Piedmont Tech Faculty Teaching One Another
Posted December 16, 2004, By Laura Garrett

A group of faculty members at Piedmont Technical College wrapped up a series of training sessions about classroom assessment techniques (CATS) this week. The training sessions, however, aren’t being led by an outside group, but by the faculty themselves. Often referred to as train-the-trainer sessions, the techniques were learned by a small group of faculty members last year. This small group appropriately adapted the techniques for PTC faculty, and now has taught the material to their peers.

“It’s a very effective way of training our faculty,” said Lynn Mack, director for instructional development and transfer coordinator at the college. The train-the-trainer method will be used again when the faculty implements a new instructional design system next year. “Our goal is to lead change within our faculty,” she explained. “What better way to do that than with our own faculty members?”

The training itself is part of a development toward becoming a more learner-centered college said Tom Mecca, executive vice president and chief educational officer at PTC. Mecca put together a team of faculty and staff to research how the college could improve the learning process for its students. Although the college was doing an outstanding job, Mecca said, “There is always room for improvement.” 

According to Mecca, the team shared a number of ideas about learning. “All students don’t learn in the same way,” said Mecca. “Today’s classroom is constantly changing.” These realizations led the college to implement a number of initiatives. One of the first initiatives was the CATS training. “We know that learning can be proven,” said Mecca. “The CATS training was designed to teach faculty how to develop and implement various alternative assessments in their courses so that they can continuously monitor how well students were mastering the material being taught.”

“CATS helped me determine the areas in which I need to focus in my classroom,” said Holly Casey, off-campus coordinator and human services instructor. Suzy Murray, off-campus coordinator and business and office systems technology instructor, agreed. “CATS has made me a better instructor by helping me tailor my lessons to fit the individual needs of my students,” explained Murray.

Murray and Casey were two of the faculty members who served as trainers, and they will also be presenting the CATS materials at the South Carolina Technical Education Association spring conference in February of next year. The pair recently submitted a paper outlining the CATS initiative to the National Council of Instructional Administrators on behalf of the college. 

Photo Caption: A group of faculty members at Piedmont Technical College attended a faculty led training session about classroom assessment techniques (CATS) on Wednesday. Tom Mecca, executive vice president and chief educational officer, discusses alternative assessment techniques with David Kibler, instructor and coordinator for heating, ventilation and air condition technology, and Bill Ware, instructor for electronic engineering technology.

              Return to Top

Goforth Named to PTC Foundation Board
Posted December 16, 2004, By Laura Garrett

The Piedmont Technical College Foundation has named Dr. Gary Goforth to its Board of Directors. Chartered by the South Carolina Secretary of State in July of 1975, the board was activated in early 1976. The group’s purpose is to maintain a foundation for the benefit and support of educational programs and to promote financial assistance to the college and its students. Board members serve a three-year term, and board membership is representative of the seven counties that support the college.

Goforth is director of the Self Regional Family Practice Residency Program and director of medical education at Self Memorial Hospital. He also serves as professor of medicine at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He serves as the chair on the South Carolina Area Health Education Center Family Practice Program Director’s council and as president and chairman of the board of directors for Volunteers in Medical Missions. He is a member of the Greenwood County Medical Society and also the American and South Carolina Medical Associations. 

A decorated military physician and former U.S. Army Senior Flight Surgeon, Goforth is a previous recipient of the South Carolina Physician of the Year for Community Service. Goforth and his wife Kathy are members of South Main Street Baptist Church, where he serves as a member of the church orchestra.

              Return to Top

Pharmacy Tech Evening Courses at Piedmont Tech 
a Perfect Fit for Students
Posted December 15, 2004, By Laura Garrett

Piedmont Technical College will offer its pharmacy technician program during evening hours for the first time beginning in January. A new program at PTC, the first class of pharmacy technician students finished their first semester this month. The program’s curriculum equips students with skills to perform technical duties related to the preparation and dispensing of medication under the direct supervision of registered pharmacists. 

