Athens Technical College student Jonathan Swinsburg is the winner of the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2017 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education award.

Swinsburg, a 2016 Hart County honors GED graduate, received the award at TCSG’s annual EAGLE Leadership Institute event. The event is two days designed to celebrate the accomplishments of all EAGLE delegates, as well as provide professional development. In addition, EAGLE delegates attend seminars on increasing leadership, communication and life management skills.

“Mr. Swinsburg embodies the strength and determination of our adult education students. I am extremely happy that he not only won the award, but was able to share his story with others in the process,” said Athens Technical College president Andrea Daniel in a news release.

In November, judges on an Athens Tech panel unanimously picked Swinsburg in the college’s local competition. For winning the state award, Swinsburg will get a two-year scholarship that can be used at any TCSG college.

EAGLE, launched in 1993, celebrates 24 years of recognizing adult learners in pursuit of excellence. The Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education program honors students from throughout the state who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in Adult Education classes. EAGLE was conceived to create awareness of educational opportunities available in local communities across the state and foster involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.

“Mr. Swinsburg is a great example of the hard work and dedication of the adult education students at Athens Technical College. We could not be more proud of this great accomplishment, ” said Stephanie Benson, vice president of adult education at Athens Tech.

Swinsburg, a native of Dunellen, N.J., lives in Hartwell with his wife, Elizabeth, and their four sons, Damion, Zackery, Benjamin, and Jonathan Jr. He is enrolled in the college’s electrical systems technology program..