OFTC Rad Tech Student Owen Stokes Turns Setbacks Into Success

After a football injury in high school, Owen Stokes had his first experience with medical imaging — and discovered a field that would change his life. 

“I always knew I wanted a career in the medical field, but after having medical images taken of my knee, I started researching the field and even did some shadowing at a nearby facility’s radiology department,” Stokes said. “I quickly realized this was my calling. I was so amazed by how the machines operated and how intricate the positioning and preparation were that I wanted to learn for myself.” 

After graduating from high school, Stokes knew exactly what he wanted to pursue. He enrolled at a college close to where he worked, with plans to compete for admission into its radiologic technology program. 

However, when it came time to apply for the competitive program, Stokes was not accepted. 

“I was really disappointed,” he said. “My GPA was just a tad lower than the others who applied for the program that semester.” 

At a crossroads, Stokes began exploring other options. 

Having taken dual enrollment classes at Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) while in high school — and with several peers who had gone on to succeed there — OFTC quickly stood out. 

“I looked on their website and realized they also offered radiology and had a new cohort starting soon,” he said. “I reached out to the advisors, who were super flexible and did all they could to fit me into any classes I needed to get my GPA up and compete for the program with the best possible chance of being accepted.” 

Stokes was accepted into OFTC’s four-semester Radiologic Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program in January 2025 and is currently in his final semester. 

Hands-on Learning at OFTC 

Once enrolled at OFTC, Stokes quickly found himself immersed in hands-on learning and clinical experiences that confirmed he had made the right choice. 

“I love the hands-on aspect of my classes,” Stokes said. “I’m someone who learns better through visuals and actions rather than just reading from a book.” 

That instructional approach, he says, is strengthened by the real-world insight and constructive feedback provided by his instructors. 

“The feedback we get is first-hand knowledge,” Stokes said. “It really makes a difference when you’re learning tips and tricks to do things better.” 

Beyond the classroom, Stokes has noticed a strong foundation of support throughout the college. 

“OFTC is an organization of people who want nothing more than to see students succeed,” he said. “They’re very personal with their students and are willing to do whatever they can to give them a future.” 

In addition to the hands-on, supportive learning environment, Stokes also credits OFTC’s affordability as a key factor in his success. 

“Whether it be tuition, fees, or books, OFTC has been quite affordable,” he shared. “Through the help of financial aid and scholarships, I don’t have to take out student loans — the only thing I’m really paying for is gas getting back and forth to my clinical sites.” 

The Road Ahead  

As Stokes reflects on his time in the Radiologic Technology program, he describes the experience as transformative. 

“When I look back at the person I was just a year ago, I never thought I’d have accomplished the things I have,” he said. “Now I’m in my last semester of the program, I have a job, I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’ve grown as an individual — all within a year.” 

He credits OFTC not only with preparing him for a career, but with helping him grow personally and professionally. 

“I want people to know that OFTC has granted me the future I dreamed of since high school,” Stokes said. “I’ve grown as a person, learned a strong work ethic, made friends, and most importantly, learned that you can have a part in taking care of others. OFTC helped me accomplish these things affordably and in less time than if I had started my college experience pursuing a four-year degree.” 

Stokes encourages others to consider OFTC, regardless of where they are in life. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re fresh out of high school or if you’ve been out of school for years,” he added. “OFTC is a great option. It provides quick results at an affordable price, and the skills you learn will last a lifetime.” 

After completing the program in May, Stokes will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to become a registered radiologic technologist. He plans to begin his career in radiologic technology before pursuing advanced specialization in modalities such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or nuclear medicine. 

The determination Stokes showed after an early setback — and the leadership he’s demonstrated throughout the program — have earned him recognition beyond the classroom. 

GOAL Recognition 

Stokes was recently named OFTC’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award for Leadership (GOAL) winner and Student of the Year.  

The Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) GOAL program recognizes the most outstanding technical education students at the 22 TCSG colleges.   

As OFTC’s winner, Stokes will represent OFTC at the regional level in February, competing against top students from technical colleges across the state. Regional finalists will advance to the state competition in April, where the 2026 GOAL winner will be named by the TCSG.  

To learn more about OFTC’s Radiologic Technology program, visit the college’s website at OFTC.edu. 

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