A Publication from the Office of the President
In this Issue ...
Your Learning Has Just Begun, Dr. Booth Tells Graduates.......... 6
9-11 Survivor Calls Faculty Her ‘Dream Team’.................... 11
NHC Funds Health Care Equipment................................ 16
Welcome Back Week........ 18–19
August 2016
Gayle Arries Receives Presidential Medallion For Staff Excellence Gayle Arries, director of Marketing, was honored August 15 with the highest award given for staff excellence at the College. Dr. Booth presented Gayle with the Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence at the College’s Fall Convocation. The medallion, along with a cash award made possible by the Tri-County Technical College Foundation, goes to a person who best exemplifies the College philosophy and has contributed the most during the academic year to the development of the College and its students. Gayle joined the College in 2005. As Director of Marketing, she manages the College’s advertising, marketing, and graphics projects. “Gayle brings passion and vision to her work every day and is committed to transforming lives through the College’s educational programs, one student at Gayle Arries a time. Gayle is creative and fosters the ability for those around her to develop new ideas, test those ideas, and bring those ideas to fruition,” said Linda Jameison, assistant vice president for Student Support and Engagement, in her nomination letter. “Her work over the last two years with colleagues to connect with prospective, past, and returning students is an example of her expertise. Her ability to bring people to consensus resulted in creating a marketing and advertising campaign that generated excitement about possibilities our students can realize. It is an example that her work isn’t just about the tag line or the visual; it’s about the people who can be inspired by the message,” said Linda. Over the years, Gayle has worked with groups all over campus to assess and streamline the College’s recruitment and enrollment communications and processes. In 2013, she chaired the Communication and Tools for Students Success team, a group comprised of eight persons representing all areas of the College who were involved with the matriculation process. The charter group worked to streamline the enrollment process. Later that year she was selected to be a presenter at the Community College Enrollment Management and Student Marketing Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina. She spoke about the matriculation improvement project in a presentation titled “Marketing and Enrollment Management: Essential Collaboration.” In 2015 she, along with Koolflix partners Clark Smith and Tim Angevine, were co-presenters at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) annual conference in
Passionate people TRANSFORMING LIVES
AND BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.
(continued on page 15)
Connection is published ten times each year by the Office of the President and the Public Relations Department. Mailing Address (All Campuses) P. O. Box 587, Pendleton, SC 29670 Pendleton Campus 7900 Highway 76, Pendleton, SC Anderson Campus 511 Michelin Blvd., Anderson, SC Easley Campus 1774 Powdersville Rd., Easley, SC Oconee Campus Hamilton Career Center 100 Vocational Dr., Seneca, SC Main Number (864) 646-TCTC (8282) Toll-free 1-866-269-5677 TDD/Voice 1-800-735-2905 Website www.tctc.edu
Tri-County Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Tri-County Technical College. Tri-County Technical College does not discriminate in admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, qualifying disability, veteran’s status, or national origin. 2 • CONNECTION
Connecting
D
TCTC Achieves Top Rankings
uring Fall Convocation at the end of August, I Dr. Ronnie L. Booth shared some impressive statistics highlighting the President significant progress we are making in our journey to improve student success. According to the most recent data published by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, Tri-County Technical College still ranks Number One in Student Success among all sixteen technical colleges in South Carolina. We rank Number One in Ten‑Year Enrollment Growth of full-time equivalent (FTE) students and Number One in Successful Transfer to other colleges and universities. We also rank Number One in Graduation Rate of any technical college in the State. Only four colleges in the System have lower tuition than Tri-County, which speaks to our efforts to make college affordable. No one person, team, or project can achieve these outcomes. It takes everyone working together with intense focus on student success to keep us moving in the right direction. All of you deserve a round of applause. Concrete data showing positive results is rewarding, but the data tell only part of the story. Our students tell the real story. On August 3, the day of Summer Commencement, I was fortunate to do something I rarely have time to do as a College President—spend the entire day with students. My day began with a breakfast for our graduates hosted by the Alumni Association. As I walked among the tables talking with our students, I listened to their stories. They came from all walks of life, and each journey was different. The common denominator in each conversation was how grateful they were for the care and support they received from faculty and staff. From there I went to a job expo for ex-offenders coordinated by our Corporate and Community Education (CCE) Division at the Anderson Campus. Representatives of CCE and local employers shared information about available jobs and free/low cost training opportunities with individuals seeking a fresh start in life. As I visited with attendees and employers, I was reminded of a phrase I often use—our job is to meet people where they are in life and help them get to where they want to be. Next I joined students enrolled in our Connect to College (C2C) program for a graduation reception in their honor. These students, who for many reasons had dropped out or needed an alternative to the traditional high school setting, talked about their unique experience at Tri-County and how the support of faculty and staff was critical to their success. Not only did they receive their high school diplomas through C2C, they received college credit, giving them a head start on college. Finally, I arrived at Summer Commencement to award college degrees, diplomas, and certificates to several hundred graduates of Tri-County Technical College. Their faces glowed with the pride of a job well done, as did every other face in the audience—parents, grandparents, siblings, children, friends—and our own faculty and staff. This day-long opportunity to be with prospective students, students, and graduates reminded of me why I entered the field of higher education and how important TriCounty is to the communities we serve. I consider it a privilege to play a role in the great work of transforming lives and building strong Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D., President communities—one student at a time.
