Michael Crouch Is First Student from SC to Receive National Organization of Student Success Scholarship and Award Michael Crouch admits he has “My journey through life has been struggled both personally and similar to my experience in college. I am academically over the past years with not only a college student, but I am also challenges that sidelined his academic a person in long-term recovery. I have and professional journey. Today, been substance-free since January 2013, substance-free since 2013, he proudly and have excelled at Tri-County Technical talks about the road to achieving a lifelong College for well over two years,” he said. goal of earning a college degree. “Finding and sustaining recovery from He says he couldn’t have done it substance use disorder has been very without Tri-County Technical College, its much like discovering developmental support services, and most important, its education and achieving success instructors. in college,” said Michael. “Recovery “It really helps when you have people— from addiction is by far my biggest specifically instructors—who are also life accomplishment, but facing and mentors, in your corner,” said the 41-yearovercoming challenges in academia old Seneca resident who balances his comes in at a close second. With this in time with college classes and working as mind, my involvement in developmental a Certified Peer Support Specialist for education has been the key to my ability Michael Crouch is the first student from South Pickens County Behavioral Health. to achieve at a high level in for-credit Carolina to receive the Martha Maxwell Scholarship After several unsuccessful attempts courses and in my professional career. for Students in Student Success Programs. He was at college while struggling with substance I have used principles found in recovery honored at the National Organization of Student abuse, as well as ADHD and social anxiety, Success (NOSS) conference. and developmental education to today Michael is in long-term recovery and achieve my goals inside and outside the earning grades that landed him on the President’s List (all A’s). classroom,” he said. “Tri-County is helping me to redevelop my mind to believe I can He told his story to a group of peers and educators at the achieve,” he said. March 4–7 National Organization of Student Success (NOSS) He says both people and resources at the College have conference where he received the Martha Maxwell Scholarship. contributed to his academic and personal success. He is the first student from South Carolina to receive a “I wouldn’t be here without any of them,” said Michael, a 1997 prestigious scholarship and award from this national organization. Seneca High graduate, who began his studies by enrolling in the The purpose of the award is to support completers of programs College’s Developmental Education math and English classes in related to student success as they continue their college degree preparation to enter the University Transfer curriculum. aspirations.
Sandvik Coromant Supports Oconee Campus Sandvik Coromant donated $75,000 to name a room, fund scholarships for CNC students, and provide CNC tooling equipment when we opened the Oconee Campus in 2018. Sandvik recently hosted its three scholarship recipients for a luncheon/tour at the plant. From left are Maria E. Brown, James R. Bowie and Corey J. Bouchillon, all CNC majors and all Liberty residents.
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