Athens – Governor Nathan deal is proposing a name change for the Technical College System of Georgia. If the Governor’s initiative is successful, the name change would force all technical colleges to become “career centers”.

If this name change were to be enforced, technical colleges like Athens Tech would have to change virtually every sign, every banner above sidewalks, and every item in the bookstore. It would even force local technical colleges to replace every business card and pen that reads “Athens Technical College.”

Most of all, Athens Tech would have to change their biggest sign which is a 119-foot-tall water tower that sits right on US Highway 29. This water tower was just updated last year to display the school’s logo.

Madison County Superintendent Allen McCannon sent the Georgia legislature an email earlier this month with some suggested changes. Towards the end of the email, Dr. McCannon said that the president of Athens Technical College told him that her staff had estimated the name change would cost her institution “around one million dollars.”

Athens Technical College would not comment on the matter, and the Technical College System of Georgia could not be reached.

Governor Nathan Deal says he decided to rename the system because he felt it is a better reflection of what they actually do. Tune in to Grady Newsource tonight at 5 to find out more about this initiative.