GNTC awards first Kirby Patterson Memorial Scholarships
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Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GTNC) announces the establishment of the Kirby Patterson Memorial Scholarship and its first two recipients.
Murray County native Kirby Patterson devoted his career to public service, including serving as a deputy sheriff, chief deputy and then later as police chief of Chatsworth. In 1968, he was elected as sole commissioner of Murray County, where he served for 20 years. He was also a lifetime member of Georgia Association Chiefs of Police. Patterson passed away in December 2020.
His widow Sherrie Patterson, who represents Murray County on GNTC’s Foundation Board of Trustees, explained that Patterson’s mother was left to raise six children alone after his father and 4-year-old brother were struck by a train and killed. Despite the hardships they faced growing up in harsh economic times, all of the children grew up to be successful individuals.
“Kirby really gave back to Murray County” and was instrumental in the economic development and infrastructure improvements that helped “get Murray County off the ground,” she said, adding that the couple was married for 22 years. “He was one of the finest people I’ve ever known.”
The Patterson family recently established the scholarship to support a graduating senior from Murray County High School and North Murray County High School who will attend GNTC in the fall. The first recipients of the scholarship are Lisetty Garcia of Murray County High School and Alanna Jacobo of North Murray High School.
Garcia and Jacobo are enrolled in GNTC’s Health Care Management program.
Patterson’s family wanted to honor his memory of community service by giving back to the community themselves.
“Some good folks in this county made a difference in my father’s life by giving of themselves and seeing his potential when he was a young, poor kid being raised by a sharecropper widow,” said Tony Patterson. “He tried to reflect that in his life.”
“We, his family, still benefit daily from his guidance, encouragement and selflessness,” said Terri Kirby, Patterson’s daughter. She also represents Whitfield County on GNTC’s Foundation Board of Trustees.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 12,241 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,031 students and an additional enrollment of 4,210 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, as set forth in its student catalog, GNTC complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Equity Coordinator, Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator: Brittany Elrod.
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