SP
LIGHT OT
Spotlight
on Smart Start Over
Kym Wright used to put off studying until the last minute, staying up until the wee hours, cramming for a test the next day. Kristin Peeples also had issues with time management and procrastination, getting caught up in watching videos and television, not realizing that those hours could have been spent more productively. Both are ready for college now, they say, because of the support they received from the College’s first-ever “Smart Start Over” class. Officially titled STEM College and Career Readiness (COL 120), the course was designed specifically for underresourced adults who have a high school credential and want to gain a solid career direction, but need help getting started. Data indicate there are thousands of people in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties who are unemployed or underemployed who could benefit greatly by obtaining the types of credentials awarded by Tri-County. Often these individuals are Kristin Peeples, left, and Kym Wright are seen with instructor Robin Long in Smart Start not sure where to start, have limited resources, Over class. and don’t understand career options and Both felt prepared to enter Tri-County this fall—Kristin in the opportunities. Accounting program and Kym in Office Systems Technology. During the 11-week class, participants are introduced to “Tri-County instructors are interested in your succeeding. The technology-based career opportunities in the region; learn 21stSmart Start course helped a lot to reinforce success strategies century work skills; develop college-readiness skills; and earn and to narrow down my career choice. I found out getting a an industry-recognized certification—OSHA General Industry degree is now realistic and attainable,” Standards training—which is appropriate said Kristin. for employment in any career field. “At Tri-County, we have the opportunity “Tri-County instructors are interested The course is offered at no cost, to change lives every day and, as a result, in your succeeding. The Smart Start thanks to State proviso funding build stronger communities,” said Dr. course helped a lot to reinforce approved by the SC General Assembly, Booth. “This course is all about meeting success strategies and to narrow as well as support from the Duke people where they are, and helping down my career choice.” Endowment. them get to where they want to be. Our Through COL 120 they feel they’ve ~Kristin Peeples challenge is to identify individuals who mastered those skills that are critical could benefit from this course and help for success—most important—time them to enroll. Once these individuals see and understand the management. possibilities that lie ahead, we will have helped them take their “I’ve learned to take responsibility for my academic and my first step to a better life.” personal life. Now I get my work done first, then my reward is my The Smart Start/Start Over course (COL 120) will be free time,” said Kristin. offered each semester on the Pendleton Campus of Tri-County “I learned to balance work, the class, and my kids,” said Technical College. For more information, visit www.tctc.edu/ Kym, who works as a Quality Inspector at Mergon. “Life is getting easier,” said Kym. “I’m not as disorganized. I don’t cram smartstart or call the Technical Skills for Success (TSS) Office at for a test. I studied and did homework on breaks at work.” Ext. 2056.
August 2016 • 3
Students Connect with Clubs, Resources Students enjoyed learning about campus resources, clubs, organizations, and upcoming events during Get Connected on the Pendleton Campus August 31. The event also included music,
free pizza, and giveaways. Get Connected events are scheduled at the Easley Campus on Sept. 6 and on the Anderson Campus September 8.
Speech instructor Greg Toney, seated, talks with Tanner Horne, of Due West, and Mackenzie Todd, of Anderson, about the Speech and Drama Team. Each year Tri-County students compete in the South Carolina Speech and Theater Association’s Annual College Festival Competition. This year they swept the top prizes, taking home the overall college championship, the overall individual student award, and placed in seven different events.
This year the Student Democrats and Student Republicans organizations merged into one club, the Tri-County Association of Political Scientists. Advisors Dana Griffith, speech instructor, middle, and Mary Geren, English instructor, right, are pictured with Darius Geer, of Belton, a Management major. Advisor Lara Wrightson is not pictured.
Get Connected events are held on all campuses at the beginning of each semester for students to come out and enjoy free pizza, drinks, and freebies. It’s a great time to meet other students, check out student clubs/organizations, and more.
Croslena Johnson, manager of Student Development/Wellness programs, right, was among the faculty and staff who manned booths to give students information about upcoming events, like the groundbreaking for the Student Success Center, set for Friday, September 16, along with clubs and organizations, and the Student Government Association.
You’re Invited!
