Dr. James Hudgins Tells Tri-County Tech's Class of 2000
To Be Somebody as They Fulfill Their Roles in Community

HOLD FOR RELEASE ON MAY 15 AFTER 8 P.M., PLEASE

PENDLETON --- Be somebody as you journey to fulfill your roles in the community, Dr. James Hudgins, nationally acclaimed executive director of the S.C. Technical College System, told the Class of 2000 at Tri-County Technical College's 37th annual commencement Monday evening.

Using the same words that Abraham Lincoln's mother said to her son as she lay critically ill, Dr. Hudgins challenged the 366 graduates to "be somebody -- because you are, because you can be, and because you ought to be.

"One of the most important plateaus you can attain in personal self-development is the capacity to affirm, I am somebody, I am important, I can do it," he said.

He quoted William James, an American psychologist, who said, 'The greatest discovery of my generation is that people can change their lives by changing their attitude.'

"I challenge you to depart this graduation with the affirmation: I can and I will make a unique contribution," said Dr. Hudgins.

"Affirm your worth and set your goals," Dr. Hudgins added.

"Be somebody because you ought to be, because there are those who are counting on you, those who are rooting for you. Perhaps it is a parent, a spouse a child or a teacher," he explained.

Prior to his role as director, Dr. Hudgins served for 13 years as president of Midlands Technical College in Columbia. During his presidency, Midlands doubled its enrollment to become the largest technical college in South Carolina and the third largest college in the state.

Dr. Hudgins referenced an event four years ago when Vice President Al Gore visited Midlands Tech and met with three students and community leaders on the campus. Dr. Hudgins remembered a female in her mid-30s who told Vice President Gore that she returned to college because she had difficulty in helping her children with their homework. By the time she met with Gore, she had earned a GED, completed her associate degree and was enrolled in a four-year university. "However, she told Vice President Gore that what she was most proud of was that she had been able to help her children, both of whom were honor roll students in middle school. They were depending on her and she came through. Who is depending on you?" asked Dr. Hudgins. "I challenge you to exercise and stretch your self-concept and your will to become the full measure of your potential," he said.

He ended his remarks with the words of President John F. Kennedy, who in his 1961 inaugural speech, said, "For of those, to whom much is given, much is required. All this will not be finished in the first 100 days nor in 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even in our lifetime of this planet. But let us begin."

"Graduates of Tri-County Technical College," said Dr. Hudgins, "in the words of John Kennedy, 'let us begin' the next leg of your journey toward achieving your potential. Be Somebody!"

Following Dr. Hudgins'address, President Don Garrison and other college officials presented degrees, diplomas and certificates to the following graduates:

FROM ABBEVILLE: Mark Reid Crawford, Engineering Graphics Technology.

