SGTC Vice President announces retirement | Schools

AMERICUS, GA – The South Georgia Technical College Vice President for Academic Affairs, Robbie Smith Latimore, has announced her retirement effective June 30, 2011.

Latimore joined the South Georgia Tech faculty in February of 1981 as a Business Education instructor.

Here is the full press release from  South Georgia Technical College

Dr. Robbie Smith Latimore, Vice President for Academic Affairs at South Georgia Technical College, recently announced her intentions to retire, effective June 30, 2011.

Dr. Latimore has served South Georgia Technical College as an instructor and as an administrator for over 30 years.

A native of Dublin, Georgia, she is retiring with 34 years of service in the educational field. She served as Vice President for Academic Affairs or Instructional Services at South Georgia Tech since February 2000.

Prior to that date, she was the Vice President for Instructional and Student Services from July 1996 to February 2000.

Latimore joined the South Georgia Tech faculty in February of 1981 as a Business Education instructor. She taught classes in Business English, Business Communications, Records Management, Office Procedures and developed a course entitled, Editing, Proofreading and Vocabulary.

She was named Department Chair of the Business Education Department in June of 1986 and served in that capacity until February of 1989 when she was named Director of Instruction.

After seven years as Director of Instruction, Latimore was selected as the Interim Vice President for Instructional and Student Services. She received the official title in July 1996.

“Dr. Latimore has touched almost every aspect of education during her tenure here at South Georgia Tech,” said South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves.

“She has been an integral part of South Georgia Tech helping to transform it into the college that it has become today with nearly 4500 students.

We appreciate everything that Dr. Latimore has contributed to the faculty, staff, and most importantly the students during her tenure here. She will be greatly missed.”

When asked what she enjoyed most about her service to the college, Dr. Latimore replied, “It has been extremely gratifying to serve in the various capacities at South Georgia Technical College throughout the years.

I feel confident that my tenure has positively impacted this great institution, the employees, the students, and the communities that we serve.

Conversely, South Georgia Tech has been a very important factor in my professional and personal life, and this college will always be very dear to me.

“I am particularly thankful for the growth of the college and the stature that it enjoys in our service area, in the state of Georgia and beyond.

South Georgia Tech has been and continues to be a beacon in the lives of so many who come through our doors with the goal of seeking a better life.

The reward is when the students depart with the necessary tools to achieve their goals,” said Latimore.

Dr. Latimore also added, “I will truly miss the daily activities and everyone at the college, as well as our college associates and all of the relationships that have been built throughout the years.

May God continue to richly bless South Georgia Tech.” Latimore received her Ed. D., Doctorate in Adult Education from the University of Georgia in May 2009.

She earned a M.S. Ed. in Business Education from Georgia Southwestern State University in 1983 and her B.S. Ed. in Business Education from Fort Valley State University in 1976.
Not only has Dr. Latimore been a leader and an advocate for technical education, but she has also served in this capacity for many community organizations.

She is a board member for Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, a member of the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, a Life Member of the Fort Valley State University Alumni Association, President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Omicrom Alpha Zeta Chapter in Americus and a life member of the sorority as well.

She also serves with her sorority on the state level as Life Member Coordinator and on the national level as a member of the Zeta Organizational Leadership Committee which plans biennial leadership conferences held in Washington, D.C.

Latimore is also a former President of the Staley Middle School, Sumter County Elementary School and Sumter County High School PTO’s, former board member of the American Red Cross, United Way and Hospice, and former advisory board member of the Sumter County Youth Development Center.

She is currently assistant coordinator of the Ushers’ Ministry, Member of Voices of Bethesda, and former teen Sunday School teacher at Bethesda Baptist Church in Americus for over 20 years.

Dr. Latimore is married to Frank Latimore of Americus and the couple has three grown children, Kourtney and her husband Antonio Shelley of Warner Robins, Brandon and his wife Kieva Latimore of Acworth, Philip Latimore, a student at Fort Valley State University, and one grandson, Bryce Latimore who is the son of Brandon and Kieva Latimore.

She is the daughter of Mrs. Katie M. Smith of Dublin, GA and the late Mark Smith, Sr.