Augusta, GA

Augusta Tech gets additional $500K to boost auto repair program

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2024

Augusta Tech gets additional 0K to boost auto repair program

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Master Automotive has pledged $500,000 to support the Automotive Institute at Augusta Technical College.

To be located on the site of former Johnson Cadillac at 1122 Walton Way, the first classes will be offered at the site in fall 2025. The college currently offers a diploma and numerous technical certificates of credit programs in automotive technology.

These offerings will be expanded to include more programs in the new institute, including auto body and collision, and light, medium and heavy diesel.

Augusta Tech also plans to add automotive industry classes to its Associate of Applied Science degrees in the School of Business. The institute will also provide noncredit training and upskilling through the college’s Division of Economic Development.

At 65,000 square feet, the Automotive Institute will dwarf the college’s current 10,000 square feet occupied by the automotive program.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND:

Augusta Technical College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl and his wife, Marqueta, have pledged $10,0000 to create a new endowed scholarship fund at Augusta Tech. Called the Dr. Jermaine Whirl Presidential Leadership Scholarship, the annual award will be given to the student who is elected as the College’s Student Government Association president. The first recipient Rashell Tanner.

As revealed in November 2023, the facility itself will be named the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute in recognition of a $1 million gift from the Jim Hudson Automotive Group. The college also received $1 million each from the Augusta National Golf Club and the Knox Foundation to acquire the facility.

Augusta Tech is currently in conversations with individuals and companies across the automotive industry in the CSRA, throughout Georgia and South Carolina, and even nationally to raise additional money to renovate and equip the building.

“Together with partners like Will Schafer at Master Automotive, we are building a national model for automotive training,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president of Augusta Tech.

Master CEO Will Schafer said: “There is a major need for a facility such as this in our community and we are excited to be a part of it.”

The institute is among the “big 5″ projects that are turning Augusta Technical College into a destination school.

Also at Augusta Tech …

College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl as the distinguished recipient of Georgia Southern University’s 2024 George and Lucy Armstrong Alumni Award. Dr. Whirl earned his second master’s degree in adult education and community leadership from Armstrong State University, which merged with Georgia Southern University in 2018. This accolade is bestowed upon an Armstrong alumnus/alumna who epitomizes the University’s fundamental values, including collaboration, academic excellence, discovery and innovation, integrity, openness and inclusion, and sustainability.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.

12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.

Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.

“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.

The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.

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Augusta, GA

10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat

Published

20 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.

Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.

Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.

“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.

The festival runs until 10 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.

Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.

“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”

Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.

“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.

The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.

Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.

“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”

No paperwork is required to receive help.

“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”

The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.

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