With the construction of a new laboratory near completion, the program’s growth is evident on campus. “We have 19 students in our day program who will be graduating in July,” said Tonya Phillips, pharmacy technician program director and instructor. “We have room for 25 students in the new evening program,” Phillips added. 

No one is more excited about the addition of an evening program than current student Barbara Anderson. An Abbeville native, Anderson is a 45-year-old mother who has returned to Piedmont for a second time. A previous graduate of the radiologic technology program, Anderson was looking for a change. “I was interested in becoming a pharmacy technician,” she said. “There is such a broad range of possibilities. You can work in a hospital, retail pharmacy or nursing home,” she explained. “I was so excited when Tech added the program this fall.”

Anderson enrolled as a part-time student fall semester and took two prerequisite courses. “I thought I would have to wait until next August to begin the program,” she said. “With the addition of the evening program, I can start my coursework in January and continue to work during the day.”

The addition of the program this fall was sparked by recent legislation that requires pharmacy technicians graduate from a board approved program and pass a national certification exam. While conducting research to support the need for the additional program, the college surveyed 30 hospital and retail pharmacies, including both corporate and private. The survey showed that not only was the program necessary, but that the college’s service area was experiencing a shortage of pharmacy technicians.

“The health care industry is growing,” said Phillips. “You see pharmacies going up on every corner.” This growth has led to the need for qualified pharmacy technicians, according to Phillips. “There is a need for technicians that have knowledge about the medications and patient needs.”

The evening program begins spring semester. Classes start January 6, and registration is currently under way. For more information, call (864) 941-8324.

Photo Caption: Tonya Phillips, pharmacy technician program director and instructor at Piedmont Technical College, stocks the cabinets of the college’s new pharmacy technician laboratory. PTC will offer the program during evening hours for the first time beginning in January. Classes start January 6, and registration is currently under way. For more information, call (864) 941-8324.

              Return to Top

PTC Students Examine Influences of Pop Culture
Posted December 15, 2004, By Beth Hitesman

Is it true that modern media shape our thoughts, values and society? If so, how much? That’s what Piedmont Technical College Phi Theta Kappa students are asking during pursuit of the organization’s honors topic, “Popular Culture: Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are.”

PTK’s Honors Programs seek to enrich the academic experience through study topics and programs that emanate from it, including an annual International Honors Institute. One topic is identified for each academic year. Phi Theta Kappa boasts 1,000 chapters worldwide, and Piedmont Technical College fields one of 72 chapters in the Carolinas Region. The local institution was the first among technical colleges in South Carolina to establish a chapter in 1974.
“I believe electronic media, music and movies have an enormous impact on shaping our lives. I’ve always loved movies, and I know it affected the way I dressed and lived,” revealed PTK member Karen Holland. 

Holland remembers living through popular culture of the 80’s. “I had big, teased hair, just because every pop singer and famous actress was wearing big, poofy hair. If you had told me then, that 20 years later, I would be wearing my hair straight like it is now, I would have laughed my head off.”

“Media influence and pop culture is hard to escape,” added PTK member Robb Jones. For example, who hasn’t said or heard the words, “I’ll be back,” “Yeah, baby,” “Where’s the beef?” “Cowabunga, dude” or more recently, “Can you hear me now?”

The exact impact pop culture has on our society is hard to calculate, but if a recent survey is any indication, its presence is significant.

According to a report issued by the PTK National Honor Society, more young Americans know the name of the city where Bart Simpson lives than know the name of one of our nation’s most important political figures. An overwhelming 82 percent of young people could identify Springfield as the home of Bart, Homer and the rest of the Simpson clan, while only 10 percent could identify Dennis Hastert as speaker of the house. 

A total of 64 percent could identify the current winner of American Idol, while only 22 percent could name the party that controls their states’ legislatures.