FROM ANDERSON: Johnny Dwaine Adger, Industrial Electronics Technology; Jocelyn Gwen Bailey, Associate in Arts; Susan Jeannine Bailey, Nursing; Michael Allen Barnes, Computer Technology; John Randall Beeks, Jr., Associate in Arts; Jimmy L. Blanding, Industrial Mechanics; Stephen Thomas Blevins, Associate in Science; Leslie Christine Bond, Associate in Arts; Raymond Spence Bouchard, Nursing; Danny Ray Brock, Industrial Electronics Technology; Ralph Lamar Browning, GED; Retha Jane Bryant, Office Systems Technology; Eric Edwin Cheek, Business Technology; Harold Clinkscales, Jr., Industrial Electronics Technology; Laura Lynn Cochran, Criminal Justice Technology; Kelly Larkin Craft, Nursing; James Henry Crawford, III, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Laura Kelley Creamer, Electrocardiology; Andrew Jason Croft, General Engineering Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology; San Antonio Coriolindus Crosby, Computer Technology; Barbara Candiotti Dillard, Office Systems Technology; Melissa McConnell Donald, Nursing; Ronald Grayson Dove, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Foster Holden Drake, Welding; Kenneth Ervin Dunn, Machine Tool Technology; Kandice Anne Farmer, Office Systems Technology; Louanne Kay Fields, Electrocardiology; Tanya Kelley Fleming, Business Technology; Thomas Redmond Foster, Computer Technology; Linda Victoria Radfor Freeman, Textile Management Technology; Krystal Veleka Gambrell, Associate in Arts; Debbie Shaw Gillespie, Office Systems Technology; Crystal Hope Girard, Nursing; Jean Elizabeth Glenn, Associate in Science; Deborah Craft Hammond, Business Technology; Miranda Denise Hanks, Electrocardiology; Jennifer Elaine Hawkins, Phlebotomy; Tori Thompson Haynes, Associate in Science; Georgia Kay Hedden, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Harold Hugh Herring, Jr., Associate in Science; Merrell Lynn Hinchman, Criminal Justice Technology; Diane R. Hunt, Electrocardiology; Stanley John Jablonski, Computer Technology, Engineering Graphics Technology; Roberta Melo Jacobs, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Rodney Anthony Jones, Industrial Electronics Technology; Dennis Martin Junkins, Jr., Industrial Mechanics; Marsha Elizabeth Kemp, Office Systems Technology; Lisa Nicole LeBron, Accounting; Brandon Wade LeRoy, Engineering Graphics Technology; Mae Eliza Lee, Computer Technology and General Engineering Technology; Shiywana Verneakia Lee, Business Technology; Misty Yates Loftis, Accounting; Victoria Pauline Lomax, Nursing; Jonathan Paul Lottich, Computer Technology; James Anthony Love, Welding; Michelle Owens Love, Associate in Arts; Angel Sonefelt Luper, Associate in Arts; Katherine Ann Martin, Associate in Science; Laneika Kawanze Mattress, Office Systems Technology; Arthur James McAllister, Welding; Tina Katherin McConnell, Phlebotomy; Dorothy Lynn McLees, Nursing; Jimmy Richard Moore, Jr., Electronics Engineering Technology; Lori Tannery Moore, Engineering Graphics Technology; Georgia Alison Patterson, Nursing; Sandra Neese Perkins, Nursing; Charlotte Leigh Pierce, Nursing; Cheryl Eileen Quartararo, Nursing; Carolyn Lucille Raymond, Associate in Arts; John Charles Rice, Nursing; Mary Anne V. Rodriguez, Nursing; Cynthia Mae Scott, Nursing; Jennifer Lea Segars, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Thomas Gary Shaw, Jr., Industrial Mechanics; Crystal Joy Shiflett, Office Systems Technology; Debbie Yvonne Slade, Business Technology; Danny Keith Smith, Criminal Justice Technology; Tammy Michelle Smith, General Engineering Technology; David Michael Stein, Industrial Electronics Technology; Steven Eugene Strickland, Industrial Electronics Technology; Hope Elaine Sykes, Nursing; Sandra Marlene Temples, Textile Management Technology; Kimberly Smith Traynum, Nursing; Cherryl Segelke Warner, Computer Technology; Amy Marie Weaver, Nursing; Jacob Dean Webb, General Engineering Technology and Industrial Electronics Technology; Mamie Allease West, Business Technology; David Miller Westfall, Computer Technology; Roselind Yvette Wideman, Business Technology; Sonya Michelle Williams, Nursing; Edna McDavid Willis, Early Childhood Development; Kristy Lynn Wilson, Computer Technology; April Lee Wooten, Business Technology; Christie Lorene Wooten, Nursing; and James Allen Worley, Industrial Mechanics.

FROM BELTON: Amy Beth Ashley, Office Systems Technology; Brandy Lynn Baucom, Medical Laboratory Technology; Shannon Cole Blackwell, Associate in Science; Heather Denise Chandler, Nursing; Lisa Marie Harris, Office Systems Technology; Erik Cannon King, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Shena Lekecia Rouse, Business Technology; Stacie Lorraine Stansell, Veterinary Technology; Velma Roslyn Trice, Electrocardiology; and Franklin Cowan Wright, Jr., Welding.

FROM HONEA PATH: Mindy Ann Ambrose, Computer Technology; Bradley Keith Drake, Computer Technology; Christina Jo Gerik, Nursing; and Tracy Kelly Ware, Business Technology.

FROM IVA: Jamie Farrah Burton, Nursing; Crystal Leigh Kelly, Phlebotomy; Betsy Leanne Simpson, Medical Laboratory Technology; Ifford Bernell Taylor, Associate in Science; and Joel F. Wiles, Welding.

FROM LA FRANCE: Bradley Edward Blanding, Welding.

FROM PELZER: David Paul Clardy, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM PENDLETON: Leona Marie Blanding, Criminal Justice Technology; Johnny Harold Bolden, Jr., Business Technology; Ty Walter Buchanan, Welding; Michael Patrick Campbell, I, Business Technology, Computer Technology; Anna Louise Connelly, Welding; Jeremy Sloan Gillespie, Business Technology; Kimberly Dawn Hayden, Associate in Arts; Nancy Jo Martin, General Engineering Technology and Textile Management Technology; Andrea Shaneed Mason, Computer Technology and Electrocardiology; Richard Lee Miller, Industrial Mechanics; Patricia Elizabeth Nichols, Office Systems Technology; Helen Oliver Patterson, Phlebotomy; Elizabeth Anne Riessen, Associate in Arts; Jeffrey Kyle Sander, General Engineering Technology; Kimberly Smith Vinson, Computer Technology; and David Walters, III, Welding.

