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Augusta Technical College will receive a $1M gift from Jim Hudson Automotive Group to fund new Automotive Technology Facility

In 1985 the college's automotive program received the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Award of Excellence with a recognition letter from President Ronald Reagan.

For Immediate Release
The Jim Hudson Automotive Group logo composed of Jim Hudson's signature in gold cursive font with black shadows. Two black horizontal lines surround the words Automotive Group in black capitalized font just below the signature. Affiliated automotive logos are below the second horizontal line in three horizontal rows. The first row includes the Acura logo (a circled, capitalized A before the word Acura in bold, black font), the Audi logo (four black overlapping circular outlines with the word Audi in small red font below the first two rings), and the Buick logo (a red, white, and blue shield outline in silver with a silver bar diagonally from the upper left corner to bottom right side arranged in a diagonal line with the lower end on the left contained in a silver circle with the word Buick in black font to the right). The second row includes the Cadillac logo (red and gold wings with the word Cadillac in black cursive font to the right), the Chevrolet logo (a gold symmetric cross with a silver border and the word Chevrolet in bold black font centered below it), the Ford logo (a blue oval with a white oval outline edging the inside and the word Ford in white stylized cursive font), and the GMC logo (the letters GMC in red bold font). The third row includes the Infiniti of Augusta logo (a capitalized B with a rounded stem and a v shape separating the loops rotated 90 degrees to the right to form a stylized infiniti symbol. The word Infiniti is in black bold font with the word Augusta in smaller black font right marginated below it), the Lexus logo (a circle with a black bold L forming a 45 degree angle inside it without touching the left side, followed by the word Lexus in black bold font to the right), and the Toyota logo (a red square with a white circular outline centered inside it. The circle has a white convex line at the top quarter of the circle and a white narrow vertical oval outline in its center. The word Toyota is in red bold font to the right of the square). An uppercase abstract A in Heritage Green composed of a smaller leg representing Augusta Technical College supporting the larger leg representing the Augusta Community and economy.

Augusta Technical College will receive a $1M gift from Jim Hudson Automotive Group to fund new Automotive Technology Facility

Augusta, GA - April 7, 2022

 Original Press Release | WJBF Article | Automotive News Article | AugustaCEO Article | WRDW Article

Augusta Technical College is excited to announce that the college will receive a $1M gift from the Jim Hudson Automotive Group to support a new Automotive Technology facility.

Over the past seven months Augusta Technical College has met and worked with local automotive entities regarding the training needs throughout the region. Nested in the Laney Walker Community will be the college's flagship location for extensive automotive training in the areas of electrical/hybrid technology, heavy and light duty diesel, auto body and collusion repair, motorsports technology, and a host of other emerging technologies in the automotive industry. The college also looks to expand into OEM training programs with manufacturers such as Toyota, GM, Honda/Acura, just to name a few. Uniquely, the college looks to bring on new programming that not only teaches the technician level curriculum, but also the business side of running a car dealership to include management of service, parts, sales, and finance departments.

“Cars have always been in my blood and this partnership with Augusta Technical College will allow young men and women the opportunity to be educated and trained in the automotive world. Our company was built on three pillars: our employees, our customers, and the community. My main objective with this donation is to strengthen our community and for us to see a lasting impact on the future,” stated Jim Hudson, Founder of Jim Hudson Automotive Group.

Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Technical College states, "Our plans are to operate a fully simulated automotive dealership. The ability to service cars from residents in the community with full CRM systems, feedback from students with coaching from their faculty, and training professionals in the business of the industry is a forward-thinking approach to training the next generation of automotive professionals. We're also looking to add a number of continuing education ASE certification offerings for incumbent workers too. We're thankful to Mr. Hudson for his contribution in making these plans a reality!"

The donation will be made to the Augusta Technical College Foundation. The generosity of donors, gifts of scholarships and community support have allowed the Augusta Technical College Foundation to meet their mission of providing support, advocating for educational excellence and expanding educational opportunities at Augusta Technical College.

The college has a rich history in automotive training that dates back to the mid 1980s. In 1985 the college's automotive program received the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Award of Excellence with a recognition letter from President Ronald Reagan. The program has produced thousands of graduates since that time, and this investment will ensure others are afforded the same opportunities in the future.

"The Augusta Technical College Foundation is excited and honored to be a part of the restoration story in our community," stated Augusta Technical College Foundation Chairman Randy Hatcher. "Along with our foundational investment partners, the Jim Hudson Foundation, we will be creating a better life for the students who learn here, and a better workforce for the employers who need these
in-demand skills. At the same time, we are reinvesting in a geographic part of our community that needs all of our help. We invite others to come along, and be a part of this exciting, transformational story.”

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Caucasian male wearing a plaid jacket, red tie, white collared shirt, and dark colored pants, and black shoes standing next to an African American male wearing black glasses, black suit jacket, blue tie, white collared shirt, dark colored pants, brown shoes standing next to a Caucasian male wearing a blue suit jacket, white collared shirt, blue tie, blue pants, and dark colored shoes standing next to a Caucasian male wearing a plaid suit jacket, green tie, white collared shirt, plaid pants, and dark colored shoes, all posing for a photo in front of a black sports utility vehicle (SUV) with a green bow on the top of the hood. There are other cars in the background and a large glass paned wall, chairs on the floor, poles outside of the building
L-R: Mr. Randy Hatcher, Augusta Technical College Foundation Chairman; Dr. Jermaine Whirl, Augusta Technical College President; Mr. Jim Hudson, Founder and Owner, Jim Hudson Automotive Group; Mr. Greg Dozier, TCSG Commissioner

 

About Jim Hudson Automotive Group

Jim Hudson Automotive Group is a collection of dealerships that is dedicated to providing world class sales & service experiences representing 10 different import & domestic manufacturers in Augusta, GA, Columbia, Lexington, and Irmo, SC. Jim Hudson has received many awards, including the Lexus Elite highest honors, the President’s Award highest honors for Toyota and Cadillac-Buick-GMC highest award for Excellence. Automotive News recognized Jim Hudson Automotive Group as one of the top 125 dealership groups in the United States. Jim Hudson's commitment to the community has been demonstrated through acts of kindness in providing numerous cars and trucks to countless families in need, and actively supporting over 115
charities.

About Augusta Technical College

Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that provides academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, student support, economic development, and adult education services to its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties) at a competitive financial value. Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. For more information, visit augustatech.edu.

Media Contacts

Josh Waters, Director of Public Relations
Jim Hudson Automotive Group
Phone: 704.466.8157
Email: jowaters@jimhudson.com

Kimberly Holden, Director, Marketing & Public Relations
Augusta Technical College
Phone: 706.771.4819
Email: kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu

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