Press Releases
Tri-County Technical College

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This release prepared by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
Rebecca Eidson, Director, 646-1507, reidson@tctc.edu
Lisa Garrett, Public Relations Associate, 646-1506, lgarrett@tctc.edu
 

Tri-County, Anderson University Planning Awards Banquet to Salute Law Enforcement Officers, Raise Scholarship Money

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/29/2008
(By Lisa Garrett)

CONTACT:  GEORGE DUCWORTH, 231-5738
                      JONATHAN MCCOMBS, 646-1379

ANDERSON --- Tri-County Technical College and Anderson University are joining efforts to plan an awards banquet to salute local law enforcement officers and raise scholarship money for both institutions’ Criminal Justice (CRJ) programs.

Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, William W. Wilkins, will be the guest speaker at the event scheduled for February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center.  The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased by calling 864-646-1379 or 864-231-5738.

The first Law Enforcement Banquet took place three years ago when George Ducworth, director of the CRJ Department at Anderson University, recognized the need for a way to say thank you to our officers, as well as raise money for scholarships for officers who could not afford to attend college. This is the first time that Anderson University and Tri-County have come together to sponsor the event and to involve the tri-counties. “I was excited when Jonathan McCombs came to me after last year’s banquet and offered, on behalf of Tri-County Technical College, to partner with Anderson University to honor officers in all three counties,” said Ducworth. “ It is only natural that we work together on this event since we already work together to assist students in obtaining their associate and bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice.” 

Each county will present an Officer of the Year Award, and there will be a Graduate of the Year Award from each College’s CRJ Department.

Several years ago Tri-County and Anderson University entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership, making college attainable and available for law enforcement officers. Students first earn an associate degree at Tri-County, then go on to complete the final two years of a bachelor’s degree at Anderson University. 

“A degree is a must for today’s police officers,” said Jonathan McCombs, program coordinator for Tri-County’s CRJ Department. “They definitely have more opportunities than those who don’t have a degree.  A college-educated officer shows more sophisticated problem-solving skills, better oral and written communication skills and has an exposure to different cultures that makes one better prepared to police a diverse society.”

Those who are certified through the Criminal Justice Academy and as law enforcement officers have a real advantage, he said.  “Those who don’t have the degree or are aren’t certified have little opportunity to get into the profession.”

Tri-County’s Criminal Justice program has around 180 students enrolled in the major; Anderson University, which has had a Criminal Justice program for just over three years, has about 50 students enrolled in the program. Both programs provide great flexibility in that students can be full time or part time and can take classes in the traditional classroom setting or online.   

Opportunities to contribute exist through table sponsorships, program space, and award sponsorship.  Contact George Ducworth at 864-231-5738 or Jonathan McCombs at 864-646-1379 for more information. 

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