Central Carolina Technical College Blog

CCTC Students Visit State House to Support Lottery Tuition Assistance

Eight Central Carolina students joined more than 300 students from across the state in a march on the capitol on January 26.  But, this was a friendly march, organized to show lawmakers the impact and importance of Lottery Tuition Assistance.

Dorothy Baker, Brenda Choice, Joseph Kelly, LaCharley Sherrod, Chris Psareas, Victoria Holiday, Sarah Brewer, and Travis Curry along with several CCTC staff members made the trip to Columbia where they heard from several speakers on the steps of the Capitol and visited lawmakers inside the House and Senate chambers.

Hundreds of SC Technical College System students gathered at the State House Tuesday (Jan. 26) to show their support and appreciation for the Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) program. Speakers included Dr. Barry Russell, system president; Rep. Phil Owens (R-Anderson), chair, Education and Public Works Committee; and Zach Pitts, an LTA recipient and student at Spartanburg Community College.

The group of more than 300 students represented a fraction of the nearly 285,000 technical college students who have benefitted from LTA since its inception.  The 16 technical colleges across the state educate more than half of all undergraduate students in the state. The System educates South Carolinians to live and work in South Carolina – 96% of technical college students are South Carolina citizens and nearly 90% choose to stay in the state after graduation.

“Today we are putting a face on the impressive numbers the SC Technical College System boasts. Each of these 315 students present today has their own personal story of how LTA has helped them achieve their education and career goals.  Goals that are important to our state—that will help build a skilled workforce for our future,” said Russell in addressing the crowd of students.

“We appreciate the General Assembly’s foresight in creating this program.  Their continued support and consistent funding of Lottery Tuition Assistance is vital to ensuring that a quality higher education is accessible and affordable for all South Carolinians." Zach Pitts, an LTA recipient enrolled in the Horticulture Technology program at Spartanburg Community College spoke on behalf of technical college students who receive the assistance and gave a riveting speech.

“Without LTA I would not be up here in front of you today.  LTA has helped me to go to college and achieve my education goals,” said Pitts, “An educated workforce is critical to the future economic development of the state.  LTA is a critical component of helping the citizens of South Carolina get the education they need to provide that workforce.”

"Demand on the resources of the SC Technical College System has never been greater.  The technical colleges have made a tremendous impact on the advanced post secondary education levels in this state.” said Owens. “The 16 technical colleges provide the availability for South Carolinians and LTA provides the accessibility.”

The Lottery Tuition Assistance program was created by the General Assembly in 2002 for public two-year institutions. Unlike merit-based lottery-funded aid, award amounts are not guaranteed from semester to semester, and fluctuate based on lottery collections and the demand.

Area Commission Recoginizes Employee Service, Tours New Tutoring Center

During their meeting on Thursday, January 21, the Central Carolina Technical College Area Commission recognized several members of the faculty and staff for their long-term service to the College and, later, toured the College's new Tutoring Center. 

Employees were honored with a certificate of appreciation from the State of South Carolina for either 10 years or 20 years of service.  On behalf of the administration and the Area Commission, Central Carolina President Tim Hardee and Commission Chairman Mac Summers expressed gratitude for the dedication and leadership these individuals have provided to the College. “The work, dedication and leadership you have provided has played a big role in making Central Carolina the fastest-growing technical college in South Carolina, but more importantly, it has contributed to the ultimate success of our students,” Hardee said.

Recognized for 10 Years of Service were: Marion Busbee, Faculty-Information Technology; Nancy Erbach-Manankil, Faculty-Nursing; Judy B. Fleming, Faculty-Child Care Services; Richard L. Green, Information Resource Coordinator; and Connie L. Houser, Faculty-Nursing.

 

Recognized for 20 Years of Service were: Miriam T. Laney, Dean of Health Sciences;  Susan M. McMaster, Dean of Instruction; Brent Russell, Academic Program Manager-Machine Tool Technology; and Elaine Sullivan, Faculty-Nursing.