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
for the
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER Friday, September 16, 2016, 11:00 a.m. Fulp Hall, Pendleton Campus
(Inclement Weather Location: Ruby Hicks Library Administration Building) 4 • CONNECTION
Best Retirement Gift Ever—MLT Grads Report Perfect Pass Rate on ASCP Exam Polly Kay, who has led our Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program for the last decade and retired August 15 after a 27-year teaching career at the College, received the best retirement gift she could ask for—her final graduating class earned a perfect pass rate on the National American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam. All of the 14 May 2016 MLT graduates who took the National Certification Exam received a passing score. Since 2006, eight out of 10 graduating classes have achieved 100 percent pass rates, and program scores never have dipped below 92 percent. “It’s so rewarding to know that we—instructor Deborah Brock, our adjunct instructors, and I—have prepared these students to be competent graduates who were ready for the national certification exam and the workforce,” said Polly. “I know how Dallas (Jones, former MLT department head) felt when she retired—happy and sad,” Polly said, adding that students also scored a 100 percent pass rate on the exam the year Dallas retired. “Cleaning out my office has brought up memories—lots of good memories. I’ve always been passionate about medical lab and passionate about helping our students to be successful.” Polly says the time is right to retire and plans to spend time with family. “I feel good leaving it with Deborah, (Brock, who was named Program Coordinator). She will keep up the momentum. She is a big part of our students’ continued success. Deborah
Polly Kay, middle, who retired August 15 after a decade as Medical Laboratory Technology Program Coordinator, poses with Deborah Brock, left, now serving as Program Coordinator, and Dallas Jones, longtime department head who retired in 2006.
is a dedicated and energizing educator. She has the students’ best interests at heart and will continue to prepare them for the workplace.” Deborah shares the same respect and admiration for the work Polly has done. “Polly Kay is one of the most humble and unassuming people I have ever worked with. She has always worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure that the work was done well and that her students were successful. She genuinely wanted the best for everyone.”
MLT Grads Earn 100% Pass Rate
Lisa Poore Retires
All of the 14 May 2016 MLT graduates earned a perfect pass rate on the National American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam. Tri-County ranks higher than the national figures when comparing registry scores. Tri-County’s mean score was 648 as opposed to the national score of 523. (A person must score 400 or above to pass the exam.) Tri-County ranks 100 percent in average scores for this cycle (the last six months) as compared to the 82.55 percent national average score. Tri-County’s eight hospital affiliates are AnMed Health, Bon Secours Saint Francis, Baptist Easley Hospital, Cannon Memorial Hospital, Self Regional Health Care, Oconee Memorial Hospital, Stephens County Hospital, and St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital. The MLT program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Lisa Poore, seated, poses with longtime friends and coworkers, from left, Beth Byars, Anne Bryan, and Deborah Brock, on her last day at the College before entering retirement. Lisa joined us in 1988 as an Administrative Specialist in the Bookstore and later worked in the Personnel Office and in the President’s Office. For the last several years, she supplied administrative support to the Faculty Development, Instructional Support, and Academic Affairs Offices. We wish Lisa and her family the best in her retirement. August 2016 • 5
Your Learning Has Just Begun, Dr. Booth Tells Graduates “No matter what degree you have earned, your learning— whether informal or formal—must never cease. Your learning has only begun,” Dr. Booth told the College’s 279 graduates at summer commencement. In his remarks, Dr. Booth imparted five lessons he said are important in life’s journey. They include: • Never stop learning. “Even considering the vast knowledge which you have been exposed to here at Tri-County, you must never stop learning. In fact, your learning has just begun,” he said. • No one owes you a living. “You are now prepared to earn a living, but no one owes you a job,” he said. “Each of us has to be ready and willing to start with the opportunities at hand and out work, out smart, and out perform others around us if we want to make a name for ourselves and earn a real living. My advice is to get a job and prove to your employers that they cannot live without you. It’s the best piece of career advice I’ve ever been given,” he said.
• Life is not fair. Don’t expect it to be or you will be disappointed. “Leave here planning to work hard. Leave here with a plan to set yourself apart from others. You have developed technical, intellectual, emotional and personal skills that will enable you to engage with an ever-changing world when you leave here. You must work hard to combat unfairness while remaining committed to your principles and plans. I challenge you to see life as full of opportunities to work against what is unfair by doing something about it. Try make a difference where you can.” • Life is not a zero sum game. “In other words, what you gain is not balanced by what others lose. We can all win. Celebrate the successes of others. Help others get to where they are going in life.” • You must be an agent of change, not a victim. “You must see yourself as a change agent who will take what is dished out by life and turn it to good. Take responsibility for your own lives. You can and, in fact, must be continual agents of positive change in your life and the community in which you live.”
Dr. Booth and Senior Vice President Galen DeHay lead the processional.