FROM PIEDMONT: William James Vernon, III, Electronics Engineering Technology.

FROM STARR: Charles Stanley Adams, Business Technology; James Thomas Cape, Industrial Mechanics; Henry Carmin Dottry, Welding; Linda Ramey Harper, Office Systems Technology; Cara Ann Johnson, Busines Technology; William Herbert Murphy, Jr., Industrial Mechanics; Paul Michael Reynolds, Industrial Mechanics; Doris Lynn Wiles, Computer Technology; Tara LaNae Wilson, Accounting, Computer Technology; and Shanna Kaye Wyatt, Accounting.

FROM TOWNVILLE: Kim L. Dimond, Computer Technology; Melissa Dawn Frankum, Nursing; Barbara Jean Johnson, Office Systems Technology; John Bateman Raines, Engineering Graphics Technology; Joseph Thomas Rose, Welding; and Phillip Stanley Whitten, General Engineering Technology

FROM WILLIAMSTON: Lori Weaver Garrison, Nursing; David Anthony Lewis, Computer Technology; and Krista Shane Sanders, Business Technology.

FROM FAIR PLAY: Melodie Jean Engle, Nursing; Rina Anne Glenn, Veterinary Technology; Michelle Luanne Penney, Business Technology and Computer Technology; Kimberly Sue Flory, GED; and Dorothy Raye Harrison Steele, Nursing.

FROM MOUNTAIN REST: Anna Christine Seyller, Office Systems Technology and Medical Dental Office Assistant.

FROM SALEM: Heather Anne Barker, Nursing; David Keith Donahue, Industrial Electronics Technology; Kenneth Lane Duncan, Associate in Science; Debbie Linn Kinzer, Accounting; Regina Brakefield Oliver, Medical Laboratory Technology; and David Steven Smith, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM SENECA: Christopher Patrick Arrick, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Stacey Diane Boutot, Nursing; Dianne Burns, Associate in Science, Computer Technology; Mitchell Dewey Burton, Machine Tool Technology; Dixie Kathleen Chapman, Industrial Mechanics; Jonathan Chester Crane, Welding; Pearl Marie Cunningham, Computer Technology; Carol Marie Cutright, Industrial Electronics Technology; Faye Donald, Electrocardiology, Phlebotomy; Anna Dial Duncan, Office Systems Technology; Jefferson Lee Durham, Associate in Arts; Sandra Lynn Edgar, Accounting; Carroll Andy Elkins, Industrial Electronics Technology; Thomas Dale Evatt, Jr., Welding; Angela Renae Foster, Nursing; Arthur Shane Garrett, Nursing; Amanda Lynn Hall, Business Technology; Kashti Delease Haynes, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Elizabeth Ann Hill, Associate in Arts; Carol Annette Holt-Salter, Nursing; Lauren Brooke Hudson, Office Systems Technology; Melanie Elaine Jacobs, Veterinary Technology; Matt Kenneth Kimbrell, Machine Tool Technology; Linda Marie Lawson, Computer Technology; Lacy Hamm Lugo, Computer Technology; Jerome David Mahon, Nursing; Brian Patrick Martin, Associate in Arts; Scott Anthony McCreary, Criminal Justice Technology; Regina McElveen, Engineering Graphics Technology; April Elizabeth Mercado, Computer Technology; Betty Kay Miller, Computer Technology; William Andrew Moore, Machine Tool Technology; Denise Elaine Pelfrey, Medical Laboratory Technology; Jeffery Horton Porter, Welding; Heather Lisa Rasmussen, Associate in Arts; Tina Smith Sanders, Nursing; Chad Wesley Smith, Associate in Arts; Deborah Yvonne Smith, Business Technology; Steven Karl Stricklin, Computer Technology; Jerry Brandon Thompson, Machine Tool Technology; and Run Mei Tran, Office Systems Technology.

