Gizmo Bytes

Photos by Andre Pope- TheDigitel Myrtle Beach

Hey, guys, did you catch the
Fourth Annual Engineering Day last week?

Hundreds of students built cars and crashed them as a learning experience, thanks to the hard work of Prof. Suliban Deaza. They were a hit, no pun intended.

If Professor Deaza had only asked me, I could have shown him the golf cart my uncle’s pal drove off the boardwalk last week near the Sky Wheel. Now that was a real study in engineering.

The question at hand was how far that guy could rubberneck to look at prettywomen on spring break and still keep his buggy on the boardwalk. The answer: NOT FAR. He and my uncle, a golden retriever, landed in the ocean at high tide. Too bad they weren’t engineering technology students here at HGTC.  They would have saved themselves grief and embarrassment. I bet Professor Deaza could have taught them a formula for steering straight. The women laughed. That’s because women like geeks, but maybe not the kind of geeks who can’t steer a golf cart. Next time you spot a golden, ask if he’s my uncle, and if so, rib him about this story.

 Until then, think about enrolling in engineering technology, where you can learn about physics and like it. See you next year at Engineering Day!

Okay, so you’re NOT a student at Horry Georgetown, but your roommate at the University of South Carolina helped you land a summer job in Myrtle Beach. Your mom said to forget the job, that you need an accounting class so you can take a lighter academic load this fall. That aspirin you ate this morning didn’t help you decide.

But ah! Your nose is good. You found ME, the world’s most brilliant techno-dog.

And I have advice for you. Come on to the beach, take the job and enroll here at Horry Georgetown Technical College for that accounting course—or any other course to take that load off at the University next fall. Tuition and fees at HGTC are low and quality of instruction is high. The summer schedule will be posted online by April 1, so you can select your class then.

But meanwhile, tell Mom what a mature decision you’ve made. You might surprise her—pleasantly, I mean, by making money and earning academic credit. You don’t have to breathe a word about that surfing competition you’ve entered, the motorcycle you’ve bought or the crab nets in the trunk of your car.

Come on down. And call me one morning after class. Maybe I can meet you at the pier in Surfside for some Hang 10.

That’s why I was glad to hear HGTC has developed a plan for online learning, doubling the number of courses offered just a couple of years ago. AA/AS degrees are entirely online, so I can get a job as night watchman (for which I am supremely qualified) and still earn my college transfer degree.

Not only that, but high school students and parents can soon get FREE help with loan and grant paperwork!

College-bound students and their families seeking help with the financial aid application process are invited to participate in a free help session from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Sat., Feb. 18, in Building 1100 on the Conway Campus of Horry Georgetown Technical College. Financial aid professionals will be on hand to help complete the necessary paperwork to apply for college tuition funds. Those most likely to benefit are high school seniors and their parents, or students who graduated previously and need financial assistance to attend college.

The event, called College Goal, is being coordinated by Deborah Stevens, who may be reached during regular work hours at 843-349-5304, or by email at Debbie.Stevens@hgtc.edu.

For more information about qualifications for financial aid and the application process, visit http://www.collegegoalsc.org

 Shred your troubles. Enroll today.

I don’t know about you, but my calendar is filling up like crazy! There’s so much going on in the fall and early winter months. Like Thanksgiving dinner, of course. Make sure you check the school calendar to know when the school is closing for break! Anyone out there traveling? I’d love to hear about some of your plans this year.

The spring semester is also sneaking up on us. There’s still time to apply for Financial Aid through the spring FAFSA. Complete it soon to get the most for your semester! It’s also time to register if you haven’t already. The earlier you get in, the better selection of classes you will find. Registration runs through January 13th, and classes begin January 9th.

Be sure to apply by December 16th!

But you say you don’t know what to register for, or what classes you need? The college offers great MAP IT OUT Advising – and it’s not too late to make an appointment! Advisors are faculty of the school and know the best route for you to take to earn your degree. Set up an appointment soon.

Ah, and what a wonderful feeling it is. Though spring remains my favorite season, I have to admit that fall feels good. Plus you have great things to look forward to like awesome classes, cook-outs, football, barbecues, leaf piles, Thanksgiving dinner…

And of course, Spring Registration! It all started today – and I was right with those early birds who want first pick of the best classes. Come in early while the pickin’s good! Registration runs through January 13^th, and classes begin January 9^th. That’s really not that far away.

And also, don’t forget to watch those Financial Aid deadlines – they’ll sneak up on you fast, and you may lose your great class schedule. Don’t get dropped!

If you are ready to register, and find that you still need to see your advisor, it’s not too late! You can easily make an appointment to see your faculty advisor to map out your spring for 2012. Trust me – seeing your path on paper is amazingly helpful.

Oh, and there’s the 2012 New Student Orientation next Spring! It offers a ton of information on HGTC, the support we offer, and how you can be most successful in our college.

Well, I do have some homework to finish before another game of pickup football tonight, and I want to get there early, so I gotta jet. Keep reading for more information!

I’ve been working on my FAFSA because the deadline is coming up, but the High School football games have been too tempting! New information about money for college has come out that I think all the top campus dogs out there will want to know.

Several deadlines are coming up! Looks like I might have to miss a game to get ahead. All scholarship applications for spring of 2012 are due on October 15th, and Financial Aid applications for the same semester are due on October 21st. Make sure you get those in soon if you plan to attend in the spring!

Registration for spring 2012 starts on October 24, so remember, get your Financial Aid stuff together and then come register!

On top of all the due dates, it’s also good to know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. There will be a lecture series beginning on October 13 and will continue through the 20th
and 27th. Tanya Brown (sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson) will be speaking on Thursday October 20th – and that is also Student Engagement Hour. Expect great food from the Culinary Arts students to be catered! Good food, good discussion – yum! All are welcome to attend.

If you didn’t get all of that, you can just check out HGTC’s online calendar here. Well, looks I have some homework and the weather has been the best park weather we’ve had in a while. Time for a dog to run.

If you’re a music fan who catches radio, please listen for my latest spot. I don’t want to brag, but know you’ll appreciate my TECHnical ability on the football field. President Wilson is always reminding me that HGTC is UNdefeated in football, which makes me quite proud. So I was glad when local high schools in Horry and Georgetown Counties allowed me to play in some pre-season games. Seems local radio stations went WILD over one of my plays. You’ll hear this spot on most local stations.

 Also, yesterday I was on the Grand Strand Campus meeting students, faculty and staff. The grounds were beautiful over there and everyone was so friendly. Thank you to those who starred in my next TV spots! We’ll be famous together and let everyone in town know about new courses at HGTC.

 Have a great weekend!