Piedmont Technical College

Patrick Campbell is in high demand in Abbeville. The owner and operator of Abbeville Computer Service is finding that he stays busy meeting the needs of local residents and businesses.

Business is booming, he says. After making a full-time commitment to his business in 2009, demand for his services has been constant. “I rarely have time to sit down and not have anything to do,” Campbell said.

Melissa Waters has discovered that sometimes you need to follow your heart to discover your passion. She came to Piedmont Technical College for the radiologic technology program, but has found her calling with the veterinary technology program.

“I started out at Piedmont Tech in the radiology program, but I found the veterinary technology program was a better fit for me,” said Waters.

Willie Washington is set to embark on his second career, and it is a radical change from his first.

Washington came to Newberry after serving 30 years in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a teacher, drill instructor, served in combat situations, implemented new computer systems and worked on the Presidential military staff under President Clinton. Upon retirement, he looked into several options for a new career.

Jamie Cline-Bowman was always interested in mortuary science and anatomy, but thanks to an encounter with an internationally known museum exhibit called “Body Worlds,” her interest has taken her down a different path called plastination.

“I saw my first Body Worlds exhibit in 2007 and wanted to know how to do it,” she said.

Theresa Snook has come full circle in the Veterinary Technology program at Piedmont Technical College.

“The program was wonderful from the start,” said Snook.

Snook was working with South Carolina Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Columbia when the veterinarian there recommended that she pursue a degree. The Lexington native chose PTC because of the conveniences provided by the program.

Elizabeth Morris has dreamed of becoming a nurse for most of her life. After making a leap of faith by enrolling at the PTC Saluda Campus, that dream is finally within reach.

“I always knew I wanted to become a nurse, but my family never encouraged me to since no one in my family had ever attended college,” Morris said. “Deep down I told myself ‘yo si puedo’ which means I can do it. I told myself I can go to college one day.”

Aaron Walker came to Piedmont Technical College to carry on a family tradition. Walker is from the small town of Bradley where his father is a cabinetmaker.

“My dad has worked at cabinetry since he was my age, so I’ve always been exposed to that type of work and I was really interested,” said Walker.

After getting his start at Piedmont Technical College, Jode Robinson is on his way to becoming a nuclear engineer.

Robinson spent many years as a cable TV supervisor, and knew that he was ready for a change.

“I had a lot of people telling me I needed to go back to school to be an engineer,” Robinson said. “That became one of the driving forces for me to go back to school.”

Rex Reece has found that starting at Piedmont Tech can put you on the track to achieving your goals.

The Hodges native graduated from Greenwood High School in 2005 and decided to take a year off. When he was ready to enroll in college, he turned to Piedmont Technical College.

“I needed to work,” Reece said. “Piedmont Tech was close by and the night classes that were offered were very important to me.”