FROM TAMASSEE: Kristi Elaine Burnsed, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Sherry Bradley Hopkins, Business Technology; and Bradley Randall Jones, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM WALHALLA: Carolyn Fitzgerald Blackwell, Office Systems Technology; Annette Burney, Early Childhood Development; Cathy Fay Brooks Campbell, Early Childhood Development; Amyie Michelle Crane, Industrial Electronics Technology; Kent Edward Dickard, Industrial Electronics Technology; Sonia Johnson Fowler, Criminal Justice Technology; Karen Rose Gambrell, Electrocardiology, Phlebotomy; Donna Alane Green, Nursing; Melissa Kaye Huff, Business Technology; Joy Acree Jetton, Office Systems Technology; Crandall Paul Lanphear, Business Technology; Anitra Dawn Lee, Computer Technology, Office Systems Technology; Kelly Renea Owens, Office Systems Technology; Kerri Jean Rogers, Nursing; Donald Lee Smith, Industrial Electronics Technology; Rhonda Michelle Smith, Nursing; Michael Kevin Stancil, Industrial Electronics Technology; Shellee Marie Wald, Associate in Science; and Brenda Winkler Warren, Office Systems Technology.

FROM WEST UNION: Rodney Eric Addis, Industrial Electronics Technology; James Horace Dodd, Welding; Franklin Earl Dorsey, Industrial Electronics Technology; Randall Lee Eller, Machine Tool Technology; Jeffrey David Merck, Machine Tool Technology; Anita Elaine Richardson, Office Systems Technology; and Susan Patricia Tolbert, Business Technology.

FROM WESTMINSTER: Erik Sinclair Beebe, Industrial Electronics Technology; Henrietta Holmes Blair, Office Systems Technology; Vicky Denise Brewington, Accounting, Associate in Arts, Business Technology; Debbie Jean Brock, Nursing; Roy Granville Burrell, Jr., Textile Management Technology; Robert Eugene Butts, Industrial Electronics Technology; James Reuben Gibson, Machine Tool Technology; Michael Jimmy Heath, Jr., GED, Welding; Tanyal Nicole Holland, Electrocardiology; Julie Michelle Marcengill, Nursing; Stanley Keith Matheson, Machine Tool Technology; Daryl John McIntire, Associate in Science; Melissa C. Moore, Medical Laboratory Technology; Amber Carynn Nichols, Associate in Science; Lissa Maria Pass, Computer Technology; and Deborah Butts York, Office Systems Technology.

FROM CENTRAL: Susan Cantrell Bagwell, Associate in Arts; Sherri Margaret Barry, Associate in Arts; Leah Elizabeth Carter, Office Systems Technology; Robert Martin Connor, Computer Technology; Randall Craig Ferguson, Computer Technology; Clarissa Lynn Fish, Office Systems Technology; Sherri Diane Fowler, Business Technology; June Curtis Glenn, Associate in Arts; Julie Ann Griffin, Medical Laboratory Technology; Sabastian Lamar Jackson, General Engineering Technology; Dorothy Elizabeth Leonard, Associate in Arts; John Bradley Owen, Industrial Electronics Technology; Barbara Lucy Petrilli, Veterinary Technology; Kimberly Adline Ridley, Industrial Mechanics; Toby Clayton Rollins, Electronics Engineering Technology; Robert Dale Rowland, Welding; Melanie Lorrene Sanders, Associate in Science; Michael Wayne Satterfield, Business Technology; Kathryn Angelia Sims, Veterinary Technology; Cherryll Fae Smith, Nursing; and Jason Lee Stewart, Welding.

FROM CLEMSON: Becky Todd Black, Office Systems Technology; David Ryan Campbell, Welding; Ayse Canon Dirican, Computer Technology; Russell Lowell Hughes II, Associate in Arts; Wade Hampton Jordan, III, Computer Technology; Anna Kitt, Accounting; Xia Liao, Accounting and Computer Technology; Ashleigh Brook Mize, Industrial Electronics Technology; Kelly Ann Schifferdecker, Office Systems Technology; Brenda Ellen Taylor, Phlebotomy; Amanda Louise Teel, Nursing; Roger Daniel Winans, Computer Technology; Jie Yang, Computer Technology; and Shuli Yang, Accounting.

