Higher education representatives joined business partners of the greater Dalton area on Thursday, Feb. 27, for a special showcase during the “Good Morning Dalton” event held at the Dalton Convention Center.

An Alumnus and current student of Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) stood before the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning and briefly spoke about their experiences at the college.

“I tell the guys at work ‘it’s never too late to go back,’” said Carl Watts, graduate of the Electronics Technology and Industrial Systems Technology programs at GNTC. “I learned organizational skills that have helped me along the way.”

During his time as a college student, Watts also attended Dalton State College. Watts commented on how both colleges have shaped his career as a manager at Mohawk Flooring Center.

Flor Querido, Business Management student and president of the Phi Beta Lambda student organization at GNTC, told Dalton business leaders the skills she acquired at GNTC are helping prepare her for the workforce. Following their presentations, GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham gave an update on what the college is doing in the community since the opening of the Whitfield Murray Campus Expansion in 2019.

“None of this would have been possible without our partners in this city,” said Popham. “These students are proof of successful partnerships with both local business and Dalton State College.”

Once the speakers had finished, Tom Bundros, president of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, expressed his gratitude to Dalton State and GNTC for preparing students who are beneficial to businesses in the area.

“I know my company, Dalton Utilities, is getting the best and the brightest when we hire from you guys,” he said. “What I love is that the education these students received has not ended with graduation.”