Forsyth Tech’s Digital Effects & Animation (DEA) Program has been named a Toon Boom Centre of Excellence, the first U.S. community college to receive this designation, putting the DEA program on par with some of the best digital design schools in the world. The college underwent a rigorous application process in order to be selected.

Toon Boom, a Canadian company specializing in animation and storyboarding software, recognizes post-secondary educational institutions that are “powerful incubators” for preparing graduates for jobs in the animation, film and media arts industries.

“It’s an honor for us to be recognized as the first community college in America to be a Toon Boom Centre of Excellence,” said Herb Burns, department chair Design Technologies, program coordinator Digital Effects & Animation, and coordinator International Partnerships. “This is a real testament to the quality of our faculty and the great animated works created by our students.”

According to Burns, Forsyth Tech instructors are currently becoming certified Toon Boom trainers and soon, graduates will become certified. “This will open many more new job opportunities in the animation industry for our graduates as employers are looking for this certification.”

Forsyth Tech first introduced the DEA program in 2007. Since then, the program has grown each year. Burns says that the college has been continually adding space for the program to accommodate student demand. “If my suspicion is correct, once word travels about this Toon Boom designation, the demand for this program will be well beyond our expectations.”

Toon Boom customers include Fox, Disney, Cartoon Network, South Park Studios and DreamWorks.

About Forsyth Tech

Forsyth Tech provides students with flexible educational pathways to a competitive workforce for the community and global economy. The college offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in more than 200 programs of study, including programs that promote personal and professional development through non-credit courses and seminars, as well as customized training for business and industry. Forsyth Tech is the fifth largest community college in North Carolina and serves more than 35,000 students with approximately 1,500 full and part-time faculty and staff.