has been my great privilege to serve on the State Board of Technical and
Adult Education for ten years. While I am delighted to have been elected
chairman at the December 2003 board meeting, I was not happy to accept Commissioner
Breeden’s resignation as one of my first official duties as chairman.
His leadership and example have been an inspiration to me throughout the
decade we have worked together in the service of technical education; it’s
hard to imagine the system without him. As his colleague and friend, it
is good to see him approach the next phase of his life and career; as chair
of the board that oversees the system he brought to national prominence,
I’m wondering what we’re going to do without him.
Of course, the board will labor to live up to the high standards that Ken Breeden has set and will do our best in every way to ensure that we continue to build and improve Georgia’s technical college system in a way that will be faithful to his outstanding legacy.
Ken, I won’t say good-bye as I know your bond with us and with the system will last far into the future. I will say I will miss you. And I will say, with my deepest gratitude, thank you for all you have done for me, thank you for all you have done for technical education, thank you for all you have done for Georgia.
Everywhere I go, people are asking me to thank Commissioner Breeden and asking me to give him their best wishes. In turn, he has shared with me some of the many e-mails and notes he began receiving when he announced his retirement. Here are excerpts from a representative sampling:
It is with mixed emotions that I send my hearty congratulations for your upcoming retirement from the Department of Technical & Adult Education. Your illustrious career will assuredly be commended by those who have known you and your passion for education for the past 20 years. The friendship and warmth you have displayed in your tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all Georgians will be remembered for years to come.There are only a few people who are willing to go the “extra mile” in their profession, and you certainly step to the forefront of this area. We definitely need more men of your caliber who are responsible for the education of our citizens. You are an excellent role model for the young people of today in demonstrating that hard work, honesty and integrity will always be in style.
I want you to know how much I have admired you for your leadership, expertise in your field, and the personal friendship that we have enjoyed. May you have joy in any new endeavor that you undertake.
LONICE C. BARRETT
COMMISSIONER, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
In your professional career you have made a great contribution to many Georgians in affording them the opportunity to acquire job skills. The economic development efforts in this state would not have been a success without this effort. It has been my pleasure to work with you over the years, and I wish you the very best in your retirement.GEORGE BUSBEE, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA, 1975-1983
All of us in Savannah-Chatham County Schools Adult Education were saddened to hear the news of your pending retirement. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work for you. Best of luck as you enter a well-deserved retirement.PATRICK ROSSITER, SDA 24 DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL
RICHARD ARNOLD SCHOOL FOR ADULT EDUCATION
I was surprised and disappointed like many to recently read about your plans to do something new. None of us are permanent fixtures in this life, but the contributions you have made and generated as Commissioner [for technical education] in our great state will live on for decades. To me, the word “amazing” best describes your overall professional contributions and accomplishments . . . .
RICHARD J. FEDERINKO, PRESIDENT, MIDDLE GEORGIA COLLEGE
I want to sincerely thank Dr. Kenneth Breeden for nearly 20 years of committed service to the people of Georgia. Under his direction, his agency has provided a unified system of technical education, customized business and industry training, and adult education with programs that use the best available technology and offer easy access to lifelong education and training for all adult Georgians and corporate citizens.GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE