Scholarship-granting decision-makers typically look for qualities like academic performance, leadership, community service and communication skills when selecting those worthy of their support. Also important are passion, focus and a positive attitude. The 208 students who were mailed scholarship awards recently at Piedmont Technical College (PTC) have those qualities in abundance. How they responded to the cancelation of the PTC Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Luncheon set for March 26 —speaks volumes about their character.

“I looked forward to it. It seemed like such a nice event,” said Andrew Seegars. A funeral service major who received the L. Ruple Harley Sr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Seegars was less concerned about public recognition as he was humbled and grateful for the award. “I did get my certificate in the mail. It reminded me that I am on the right path and not to give up.”

Keenon Glenn, who is majoring in electronic engineering technology at PTC, is the recipient of the Game Changer Scholarship, which is awarded to a senior athlete at Greenwood High School. He had been looking forward to the luncheon as well but, like the upstanding athlete he is, took the cancelation in stride.

“I was disappointed because I wanted to see everyone who was there and be able to network and get to know different people,” he said. “I viewed it as another learning opportunity.”

“Adversity challenges us, and the COVID-19 virus certainly has done that. We would much rather bestow these scholarship awards in person, not only because it affords public recognition for the students’ achievements, but also because it provides the generous donors an opportunity to meet the recipients of their scholarships,” said Fran Wiley, associate vice president for development at the PTC Foundation. “It’s truly a highlight of our year and an enjoyable event for our donors. We are all so proud of these fine students.”

The Foundation helps PTC students access various scholarship opportunities. Recipients represent a cross-section of talented individuals from the college’s academic programs. They help the state retain the best and brightest talent for its workforce and provide educational opportunities to those who otherwise may not have been able to attend college.

Megan “Gracie” Gilliland, a business administration/management major, is the recipient of the Paul DeLoache Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which is available to Saluda County residents. She has been so busy since social distancing policies were put into place that she hasn’t had much time to lament missing the luncheon. A PTC Presidential Ambassador and Enrollment Ambassador, she has been helping staff the Live Chat function of the PTC website to address students’ questions in real time. Given this cautionary environment, she is even more thankful to have the scholarship and for the opportunity to give back.

“I like being able to help people and relieve them of their worries through Live Chat,” she said. “And I am grateful to be able to get this scholarship because it did help out a lot this semester. I didn’t have to spend any money out of my pocket or my parents’ pocket.”

Marqueze Gilliard-Starks, an electronic engineering technology major, received the Manning Family Endowed Scholarship, which is reserved for a first-generation college student.

“I applied because I knew Piedmont Tech always has scholarships, and there’s money out there,” he said. “My teachers said I had a good chance of getting one. I believe that if you work hard, you will succeed.”

Gilliard-Starks said his scholarship award went mostly toward books, “and I did get a laptop because I didn’t have one before.”

Seegars also was able to purchase a laptop, and, at age 66, he’s adapting to all the new technology he’s had to learn. A few years back, after becoming disabled, he retired. Health conditions made it impossible to work. Also a pastor, he wanted to get back into the workforce with a new set of skills, and funeral service has been a good match for him. Since then, Seegars has been through a rehab program, lost 70 pounds and improved his health. The move to fully online coursework this semester took some adjustment.

“I’m doing OK. There’s a different rhythm to it. I prefer going in and talking to the instructors,” he said. “It took me a while to figure it all out, but I have my daughter here,” and she has helped. Seegars said he absolutely would apply for the annual Foundation scholarships again. “The PTC staff are very helpful. They make it easy. They help you use the tools and complete the process, which I greatly appreciate.”

Glenn says that receiving his scholarship provided “a good bit of motivation,” which also can be a real confidence-booster.

“It showed me that my hard work was paying off,” Glenn said. “I was starting to see the benefits of trying new things and doing the best I can with my classes. … It opened my eyes and showed me that I am on the right track.”

Gilliland says that when the world gets back to normal and businesses are back open, she plans to frame her scholarship certificate.

“I am proud of it,” she said. “It’s not something everybody gets. If you are lucky enough to get it, you want to show it off.”

For more information about scholarships at PTC, visit www.ptc.edu/scholarships.

PHOTOS: Megan Gilliland, Keenon Glenn

Scholarship Recipients 2020 by County

 

Abbeville County

Patrick Carroll - Olly and Ross Garrison Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Richard Cook – The Links at Stoney Point PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Madison Corroto – Sylvia MacFarlane Veterinary Technology Club Scholarship

Anna Cowan - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Isis Cromwell – Casandra Cae Laster Memorial Scholarship

Marqueze Gilliard-Starks - Manning Family Endowed Scholarship

Katherine Gower - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Noah Guier - Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Maison Hellams - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

James Hembree – John W. Drummond Endowed Scholarship

Heather Henez – Rad Tech Scholarship

Jordan Kinard – Agape Senior OTA Scholarship

Natasha Konopadchenko - PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Anna Lewis – Abbeville First Bank Endowed Scholarship

Addie Little - Allred Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Jennifer Martin - Abbeville First Bank Endowed Scholarship

