Stories

Former Pro Athlete Chris Singleton Turns Charleston Tragedy into Mission for Unity

When the unthinkable happens, we struggle to find words, to make sense of the senseless. Following the brutal, racially motivated killing of his mother and eight other parishioners at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015, Chris Singleton tried hard to make peace with it and looked to some prominent thinkers for insight. While the tragedy will never make sense, Singleton eventually found inspiration in the words of Texas Pastor Charles Swindoll, whom he paraphrased in a powerful and inspiring presentation at Piedmont Technical College’s annual Black History Month Unity Feast, which convened virtually on Feb. 4.

‘Boundless Curiosity and Enthusiasm’ Garner Accolades for PTC Instructor

Because she embraces technologies that are friendly and familiar to college-age students, Meredith Brown might be the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) instructor most likely to teach a lesson using an application like TikTok. And if outstanding course evaluations are any indicator, the psychology instructor’s students clearly adore her. You might say she speaks their language, and the engagement that results is just one reason Brown was selected to receive the top Faculty Member Award for 2020 from the SC Association of Technical College Commissioners (SCATCC). The announcement was made during a virtual awards ceremony on Jan. 26, 2021.

PTC and Laurens School Districts Partner for GEAR UP Initiative

Piedmont Technical College (PTC) tutor Ian Levine understands the students who seek academic help from him. He has been there. “I was a special education student from 4th grade up to college,” he said, having been diagnosed with dyscalculia, a condition likened to math dyslexia in which sufferers have difficulty with a variety of math-related tasks such as counting backwards and performing calculations. Thanks to a federal GEAR UP grant and partnership with Laurens School Districts 55 and 56, Levine is giving back through tutoring and mentorship.

PTC Graduate Exemplifies the ‘Human’ in Human Services

Shandra Aiken Martin was the kind of school bus driver most parents would want their children to ride with. If they sneezed, she said “bless you” and offered a tissue. If they hung their head, she asked what was wrong and took the time to really listen. That kind and intuitive nature suited her well for work in the human services profession, so she took the plunge.

Mechatronics at PTC: 'Knowledge to Last a Lifetime'

Using a hand-held controller, known as a “teach pendant” that somewhat resembles an artist’s palette, Andrew Tokarev deftly manipulates the robotic arm to execute his vision. The 20-year-old Piedmont Technical College (PTC) mechatronics technology student is developing skills that will transport him into a career spanning multiple mediums ― though not painting or sculpture ― that comprise electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and other engineering systems to maximize manufacturing quality and productivity.

PTC Graduates Share Stories in Fall Graduation Video

Piedmont Technical College held a virtual graduation for its fall term graduates on Dec. 17, 2020. The college used the occasion to also recognize all graduates over the past year who have foregone in-person graduations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduation was broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.

Two from PTC Receive NISOD Awards

Piedmont Technical College (PTC) is proud to announce its recipients of the annual NISOD Excellence Awards. 2021 honorees from PTC are Henry Ecker (faculty/computer technology instructor) and Deshawn Morgan (staff/financial aid counselor).