Dr. Booth congratulates Brett Ray Farley, who received a General Technology- Welding degree.
6 • CONNECTION
Pharmacy Technician Program Receives ThreeYear Reaccreditation
Student Government Association president Caleb Allen delivered remarks to the audience before receiving his Mechatronics degree.
Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator Ann Barnes poses with Virginia Suggs, left and Kelsey Scarborough, right, both of Anderson, the first two graduates of the program.
left: Lauren Evans and Becca Vlahos, both Medical Assisting graduates, take a selfie. right: Megan Moss, outstanding Industrial Electronics Technology student, poses before the ceremony. After an internship at Schneider Electric, she was offered a full-time position in the Tech 3 Custom Wiring department at the plant.
Music instructor Julia West sang the National Anthem.
The Pharmacy Technician program received a three-year-reaccreditation following reviews and recommendations by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC), a collaboration between ASHP and ACPE, met earlier this year and arrived at its decision based on a site review report and the College’s response to the survey findings. PTAC serves both boards of directors as the accrediting review committee for pharmacy technician education and training programs. Tri-County’s 43-hour, three-semester program has classroom and clinical components. It prepares graduates to work in hospital and retail pharmacies, research laboratories, home health care agencies, and other health and personal care industries. Classes are held on the College’s Pendleton Campus. Graduates are eligible to become State certified, which can lead to expanded responsibilities in a pharmacy, salary increases, and opportunities for career advancement. “We are pleased with our three-year reaccreditation and are excited that ASHP and ACPE recognized our plans to grow our program in the next three to five years,” said Dr. Ann Barnes, program coordinator. “In addition, our new equipment and an updated curriculum will help our students to be more successful in the classroom and when taking the certification exam. There are lots of opportunities for our students, and we want to make the most of them,” she said. August 2016 • 7
C2C Grads Cross Finish Line
inset: Caroline
Woodson poses with her dad, Media Arts Production Program Coordinator John Woodson, at the C2C reception. Later that evening at graduation, four C2C grads received their high school diplomas. From left are Caroline Woodson, Weston Owen, Casey Smith, and Hannah Crawford.
“Thanks for persevering; the key to success is persistence,” said Dr. Booth said in his remarks at a reception held for the four Connect to College (C2C) graduates. “The ability to persevere is paramount, and it will take you a long way in life. Those who cross the finish line are those who persevere. Thanks for letting us be part of your success story.” The College’s C2C program provides academically capable youth between the ages of 17 and 20 the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and college credit, up to and including a postsecondary credential. The first of its kind in South Carolina, C2C is a program for students who, for a variety of reasons, have faced difficult challenges in traditional high school environments. The program provides students with intensive support services that build confidence and foster their success in a collegiate learning environment.
College Hosts First Annual Adjunct Expo Nearly sixty adjunct faculty members participated in the first annual Adjunct Expo held August 20 on the Pendleton Campus. The morning started with a join session about High Impact Practices (HIPs), followed by concurrent sessions covering a variety of teaching and learning topics, including IT resources, student engagement and co-curricular support, adjunct pay scale, engaging and motivating students, financial aid/student records information, Blackboard, campus safety, and student conduct. right: Deborah Brock, Medical Laboratory Technology program coordinator, shares examples of active learning techniques that help engage and motivate students in the classroom.
Keri Catalfomo, Mathematics department head, Stacey Frank, psychology instructor, and Meg Allan, Business Technology department head, provided support and assistance during the College’s first annual Adjunct Expo held August 20 on the Pendleton Campus. 8 • CONNECTION
Jessica Cullen, Campus Safety Officer, speaks with long-time adjunct instructor Bruce Kalley following a session titled Campus Safety & Student Conduct: Emergency Procedures, Classroom Management, and Student Responsibilities.
Surgical Tech Grads Celebrate 100% Pass Rate on Exam The College’s recent Surgical Technology graduates are celebrating a 100 percent pass rate on the National Certification Exam. The eight August graduates who took the National Board Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification Exam received passing scores and now are designated as Certified Surgical Technologists (C.S.T.). “The test assesses practical knowledge and skills in the field—signifying students know aseptic techniques and the science of surgical technology,” said Donna Palmer, allied health department head. Graduates who obtain national certification as a C.S.T. demonstrate an understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room. These graduates have placed themselves in a position to gain advancement in salary and promotions, Donna was confident the students were prepared for the exam and credited the College for Surgical Technology graduates, from left to right: Stephanie Bearden, Jennifer Peluso, providing funding for an all-day student bowl/review Kelsey St. Denis, Thialand Rendleman, Heather Green, Kiara Payton, Brandie Tinsley, and Richard Peay. session held in Sumter for all Surgical Technology students in the technical college system. “This opportunity to program and the committed faculty, like lecturer Sandra Williams, travel and participate in an all-day review session with fellow who really take their roles as educators very seriously.” students provided an excellent review that contributed to our In October of 2010, the Surgical Technology department students’ success. It really helped them to get focused and ready received a 10-year continuing accreditation by the Commission for the exam,” said Donna, who accompanied them on the trip. on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. “This success is an affirmation of hard work on the part of the Accreditation evaluators complimented the department on its students and the faculty,” Donna said. “It’s a testament to the clinical procedures and state-of-the-art equipment.
