Student Says Tri-County Classes Challenge Her, Faculty Motivates Her

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/29/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Kellie Marlatt expected college to be a 'lecture and leave' experience she would have to endure to be able to obtain her dream job in technical sales.

Instead, she found a classroom environment that challenges her and a nurturing faculty that motivates her and even knows her by name. Since day one, Marlatt says she has savored every minute of her business management classes at Tri-County Technical College, and has gained the confidence and skills to maintain a 4.0 grade point average.

Recently she earned the honor of being Tri-County's nominee in the 2000 – 2001 USA Community and Junior College Academic Team competition. She will accompany President Don C. Garrison to a luncheon in Columbia to honor the state's technical college nominees.

Marlatt moved to the area (Lake Keowee) several years ago with her husband, Jeff, after they sold a business in Florida. "I wanted to be near my parents who live in Hendersonville N.C., and we wanted to live near the water. So this area was a good compromise. Also, I had turned 30 and wanted my own career. I knew I needed an education to do that. I was intimidated by a four-year college because of my age so I looked into Tri-County. I felt I would fit into a smaller environment," said Marlatt.

Not only has she fit in, she has thrived.

A self-described "traditional C student," she says she surprised herself when she has maintained her spot on the Dean's List and President's List, in addition to serving as secretary of the Alpha Zeta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She also has been named to Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. Last fall, she served as an ambassador for the Clemson Chamber of Commerce.

She says Business Technology instructor David Bedingfield was her first impression of the quality of instruction on campus and other examples soon followed. "I didn't expect to attend class to be entertained and motivated while, at the same time, becoming more confident of my intellect and abilities," she said.

"Instead of focusing on tests and grades, Mr. Bedingfield is more often concerned with who we are when we leave his class. He seems determined to prepare us for the reality of a changing and diverse global marketplace. Often, he shares and relates material through his personal experiences instead of theories that can be abstract. There's never a day that I don't leave his class without having laughed joyfully, considered an idea or theory in a new way, or gone home to further explore more than my course requirements because he has initiated a deeper desire in me to learn, to question and to grow," said Marlatt.

"The key to my success is my respect for and interaction with my instructors. I admire their vast experiences and knowledge. For example," she added, "my Accounting teacher, Dr. Roy Garris, also has a law degree." Marlatt received the top grade in that class, surprising herself, but not Dr. Garris.

"Kellie was dedicated and dependable," said Dr. Garris. "She did well in my Accounting class, and that boosted her self-esteem. She was apprehensive at first because Accounting was an unknown topic to her. But she wasn't intimidated and accepted it as a challenge. She proved herself and that helped her to go on to other courses and to the job market with a sense of confidence."

"Kellie is very dedicated and interested in succeeding," said Bedingfield. "She is disciplined and manages her time well. She takes a topic and works with it and approaches it two or three different ways. That will serve her well in the business world."

In fact, six months before graduation, Marlatt has secured her 'dream' job with OB ONE, a telecommunications company out of Columbia. She will work for the company's Greenville branch as an outside sales representative.

"It's a dream job," said Marlatt. "I'm very lucky that they are willing to wait for me to graduate. (She will receive a Business Management degree in August.) Finishing my education is very important to them and to me," she added.

"I feel so much stronger, and it's all due to the confidence and knowledge I have acquired here. I know I'm competent to handle whatever comes my way because of my Tri-County foundation. That's an empowering feeling."
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