Piedmont’s PTK students agreed that while popular media and culture’s influence can be negative, its presence can leave a positive impact. The club will soon be announcing a big event scheduled to take place in February, and the public will be invited to join in the remembrance of things past.

“Some movies help bring your family together. Each year, our family gathers to watch Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation,” Holland added. “Growing up, we would watch the Wizard of Oz, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Movies created family traditions that helped bind us together.” 

The Piedmont PTK students agreed that pop culture and media are forces that can drastically shape who we are as a modern society. They also agreed that we have a choice as to what enters our lives, and with the correct choices, popular culture can have a positive influence on our society and the way we live.

Photo Caption: Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society members at Piedmont Technical College are busy pursuing this year’s honors topic, “Popular Culture: Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are.” Shown at movie night above are, top row from left, Robb Jones, a computer technology major from McCormick; Michael Benningfield, a Laurens resident in the computer technology program; and Eddie Brown, Jr., a general health science student from Clinton. On the second row from left are Misty Smith of Mountville, an accounting major; Karen Holland, a general health science major from Ware Shoals; and Sharron Middleton of Greenwood, who is a student in the computer technology curriculum. Shown on the front row are David Rosenbaum, left, PTK advisor and director of counseling and career services and Middleton’s son Darius.

             Return to Top

McCormick Donates Car to CEED's 
Driver's Education
Posted December 8, 2004, By Nancy Hall

McCormick mayor Miriam Patterson, hands over the keys to an aging, unused police car to Don Howard, industrial relations representative for Continuing Education and Economic Development at Piedmont Technical College. Students in the automotive technology program at the college will rebuild the car for use in CEED’s driver’s education courses. Acting police chief W.D. (“Bo”) Willis, right, assisted in the presentation.

              Return to Top

Providence and Fate Play Roles in New Business
Posted December 7, 2004, By Beth Hitesman

A Piedmont Technical College student credits God and Jay Leno for helping him launch a new business. Nathan Cullens, a commercial art student from Ninety Six, said divine inspiration and a fateful television program forever changed his life.

In September of 2002, Cullens found himself at a crossroads when the company where he’d worked for ten years closed its doors and went out of business. The former mechanical technician explained that he assumed that was the last job he’d ever have to have. Making matters worse was the fact that his job prospects following the closing looked bleak. He reported that he drove around for weeks handing out resumes and couldn't find a job anywhere.

One evening, Cullens, an avid Harley- Davidson enthusiast, was watching a Discovery Channel documentary on the history of motorcycles. Cullens claimed that program, hosted by Jay Leno, was the catalyst prompting a “divine illumination.”

In the middle of the program, he went to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of tea. He recalled looking at the clock, and, as if in slow motion, he watched the numbers roll to 9:30. At that very moment an idea hit him. 
"I suddenly realized that most motorcycle and car enthusiasts are passionate about their vehicles,” he exclaimed. “They have a lot of money, time and pride invested in their projects, and they should have something to commemorate all their hard work. I feel like God gave me the vision to start taking photos of those treasured vehicles and turning them into laminated collections cards (similar to baseball cards).

The newly-inspired entrepreneur was armed with the desire, motivation and the dream of opening a new business; however, he lacked the technical know-how to turn his dream into a reality.

He decided to turn to Piedmont Technical College for help. There he was put in contact with commercial arts department head Lance Anderson. “Lance sat down with me and suggested what courses were needed to make my dream a reality,” Cullens noted.

He admits that his initial entry into PTC was a little unnerving. “My computer skills were very limited,” he revealed. “My first day in class, I was so scared I couldn't even double click the mouse.”

Regardless, with his dream firmly intact, the shaky student persevered. “I really wanted to learn, so I stayed late. Often security would have to kick me out so they could lock up,” he recalled.

The instructors were just as committed as he in helping him turn his dream into a reality. They also stayed late to answer all the questions he had.

