In 1961 South Carolina launched its unique program of Technical Education. Time and economic progress have proven the value of this exciting step forward. The success of the system of Technical and Comprehensive Education in this state soon became a model for the entire nation.

In 1966, the eighth Technical Education Center, Piedmont, was established to serve Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Saluda and surrounding counties.

Classes met for the first time at Piedmont on September 6, 1966, with some 300 students enrolled in day and evening classes. Dedication ceremonies were observed on October 23, 1966, with Governor Robert McNair delivering the principal dedicatory address.

Since that time enrollment has increased dramatically. This phenomenal growth in enrollment necessitated the implementation of an ambitious program of physical expansion.

On October 2, 1972, five new buildings representing the first phase of a 30-year master development plan were occupied. These facilities housed classrooms, laboratories, a learning resources center and faculty offices. A general renovation of the main campus center included a student lounge and recreation complex.

On April 10, 1974, the institution’s name was changed from Piedmont Technical Education Center to Piedmont Technical College to more accurately reflect our post-secondary educational mission.

During that same year, the effects of the nation’s fuel shortage and widespread recession resulted in the enrollment of large numbers of working adults in career upgrading programs at the college. While funding to accommodate additional students was unavailable from traditional resources, Piedmont students took matters into their own hands and provided the manpower to increase classroom/lab space for fellow students by 8,000 square feet.

The 1981-82 year saw six new additions to the Piedmont campus: a health sciences facility, conference center, continuing education complex, student center, multi-purpose building and automotive technology facility. In 1986, a 10,000-square-foot addition to the Conference Center made it one of the finest facilities of its type in the state.

Construction began on a new Engineering Technology Building and on a 10,000-square foot addition to the Continuing Education Building in 1987. The new Engineering Technology building is adjacent to the Industrial Technology Building and houses laboratories furnished with state-of-the-art equipment as well as classrooms. The Continuing Education addition houses classrooms and offices.

An existing facility on Kateway was renovated for the use of Building Construction Technology majors by students, faculty and maintenance staff in 1987. This building provides 6,250 square feet of workshop and laboratory space.

The 1988 year brought approval for capital improvement bonds, which allowed another step toward completion of the college master plan. Developed in 1970 to project facilities needs required by the student population through the year 2000, the plan called for additional space/floors in three existing structures: General Education, Library and Health Science Buildings. Construction on the three projects, which added approximately 40,000 square feet to campus facilities, was completed in the fall of 1991. As part of this same project, a bell tower was constructed on the front campus to commemorate the institution’s 25th anniversary, and renovations were made to several classroom buildings.

Another expanded opportunity for area residents served by Piedmont is the availability of college transfer programs, the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees. The two degrees were added to the college curriculum in 1990.

The 1991 academic year also brought added opportunities to Laurens County residents in the form of a new center located in the county seat. Area students may choose from full-credit associate’s degree courses, professional upgrade or personal interest offerings.

Further expanding active partnerships with supporting counties, Piedmont celebrated the grand opening of centers in Abbeville, Edgefield and Newberry in 1995. The historic Community House became the college’s McCormick County Center in 1997, and early in the next year, the Saluda County Center made the dream of local sites in each of seven counties a reality.

Also initiated in 1995 was a bold and innovative plan to connect that 3,500-square-mile area with educational opportunities available on Piedmont’s Greenwood campus, at any of the county centers, at Lander University and area high schools and via SCETV through the Piedmont Educational Network (PEN). Another vital component of this pioneer effort was the establishment of the Ernest F. Hollings International Teleconference Center, which allows business and industry to communicate with colleagues and customers worldwide. The video teleconferencing center is two-way interactive and has full-motion transmission.

In spring 1998, more than 60 student services and administrative offices, formerly located in the John S. Coleman Administration Building, were moved to the Multi-Purpose Building to await the completion of construction that brought the 1970 master plan full circle. Additions and extensive renovations to the Administration Building added centrally-located, full-service facilities to students and brought total usable space to 66,061 square feet. In the Francis B. Nicholson General Education Building, new classroom and laboratory additions added 16,099 square feet to the total of that facility. Dedication ceremonies for the newly-refurbished facility, which features a showcase for regional artists in the Solutia Gallery, were held September 29, 2000. On October 16, 2001, the Greenwood Campus was officially named for longtime president Dr. Lex D. Walters.

Through a unique partnership of county and state government, together with the generosity of area businesses, industries and individuals, the Laurens County Higher Education Center became a reality in Spring 2002. PTC students attended classes in the new, 40,000- square-foot facility for the first time on April 15. Joining Piedmont in the venture to provide Laurens County residents with continually improving opportunities through higher education may be USC-Union and Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56.

1970’s master plan projected a total, full-credit enrollment of 3,000 by the year 2000. That goal was surpassed in 1994. In the late 1990’s, distance learning opportunities, expanded course offerings at all six county centers and growth in partnerships with area employers resulted in one enrollment record after another. Fall 2002 enrollment exceeded 4,500, and spring enrollment of that year was another all-time high.