman of Section VIII of the Fourth International Congress of Dentists in London.

Today, the focus remains on providing the best possible continuing dental education for dentists and the entire dental team. The Hinman Dental Society comprises 800+ dentist members, primarily located in metropolitan Atlanta. The combination of outstanding education and hospitality has secured the position for the Hinman Dental Meeting as one of the top dental programs in the country. With the continued growth of meetings and exhibits, more than 13,000 dental professionals participated in the 2025 Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting.

For more information on Southeastern Technical College, visit www.southeasterntech. edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.