Annual Alumni Breakfast Draws Crowd Around 50 attended the annual Alumni Association-sponsored breakfast held the morning of graduation day. “We’ve been here for you in your educational journey and will continue to be as you continue to learn in the workplace,” Galen DeHay, senior vice president, told the crowd.
Zaveus Johnson, an Industrial Electronics Technology graduate
Erica Osborne of Anderson, who is an associate degree Nursing graduate, and her daughter, Syndney Speer, take selfies using a selfie stick, one of the gifts from the Alumni Association.
August 2016 • 9
Community Paramedicine Named Top Advisory Committee A new advisory committee that worked this year to research and create the curriculum for a model Community Paramedicine program received the Advisory Committee of the Year award. Community Paramedicine Advisory Committee members joined Andrela Riley, healthcare director for Healthcare Excellence in the Corporate and Community Education Division, to accept the award at the College’s fall convocation. Community paramedicine puts primary care and public health services back into the home. Paramedics approach each case by educating the patient on his A new advisory committee that worked this year to research and create the curriculum for a model Community or her condition with the goal of Paramedicine program received the Advisory Committee of the Year award. Accepting the award, from left to reducing re-admittance to the right are Community Paramedicine Advisory Committee members V. Taylor Jones, Deputy Chief, Emergency hospital. Services Division, Anderson County; Steve McDade, director, Unified Communications Center, Anderson County; Local paramedics are obtaining William Blackwell, EMS chief, Abbeville County; Andrela Riley, healthcare director for Healthcare Excellence this training through the first in the Corporate and Community Education Division at Tri-County; Randy Bowers, CEO, Bowers Emergency Services; and Chris Bowers, director of Operations, Bowers Emergency Services. Community Paramedic Training program in the State offered by the of the Community Paramedicine Advisory Committee, saw College. The 300-hour program exceeds the 225-hour minimum a need for his community and reached out to staff from his required by State guidelines, which calls for 100 instructive and company, along with AnMed Health, Anderson County Emergency 125 clinical hours of training. Tri-County’s program offers 100 Services, Abbeville County EMS, and Baptist Easley. The group hours of classroom training, 150 clinical hours, and an additional created the Community Paramedic Advisory Committee. “From 50 lab hours. The first class began February 9 at the College’s the information shared by these more seasoned community Easley Campus. Participants must have been employed as a paramedics and their programs, the team drafted the curriculum, paramedic with an agency for two years or more on a full- or partand created a model that not only will enhance the skills of time basis. current paramedics but will help the citizens of Anderson, “Community paramedicine is a program that takes seasoned Oconee, and Pickens counties,” said Andrela. EMT practitioners and provides them additional training so they The College’s Community Paramedic Program was approved are skilled to call on citizens in their communities, between by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Board of emergency calls and offer basic wellness checks and counseling the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control at on issues such as nutrition and health management,” said its December 10, 2015, meeting. “Communities are expanding Andrela Riley, healthcare director for Healthcare Excellence in the role of paramedics to provide better, more cost-effective the Corporate and Community Education Division. “Most often healthcare,” said Andrela. “Our role is to provide the training they they assist people who have obstacles getting to and from their need to make this possible.” primary care practitioners and often end up in the emergency “A healthy community is our collective goal—maintaining folks’ rooms of our hospitals. The program is designed to perform more chronic conditions at home before they get out of hand. This can frequent check-ups on individuals, so that more severe medical be a life-changing event which leads to healthier communities,” issues can be prevented and lives can be saved,” she said. Bowers said. He added that community-based healthcare takes Bowers Emergency Services of Easley approached the College the stress away from the health care system, with regard to in 2015 seeking to start a community paramedic program in ambulances, the emergency room, and family physicians. the area. Randy Bowers, president of the company and chair 10 • CONNECTION
9-11 Survivor Calls Faculty Her ‘Dream Team’ Angela Griffin, who worked on the 110th floor of the World Trade Center, was getting coffee for her colleagues and talking with an outside vendor September 11, 2001, when a hijacked passenger jet, American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, Massachusetts, crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center, killing 2,606 in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Angela sustained extensive injuries that required years of
Angela Griffin, middle, poses with her ‘dream team’ instructors, from left, Lara Wrightson, Dr. Chris McFarland, Tom Lawrence, and Brad Bowen.
