West Georgia Technical College celebrates the ribbon cutting of the new Stanley H. Bressner Industrial Technology Building at the Murphy Campus on May 21. Pictured left to right: Huck Hughes, Haralson County College & Career Academy student; Zeke Salmon, Haralson County College & Career Academy student; Maegan Rutherford, CEO & Director of Haralson County College & Career Academy; Tara Chapman, President & CEO of the Greater Haralson Chamber; Ned Fowler, WGTC Board of Trustees; Mark Peevy, Chief of Staff for the Technical College System of Georgia; Eric Bressner; Tommy Michael, Chief Operating Officer of Caliber 1 Construction; Dr. Julie Post, President of West Georgia Technical College; Bill Hightower, WGTC Board of Directors; State Property Officer Marty Smith; and Jenny Elliott, President of Caliber 1 Construction.
West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) celebrated the opening and dedication of the Stanley H. Bressner Industrial Technology Building at the Murphy Campus during a ribbon cutting ceremony held Thursday, May 21.
The event brought together legislators, Technical College System of Georgia representatives, WGTC Board of Directors members, community leaders, donors, WGTC faculty and staff, and students from the Haralson County College and Career Academy who will benefit from the new facility and its expanded educational opportunities.
The 25,000-square-foot facility will house programs in welding, electrical lineworker, and commercial truck driving, providing state-of-the-art training opportunities for students pursuing careers in these high-demand fields. Features of the building include a 40-booth welding lab, classrooms, community space, and a dedicated CDL driving range.
“The opening of this facility marks an exciting new chapter for West Georgia Technical College and this community,” said Dr. Julie Post, president of West Georgia Technical College. “For the first time, we are bringing industrial and manufacturing training opportunities directly to this area, creating pathways for students to pursue life-changing careers while strengthening the workforce and economic vitality of Haralson County and the surrounding region.”
The building is named in honor of the late Stanley “Stan” Bressner following a $1 million donation from the Bressner Family. Stan Bressner, who passed away in 2021, built a remarkable legacy of hard work, ingenuity, and service. In 1989, he founded Alum-A-Lift, pioneering ergonomic lifting solutions that continue to be recognized worldwide. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a devoted husband, father, and mentor who believed deeply in education, community, and creating opportunities for future generations.
“The Stanley H. Bressner Industrial Technology Building is a meaningful tribute to a man whose legacy was built on innovation, hard work, and investing in others,” said Post. “We are incredibly grateful to the Bressner family for their generosity and shared commitment to creating opportunities for students and strengthening the future workforce of our communities.”
WGTC also recognized the many community and industry partners whose generosity helped make the project possible, including American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Systems & Methods, Inc., Wayne Davis Concrete, Jacob and Ashley Mullins, Southeastern Hose, the Warren and Ava Sewell Foundation, Inc., Lewis Fire Protection, and Cliff Harris.
During the ceremony, speakers highlighted the importance of workforce development and expanded access to technical education in Haralson County.
“One of the biggest barriers for our welding students in the past was simply access,” said Maegan Rutherford, CEO and Director of the Haralson County College & Career Academy. “Scheduling and transportation to Carrollton made it difficult for students to continue their training after their high school classes. But now, by bringing this opportunity closer to home for one of our most in-demand pathways, students won’t have that challenge. This building is more than steel and concrete. It is a promise kept to the students, families, and business community that we are investing in the future of Haralson County together.”
Senator Tim Bearden also spoke about the importance of workforce development partnerships and the direct impact the new facility will have on the region’s economy.
“Haralson County’s largest industries are manufacturing, healthcare, and education, and this building directly responds to the need for a skilled, job-ready workforce,” said Senator Tim Bearden. “This facility will help students move seamlessly from high school into high-demand careers, and that coordination between K-12, the technical college, and industry is exactly how we build a stronger Georgia.”
The new industrial technology building represents WGTC’s continued commitment to providing students with hands-on training and direct pathways into Georgia’s workforce. Through partnerships with industry leaders and community supporters, the college continues to expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in high-demand technical fields.
The Stanley H. Bressner Industrial Technology Building officially welcomed its first cohort of students with the start of the summer semester on May 26.
For more information about West Georgia Technical College and its programs, visit www.westgatech.edu.
