Sandvik Coromant Supports Oconee Campus

Michael Crouch Is First Student from SC to Receive National Organization of Student Success Scholarship and Award

Michael Crouch admits he has struggled both personally and academically over the past years with challenges that sidelined his academic and professional journey. Today, substance-free since 2013, he proudly talks about the road to achieving a lifelong goal of earning a college degree.

He says he couldn’t have done it without Tri-County Technical College, its support services, and most important, its instructors.

“It really helps when you have people— specifically instructors—who are also mentors, in your corner,” said the 41-yearold Seneca resident who balances his time with college classes and working as a Certified Peer Support Specialist for Pickens County Behavioral Health.

After several unsuccessful attempts at college while struggling with substance abuse, as well as ADHD and social anxiety, today Michael is in long-term recovery and earning grades that landed him on the President’s List (all A’s). “Tri-County is helping me to redevelop my mind to believe I can achieve,” he said.

He says both people and resources at the College have contributed to his academic and personal success.

“I wouldn’t be here without any of them,” said Michael, a 1997 Seneca High graduate, who began his studies by enrolling in the College’s Developmental Education math and English classes in preparation to enter the University Transfer curriculum. “My journey through life has been similar to my experience in college. I am not only a college student, but I am also a person in long-term recovery. I have been substance-free since January 2013, and have excelled at Tri-County Technical College for well over two years,” he said. “Finding and sustaining recovery from substance use disorder has been very much like discovering developmental education and achieving success in college,” said Michael. “Recovery from addiction is by far my biggest life accomplishment, but facing and overcoming challenges in academia comes in at a close second. With this in mind, my involvement in developmental education has been the key to my ability to achieve at a high level in for-credit courses and in my professional career. I have used principles found in recovery and developmental education to achieve my goals inside and outside the classroom,” he said.

He told his story to a group of peers and educators at the March 4–7 National Organization of Student Success (NOSS) conference where he received the Martha Maxwell Scholarship. He is the first student from South Carolina to receive a prestigious scholarship and award from this national organization. The purpose of the award is to support completers of programs related to student success as they continue their college degree aspirations. Michael Crouch is the first student from South Carolina to receive the Martha Maxwell Scholarship for Students in Student Success Programs. He was honored at the National Organization of Student Success (NOSS) conference.

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.