JERMAINE WHIRL URGES STUDENTS


to


MANAGE THEIR TIME


•


Invest in themselves and others. Whirl said he has five degrees and still signs up for classes related to technology, leadership, finance and other short courses/programs that add depth to his tool belt. “But don’t forget to invest in others. Your parents, siblings, friends, co-workers. Mentor others,” he said, “or serve on community boards and be active in your community.”


• Mind their manners. “Keep your name and personal brand in good standing. Watch


what you say, watch what you post on social media. Be mindful of the company you keep. My father use to say, ‘don’t hang around zeros… anything times zero equals zero.’”


• Exhibit excellence in everything. “People respond when you do more than what’s required. If your supervisor asks for a report to be done by Friday at noon, turn it in Wednesday and see what happens. No one ever got in trouble for doing more than what’s required. It will set you apart!”


More on Whirl


the college’s vice president for economic development and corporate training.


May Commencement speaker Jermaine Whirl ’06 interviewed for his first job at a fast food restaurant in a suit. He so impressed his future boss that he was hired the same day for the line cook’s position and received a 50 cents–an-hour raise based on his presentation.


Now president of Augusta Technical College, Whirl has risen rapidly through the ranks in higher education administration. The line cook story was one of several inspirational moments Whirl shared with the Class of 2022 during the two May 7 ceremonies.


He listed four pieces of advice for Winthrop’s newest alumni members: the easiest way to remember them is to remember the word TIME. “Each day we’re blessed with 24 hours. Everyone uses it differently … What do we do with our lives while on Earth?” asked Whirl.


As an economics major, Whirl said he learned that life is all about choices. “Our choices dictate


8


our outcomes. So far, each of you already made the choice to invest three, four, five or possibly six years to earn your bachelor’s degree,” Whirl said. “Now it’s TIME for you to move into your next phase of life.”


He advised students to: • Trust their guts and be flexible. Whirl said upon graduation, he wanted to work for a bank and specifically work for the Federal Reserve Bank. He applied to many banking jobs but never received an interview. He moved forward with plans to earn an M.B.A. He took a job out of his field serving S.C. Department of Social Services’ custody teenagers that needed assistance moving into the military, college or directly into the workforce. That led to a job teaching at a two-year institution, and Whirl stayed in academics. In his role as president, he now works with area businesses, banks and such groups as the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.


Whirl’s higher education studies began at Winthrop where he first served as an academic advisor/tutor to provisionally admitted students in the LEAP program. He also volunteered in the offices of institutional advancement and alumni relations, where he led the Student Alumni Council.


Over the years, Whirl has served on regional and national boards, taskforces and committees. His work has been acknowledged through multiple awards and recognitions, including Winthrop’s Alumni Professional Achievement Award.


Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, appointed Whirl president in November 2020. In his short tenure, he has established a new health science campus, a new automotive regional training facility, six academic schools, completed a full rebrand of the college, enrolled the largest freshman class in the last three academic years and secured the college’s first million-dollar gift.


Before accepting the presidency at Augusta, Whirl served as the vice president for learning and workforce development at Greenville Technical College. He previously worked as


A Charleston native and second-generation technical college graduate, Whirl earned his Associate of Arts degree at Trident Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in economics at Winthrop, a Master of Business Administration degree at Charleston Southern University, a second master’s degree in adult education and community leadership at Armstrong State University (now Georgia Southern University) and a doctorate in organizational leadership at Valdosta State University.


Listen to Whirl’s full Commencement speech. 9

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