Gideon Parnell - Fujifilm Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. Scholarship

Sajaa Pearson – Louise Rambo Nursing Scholarship

Olivia Rodriguez - Allred Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Kisha Rollinson - PTC 50th Anniversary Scholarship

Andrew Seegars – L. Ruple Harley Sr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Gracie Taylor - Allred Leadership Endowed Scholarship

David Vermillion - Computer Consultants & Merchants Inc. PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Stephanie West – Faculty/Staff PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Chandler White - Allred Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Julian White - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Alyssa Williams - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Nicholas Wooley – Building Construction Technology Endowed Scholarship

Aiken County

Tiwana Hawkinberry - Lonza Endowed Scholarship

Scottie McAbee - Agape Senior OTA Scholarship

Anderson County

Heather Bell – John Heydel Cardiovascular Scholarship

Chip Fluharty - Lonza Endowed Scholarship

Diane Fluharty - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Jeffrey Lee - Lonza Endowed Scholarship

Kristine Ware - MJA Endowed Scholarship

Chester County

Michaela Gerbers – Tour de Tech Scholarship

Edgefield County

Portia Bush – MJA Endowed Scholarship

Jasmine Canzater – PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Enoch Fellows – C.Y. Thomason Sr. Memorial Scholarship

Sydney Mims – People That Care Scholarship

Carnetta Stevens – MJA Endowed Scholarship

Bryson Thompson – Honeycutt Scholarship

Kylie Wash – Honeycutt Scholarship

Shai’Keira Young – Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Fairfield County

Cali Swearingen – PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Greenville County

Brieana Hudson - Lonza Endowed Scholarship

Greenwood County

Rita Able – Annie Lee Swygert Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Lucia Almazan – Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Shania Anderson - PTC Foundation Board Scholarship and Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Mariela Aviles – Nancy Taylor Hall Memorial Scholarship

Olivia Brooks – Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Grayson Brown – Charles Baumeister Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Markayla Brown - Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Tammy Brownlee – Tour de Tech Scholarship

Ronald Bullman – W.A. Klauber Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Jasper Burnett – Automotive Technology Scholarship

Christopher Cantrell – First Citizens Scholarship

Amanda Chagollan – Doris Suber Family Endowed Scholarship

Rhoshunda Cloud - Annie Lee Swygert Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Ernestine Colson – PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Angela Corn – Human Services Scholarship

Fabiola Corona – Manning Family Endowed Scholarship

Chastity Cox - MJA Endowed Scholarship

Patrick Craven - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Candase Crawford-Scott - The Links at Stoney Point PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Jessica Davenport - Tour de Tech Scholarship

Hope Deloach - Dr. Sandra Calliham McMullen Scholarship

Amy Emert - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Maria Esperanza - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Bethany Fisher – Lady Bug Memorial Scholarship

Kevin Flick – Frank Wardlaw Memorial Scholarship

Keenon Glenn – Game Changer Scholarship

Samuel Godsey – Allred Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Kellan Hamrick - W.A. Klauber Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Lola Harmon – AJ Welch Memorial Scholarship

Marissa Harrison - Sterilite Corporation Endowed Scholarship

William Haynes - PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Nicole Herbert - Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Brooke Heslin - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Hannah Hill - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Lauren Hodges - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Keyshawn Holloway – Rad Tech Scholarship

Dorothy Holmes - Manning Family Endowed Scholarship

Darby Hopkins - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Zelea James – Greenwood County Chamber of Commerce Community Scholarship

Alyssa Jones – Greenwood Rotary Club Scholarship

Takeria Jones - Emerald Ink and Stitches Golf Classic Scholarship

Tamara Jones – Loutrelle Self Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Sander Juarez Castillo – David Sherer Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Untravius King - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

James Loggins – Lakelands Home Builders Association Scholarship

Kacy Lovett – Jane B. Burgdorf Realtor Scholarship

Natalie Malloy - Casandra Cae Laster Memorial Scholarship

Claire Manuel - Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Shandra Martin - Brighter Futures Scholarship

Brandon Martinez - Sterilite Corporation Endowed Scholarship

Nayeli Martinez – La Puerta De Esperanza Scholarship

Sheyla Martinez-Quiterio - La Puerta De Esperanza Scholarship

Collin McCoy – Mr. “B” Automotive Technician Endowed Scholarship

Caitlin McDonald - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Britney McGovern - W.A. Klauber Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Kyle Moore - Computer Consultants & Merchants Inc. PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Connie Morgan – RMBE Lipford Scholarship

Robert Nelson - Strom Thurmond Endowed Scholarship

Vanessa Otts - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Kacy Proctor - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Deidre Rappley-Sayles – Martha B. Williams Memorial Scholarship

Holly Ritter – Nora Wells Cooner Memorial Scholarship

Alejandro Sabatino Barrios - Fujifilm Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. Scholarship

Ebony Sanders - The Links at Stoney Point PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Mckenna Scott – Gwen and Gene Hancock Memorial Respiratory Care Scholarship

Allison Shealy - Greenwood County Chamber of Commerce Community Scholarship

Mabry Smith - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Anne Sugden – Countybank Foundation Scholarship

