East Georgia State College (EGSC) recently concluded its second annual Bobcat Summer Leadership Program, a four-week residential initiative designed to support and empower first-time freshmen students who plan to begin their college journey at EGSC immediately after high school.
Hosted on the Swainsboro campus, the program offers participants academic enrichment, leadership development, and a strong introduction to college life. This year’s program culminated in a special recognition ceremony and luncheon celebrating the accomplishments of the participants.
During the ceremony, Antonia “AJ” Holmes was honored for his exceptional leadership skills during the program and awarded the Denny Key Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,500.
The scholarship was made possible by the generous support of the Mill Creek Foundation, in memory of the late Denny Key, a longtime chair of the foundation and devoted supporter of student success.
The Bobcat Summer Leadership Program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to build a strong academic foundation to ease the transition from high school to college. In addition to taking courses for credit toward their degree, students connect with support services and engage in a range of leadership development activities.
During the program students take six to eight credit hours of classes, attend workshops to assist in the transition to college, participate in leadership development activities and field trips, engage with campus resources, meet key faculty and staff, and experience residence life in the Bobcat Villas.
The first field trip the students participated in was touring Emanuel County. The group visited Leanna’s where they were treated with breakfast by Wade Johnson and Durden Banking Company. The students then made their way to the Chamber of Commerce to meet with Ken Warnock, the Emanuel Arts Council, and the courthouse to meet with Clerk of Court Kristin Hall. Sheriff Jeffery Brewer was also able to speak with the group during the courthouse visit. After lunch the students toured America Knits to see how the business operates.
Later in July, the participants embarked on a day-long educational field trip in Savannah, Georgia. Led by program faculty, the trip offered students a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich cultural, historical, and artistic landmarks.
The day began with an inspiring visit to the SCAD Museum of Art, where staff members guided students through two featured exhibitions—Myths and Legends and Fruits of Labor. The group was particularly captivated by the Walter and Linda Evans Collection of African American Art, including The Piano Lesson by Romare Bearden, the work that inspired the Denzel Washington film of the same name.
Following the museum tour, students enjoyed lunch at the iconic Vinnie Van GoGo's, courtesy of the EGSC Foundation, and indulged in sweet treats from the nearby Savannah Candy Kitchen. Along the way, students paused to appreciate the Haitian Monument at Franklin Square and engaged in discussions on historical contributions of Haitian soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
The group continued with a walking tour through Ellis Square and Telfair Square, using the cityscape as a platform to explore themes of urban planning, leadership, and the vision of General James Oglethorpe, Savannah’s founder. At the Telfair Academy, students learned about the Telfair family’s legacy and viewed several celebrated works of art, including Bird Girl and Laocoön and His Sons.
At the Jepson Center for the Arts, students explored two exhibitions: Moss Mystique: Southern Women and Newcomb Pottery, and In Reflection: Contemporary Art and Ourselves, which featured works by Kara Walker, Audrey Flack, Elaine de Kooning, and others. The architectural design of the center by renowned architect Moshe Safdie added to the immersive experience.
The final stop on the tour was the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, where students engaged in a deeply impactful exploration of Savannah’s antebellum history. Knowledgeable docents provided meaningful context about the site’s architecture, enslaved individuals, and the stories preserved within the historic space.
This enriching trip gave students of the Summer Leadership Program a firsthand look at how art, history, leadership, and community intersect.
EGSC extends its sincere gratitude to the dedicated faculty who generously contributed their time to the program, as well as to the local businesses and community leaders who took time out of their day to meet with the group and share valuable insights.
