The Foundation at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has announced the first recipients of the new Octaviano and Bertha Perez Scholarship.
Jesus Arellano and Jackson Woodard—both students in Construction Management at GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun—received the scholarship for the fall 2025 semester.
The scholarship was established by Octavio Perez in gratitude to his parents, Octaviano and Bertha Perez, who he said helped him to become the person he is today—a person he is proud to be.
“We are so thankful to Mr. Octavio Perez for his support of our Construction Management students,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “This scholarship will absolutely help these two students reach their educational goals.”
The scholarship supports two students enrolled in the Construction Management program, one with an interest in Carpentry and the other in Masonry.
“I have been a realtor since 1979, and I know how important home ownership is for individuals and families worldwide,” Octavio Perez said. “The construction industry is critical to the development of any nation.”
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 13,775 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,836 students and an additional enrollment of 4,939 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start.
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