While still a student at PTC, Cullens gained enough confidence and expertise to launch his vision and is now the proud owner of “Custom Collection Cards.”
Although he started with motorcycles and automobiles, he has expanded into other areas such as military and sports cards, along with calendars, t-shirts, coffee mugs, posters and mouse pads.

Cullens said he loves making custom cards, but what he loves most is watching his customers’ faces when they receive their first card.

“Because people put their hearts and souls into their cars and motorcycles, to them, the cards are a symbol of accomplishment,” he concluded.

Photo Caption: Nathan Cullens’ new business, Custom Collection Cards, is a reflection of personal interests and skills gained in Piedmont Technical College’s commercial art program. The local entrepreneur custom-designs motorcycle and automobile cards, as well as military and sports cards, as well as calendars, t-shirts, coffee mugs, posters and mouse pads.

              Return to Top

PTC’s Newberry County Center to Offer Horticulture Courses
Posted December 7, 2004, By Laura Garrett

For the first time, Piedmont Technical College’s Newberry County Center will offer a number of horticulture courses next semester. A truly “growing” field, the horticulture courses are the first step toward the Landscape Assistant or Horticulture Landscape Management certificates. In addition to the certificate options, students may combine the coursework with other credits to obtain an associate’s degree in Occupational Technology.

Landscape Plant Materials, Horticulture Pest Control, Grounds Maintenance and Landscape Business Techniques are the courses that will be offered. The program is ideal for individuals with interests in landscaping and outdoor working environments. 

Most of the course credits are transferable directly to four-year institutions for students interested in a bachelor’s degree. “Tech is a great place for these students to begin,” said Marion Bledsoe, director of the horticulture program at PTC. “If they choose to, many of them can transfer almost anywhere with an associate’s degree in hand and 60 or more hours of credits,” he explained. “Although we can save students money, it’s not just about getting a better bargain,” Bledsoe continued. “It’s also about staying close to home and receiving focused instruction in a smaller class setting.”

Spring semester classes begin January 6. For more information or to register, call (803) 276-9000 or visit the Newberry County Center at 540 Wilson Road.

               Return to Top

Piedmont Tech Student Wins Computer 
in Essay Contest
Posted December 2, 2004, By Laura Garrett

Kelvin Bonds, a 38-year-old student at Piedmont Technical College, got a big surprise this week when he learned he had won a computer. A resident of Ninety-Six, Bonds works full-time as an assembler at Cutler-Hammer and is pursuing a physical therapy certificate at Piedmont Tech.

Bonds, who is married and has three daughters, was excited to participate in the essay contest held by his English instructor Renee Santos. “I thought it was a great outlet for me to complete assignments. I have an older model computer and had to have it repaired, and often I’ve had to rely on the computer labs,” said Bonds. 

Santos came up with the idea when her husband offered her the gently used computer several months ago. “My husband works with computers and a client had upgraded their systems and didn’t really need the machine,” Santos explained. “So, I told him I wanted it for my students.”

Santos, who teaches a number of English courses, thought the prospect of winning a computer could really motivate some of her students. “I’ve always had the pleasure of teaching students that go above and beyond,” she said. “I thought this would be a good way to encourage and reward that determination.” Participants had to submit essays telling about themselves, their goals and explain how the computer could help them achieve these goals.

Bonds has worked at Cutler-Hammer for 17 years, and also held a job once as a physical therapy assistant. “I really enjoyed the work,” he said. Recent layoffs led Bonds to return to college. “I attended PTC before, but I wasn’t motivated,” he said. “The layoffs made me realize I had grown complacent.” Although Bonds didn’t lose his job, he longed to return to the field of physical therapy and came back to Piedmont Tech.

Balancing college, a full-time job and a family has its challenges, Bonds admitted. “It’s hard,” he said. “You have to discipline yourself. It can be stressful at times.” His final goal and an encouraging family keep him motivated, he wrote in his essay. Bonds said to succeed he needed to attend class, complete all assignments and surround himself with positive people that support him and his goals.

