Students at Bainbridge College Early County Site (BCED) were among the students honored at two Bainbridge College events in the Work Ethic program.

Work Ethic receptions took place at the end of Spring Semester at BCEC in Blakely and on Main Campus in its Technical Studies Division complex. The honorees were students who exemplified good work ethics during the year and were selected by their instructors.

BCEC Director Joan Simpson introduced BC President Dr. Tom Wilkerson, who presented their Work Ethics certificates, and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Marty Clay. The honorees included Erica Cook of Blakely, who is studying psychology; Chester Lee of Bluffton, studying computer information systems; Blakely residents Annie McDaniel, early childhood, Jignesh Patel, general studies, Emily Pippin, medical office technology, James “Cliff” Price, computer information systems, and Holly Retherford of Jakin and Lola Spann of Ft. Gaines, both studying business office technology.

Receiving Work Ethic recognition but unable to attend either ceremony were Andrew Clarke of Jakin, science; Blakely residents Marie Hutchins and Kimberly Yarbrough, both in the licensed practical nursing program; Ashley Miller of Brinson, medical office technology, and Roderick Ricks of Damascus, mobile electronics technology.

All BC Tech Studies students are graded on work ethics with 10 percent of each course grade for work ethic. The annual event is part of a program that started in 1999 when Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) adopted a Work Ethics program that was implemented in all technical colleges throughout the state. DTAE is now the Technical College System of Georgia.

The program began because employers had commented that employees often had good occupational skills but poor work ethics. BC’s Work Ethics program strives to instill positive work ethics in its students in the areas of attendance, character, teamwork, appearance, attitude, productivity, organizational skills, communication, cooperation and respect.