rehabilitation and recovery. She spent six years recovering in a facility and two years at home working with a physical therapist— accomplishing the impossible. At the Fall Convocation, she talked about her decision to pursue a college degree after moving to South Carolina in 2013. Angela never went to college because she went to work at age 18 straight out of high school. “I was making a good salary and never thought about college,” she said. As a first-time college student, early on she realized she needed to talk about her medical situation with CRJ Program Coordinator Dr. Chris McFarlin. “I went to Dr. McFarlin and said I was in an accident on 9-11 and it takes me longer to get things, but I’ll get it. I won’t give up.” Chris says he told her that “having the willingness and fortitude to not give up will not only serve her well in the program but also in whatever career path she chooses in the criminal justice system.” “In the beginning, all I thought about were the ‘what ifs,’ but instructor Bradley Bowen made me feel as if I was his only student. He was so patient and encouraged me to go on. Each member of the team, Dr. McFarland and Tom Lawrence, treated me with respect and encouraged me to do my best. I refer to them, as well as Social Sciences instructor Lara Wrightson, as my personal dream team. If not for you, there wouldn’t be a student like me, who had a third chance at a better life,” she said.
Executive Staff Summary
Job Fair Assists Ex-Offenders
• SC THRIVE: Mark Dougherty, dean of Student Development, shared information about SC Thrive, an organization that will help us assist students in accessing State and community resources and services.
Our Corporate and Community Education Division sponsored a job fair for ex-offenders who are getting back into the workforce. Individuals who attended the event at our Anderson Campus spoke with employers about job opportunities available.
• QUALITY MATTERS: The College will contract with Quality Matters (QM), a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online course design and online components. The QM Rubric is used in course reviews that result in continuous improvement and faculty development. Dr. Brian Swords, Easley Campus director, will be certified as a QM Peer Reviewer. Marketing 130, taught online by Dr. Swords, has been selected as the trial course. • CAPITAL PROJECTS: Richard MacBeth, project manager in the Physical Plant Operations, provided an update on the status of capital projects and renovations on all campuses. • OTHER: Parking/traffic communications, enrollment, capital project/construction updates, third party call center support pilot, TC Central implementation, and policy/procedure updates.
Here Jasmine Dirton, left, talks with Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant, vice president, employee resources and work force development, for United Infrastructure Group.
August 2016 • 11
Our College Family in transition Hailey McClain is the new Training Coordinator for the Business Training Center in our Corporate and Community Education Division. She is a recent graduate of Clemson University where she earned a B.S. Hailey McClain in Biological Sciences. She also is a 2012 alumna of our Associate in Science program. Hailey was a LIFE scholar and a 2009 Palmetto Girl’s State participant. She is a member of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, where she is a children’s church volunteer. An Iva resident, she is the daughter of Medical Assisting Program Coordinator Laura McClain. Three One Stop Specialists joined the TC Central Team. Marissa Fowler earned a B.A. from Anderson University. She attends Electric City Fellowship in Anderson and resides in Anderson. Marissa Fowler Jewell Peeples previously worked as an Administrative Specialist in our Registrar’s Office/ Student Data Center. She is Jewell Peeples Kandice Dacus working toward completing her B.S. in Industrial Engineering at Clemson. She lives in Central. After a year of working part time in Advising/Orientation, Kandice Dacus is now full time in TC Central. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Elementary Education from Anderson University. She lives in Anderson.
Glenda Waters 12 • CONNECTION
Glenda Waters, who worked in Career Services from 2006–11, is back in that office as a Career Counselor. She spent the last five
years as a seventh grade English teacher at McCant’s Middle School in Anderson School District Five. Glenda holds a B.A. in English from Lander University and an M.A. in Teaching from Clemson University. She and her husband, Wayne, live in Belton. They have an adult son, Colton. Patricia Harrison joined TRiO as the Middle School Counselor for Educational Talent Search. She worked for the past two years as a temporary Tutor in our Tutoring Center, as well as a Tutor for C2C. She holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Western Governors University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering and master’s of Engineering degree from Clemson University. She is a member of House of Judah and lives in Clemson. (Photo not available.) Briana Johnson is the new Academic Resource Specialist for the Business and Public Services Division. She is a 2016 graduate of USC Upstate, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She worked for the last seven months as a Student Services Assistant at Johnson College of Business and Economics. While Briana Johnson a student at USC Upstate, she was Events Chairperson for both the University Business Society and the Student Marketing Association. She also led two service projects in the community—the Thanksgiving Food Drive and the School Supply Drive. She lives in Seneca. Andrea Barnett, formerly an instructor in the Comprehensive Studies Department, has joined the Mathematics Department in the Arts and Sciences Division. Mandy Orzechowski has accepted the position of Dean of the Engineering and Industrial Technology Division. Mandy joined the College in 2009 as an Engineering Graphics Technology instructor and was promoted to head of the Engineering Technology Department in 2014. She began her career at Carolina Circuits as a Process Engineer and was later promoted to Engineering Team Leader, Program Manager, and Project Engineer. Prior to joining the College, Mandy taught Project Lead the Way classes to high school students at Pendleton High School and at the Career and Technology Center in Williamston.