“Winning the computer would relieve me of some stress,” Bonds wrote. “I would have a dependable system to complete my assignments and the ability to research using the Internet.” Bonds was surprised to win, and his family was excited for him as well. “Now my girls are saying they want my old computer,” he said. Bonds said the writing assignment helped keep him focused. “It was a good motivation. It helps you believe in yourself.”

Photo Caption: Ninety-Six resident and Piedmont Technical College student Kelvin Bonds, seated, got a big surprise this week when he learned he won a computer through a recent essay contest. Bonds, pictured with his English instructor Renee Santos, works full-time as an assembler at Cutler-Hammer and is pursuing a physical therapy certificate at Piedmont Tech.

               Return to Top

Poetry Slams Provide New Vehicle for Expression
Posted December 2, 2004, By Beth Hitesman

A Laurens County woman has earned championship titles in an art form that is currently sweeping the country: poetry slamming. Tanasha Amaker, an associate in science graduate of Piedmont Technical College who’s now working at her alma mater as an administrative specialist in the Enrollment Center, is a slam champion and a member of the nationally-ranked Columbia Poetry Slam Team. 

“Slamming is a competitive form of performing, complete with judges and prizes,” explained the Laurens resident. “Contestants are judged by the audience and are rated on a numerical base from one to ten.” 

According to Slam Nation, poetry slamming is an exciting, outrageous, energetic phenomenon that’s being hailed as one of the most important grassroots arts movements in America today. 

Poetry slamming began in 1986 as the brainchild of Chicago poet and construction worker Marc Smith. The blue-collar worker, who was the focus of a recent Public Broadcasting System documentary, started the slam as a way to breathe life into the open mike poetry format. Amaker says there are a few basic rules for a slam: all work must be original to the poet, with contestants judged not only on their poetry, but on their performance as well. A three-minute time limit is imposed on all performances, and poets are not allowed to use props, costumes or background music. 

Amaker noted that many people who attend a slam for the first time are surprised by how much they like the performances. Unlike a more traditional poetry reading, the whole process is interactive. Slams encourage participation. Audience members get involved by talking, cheering and responding. Their enthusiasm, in turn, helps to motivate the performers. 

Even though the audiences may be loud and lively, Amaker says everyone is very friendly. “The audience is there to support the poets,” she said. “If audience members don’t like the piece an artist is performing, they simply don’t respond. That’s how we know if we’re bad. In all the years I’ve been competing, though, I’ve never encountered a mean audience. 

Like the work of most slammers, Amaker’s poetry carries specific messages. She seldom tackles safe subjects. In the past, her poetry has addressed such subjects as domestic violence, rape, the circumstances of the poor and hungry and the state of America today. 

“I try to broach those subjects that we not only fail to see, but sometimes refuse to see,” she said. Although the slams and competitions are fun, she noted that she doesn’t participate for the glory or the prizes. “All my slams have messages; that’s why I do it. Slamming is an art form, and through that format, I hope to change hearts and lives with my words,” she concluded.

              Return to Top

Small Business Has Recipe for Big Success
Posted November 30, 2004, By Beth Hitesman

Many dream of owning their own businesses, but often they don’t know where to begin. They may also be intimated by the stark reality that half of all businesses fail within the first four years of operation.

"Opening your own business is hard work, probably much harder than anyone expects,” explained Lewis Harrison, volunteer counselor with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) at Piedmont Technical College. 

Despite the risks and frustrations, many prove successful in their ventures. Success comes with a price, however. "Those who do make it must be willing to commit to the hours, discipline and frustrations of owning their own businesses.

Entrepreneurs with the best chance of success must also be driven by a passion for what they do,” Harrison explained.

Such is the case of Furman and Carol Mauldin, owners of the Carolina Barbecue Shack in Greenwood. They say their business emerged from doing something they love.

