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The following
articles have been released by Piedmont
Technical College's
Office of College Communications:
Student Speakers Headline PTC Graduation
Posted May 9, 2008, By
Bonita Jenkins
It has been a long road for some, but in the end it will be all worth it. The faculty and staff are putting the finishing touches on the celebration of a lifetime for the students of Piedmont Technical College. Spring graduation is May 15 at 7 p.m. at the Greenwood Civic Center and more than 400 graduates will take the stage to receive what they have worked so hard to get. Whether it is a diploma, certificate or a degree, all of the graduates, along with their friends and family, will take great pride in what they have accomplished.
This is a special graduation in so many ways…it will be the first graduation for new president Dr. Ray Brooks and, for the first time in college history, he has given the stage to students to give the commencement address. Brooks, a strong advocate of students, constantly speaks about his experience in technical education and how honored he is to be in his current position as president.
In recognition of their education excellence and the stories they have told about their journey in higher education, three graduating students will be the speakers at the PTC commencement ceremony.
 Jennifer Avery will receive an Associate in Arts degree, and already holds a surgical technology diploma from PTC. She is a working mother of three who plans to continue her education by seeking a bachelor’s degree.
“I am thrilled and honored to speak at graduation. I will never forget how it was instilled in me at PTC that life is about the choices you make. I am looking forward to all of the opportunities that lie ahead for me,” said Avery.
 E.H. “Rocky” Dunkman, a businessman from Abbeville, attended PTC some years ago and has returned to graduate and make his 84 year old father proud. His father would often ask him would he ever finish PTC. He will receive an associate’s degree in occupational technology with welding concentration. Dunkman was selected as a Presidential Ambassador and often represented the college at various events. He successfully juggles being a student, husband, father of four and owner of a business.
“Returning to PTC after attending 25 years ago is both exciting and humbling in as much as I will bring to a conclusion that which I started so long ago,” he said.
 Tracy L. Hamilton, a nursing student from Edgefield, was awarded a scholarship at the college’s annual scholarship luncheon. Her acceptance of that award demonstrated her natural ability to reach an audience. She was very passionate about her education and grateful for her decision to pursue nursing at PTC. She will receive an associate’s degree in health science with a major in nursing.
“I owe everything to God first, then my parents,” she said. “Without their sacrifices and prayers I would not be here. I draw my strength from my wonderful children who are very proud of their mom.”
Another highlight of the event will be the introduction of students who maintained highest academic averages from each of the college’s seven supporting counties. Pastor Tony Foster of Restoration Worship Center will deliver the invocation and benediction. Jane Jenkins Herlong and Emerald City Brass will provide the music. Commencement exercises are open to the public at no charge. Everyone is encouraged to arrive early to assure the best seating.
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Local Educator Learns New Strategies at the NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition
Posted May 8, 2008, By
Bonita Jenkins
 Donna Foster, president of the South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Dean of General Education and Transitional Studies at Piedmont Technical College, recently joined thousands of math educators from around the world to share and learn new concepts, strategies, and techniques in math education at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition, in Salt Lake City.
NCTM's Annual Meeting and Exposition is the largest gathering of math educators in the world. The conference featured more than 740 presentations, covering all grade levels and major math subjects – led by national and international education experts – with an emphasis on helping teachers strengthen skills and teaching methods necessary to prepare their students for the 21st century.
“The 2008 NCTM Annual Meeting and Exposition enables teachers at all stages of their careers to gain knowledge about new research and practices, explore the latest products and services, and share their experiences with colleagues from around the world,” said NCTM President Francis (Skip) Fennell. “By attending the annual meeting, attendees have demonstrated their commitment to the improvement of mathematics education, and more important, to meeting the needs of all students.”
President Fennell welcomed attendees to the Council’s 86th annual conference, “Becoming Certain about Uncertainty,” on Wednesday evening. Keynote speaker Malcolm Gladwell New York Times best-selling author, discussed his latest book, Blink, which describes how the unconscious mind makes decisions in a split second. He went on to discuss how teachers can use this insight to teach their students.
Other sessions offered a wide variety of subjects, ranging from making math relevant to minority students, to teaching algebra from pre-K through grade 8, to integrating literature and modern culture into mathematics to make it relevant for all students.
An inspirational presentation by Olympic track star Billy Mills concluded the conference. Mills is the only American to win an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters. His talk, “Winning Spirit,” explored the personal qualities and values that remain constant in an ever-changing world and how they can prepare us for success in life.
With more than 100,000 members and 230 Affiliates in the U.S. and Canada, NCTM is the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving mathematics education for all students from prekindergarten through grade 12. The Council’s Principles and Standards for School Mathematics provides guidelines for excellence in mathematics education. Its Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics, released in 2006, identifies the most important mathematical topics for each grade level.
