The Jeff Owings Memorial Scholarship Fund is seeking donations to continue supporting senior welding students at Chattooga High School. Those interested in contributing can make donations at any United Community Bank location, earmarking the funds specifically for the scholarship. Applications for the scholarship will be accepted from CHS senior welding students in May.
The scholarship honors the legacy of Jeff Owings, a longtime CTAE (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) instructor at Chattooga High School who significantly impacted the lives and careers of countless students. Owings, a pipefitter by trade, dedicated nearly three decades to teaching in the CATE program, beginning in 1992 after graduating from Chattooga High School in 1980. During his tenure, the CATE program flourished under his leadership. Starting with just 35 students, the program grew to over 100 students annually by the end of his career. He was twice voted “Teacher of the Year” and led the Chattooga High School Welding Team to Fab-Team and Individual State Championships.
Owings’ commitment to excellence also led to the Chattooga High School Welding program receiving Industry Certification in 2019 from the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA). This credentialing ensures the program meets rigorous industry standards in areas such as equipment, teacher qualification, lab specifications, curriculum, and industry relevance. Beyond technical skills, Owings fostered a strong connection between his students and the professional world. He regularly invited former graduates, now successful welders, to speak with current students. As Mr. Owings told WZQZ News in 2011, “The students that come back are professional welders…They are proof to students that welding is a good career and that it’s possible to take what they learn in class and apply it in the real world and make a very nice living. They provide motivation to current students and they help me by being an extra set of hands and expertise when working with a full class. They also like to show off some of the more difficult welding maneuvers and impress students.”
Donations to the Jeff Owings Memorial Scholarship Fund will help ensure that his legacy of inspiring and preparing students for successful careers in welding continues for years to come.
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