FROM EASLEY: Rita Breedlove Anderson, Medical Laboratory Technology; Parcho Sadat Baker, Radio and Television Broadcasting; Thomas Francis Bryan, Jr., Nursing; Gregory Richard Carroll, Computer Technology; Melissa Walker Carver, Accounting; Tracey Hallums Chapman, Criminal Justice Technology; Samuel Cheyenne Cheek, Computer Technology; Christopher Mark Gilstrap, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology; Jason Allan Harbin, Industrial Electronics Technology; Carolyn Jeanette Hicks, Office Systems Technology; Daniel James Jacob, Industrial Electronics Technology; Bryan Doyle Jameson, Welding; Katinka P. Jaszai, Electrocardiology; Linda Ann King, Medical Dental Office Assistant and Office Systems Technology; Kelly Celes Lesley, Business Technology; Earl Frank Mawhinney, Welding; Kelly Renea Owens, Office Systems Technology; Hillary Linn Phelps, Associate in Arts; Zachary Ray Porter, Criminal Justice Technology; Marcus Adam Prexler, Computer Technology; Laura Jane Ramey, General Engineering Technology; Jeffery Lee Richardson, Criminal Justice Technology; Annette Watt Roach, Accounting; Angela Lynn Rowland, Office Systems Technology; Richard Bruce Smith, Jr., Computer Technology; Sherry Denise Smith, Machine Tool Technology; Marian Stanislaus Sowinski, Industrial Electronics Technology; Lori Elizabeth Stone, Nursing; and Jack Bradley Styles, Nursing.

FROM LIBERTY: Josie Davis Amspacher, Accounting; Kela Sheree Cantrell, Associate in Arts; Penny Christine Crump, Computer Technology; John Olin Edmond, Jr., Welding; Brenda Gail Edwards, Office Systems Technology; Carol Massey Hagood, Office Systems Technology; Rebekah Williams Hemphill, Nursing; Donna Elaine Hickey, Criminal Justice Technology; Rondalyn B. Hogue, Nursing; Alawayne Lee, Nursing; William Roland Lewis, Electronics Engineering Technology; Janice Elaine McQueen, Phlebotomy; Chad Lamar Simpson, Business Technology; Lori Elizabeth Stone, Nursing; and Angela Lynn Rowland, Office Systems Technology.

FROM PICKENS: Buffy Jo Barkley, Medical Laboratory Technology; Christopher Burke Ensign, Nursing; Tracey Nicole Galloway, Office Systems Technology; David Alan Gillespie, Accounting; Stephanie Michelle Nix, Criminal Justice Technology; Adam Jim Porter, Welding; Lisa Naomia Smith, Accounting; Glennon Elaine Stephens, Computer Technology; and Penny Arlene Clark Walden, Computer Technology.

FROM NORRIS: Amber Lorraine Dilworth, Business Technology.

FROM SIX MILE: Jamie Adair Adams, Associate in Arts; Cindy Gail Bolick, Office Systems Technology; Andrea Snow Masters, Nursing; and Cindy Lee Weir, Quality Assurance Technology.

FROM SUNSET: Amanda Lee Patterson, Associate in Arts; Lobo Dameon Richards, Welding; and Heather Marie Slaza, Office Systems Technology.

FROM BEAUFORT: Sherida Dawn Smith, Veterinary Technology.

FROM BLUFFTON: Jennifer Joy Whitney, Veterinary Technology.

FROM CAMDEN: Benjamin Carl Spring, Radio and Television Broadcasting.

FROM CLEVELAND: Cornelia Regina Ward, Accounting.

FROM GREENVILLE: Linda Diane Strickland, Office Systems Technology.

FROM GREENWOOD: Chad Edward O'Dell, Computer Technology.

FROM GAFFNEY: Ashley Marie Fowler, Veterinary Technology.

FROM CHESNEE: Tina Darlene Mason, Veterinary Technology.

FROM GREER: Elizabeth Faith Terry, Veterinary Technology.

FROM LADSON: Juanita Marie Warden, Veterinary Technology.

FROM LEXINGTON: Robin Michele Christmus Veterinary Technology.

FROM LUGOFF: Adam Jeffery West, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.

FROM RAVENEL: Lona Elise Burbage, Veterinary Technology.

FROM SALUDA: Richard Scott Ross, Radio and Television Broadcasting.

FROM SIMPSONVILLE: Melissa Ann Meyer, Business Technology.

FROM SUMTER: Elliott Huger Lynam, IV, Associate in Arts.

FROM WATERLOO: Gwendolyn Bloodworth Kilcrease, Textile Management Technology.

FROM WINNSBORO: Ernest Crawford Hughes, Computer Technology.

OUT OF STATE

FROM CARLTON, GA :Kathy Danyale Wilkins, Nursing.

FROM HARTWELL, GA: Lynne Reed Burden, Computer Technology.

FROM MARTIN, GA: Ginger Gayle Williams, Business Technology.

FROM PORTSMOUTH, RI: Bryant James Donovan, Business Technology.
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