Furman, a retired principal of Lakeview, Northside and Central Alternative Schools, and Carol, a retired second grade teacher at Woodfields, say they have been barbecuing ever since they can remember. “We used to throw big barbecues for the school faculty and would often have 70 or 80 people over to the house for a big cookout. On weekends and holidays, like the Fourth of July, my daughters and I would smoke barbecue and sit on the side of the road to sell it,” Furman revealed.

The Mauldins say Furman’s homemade sauce is the key to making their barbecue such a big hit. “Over the years we've given away a tanker truck full of the sauce,” he said. 

The couple says their business started after they retired and were looking for something to do. “At first, we just wanted to bottle our sauce and go to special events. We didn't set out to open up a barbecue place: it just sort of evolved,” Furman explained.

That evolution led them to open a small takeout restaurant. He added that they’re located in a little shack that can’t even be seen from the road, and most of their customers said they had a hard time finding them.

Their little shack is hidden down an alley behind the Marketplace Shopping Center on Montague Avenue. Their choice was made for one reason: economics. It was much cheaper than locations on the bypass.

The Mauldins agreed that opening their own business was more challenging than expected. “There were so many rules and regulations to deal with. We were shocked at the number of agencies we had to go through,” Furman said. “It seemed like the more we got into it, the more things would pop up.

"There was always another hurdle,” Carol added.

Every day, the couple made a to-do list. Some days, they didn’t think they were going to make it in time, but the last needed license arrived the day before they opened.

“There was a lot to learn-- and we’re still learning. Each day things get a little easier and a little better. But we are having a lot of fun,” Carol added.

“We really do enjoy what we are doing. This is fun for us.” Furman said. “We’re only open three days a week, Thursday through Saturday, and currently, our barbecue sauce is sold in 18 stores across the state.”

Lewis Harrison and SCORE recommend that all new business owners start small and grow as their business expands. “I never advise anyone quitting their job to start a business. Work your business on the nights and weekends and get a stable foundation before launching into it full time,” he emphasized.

Free advice is available to anyone who wants to start or expand their own small business Contact Lewis Harrison at Piedmont Technical College by calling (864) 941 -8414, or log on to the SCORE website at www.score.org for free articles, forms and advice.

Photo Caption: What you get out of a small business is what you put into it, according to SCORE volunteer counselor Lewis Harrison at Piedmont Technical College.  One local couple has obviously found the recipe for success with the Carolina Barbecue Shack in Greenwood.  Retired educators Furman, from left, and Carol Mauldin established the business as a result of their passion for barbecuing, and David Hitesman is their right-hand man whose culinary skills help to put their product on the market.

               Return to Top

Student Motivated by Encouraging Wife
Posted November 30, 2004, By Beth Hitesman

High powered deal-maker Donald Trump brags about only needing four hours of sleep a night. “The Donald” may seem like a slacker, however, compared to Scott Walker who manages, work, school, family and a 90 minute daily commute on just three hours of sleep each night.

The Saluda resident said his day normally begins before sunrise. A Piedmont Technical College student, Wakler described a typical day. “Usually, I wake up at 5:30, drive to Greenwood for classes at Piedmont Tech. After class, I go across the street to Capsugel where I work a seven-day-on, two-day-off shift. In the evening, I drive home, spend some time with my wife, and then study until about two or three in the morning.”

Walker could gain a few more hours of sleep by lowering his standards, but he is dedicated to a goal and a commitment that drives him to succeed.

“Right now, I have a 4.0 grade point average,” he admitted. “I know if I didn’t stay up so late studying that I could be getting more sleep, but I don’t just want to get by. I want to succeed not only for myself, but for my wife, Bridgette. She’s my biggest supporter.” 

He explained that before he started at PTC, he wasn’t sure if he could do it. “It looked so hard,” he admitted. “My wife encouraged, supported and challenged me. She also agreed to take on a lot of extra responsibilities at home so that I could give my full effort to school.”

