Media release from Georgia Northwestern Technical College:
Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have received the fall 2025 Rome Home Builders Association (RHBA) Scholarship.
The RHBA Scholarship rewards academic excellence and provides financial support for students working toward a degree, diploma or certificate in a residential construction-related program, including Air Conditioning Technology, Construction Management, Electrical Systems Technology, Horticulture and Lawn Maintenance on the Floyd, Gordon and Polk County Campuses.
The recipients, Yonatan Gonzalez and Connor Rowell, study Construction Management at GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.
“This is the eighth year of our partnership with the Rome Home Builders Association,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “Their support has empowered many students to enter the workforce with the tools and education needed. We deeply appreciate their investment in our students.”
“The construction industry offers careers that can be meaningful, fulfilling, hands-on and high-paying,” said Connie Mathis, chief financial officer of River City Bank and executive officer of RHBA.
“We know that a skilled construction workforce—everything from job management to HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), electrical, landscaping, carpenters, roofers and plumbers—is critical to the continued economic success of our community,” Mathis said. “That’s what drives our commitment to providing scholarship funds to support students, recognizing their hard work and commitment to education and our industry.”
Phil Burkhalter of Phillip Burkhalter Builders LLC represents Floyd County on GNTC’s Board of Trustees and has been a member of RHBA for 37 years.
“The RHBA is proud to sponsor a scholarship that will help to develop our future community leaders.” Burkhalter said.
The Rome Home Builders Association is a trade organization dedicated to creating, promoting and protecting an ongoing successful environment for affordable housing in order to benefit its members and the citizens of Georgia. The association is committed to offering opportunities for members to improve their abilities to conduct business with integrity and encourages member involvement in assisting communities to meet the need for affordable, quality housing.
In the GNTC photo:
(From left) Sarah Egerer, GNTC Foundation administrator; Jessie Bannister, RHBA; Sammy Bartley, RHBA; Connor Rowell, RHBA Scholarship recipient; Yonatan Gonzalez, RHBA Scholarship recipient; Will Mathis, RHBA; and Josh Bullock, RHBA, pose for a picture in front of a construction site.