Bainbridge College President Tom Wilkerson (at left) and Thomas University President Gary Bonvillian shake hands after signing documents for programs in business, education and nursing. Behind them are their respective vice presidents of academic affairs, BC’s Dr. Mariam Dittmann (at left) and TU’s Dr. Ann Landis, who had also signed the documents. The three agreements enhance student transfers to pursue further studies at Thomas University. Bainbridge College (BC) and Thomas University (TU) have entered a partnership that allows students to further their educations in several fields of study: business, education and nursing.

Their presidents and vice presidents of academic affairs signed three articulation agreements in a brief ceremony Jan. 20 in BC’s Edward D. Mobley Administration Building. BC President Tom Wilkerson and TU President Gary Bonvillian signed the documents after they were signed by Dr. Mariam Dittmann of BC and Dr. Ann Landis of TU.

The agreements are designed to enhance the smooth transfer of students from Bainbridge College as they pursue bachelor’s degree programs at the university in Thomasville.

“There’s something very special about Southwest Georgia, and this partnership shows a commitment to investing in this region,” President Wilkerson said. “These agreements send a message, loud and clear, that we are working together to ensure quality educational opportunities for the students of this region.”

President Bonvillian said the partnership would be beneficial to both schools. “Our feeder schools are all very important to us, and the relationship with Bainbridge College is special because it’s a great school. When we find this kind of middle ground with the articulation of our programs, I think we all come out winners,” said the president whose school has reached its highest enrollment this semester with more than 1,000 students, 40 of them BC alumni. BC also has set a new record enrollment this semester with about 3,800 students.

“Articulation agreements enable TU to maximize Bainbridge College students’ transfer credits so they are well-advanced in pursuing a bachelor’s degree,” Vice President Landis said, adding, “Bainbridge students are well-prepared for our quality academic programs.”

In addition to President Wilkerson and Vice President Dittmann, BC faculty attending included Sheree Dickenson, who chairs the Associate Degree Nursing Division; John McRae of the BC Early County Education Program; Valley Rogers, director and instructor of the Early Childhood Care and Education Program; Barbara Stephens, interim chair of the Technical Studies Division, and Dr. Tonya Strickland, who chairs the Arts and Sciences and the Learning Support divisions.

TU officials at the signing included Dr. Susan Otto, who chairs the Nursing Division; Dr. Peggy Perkins, chair of the Education Division; Dr. Alison Riley, associate professor of accounting and business, and Dr. Jenny Swearingen, Business Division chair.