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The House That PTC Built
Posted May 8, 2008, By
Bonita Jenkins
 Filled with southern charm and beauty and nestled just around the bend from Piedmont Technical College is the “house that PTC built.” It's a three bedroom/two bathroom house and was constructed by the students in the building construction technology program at PTC. This is the ninth year the program has been involved with a building project and the third house that has been completed.
On the average, it takes the students nearly two years to complete this project. It is a teaching tool and the students rotate between the classroom and the construction of the house. Each day is different and is based on what the class is studying. The students get hands on training from concept to completion of building a house. From blueprints to estimating building costs to carpentry, they are engaged in all aspects of construction. Many local businesses and contractors also contribute to the project by donating materials, offering discounts on supplies and contributing labor when needed.
“This would not have been possible if not for the support of the PTC Foundation. They are instrumental in securing the tract of land, obtaining the materials as well as working with a realtor to get the house sold,” said Bobby Roche, instructor/coordinator for the BCT program at Piedmont Technical College.
“When an instructor has worked in the field, they are able to explain from experience how things work. Our class is a team and we appreciate Mr. Roche as well as our instructor Mr. Chad Teague for leading us. We are proud of the house and know that when it is sold we have given back to the college,” said T.J. Nabors, BCT student from Clinton.
The house is currently on the market and represented by The Corburn Company. The asking price is $149,900 and already has generated interest. When the house is sold, the proceeds are divided three ways. The PTC Foundation will recover money for expenses; funds will go to the BCT program for expenses; and a third to provide scholarships for students in BCT.
“Selling a house that is student-built works as a huge positive for us because Bobby is a contractor and the students take extreme care in their work under his direction,” said Wendy Bruce, broker in charge at The Corburn Company. She added, “This house is a great deal because it has more upscale features than what is included in the pricing.”
It is not just a project for the BCT students. The students in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology program also use the house as a class project as they coordinate the installation of the heating and cooling units.
“This is definitely the house that PTC built and is the result of the culmination of months of hard work, planning and dreaming,” said Roche. “When students graduate from PTC in building construction, you can be assured that the experience they have received sets them apart when looking for a job.”
For more information on the building construction technology program, contact Roche at (864) 941-8465 or roche.b@ptc.edu. If you are interested in touring or purchasing the house, contact Wendy Bruce of The Corburn Company at (864) 223-8078 or wbruce@corburn.com.You can also view the house and more information at
www.ptc.edu/department_building_construction.
Photo Caption: Filled with southern charm and
beauty and located on Wincey Road is a three
bedroom/two bathroom house that was constructed
by the students in the building construction
technology program at Piedmont Technical
College. The house is currently for sale and
represented by The Corburn Company. Wendy Bruce,
(left) broker in charge at The Corburn Company,
and Bobby Roche, instructor/coordinator for the
building construction technology program at
Piedmont Technical College are anxiously waiting
for the house to sell. Interested? Contact Wendy
Bruce
at (864) 223-8078 or wbruce@corburn.com.
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Piedmont Technical College Signs Agreement with
University of Phoenix
Posted May 6,
2008, By Dawn
Lewis
 Piedmont
Technical College and the University of Phoenix
– Columbia announce the signing of an
articulation agreement which will provide even
more educational opportunities for students.
Through the agreement, students at PTC can
pursue a variety of degree opportunities at the
University of Phoenix – Columbia ground campus,
as well as have full access to learning and
degree programs through the University’s Online
Campus.
“The articulation agreement provides Piedmont
Technical College students with a variety of
benefits when they choose to continue on for
their bachelor’s degree at University of
Phoenix,” said Candice Borchik, campus director.
“Our goals are to ensure students have the most
seamless experience possible articulating into
our institution and for them to fully utilize
their past academic experiences at Piedmont Tech
toward the pursuit of their degrees.”
According to Dr. Ray Brooks, president of
Piedmont Technical College, the college
continuously looks for enhanced educational
opportunities for its students. The articulation
agreement between Piedmont Technical College and
University of Phoenix will allow students to
further their education by obtaining a
bachelor's degree in a variety of disciplines,
including business, information technology or
continuing teacher education.
Under the new agreement, students can apply all
credits they’ve earned from their associate’s or
vocational degrees at PTC toward the
University’s on-campus or online baccalaureate
programs. Students may need to gain additional
general education credits when transferring,
depending on specific program requirements. The
agreement also enables students who are within
12 months of completing their associate’s degree
at PTC to pre-apply to the University’s
bachelor’s degree program, and provides them
full access to University of Phoenix’
proficiency assessment system and vast Online
Library.
“At Piedmont Technical College, our mission has
always been to provide our students with the
skills they need to make a meaningful
contribution to our South Carolina workforce and
their respective communities,” Brooks said. “Our
partnership with University of Phoenix is an
excellent opportunity to provide students with
those skills.”