He also admitted that some days he’s so exhausted when he comes home that often he gets discouraged. “But, I see my wife doing extra work and making sacrifices to take the burden off me, and I’m motivated to hit the books,” he said.

Walker is enrolled in Piedmont’s industrial electronics program. “I love the program because it is so well-rounded,” he explained. “We learn everything from motors to electronics to components. The program encompasses a wide range of industrial essentials.”

Walker said working for a good company is another motivator. “Capsugel encourages the pursuit of higher education. I’ve been with them for nearly ten years and want to continue with them when I graduate. The company has given me so much support and encouragement over the years. I want to finish my education and give back to them as my way of saying thanks.” 

Walker also wants to thank Capsugel for giving him his most important asset—his wife. “We both work at Capsugel, which is where we met,” Walker explained. He admits, however, that their first encounters were anything but friendly. “She thought I was arrogant. One day she made a comment as I walked by her table, so I stopped to ask her what she said. We started talking and we’ve been talking ever since—and that was ten years ago.” 

Photo Caption: Scott Walker, a Saluda native, is a busy industrial electronics student at Piedmont Technical College. Walker commutes to the Greenwood campus and works full-time at Capsugel.

               Return to Top

From the Beach to the Books
Posted November 30, 2004, By Beth Hitesman

Samuel Johnson and his wife, Siobhan, may be the only people in the world who compare Greenwood, South Carolina to the Bahamas. But, as natives of Grand Bahama, the Johnsons should know.

The couple, both international students at Piedmont Technical College, are on a two-year study leave from the Island’s police department. According to Samuel, “Greenwood is much like the Bahamas—except for the beach. Living here, you can quickly and easily travel from any place in the city to another. Within 15 minutes, you can be at school, a grocery store or a shopping area. It’s just like that on the Island.” His wife agreed. “Greenwood is small and quiet; it’s almost like the Island. That’s one of the reasons we chose to come here,” Siobhan elaborated. 

The family, which includes their three children, landed in Greenwood after an intensive Internet search. “My wife and I are police officers on the island, and we were looking for skills we’ll need when we retire from the force. I was looking for a building technology program, and my wife was looking for a humanities program. Piedmont Technical College was one of the few institutions in the country that offered both,” Samuel said.

After deciding on PTC, the family packed their bags and hopped on a plane to Florida. With map in hand, they began the long drive from the Sunshine State to the Palmetto State. Since none of the Johnsons had been to Greenwood before, the family was eager to see what their new home would be like.

“We are glad we came. We really like it here,” Samuel smiled. After earning their associate’s degrees in Building Technology and Human Services in May, the Johnsons have no immediate plans to leave the police force.

I plan to retire from the department in six or seven years and then fall back on building technology after retirement,” Samuel explained. He also is excited that his newly learned skills will not go to waste while waiting for retirement; he plans to continue making improvements to their home in the Bahamas. In fact, the Johnsons returned to the Island after the recent hurricanes swept through the Caribbean to make home repairs. 

Siobhan says she will incorporate her human services degree into her work as a police officer. “On Grand Bahama, the department has a community policing/urbanization program that puts officers into communities to find out what we can do to make the Island a better place to live. I want to join that division when I go back to the force, and the program at PTC is helping me prepare for that transition.”

The Johnsons says they are grateful that their Internet search landed them at Piedmont Tech. “We love it here. Greenwood has become our second home. My instructors and classmates in the building technology program have become my second family,” explained Samuel. “When we leave here, Greenwood will be the first place we come back to visit.”

Photo Caption: Siobhan Johnson and husband Samuel found a perfect match for their educational needs at Piedmont Technical College. The Grand Bahaman natives, both of whom are police officers, have made their home in Greenwood for the last 18 months after an exhaustive Internet search led them to Piedmont Tech. 

                 Return to Top

Students Capture Awards at Art Exhibit and Sale
Posted November 18, 2004, By Laura Garrett

Piedmont Technical College students captured a number of awards at the college’s fall art exhibit and sale on Tuesday. Members of the Greenwood Arts Council served as judges for the event. Award-winning artwork will be displayed in the PTC library for the next two weeks.    

