Clemson Downs Supports CNA Scholarship

Clemson Downs made a $1,500 donation to TCTC’s Foundation to continue its support of a full scholarship for a certified nurse aide student in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.

James Hill, executive director of Clemson Downs, second from left, presented President DeHay, third from left, with the check. Also pictured are, from left, Grayson Kelly, vice president for institutional advancement and business relations at Tri-County; and Carolyn Stewart, healthcare program director for TCTC’s Corporate and Community Education Division.

SNA Hosts First Clinical Expo

Tri-County held its first Clinical Expo on April 5. “It was a huge success,” said Celeste Mendez, TCTC nursing instructor. Fifteen clinical facilities from across the upstate came to talk to CNA, LPN and RN students about their current and future job opportunities, internships and scholarships. “The students who attended the expo also were encouraged to bring canned goods to support a local charity and as a result, we were able to donate hundreds of non-perishable goods to a local children’s home,” Mendez added. Laura Thompson, a 2005 alumna of TCTC’s associate in arts program and former TCTC staff member, right, was among the attendees at the TCTC Student Nurses Association Clinical Expo. Thompson, who is human resources manager at Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital, went on to earn a B.S. degree in HR management/personnel administration at Limestone University. She is pictured talking with nursing student Sierra Barrs.

TCTC Is Sponsor of AnMed Health Connect 2022

TCTC was a sponsor of AnMed Health’s Connect 2022, an annual diversity, equity, and inclusion symposium with Anderson University and community members held April 5.

At the event, speakers talked about diversity and inclusion in the Upstate and this year, organizers honored the five known lynching victims in Anderson County.

Juana Slade, chief diversity officer at AnMed Health, said the goal is to improve equality in the workplace, health and education. From left are (front row) Hannah Fakoormejad, Dr. Laneika Musalini, Ingryd Masters and Mia Tensley, and (back row) Brian Smith, Ross Hughes, Rodney Estrada, Dr. Jackie Blakley, Dr. Beverly McAdams and Marianne Yohannan.

Students Make Connections at Campus Career Fairs

TCTC’s Career and Employability Resources (CES) department hosted its annual Career Fair March 15 at all community campuses.

In today’s challenging job market, employers are looking to fill positions and grow their workforce. The annual Career Fair is an opportunity for students and soon-to-be graduates to talk about job opportunities with recruiters and managers from business, manufacturing and healthcare and to develop a network of career contacts.

Adam Paige, director of CES, reports that 35 employers and 400 students participated across all five campuses. Ten employers conducted on-site interviews and extended second interview opportunities to students.

Also, representatives were on hand to talk about apprenticeship partnerships as a pathway to employment while students are in college.

Students visit the Arthrex booth to learn about the company and job opportunities. Alan Johnson, senior technical trainer at the Robert Bosch Corporation in Anderson who also oversees the Technical Scholars program, far left, poses with the company’s technical scholars, Ben Colvin, second from left and John Luke Barker, far right, along with David Cross and Kim Nelms from Bosch.

Students at ITC

Outstanding Students Honored

The annual student awards ceremony was held April 6 to celebrate excellence and to honor outstanding students in our academic programs.

Tommy Brister was honored as TCTC’s Outstanding Associate Degree Nursing Student. Brister spent most of his career as an FAA air traffic control specialist and retired in 2015. Following his retirement, his daughter, Lindsey, a graduate of our associate degree nursing program, encouraged him to enroll to train for a second career. At age 62, Tommy became a TCTC student and will graduate in May. He has been hired to work at AnMed Health. Pictured with Tommy Brister, middle, are Dr. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development, and Kristen Lundkovsky, program coordinator for nursing.

Power Line Worker Students Showcase Skills at Rodeo

Ten students who completed the Level I Power Line Worker certification class participated in a rodeo on March 31, where they showcased their skills for potential employers who are looking to fill these in-demand jobs across the state. Graduates are pictured with instructor James Guthrie and Ron Bryant, training director, after receiving their certificates.

Celebrating National Lineworkers Appreciation Day (April 19)

April 18 was National Lineworker Appreciation Day. Representatives from Duke Energy and TCTC met at the Anderson Campus to discuss the career of the electrical lineworker and how to learn more about training opportunities offered by TCTC’s Corporate and Community Education Division.

Duke Energy lineworkers were on hand to discuss the job of a “lineman” and demonstrate the equipment and some of the tasks they are responsible for every day on the job.