Getting To Know You watching for the kind of subtle or unsubtle body language, voice inflections, and other non-verbal cues that you cannot read in a transcript but speak volumes. Do the written accounts “match up” with what you actually witness?
Cara Hamilton Vice President for Business Affairs 1. What do you like best about your job? I enjoy interacting with students and employees and looking for ways to improve our processes and services so we can deliver excellent service and create a transformative experience for all. 2. Is there a book you have read over and over? Good to Great by Jim Collins
4. What is your favorite season? Fall is my favorite season: the leaves are changing colors, the temperature is dropping, and the holidays are approaching. Of course, with cooler temps, I can don my uniform – a corduroy jacket and jeans/khakis.
Cara Hamilton
3. If you could witness an event in the past, present, or future, what would that be? I would like to “witness” the birth of my children (again). They are such a miracle and a blessing to me and my husband. I cherish that gift I was given. 4. What is your favorite season? Football “season.” LOL. Fall for sure. The weather, the changing of the color of the leaves on the trees, crisp mornings, and cool nights. 5. What makes you laugh? People make me laugh. People are so different with such different perspectives and personalities. People can be wonderfully funny even when they are not trying to be!
Dr. Chad Gregory Humanities Instructor 1. What do you like best about your job? First, my job justifies reading books. I enjoy completing a book and then jazzing up my lecture material with new facts, stories, anecdotes, and interpretations that further contribute to a lively narrative in class or an engaging historical analysis exercise. Second, I derive great satisfaction from Dr. Chad Gregory converting students to an appreciation of the study of history – even enthusiasm. My subversive goal is to create more history majors and minors among students. 2. Is there a book you have read over and over? One of my favorite books that I have continually revisited is by Bryan Magee, Confessions of a Philosopher. It’s philosophy, not history, but he positions his account into a larger arc of intellectual history. The appeal of the book is how he approaches traditional philosophical problems with high seriousness combined with an almost child-like (in a good way) enthusiasm and wonder. His intellectual curiosity is contagious. The book is wonderfully written. His casual asides about academic life are both humorous and insightful. 3. If you could witness an event in the past, present, or future, what would that be? Since I teach history, there are numerous examples I can cite. For instance, I would like to have witnessed the deliberations between John F. Kennedy, his national security staff, and the Joint Chiefs during the Cuban Missile Crisis. We have accounts of those conversations, but I would love to have those accounts in hand as I listened to them debate and deliberate,
5. What makes you laugh? Articulate, witty, good-natured people. I count myself fortunate to be surrounded by them each day on campus.
Kathy Brand Executive Assistant, Office of the President 1. What do you like best about your job? The thing I like best about my job is it gives me the opportunity to meet and interact with everyone who comes to the President’s Office. I enjoy chatting with faculty, staff, and students, entertaining campus visitors, and preparing for the many events and Kathy Brand meetings that take place in the Board Room. Being relatively new to the Upstate, I appreciate the chance to meet community leaders, alumni, politicians, CEOs, and a variety of people in the tri-county area. 2. Is there a book you have read over and over? I do have certain authors, like Dorothea Bent Frank and Adriana Trigiani, whom I enjoying reading. I also love Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. However, the books I’ve read repeatedly are children’s books. Coming from an elementary education background, I was constantly reading and re-reading books to my students and children. I’m not a hoarder, but I still have boxes (I won’t say how many) of children’s books that I can’t part with. Hopefully, I will be reading them to grandchildren one day! 3. If you could witness an event in the past, present, or future, what would that be? Past: Princess Diana’s wedding. My husband and I were married the same month in 1981, and I remember staying up late watching the fairy tale wedding on TV. Present: Clemson winning the National Championship! Future: The birth of my “future” grandchildren. 4. What is your favorite season? Even with the blazing heat and humidity, my favorite season is summer. I love spending long, hot days at the beach, relaxing with family and friends. I treasure the longer hours of daylight making it possible to spend time outside after work. I enjoy how summer lingers into September and sometimes October in the South. 5. What makes you laugh? Life! I’ve learned it’s easier to go through life with a smile, a positive attitude, and a good laugh. Life doesn’t always turn out the way you’ve planned, so it’s better to take it one day at a time and realize each day is a blessing. I’m lucky that my family, co-workers, and friends keep me amused every day!