Later in the meeting, the commission members toured the recently-opened Tutoring Center on the main campus in Sumter. Tutoring Services Coordinator Coley Ray and Dean of Instruction Susan McMaster reported on the history, philosophy and early success of the Tutoring Center, which just opened on January 19.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Kershaw County Campus

Last week, the College, in cooperation with Kershaw County Council and the Kershaw County Economic Development Office held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kershaw County campus. This 15,000 square foot facility located near exit 98 on Interstate 20 has begun construction and is scheduled to be completed by Summer 2010. The current Kershaw County campus is located in downtown Camden and serves about 400 studnts each year. The new campus will enable the College to offer science courses in addition to industrial training programs for new and existing business and industry in Kershaw County. The Kershaw County Economic Development Office will be located at the new campus. The long range plans for this Kershaw County campus as designated in the recently completed master plan for the College calls for a campus in this rapidly growing county that will accomodate 1,000 students by the year 2020. I am joined in this photo by from the left, Jack Neal, Dean of Industrial, Engineering and Technology, Lara Stephenson, Program Manager for the Kershaw County campus, Mima Laney, Dean of Health Sciences, Terry Booth, Vice President for Business Affairs, and Bryan May, Chair of the Science Department. We look forward to an exciting year as construction begins at this facility which was funded through a grant from the SC Department of Commerce, Kershaw County Council appropriations, and capital funding from the College. This joint partnership will benefit the residents of both Lee and Kershaw Counties through expanding the course offerings available for residents in these areas.

Spring Clean-Up Day

Thanks to the hard work of a group of Central Carolina employees eager to spruce up the campus for the upcoming semester there are now beautiful flower pots at the entrances to buildings, new rose bushes, less weeds, new straw, and blooming flowers for faculty, staff, and students to enjoy. This group gathered on Saturday, May 9th to work during the morning at locations around the campus. While the group was tired and dirty by the end of the work time they all had a fun time. One of the initiatives of the enrollment management task force has been to address improvement of the college appearance. A special thanks to each person that worked so hard last Saturday.

AWARDS CONVOCATION

Paula Durham receives the School Service Award

An overflow crowd of over 300 friends and family members were in attendance on Thursday night for the twenty-ninth annual awards convocation for Central Carolina Technical College. Over 80 students were recognized for their academic achievements. The Criminal Justice Club was recognized as the Club of the Year for the College. Jessica Bruner and Jenny Szupka were honored as members of the All-State Academic Team. They were selected as two of the twenty-three students in South Carolina for this honor from among the 85,000 students that attend one of the 16 technical colleges in South Carolina. Chistopher Dunlap was selected for the Phares Chatham Award which was presented by the family of Mr. Chatham a former machine tool technology instructor at the College. Robert Nagy received the Outstanding Industrial and Enrineering Technology Student Award. Paula Durham, an Early Care and Education student, was recognized with the School Service Award for this year.

The Academic Award winners were: Kristine  Farley, Diploma in Surgical Technology; Veronica  Bradley, Certificate in College Studies; Rebecca Thomason, Certificate in Information Processing; Derek  Turner, Associate Degree in Science; Sherry  Blackmon, Certificate in Medical Record Coding; Matthew  Melton, Certificate in Industrial Maintenance; Willodine  James, Diploma in Automated Office; Becky  Brown, Associate Degree in Management; Shane  Nelson, Associated Degree in Computer Technology; Bobbie  LeBleu, Diploma in Medical Assisting; Ashley  Curtis, Associates Degree in Arts; Amanda  Geddings, Certificate in Accounting Specialist; Anna  Williams, Associate Degree in Early Care & Education; Paula  Durham, Diploma in Early Childhood Development; Pricillia  Bodger, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice; James  Barfield, Associated Degree in Office Systems Technology; Melissa  Deibel, Certificate in Pre-Dental Hygiene; Carrie  Steen, Associate Degree in Environmental Engineering Technology; Emily  Woods, Associate Degree in Natural Resources Management; Patricia  White, Associate Degree in Accounting; Jennifer  Rawlins, Certificate in Phlebotomy; James McDowell, Certificate in Wastewater Operator; Raufilia  Walker, Associate Degree in Engineering Graphics Technology; Robert  Nagy, Associate Degree in General Technology; Jennifer  Holladay, Certificate in Welding; Monique  Smith, Diploma in Practical Nursing; James  Phillips, Certificate in Basic Air Conditioning and Heating; Gloria  Hopkins, Certificate in Early Childhood Development; Nicole Roberts, Associate Degree in Paralegal; James  Childre, Associate Degree in Nursing; Darren  White, Certificate in Water Operator; James  Roberts, Certificate in Computer Specialist; Corey  Smith, Certificate in Internetworking.

