Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan hosted College and Career Academies from across the state yesterday at the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Georgia for the 14th Annual Business & Education Summit. Joined by community leaders, educators and students, Duncan organized a series of panels highlighting the essential role workforce development plays in “advancing innovation,” which served as the meeting's official theme. 

“With the recent announcement that Georgia has been named the top state for business by Area Development Magazine for the eighth year in a row, the timing of this year’s Summit could not have been better,” Duncan said. “College and Career Academies play an essential role in keeping Georgia’s economic engine running strong, and I was honored to join leaders in Georgia’s workforce development efforts to recognize the hard work of students and educators from our College and Career Academies."

In addition to panels centered on business and education partnerships, students and organizations that have played an essential role in "advancing innovation" within their communities were recognized. The event and recipient awards were made possible by the event's official sponsors, Georgia Power, Kia Motors, the Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium (GEICC) and the Development Authority of LaGrange.

Lt. Governor Duncan was proud to partner with the THINC Academy to host this year’s Business & Education Summit. Formerly named the Troup County College & Career Academy, the THINC Academy offers a variety of academic programs to students around LaGrange including career pathways, dual enrollment and advanced placement courses.
 

Award Recipients Include:

Student of the Year

Spencer Lawing (Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy)

Business Partner of the Year

BASF (Jones County)

College & Career Academy of the Year

4C Academy (Albany)