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Welcome Back Week We kicked off fall semester at all campuses with Welcome Back Week which featured activities, food, and festivities. As of the end of the first week of classes, enrollment was 6,083 students taking classes at the Pendleton, Easley, and Anderson Campuses and the ITC. below, left: Senior Associate Degree Nursing students, from left, Crystal
Simoneaux, of Walhalla; Brandy Morton, of Greenwood; and Jenni Bishop, of Easley. below, right: Dr. Booth, right, assisted with serving hot dogs at the Welcome Back Party.
Lori Morrissette, manager of Student Development and Involvement Programs, displays an Airbrush Koozie that students received.
Jacquelyn Watson, of Belton, left, displays a photo she received, compliments of Fun Enterprises which set up a photo booth. Savannah Plouet, of Central, left, and Kelly Hamm, of Clemson, middle, both Practical Nursing students, pose with Ashley Isreal.
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Gayle Arries (continued from page 1)
All student veterans and current members of the military stopped by Patriots’ Place (Anderson Hall 109) for this year’s Backpacks for the Brave event. Dr. Booth, left, met with veterans and handed out free backpacks filled with school supplies, brochures, resources, and other information from local veterans organizations and the TCTC community. Pictured with him is Douglas Womack, an Army veteran.
Portland, Oregon. Their presentation was titled “Student Engagement through Marketing and Multi Media.” In 2007, she and her team received a Gold Paragon award from NCMPR for the invitation created for the College’s Anderson Campus premier event for major donors. In 2014, Gayle was selected as one of two Tri-County staff members to attend the S.C. Technical College Leadership Academy. During the year-long leadership development program, she focused on a project titled “4-C-Able Futures,” a week-long summer camp for high school youth in foster care. This year the 4-C-Able Futures camp was held June 12–17 on the Easley Campus and at Southern Wesleyan University. Its primary focus is to develop career and personal goals, confidence and selfesteem for this group of high-risk students. Prior to joining Tri-County, from 1992–2005, she served as Writer, Editor, and, later, Vice President of Marketing for Cox CustomMedia, a publishing company within the Cox Enterprises family (whose operations include broadcast television stations, radio stations, and several daily newspapers, including the Atlanta JournalConstitution). She holds a B.A. in English Education and Writing and a master’s degree in Organizational Change and Leadership, both from Columbia College.
Gayle Arries with Dr. Booth during the presentation of the medallion at the College’s fall convocation. In addition to the medallion and a check from the TCTC Foundation, Gayle received a reserved parking space for the 2016-17 academic year.
Dillon Waters, Garrett Brown, and Malik Putnam (seated left to right) talk with Sammy Griffith, standing, between classes outside the Café during Welcome Week. August 2016 • 15
Foundation News South State Bank Supports C2C South State Bank made a $5,000 donation to support the College’s Connect to College (C2C) program, which provides academically capable youth between the ages of 17 and 20 the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and college credit, up to and including a postsecondary credential. The first of its kind in South Carolina, C2C is a program for students who, for a variety of reasons, have faced difficult challenges in traditional high school environments. The program provides students with intensive support services that build confidence and foster their success in a collegiate learning environment. South State Corporation is the largest bank holding company headquartered in South Carolina. Founded in 1933, the company’s primary subsidiary, South Pictured from left are Tiffany Carpenter, support specialist for C2C; Tammy Fiske, director of State Bank, has been serving the financial annual giving at Tri-County; Cindy Mobley, director of C2C; Grayson Kelly, executive director of the needs of its local communities in 24 South College’s Foundation, Jason Craddock, vice president for commercial lending, South State Bank; and Carolina counties, 13 Georgia counties, Jimmy Lindsey, regional president, South State Bank. and four North Carolina counties for over 80 years. The bank also operates Minis & Co., Inc. and First purpose broker-dealer. South State Corporation has assets of Southeast 401K Fiduciaries, Inc., both registered investment approximately $8.7 billion and its stock is traded under the advisors; and First Southeast Investor Services, Inc., a limited symbol SSB on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
NHC Funds Equipment Brad Moorhouse, administrator of NHC HealthCare in Anderson, second from left, presented Grayson Kelly, executive director of the College’s Foundation, third from left, with a $15,000 check from its Foundation for Geriatric Education. The donation will fund health care equipment needs for the College’s Corporate and Community Education Division. Pictured with Mr. Moorhouse are from left, Libba Pena, assistant administrator at NHC; Keesha Dennis, L.P.N. at NHC and a 2003 alumna of the College’s Practical Nursing program; and Lisa Caudle, unit record coordinator at NHC who earned associate in science and Dental Assisting degrees at Tri-County and a bachelor’s in human resources at Anderson University.
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