Students recognized by Who's Who were: Denise Adkins, James Barfield, Michael Barnes, Pricillia Bodger, Richard Booth, Jessica Bruner, Shontai Buchanan, Natascha Burnett, Jake Cline, Jon Coates, Charles Cook, Rebecca Curry, Ashley Curtis, Kenneth Dixon, James Drawdy, Paula Durham, Connie Frith, John Gaughf, Brian Gerlt, Rachel Gleave, Dustin Gleave, Kathryn Grotzinger, Nathan Mack, Deborah Marshall, Chantal McCray, Linda McLane, Sean Murphy, Shane Nelson, Christine Nettles, Sherion Nichols, Rebecca Porter, Audra Privette, JaNekka Richmond, James Roberts, Amanda Roberts, Jose Rodriguez, Julie Scarborough, Rebekah Spencer, Cynthia Steen, Matthew Strothman-Evans, Jennifer Thomas, Denise Thompson, Cheryl Upchurch, Robert Vance, Diane Welch, Patricia White, Anna Williams, and Mardi Wilson.

Phi Theta Kappa and Visit from State Technical College System Office

On Monday of this week the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society held the Spring 2009 induction ceremony for 20 new members. These outstanding students at Central Carolina were honored for their academic excellence among two-year college students. All of these students have attained a 3.25 or higher cumulative GPA, completed at least 12 hours of college credit, and are enrolled in a degree program. I would like to thank the advisors for Phi Theta Kappa, Lisa Dimitriadis, Shana Boyer-Parker and Mark Neil for their efforts with making the induction ceremony such a great event for the students and their guests. A new member of Phi Theta signs the membership book in the photo.

On Tuesday of this week Dr. Barry Russell, President of the S. C. Technical College System visited our Central Carolina Technical College campus in Sumter. Central Carolina is one of the sixteen technical colleges in South Carolina. The technical college system has over 85,000 students enrolled during this Spring semester throughout the State. While on campus Dr. Russell visited the round building to meet with members of the Student Affairs division of the College. While on campus Dr. Russell also visited the welding program in our 400 building. In the photo on the right Jim Shrift and Wes Pelletier explain to Dr. Russell the operation of some the welding equipment used by students during their training at the College.

 

Outreach campuses in Kershaw and Lee Counties

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak to the West Wateree Rotary Club in Lugoff concerning our new campus in Kershaw County which will be located at the intersection of I-20 and Hwy 521. The Rotary Club members were very interested in the plans to increase our course offerings in Kershaw County as a result of this new campus. When this phase 1 of the Kershaw County campus is completed in 2010 we will be able to offer biology and industrial training courses for the residents of this area. The over 50,000 residents of Kershaw County will definitely benefit from this new campus.

I also visited the Lee County campus on the same day and had the opportunity to speak to the staff there, Todd Parrish, Kathy Darity, and Carrie Adams who were all helping students that choose to begin their educational experience with Central Carolina by attending our Bishopville campus. While in Bishopville, I stopped by to speak to Mr. Pearl Fryar, whose topiary garden and life story were recognized during a documentary on SCETV last Sunday night. Mr. Fryar has a scholarship in his honor awarded through our education foundation to a deserving CCTC student from Lee County.

