Jonathan Chastain Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award
Jonathan Chastain
Jonathan Chastain, who teaches mathematics classes for our comprehensive studies department, received the College’s 2020 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award. This award is given annually at fall convocation to the adjunct faculty member who is recognized for excellence in teaching, who has consistently high student evaluations and who supports the philosophy and goals of the College. For three-and-one-half years, Chastain has taught at the College and assists with advising, orientations and staffing the Math+Lab. “Jonathan is always willing to go above and beyond and step up when the department and our students need him,” said Jennifer Hulehan, dean for academic and career foundations. “Jonathan has risen to the occasion more times than I can count. Whether it was responding to a student in distress, filling in for an absent instructor, or helping other instructors better serve students, he’s always ready, willing and more than capable,” Hulehan said.
Kellie Smith Boone, Class of 2001, Receives 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award The Distinguished Alumni Award is given each year at commencement and highlights a graduate’s dedication to his/ her alma mater. The recipient of this award must have been awarded a degree, diploma or certificate from Tri-County; must have graduated at least one year ago and must have made significant contributions to the College, the Alumni Association or the community. Nineteen years ago Kellie Smith Boone walked across the stage at the Anderson Civic Center and received her associate in arts degree at Tri-County Technical College’s spring commencement. Since that day, she has worked in manufacturing facilities in Oconee County, beginning her career at Koyo Bearings in Walhalla, where she started as an operator in production and quickly moved up the ladder into human resources. She says her Tri-County degree paved the way. Boone spent 16 years at Koyo - most recently as a human resources generalist until joining Horton’s team as human resources manager late last year. (Horton is Oconee County’s newest manufacturing facility.) She always is pleased when she sees Tri-County on an applicant’s resume -- whether it’s an associate degree or the South Carolina Manufacturing Certification (SCMC). “Tri-County graduates will play a vital role in Horton’s success,” she said. Horton’s proximity to the College’s Oconee Campus is a real plus, she said. “Tri-County will serve as a feeder for us. Tri-County
4 • CONNECTION
and the Hamilton Career and Technology Center, are our partners in supplying future employees. It makes me smile that we are located so close to the campus.” Horton and other industries are part of the Oconee Industry and Technology Park, located on Highway 11 in Westminster. It co-locates the Oconee Campus of Tri-County Technical College, the career center for high school Kellie Smith Boone students and industry. “We are excited about having a potential skilled workforce nearby,” she said. As human resources manager, Boone is responsible for recruiting and hiring for all hourly and salaried positions, payroll and benefits, training and development and employee/public relations. When seeking candidates for job openings, she says she looks for Tri-County Technical College when reviewing resumes. “I know what Tri-County graduates can do,” said Boone. “I’m proud I started at Tri-County.”
