Thumbs Up! Jan. 2, 2017

When Dietra Windom first landed on the campus of Albany Technical College, it was as a student seeking her associate degree in administrative office technology with a specialization in marketing administration. Windom eventually reached that goal and more. She has been employed by ATC for 12 years now and the campus and its classes have become somewhat of a family affair. One of her children got a GED there and the rest of them earned diplomas and/or associate degrees from classes taken at ATC. Even Windom’s grandchildren have attended the college as youngsters in the Childcare Development Demonstration Center. As administrative assistant in the school’s Healthcare Technology division, Windom has been described by her supervisor as “a loyal Titan,” “a calming force,” “dependable” and “hardworking.” It was for her many contributions to the department that Dean of Healthcare Technology Mattie Buchanan nominated Windom for the prestigious recognition of being named ATC’s Employee of the Year for 2016. Windom’s dedication is also why she was named the college’s top employee for 2016. Congratulations!

If you look up ‘gentle giant’ you’re likely to come across Albany’s Rev. Solomon Loud Jr. Loud, along with his wife, Flossie, and members of New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, are on a mission to improve the lives of those living in and around the church’s N. Monroe Street location. In addition to the church itself, the area also boasts a 24-hour daycare, a renovated office space, a barber shop, a beauty salon, a clothing store and the just-opened New Beginning Corner Grocery Store, all with connections to the church. Also, above the ground-level storefronts are one-bedroom apartments that will soon be available for rent, and there are also plans in the works for a preschool facility nearby. The Solomon couple is at the heart of all the progress but, as Flossie Loud says, “We (herself, her husband and the church) are in the process of changing lives in our community.” With a perpetual smile and a happy soul, that is exactly what Rev. Solomon says he saw in his vision from God nine years ago — a reclamation of the neighborhood “for the people who live here.”

All college graduations are a reason for celebration but Stephen Collier pulled off a great play when he graduated from Ohio State University in December. The former Lee County High School football player and backup quarterback in college, earned his degree in strategic communications after just 2 1/2 years. With two years of eligibility left at Ohio State, Collier has already been accepted to graduate school and is automatically eligible to play football for the Buckeyes. This is one athlete that gives his all on the playing field and in the classroom. He’s a young man with an unlimited future ahead. Well done.

Terry Wilson has always spent time with his grandson, Andy, a first grade student at Lake Park Elementary School. When Andy’s mother lost her battle with cancer in March, Wilson began spending even more time with Andy, especially during school holidays. Last week, determined not to occupy the hours together with video games, the pair undertook what became “Andy’s Great Adventure.” A trip to downtown Albany brought the two to such places as the tag office, the tax office, the utility building, the Law Enforcement Center and the Albany Herald, with plans to continue the trip with stops at the EMS and the fire department. Although he visited several places during his adventure, it was the kindness of APD Chief Michael Persley that will stand out for a long, long time to 6-year-old Andy. Busy as he was, Chief Persley took time to meet the Wilson duo, and after hearing about the ongoing adventure and how Andy had lost his mother, he gave the little boy a challenge coin. Such coins are usually reserved for officers as proof of membership in the department and are sometimes given as morale boosters. This act of thoughtfulness was the icing on the cake for “Andy’s Great Adventure.” Thumbs Up! to you, Chief Persley.