            Lee County Campus

The mission of Central Carolina Technical College is to meet the higher education needs of the residents of the four county service area. As a college, we have made the commitment to assure the accessibility of our services through providing a campus in each county as well as the Shaw Center Campus.

Our over 3,300 students enrolled during this Spring 2009 semester benefit from the availability of campuses such as the Lee County shown on the left.

Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team

On Tuesday, March 17th two excellent Central Carolina Technical College students were recognized as members of the 2009 South Carolina All-State Academic Team. Jennifer Szupka (bottom row on left) and Jessica Bruner (bottom row on right) represented the College at the ceremony held at the SC State House. Twenty three students from the 16 technical colleges in South Carolina were selected for this honor from the over 75,000 students enrolled this year throughout the technical college system. The students and I were joined by Lisa Bracken (top row on left) Vice President of Student Affairs and Ann Cooper (top row on right) Vice President of Academic Affairs at the ceremony. I would like to congratulate these two students and wish them much success in the future.

Central Carolina Education Foundation

You may be unaware that Central Carolina Technical College has an education foundation. The CCTC Education Foundation provides scholarships for over 100 students each semester. Recently I met with three different community leaders that provide financial support for the College Foundation. Rob Fauvie, plant manger for Becton Dickinson of Sumter, met with Meree McAlister, executive director of the college foundation and myself concerning the contribution that this company makes each year to our Foundation to provide scholarships to our students. During February, we also met with Babette Meadows, a local business owner of Luv-N-Care daycare and an alumni of the College, about her donation to the Early Care and Education program at the College. Last week, we met with David and Ruth Martin, who sponsor scholarships to Early Care and Education students.

These community minded individuals realize the value of the education provided by the College for residents of the four county area. There are over 1,200 community and technical colleges across the country. Only 150 of these colleges have a foundation with over 1 million dollars of donations available for the benefit of students. The foundation uses the interest from these funds to award scholarships to students. The Central Carolina Technical College Foundation awarded over $ 100,000 of scholarships to 161 students during the 08 - 09 academic year. I am very appreciative of donors to the College Foundation that decide to invest their money in benefiting the students at Central Carolina Technical College.

Transfer Day and Sumter Chamber Leadership Program

Two different events were held yesterday at the College for the benefit of our students and the Sumter community. Our annual transfer day attracted representatives from higher education institutions throughout the State of South Carolina. Our students had the opportunity to ask questions about the transfer options from Central Carolina Technical College to USC-Columbia, Clemson, Winthrop, Lander, and many other institutions. The attached picture shows the hallway of the 500 building alive with activity. Over 500 students enrolled at Central Carolina are in Associate of Arts or Associate of Science programs of study.

Leadership Sumter
Also on Wednesday the College hosted a meeting of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. These business and industry leaders are members of the Chamber of Commerce that are learning about the Sumter community. Yesterday was there day to learn more about the Sumter K-12 system of education as well as the higher education institutions in Sumter. I had the opportunity to tell these community leaders about our over 50 programs of study and the over 3,200 students enrolled during this Spring 2009 semester. I focused on the fact that with our average student age of 28, many of our students are working and caring for a family along with the dedication of completing the rigorous work required of a college student. These business leaders realize the important role that Central Carolina Technical College plays in meeting the workforce development needs of the community.

Counselors from Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter counties at CCTC

Over 70 guidance counelors from the middle and high schools in Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter counties attended the annual counselors breakfast at Central Carolina this morning. The counselors gained information about the programs and services of the College. An important part of the program was an employment opportunities panel from local business and industry: Shirl Goodman of BD Medical, Ashley McDuffie of Jones Chevrolet, and Janice Poplin of Thompson Construction Group. The counselors heard from these employers about the great job opportunities that exist for graduates of Central Carolina. Each year over 2,000 students graduate from the high schools in our four county service area. Currently about 15% of the high school graduates from our area enter Central Carolina in the fall semester following their graduation from high school in June.

Tim