The event was held to showcase the artistic abilities of the college’s students and offer students an avenue to sell their artwork. Coordinators hope the exhibit and sale will become an annual event. Having submitted more than 60 works of art, students collected honors in five different categories:

Color Drawing/Painting
1st place: La’Quincy Nelson (McCormick) - “Dawn’s Song”2nd place: Nick Tettis (Greenwood) – “The Bear”
3rd place: Joshua Wilson (Newberry) – “Judith Beheading Holofernes” 

Black & White Drawing/Painting
1st place: Tim Bradberry (Laurens) – “Lennon”
2nd place: Nick Tettis (Greenwood) – “James”
3rd place: Carlos Dean (Greenwood) – “Money Have Your Hands Tied” 

Color Photography
1st place: Michael Reeder (Laurens) – “The Embrace”
2nd place: Lesa Stephens (Greenwood) – “Cicada”
3rd place: Lisa Boniface (Greenwood) – “Magical Movement” 

Black & White Photography
1st place: Amanda Hix (Greenwood) – “Recuperating Starfish”
2nd place: Janie Cunningham (Greenwood) – “Rainbow”
3rd place: Melissa Franklin (Newberry) – “Princess” 

Sculpture
1st place: Michael Reeder (Laurens) – “Night Flight”
2nd place: Michael Reeder (Laurens) – “Bobcat”
3rd place: Lisa Watson (Saluda) – “Apple”

Photo Caption: Visitors browse student artwork on display at Piedmont Technical College. The college held its fall art exhibit and sale on Tuesday. 

               Return to Top

Scholarship Endowment Supports
Funeral Services Curriculum at PTC
Posted November 17, 2004, By Nancy Hall

A generous gift from Harley Funeral Home in Greenwood will support educational endeavors of students enrolled in the funeral services program at Piedmont Technical College. The L. Ruple Harley, Sr. Scholarship Endowment has just been established to honor the founding member of this family-owned and operated business.

The local college is the only institution in the state to offer the associate’s degree program in funeral services, and one of very few in the Southeast. Graduates of the 67-hour program possess the educational foundation required to seek licensure in South Carolina both as embalmers and funeral directors. Accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), the program offers specific on-site facilities for training.

At the center of the program goals is the recognition of the importance of funeral services professionals in their career field and in the communities they serve; as participants in the relationships between bereaved families and their profession; as practitioners who are knowledgeable of and compliant with federal, state and local regulatory guidelines; and as members of the business community who are sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety and welfare.

Course work and training are targeted toward accomplishing a number of primary objectives: educating students in every phase of the profession, exposing students to the professional networks necessary to become successful and developing skills critical to excellence in performance. For the most part, classes are scheduled during evening hours for the convenience of working adults, but a few are offered during mid-day hours. The program generally requires six semesters of study.

A four-semester funeral services education certificate is also available to persons currently working in the field who possess bachelor’s degrees and are otherwise qualified to take the South Carolina exam to become licensed funeral directors. Successful completion of the 32-credit hour curriculum provides requisite skills and knowledge to advance professional standing.

Contributions to the newly-established endowment may be made to the Piedmont Technical College Foundation at P.O. Box 1467, Greenwood, South Carolina 29648-1467. Questions on the academic programs may be directed to David Martin, director, funeral services at martin.d@ptc.edu or (864)941-8506.

Photo Caption: Three generations of the Harley family visited Piedmont Technical College’s Greenwood campus to announce a newly-established endowment that will support students enrolled in the institution’s funeral services program. The endowment will honor Ruple Harley, Sr., second from left, founder of Harley Funeral Home in Greenwood. With him are PTC president Dr. Lex Walters, left; Ruple Harley, Jr., third from left; and Ruple Harley, III.

  &nbs