For more information on Piedmont Technical
College’s transfer opportunities, contact Lynn
Mack, transfer coordinator, at (864) 941-8449 or
at
mack.l@ptc.edu.
Photo Caption: Piedmont Technical College and
the University of Phoenix - Columbia announce
the signing of an articulation agreement which
will provide even more educational opportunities
for students. Attending the signing of the
agreement are, from left, Dr. Ray Brooks,
president of Piedmont Technical College; Lynn
Mack, transfer coordinator for Piedmont
Technical College; Daphanie Jones, director of
Enrollment for University of Phoenix - Columbia
campus; and Patrick Butler (standing), Corporate
Education Liaison manager for University of
Phoenix.
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Homebuilders Association of Greenwood
Scholarship
Posted May 5,
2008, By Dawn
Lewis
 Two
Piedmont Technical College students received the
Homebuilders Association of Greenwood
Scholarship at a recent scholarship luncheon.
Pictured from left are Walter Smiley of Laurens;
Ramon Rodriguez of Greenwood; and Robby Corley,
president. The scholarship is awarded annually
to Building Construction Technology students
based on academic achievement.
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L. Ruple Harley, Sr. Endowed Scholarship
Posted May 5, 2008, By
Dawn Lewis
 Piedmont
Technical College student Pedro Flores (right)
of Easley received the L. Ruple Harley, Sr.
Endowed Scholarship. A funeral service education
major, Flores was congratulated by L. Ruple
Harley, Jr. Awards were presented at the
college’s annual luncheon where a record number
of awards were given for the 2007-2008 academic
year.
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PTC Golf Classic Scholarship
Posted May 5, 2008, By
Dawn Lewis
 Six
Piedmont Technical College students were
recently awarded the PTC Golf Classic
Scholarship at the college’s annual scholarship
luncheon. Pictured from left are Leslie
Harrison, a radiologic technology student from
Bradley; Amy Gregory, a practical nursing
student from Laurens; Fran Wiley, executive
director of the PTC Foundation; Brian Shirley,
an electrical maintenance technology student
from Hodges; Brian Bradberry, an HVAC student
from Ninety Six; Amy West, a veterinary
technology student from Bradley; and Geraldine
Strickland, a business major from Calhoun Falls.
The scholarship is awarded annually and is based
on academic achievement and financial need.
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Martha B. Williams Memorial Scholarship
Posted May 5, 2008, By
Dawn Lewis
 Piedmont
Technical College student and Greenwood resident
Bulah Brown (left) was recently awarded the
Martha B. Williams Memorial Scholarship at the
college’s annual scholarship luncheon. Brown, a
Nursing major, is congratulated by Angela
Laster, Williams’ daughter. Awarded annually to
students demonstrating leadership ability,
exhibiting character and good life skills, the
scholarship is based on academic achievement and
financial need.
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Medical Assisting Scholarship
Posted May 5,
2008, By Dawn
Lewis
 Piedmont
Technical College student and Honea Path
resident Mary Phillips (right) was recently
awarded the Medical Assisting Scholarship at the
college’s annual scholarship luncheon. Phillips
is congratulated by Gail Rumfelt (left), program
coordinator and instructor for Medical Assisting
and Phlebotomy. The scholarship is awarded
annually to a medical assisting student with a
minimum 3.0 grade point average and is based on
academic achievement and financial need.
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PTC to Offer Forklift Safety Training & Driving
Workshop May 16
Posted May 5, 2008, By
Bonita Jenkins
 Piedmont
Technical College’s Forklift Safety Training and
Driving School includes operation of the
forklift on a road course and demonstrations
with pallet racking, as demonstrated by
instructor Roger Laughlin. Participants will
also learn to inspect a forklift. This one-day
workshop is scheduled for Friday, May 16 from 8
a.m.-3 p.m. in Building L on the Greenwood
campus. Lunch will be included. Cost for the
class is $149. A forklift driver’s license and
certificate will be issued to those who complete
the class successfully. To register or to obtain
more information, call Piedmont Technical
College at (864) 941-8400 or 1-800-868-5528,
ext. 8400.
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Newberry County Council Makes Donation to PTC
Posted May 5, 2008, By
Dawn Lewis
 The
Newberry County Council recently made a donation
of a JCB backhoe to the Building Construction
Technology Department at Piedmont Technical
College after the County purchased two new
backhoes. County officials made the donation to
help grow the hands-on program, which builds a
new house as part of the class instruction.
Pictured, from left, are Pat McGehee, dean of
the Newberry County Center; Johnny Williams,
Newberry County employee; Dr. Bud Marchant, vice
president of educational affairs; and Ben
Bishop, Newberry County employee.
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Piedmont Technical College’s Christian Student
Union Has Prayer at the Pole
Posted May 2, 2008, By
Bonita Jenkins
 Faculty,
students and staff of Piedmont Technical College
were invited to meet at the flag pole by the
Christian Student Union for a moment of prayer.
