College GOAL Winner Honored by City Council

April 22, 2008 - Columbus Technical College's 2008 GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) winner and Legal Office Specialist student, Stacie Kimbell, was honored by the Columbus Consolidated Government Tuesday morning. During a regularly-scheduled City Council meeting, Councilor Berry "Skip" Henderson recognized Stacie for her accomplishments as CTC's top student for 2008. Mr. Henderson was a judge for this year's GOAL competition and he called the task "arduous" because the GOAL Semi-Finalists and Finalists were all such outstanding students.

April 22, 2008: Columbus Technical College 2008 GOAL winner, Stacie Kimbell, shakes hands with Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington after she was honored during a City Council Meeting.

Stacie had spent eight months volunteering in the Columbus City Manager's office and City Manager Isaiah Hugley said he hated to see her go. During the presentation, Mr. Hugley announced, "Stacie is a true public servant. I have a hard time finding words to describe her and the bright future she has ahead of her." Mr. Hugley even joked about a local lawyer "scooping her up" before the city could find a position for her.

That lawyer is Fife Whiteside, who practices bankruptcy and commercial law. Mr. Whiteside contacted the Columbus Technical College Career Center a few weeks ago in hopes of finding the right person to hire as an Administrative Assistant. Stacie was interviewed and the rest is history.

"I needed someone who has an interest in working in a law office and is extremely competent," Mr. Whiteside said. "Stacie more than fit the bill."

CTC’s GOAL Winner for 2008, Stacie Kimbell (center), shows off her proclamation after being honored during a Columbus City Council meeting. She is flanked by her nominating instructor (left) Lydia Davidson and CTC’s GOAL Coordinator, Dr. Edith Thompson.

Before Stacie started her new job yesterday (April 21) she worked out a two-week-notice at the City Manager's office – even though she wasn't drawing a paycheck. Stacie Kimbell says she will continue her legal education and training with a goal of eventually becoming a Certified Legal Assistant. As for being Columbus Technical College's 2008 GOAL student, Stacie is humbled.

"The fact that I was even nominated and made the top ten and then the top four, I was just blown away," Stacie said. "All the GOAL students have such a heartfelt connection to technical education. I'm honored to be part of the consortium."

The annual Georgia State GOAL Competition is scheduled May 20-23 in Atlanta. A state winner will be announced at a banquet on May 22nd.

Stacie Kimbell and her husband of 16 years, a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, have a 14-year-old daughter.

Congratulations Stacie and good luck in Atlanta!