As Duke Energy modernizes the grid and integrates new technologies to better serve customers, the need for a skilled workforce is rapidly growing. Lineworkers play an integral role in a more efficient, more reliable digital grid.

below: Justin Pressley, a 2020 graduate of the Level I Power Line Worker class who works as a distribution lineman for Duke Energy, was interviewed by local television reporters. below: Recent graduate Jordan Faust demonstrates skills learned in the Level I Power Line Worker certificate class.

Welding Students Receive Five Awards at State Competition

Congratulations to our welding students who took home five awards at the Annual South Carolina Technical College Statewide Welding Competition held April 18 at the Industrial Technology Center. They won three first-place awards and two second-place honors in six categories. Twenty-five competitors representing five technical colleges competed. The Colleges included TCTC, Horry Georgetown Technical College, Midlands Technical College, Piedmont Technical College and Spartanburg Community College. Thanks to premier sponsors TCTC; Coca Cola; Anderson County Economic Development; The Peoples Bank; and Sulzer. Also thanks to Airgas National Welders; Grainger; Lakeside Sheet and Machine; Lincoln Electric; Miller; Linde Gas and Equipment, Inc., Southern Educational Systems, Inc.; TTI/Ryobi; and Western Welder.

Russell Kuemmerer, left, was one of five TCTC students who received an award. Welding/CNC Department Head Paul Phelps is pictured presenting Russell the first-place award in category 6 (GTAW 3” pipe 6G, stainless steel).

BASF Partnership

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BASF Seneca Site Director Elba Lizardi took the time to single out Sanders and Claudia Spearman for their contributions to the program. “We are excited to kick off cohort number two and we look forward to welcoming our third cohort as well,” she said.

Vision, Mission, Values and Commitments

Vision

Passionate people transforming lives and building strong communities one student at a time.

Mission

Tri-County Technical College provides students an exceptional and affordable learning experience that improves their quality of life. The College advances economic development in the tri-county region by preparing a highly-skilled workforce.

Values

• Integrity: We lead by example and are steadfast in upholding high ethical standards. • Respect: We engage with one another in a manner that promotes civility, trust, openness and understanding. • Learning: We promote a growth mindset and use what we learn to deliver a transformative experience for our students and employees. • Collaboration: We achieve more when we work together, especially when we bring diverse groups of people together to solve problems and generate change. • Innovation: We encourage creative ideas that lead to positive outcomes for our students, our employees and our community. • Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging where every individual feels welcome and valued.

Commitments

• To Our Students: Provide a dynamic teaching and learning experience in which every student has an opportunity to grow, succeed and improve their quality of life. • To Our Employees: Cultivate a workplace that honors and promotes our values. • To Our Community: Serve as a solutions provider in meeting the workforce needs of the tri-county region.

P.O. Box 587 • Pendleton, S.C. 29670

In Memoriam

We were saddened to learn of the passing of former Medical Laboratory Technology Department Head Dallas Jones, who led the program for 36 years until her retirement in 2006. She passed away April 11 at AnMed Health Medical Center.

She joined Tri-County in 1970 to begin a new program, the Certified Laboratory Assistant program, which she headed for two years at Anderson Memorial Hospital before founding the TCTC Medical Laboratory Technology Department. Under her leadership, the program achieved maximum accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The MLT program became fully accredited by the AMA in 1974 and at that time, became the second fully accredited program of its kind in S.C. Doctors and others who make decisions concerning employment of medical lab technicians were always looking to her for well-trained MLT’s.

At her retirement celebration in 2006, her colleague Polly Kay, who assumed the MLT program coordinator position, said it was a privilege to work side by side with Dallas, teaching MLT classes over 16 years. “She loves her students, and she loves her profession. After 36 years at TriCounty, Dallas still loves MLT, and it shows every time she walks in the classroom,” said Kay.

In this retirement celebration photo in 2006, Dallas is seen seated on the bench that was a retirement gift from the faculty and staff. The bench was placed on the third floor of the Health/Science building in her honor.

Aliza Lee, Kendra Green Named to All-State Academic Team

Aliza Lee, a university transfer major, and Kendra Green, a mechatronics major, are TCTC’s representatives for the South Carolina 2022 Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team.

Thirty-nine students from 15 technical colleges in the South Carolina Technical College System were recognized April 20 at an awards ceremony in Columbia.

Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor fraternity for two-year college students, recognizes and encourages scholarship and provides opportunities for the development of leadership skills and service. To be eligible for membership, a student must be enrolled in an associate degree program, must have accumulated 12 hours, and must have achieved and maintained a GPR of at least 3.50. Alpha Zeta Beta is the name of the local chapter at Tri-County.