Johnathan Sullivan - Frank Wardlaw Memorial Scholarship

Kendra Thomas – Lucille Brooks Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Olga Tretiak - Lonza Endowed Scholarship

Tina Turner - Ernest Prewett Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship

Adam Weinschenker - Greenwood Rotary Club Scholarship

Brooke Welborn – Greenwood Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Stephen Westmoreland - Charles Baumeister Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Haley White – C.Y. Thomason Sr. Memorial Healthcare Scholarship

Omaria Williams - Brighter Futures Scholarship

Sunshine Wilson - Nora Wells Cooner Memorial Scholarship

Lancaster County

Ariana Ware – Parker Killian GIVES Moore Scholarship

Laurens County

Malachi Amaker – Laurens County Chamber Cecil Davenport Memorial Endowed Scholarship

James Balentine – Norbord South Carolina Inc. PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Kimberly Bickley - Laurens County Chamber Cecil Davenport Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Tina Boyd - Laurens County Chamber Cecil Davenport Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Mary Bunting – Bailey Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Faith Caton – Lena Wood Warren Scholarship

Katelyn Coffey - PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Jordan Davis - Laurens County Chamber Cecil Davenport Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Madison Davis – Sterilite Corporation Endowed Scholarship

Kristina Dwyer – Laurens County Chamber Cecil Davenport Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Shelia Harris - Tour de Tech Scholarship

Kassidy Jennings – G.B. Elledge Endowed Scholarship

Chloe Lamborne - Bailey Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Kayla Lawson - Bailey Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Nathan Long - Fujifilm Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. Scholarship

William Medlock – Norbord South Carolina Inc. PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Latasha Pemberton - Laurens County Chamber Cecil Davenport Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Greer Reid – Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Amber-Gayle Thompson - Bailey Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Justin Vinson – Greenwood Corvette Club Scholarship

Felecia Woodruff - Bailey Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Lexington County

Danielle Fowlston - Lady Bug Memorial Scholarship

Anita Husbands - Newberry County Memorial Hospital Scholarship

Celina Husbands – PTC 50th Anniversary Scholarship

Christa Jones - Doris Suber Family Endowed Scholarship

McCormick County

William Booker – Dr. Sandra Calliham McMullen Scholarship

Emily Cannon – Lonza Endowed Scholarship

Rebecca Curd - Newberry County Memorial Hospital Scholarship

Beverly Freeman - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Jade Freeman - Jeanne C. Florence Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Cayla Smith - PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Denver Thomas - C.Y. Thomason Sr. Memorial Scholarship

Newberry County

Jasmine Alaya Perez – Newberry Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Victoria Barber – Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Kaitlin Beck - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Jason Bobb – Computer Consultants & Merchants Inc. PTC Golf Classic Scholarship

Curtis Boland – Building Construction Technology Endowed Scholarship

Krystle Boswell – Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Tiara Bradburn - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Jordan Brown - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Elizabeth Carter - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Danielle Chappelle – PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Madison Chapman – Newberry County Memorial Hospital Scholarship

Rokeisha Crooks - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Wanda Davis - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Heather Deel – Judy Daulton Accounting Scholarship

Jason Dickert – Fujifilm Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. Scholarship

Jose Hernandez - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Garrett Jenkins – PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Tishauna Leverett – Brighter Futures Scholarship

Weston Lindamood – John Heydel Cardiovascular Scholarship

Brantlee Long – Preston Tate Manley BCT Scholarship

Samuel Morris – C.Y. Thomason Sr. Memorial Scholarship

Mallory O’Dell - Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Selena Plaza - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Maggie Riddle – G.B. Elledge Endowed Scholarship

Jacqueline Rivera - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Michaella Rubio – Veterinary Technician of Excellence Scholarship

Martiza Tellez - Newberry Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Amie Wicker – Henry Blohm Leadership Endowed

Taylor Wise - Taylor Foundation of Newberry Scholarship

Oconee County

Justin Williams – Foundation Partners Group Scholarship

Richland County

Michelle Dooley – H. Kelley Jones Scholarship

Tiffany Jenkins – Olly and Ross Garrison Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Jenna McCall – Derrick Scholars Endowed Scholarship

Saluda County

James Anderson – Medford Family Foundation Scholarship

Lexeigh Bennett – Paul DeLoache Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Rebecca Bolen - Paul DeLoache Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Rona Burt – Jeanne C. Florence Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Cody Clary – PTC Foundation Board Scholarship

Caleb Fincannon – Alfred and Miriam Adams Endowed Scholarship

Megan Gilliland - Paul DeLoache Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Makayla Porter – PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Anthony Ramirez - Paul DeLoache Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Austin Rosas – MJA Endowed Scholarship

Ashley Storey – Dr. Sandra Calliham McMullen Scholarship

Spartanburg County

Joshua Childs – Ernest Prewett Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship

Jarmal Johnson – PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Robert Reveles - PTC Golf Classic Endowed Scholarship

Out of State

Shanta Towns, Lincolnton, GA – Lucille Brooks Memorial Scholarship