They wanted to ask for blessing as the end of
the spring semester approached. It was just in
time for the National Day of Prayer that is held
annually on the first Thursday in May. It is a
day designated by the Unites States Congress as
a day when all Americans regardless of faith are
asked to come together and pray in their own
way.
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Piedmont Technical College to Offer New
Cardiovascular Technology
Posted May 2, 2008, By
Dawn Lewis
 Piedmont
Technical College will once again be leading the
state of South Carolina into a new frontier.
Beginning with fall 2008, PTC will be the only
technical college in the state to offer a
Cardiovascular Technology program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of
death in the United States and is a major cause
of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of
heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is
about 29 percent of all U.S. deaths.
During 2004, 12,597 people died from
cardiovascular disease in South Carolina, the
leading cause of death in the state – more than
the total number of people who died from all
cancers, pneumonia, influenza and car accidents
combined.
“Astonishingly, considering the high incidence
of cardiac disease in South Carolina, there is
not a public cardiovascular program to prepare
technicians to become team members to work with
cardiologists and cardiovascular facilities in
the state,” said Lena Warren, dean of health
sciences.
Warren said that the number of certified
personnel has not kept up with the demand. In
response, many health care facilities have
cross-trained nurses and other technicians to
fill the vacancies. So Piedmont Technical
College has stepped up to the challenge to fill
the need with a new Cardiovascular Technology
program to prepare Cardiovascular Technicians.
The Cardiovascular Technician is a health care
professional who, at the direction of a licensed
physician, performs diagnostic tests which are
used in the diagnosis, treatment and serial
follow-up of patients with cardiovascular
disease.
Cardiovascular Technology is a title used to
describe three basic areas of expertise:
Invasive Cardiology, Noninvasive Cardiology and
Vascular Technology. Invasive Cardiovascular
Technologists work in cardiac catheterization
laboratories, open heart surgical suites and
cardiac research facilities. They assist the
cardiologist or cardiac surgeon in performing
diagnostic and interventional cardiac
catheterization and angiography procedures.
Noninvasive Cardiovascular Technologists
prepare, calibrate and operate medical
instrumentation utilized in the Noninvasive
laboratory including recording and analyzing
noninvasive cardiovascular data. Vascular
Technologists use quantitative and qualitative
data gathered from noninvasive procedures to
diagnose diseases of the vascular system and
assess arterial obstruction in the upper and
lower extremities, as well as the
cerebrovascular system.
“Data from the U.S. Department of Labor reported
that employment for cardiovascular technologists
is expected to grow faster than average for all
occupations through the year 2014. Based on this
information and a growing concern expressed by
health care providers throughout the state, we
conducted a needs survey,” Warren said. “The
immediate needs are staggering.”
The program is in conjunction with Self Regional
Healthcare. Classes will be taught on the PTC
Greenwood campus, with lab facilities housed at
Self Regional. But, the format will be
different.
“Because we are the only technical college in
the state providing cardiovascular education, we
want to work with students so they do not have
to travel to Greenwood for the entire program.
Therefore, students will be able to take their
prerequisite courses at a college close to them,
or online,” Warren said. “They will only need to
travel to the Greenwood campus for the actual
cardiovascular courses. Then, we intend to work
with health care agencies throughout the state
to arrange for students to complete their
clinical requirements in facilities near their
home.”
Funding for the program has been provided
through a grant from the Duke Endowment and
other donations. The three-year grant will
provide $525,000 for equipment and personnel.
The Duke Endowment, headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., seeks to fulfill the legacy of James B.
Duke by improving lives and communities in the
Carolinas through higher education, health care,
rural churches and children’s services. With
assets of $2.9 billion, the Endowment has
awarded $2.2 billion in grants since its
inception in 1924.
“Without the Duke grant, there is no way this
program could be possible,” Warren said.
“We are very excited to be able to offer this
cutting-edge program,” said Dr. Ray Brooks,
president of Piedmont Technical College.
“Through the Health Sciences division, we offer
a significant number of degree, diploma and
certificate opportunities. The new
Cardiovascular Technology program will bring a
new and exciting dimension to the wide array of
health care programs offered at PTC.”
For more information on the Cardiovascular
Technology program, contact Warren at (864)
941-8536 or at
warren.l@ptc.edu.
Photo Caption: Beginning with fall 2008,
Piedmont Technical College will be the only
technical college in the state to offer a
Cardiovascular Technology program. Pictured, Dr.
Carlos Albrecht, left, demonstrates some of the
equipment in the cardio catheterization lab at
Self Regional Healthcare that will be used by
students. Also pictured are Lena Warren, center,
dean of Health Sciences at PTC, and Cathy
Sperry, director of the cardio catheterization
lab at Self Regional.
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