Graduates Must be Lifelong Learners to Keep up with Today's

Technological Advances, Opportunities, Dr. Don Garrison Tells Class of 1999

FOR RELEASE ON AUGUST 16 AFTER 8 P.M., PLEASE

PENDLETON - Your associate degree puts you on the right track to your chosen career, but you must become lifelong learners to keep up with today's technological advances and opportunities, President Don C. Garrison told the 169 graduates receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates at the College's summer commencement held August 16 at the Anderson Civic Center.

"You graduates are on the right track, but you can't just sit down with your Tri-County Tech diploma in your hand. You must keep moving to keep up with the advances in your chosen career," said Dr. Garrison, adding that skills have never been more important to a person looking for a job or up for a promotion. "Technology at the workplace has exploded and continues to explode along with job opportunities."

Dr. Garrison referred to a quote by Will Rogers made almost a century ago: 'Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.' "This really is a question about your future about whether you're willing to become chameleons in the workplace," said Dr. Garrison.

He continued: "With the knowledge explosion comes advances on every front bringing train loads of opportunities your way every day. If we keep seated on the tracks, those opportunities will roll right over us. If we move in the direction of the train, we might be surprised at the opportunities awaiting us."

He reminded the graduates that they are entering jobs which are run by technology that didn't even exist a few years ago.

He added that a good illustration of what has happened at the workplace is the skyrocketing cost of creating one job. "Three decades ago it cost just over $33,000 to create one job in our three-county community. Today it costs a manufacturer an average of $208,000 to create one workstation. The manufacturer who creates a new job will look for the best possible candidate to fill the position. It's imperative that you stay current in your skills in every profession.

"Be a chameleon in your career. Change with the technology and the times. Follow the vision that brought you to this graduation. Build on what you have learned at Tri-County and always look to the future," said Dr. Garrison.

Following Dr. Garrison's address to the Class of 1999, he and other college officials presented degrees, diplomas and certificates to the following graduates:

FROM ABBEVILLE: Angela Darlene Creswell, Practical Nursing.

FROM ANDERSON: Teresa Keasler Abercrombie, Office Systems Technology; Saroyan Wesley Ables, Industrial Electronics Technology; Tashica Jolanda Anderson, Practical Nursing; Angelika Michelle Austin, Practical Nursing; Walid Bassam Barakat, Electronics Engineering Technology; Paquita Meguell Blanding, Business Technology; Erin Tinsley Bolt, Dental Assisting; William David Bolt, Jr., Associate in Arts; Jeffrey Scott Brown, Welding; Zina Lynn Burnett, Phlebotomy; Jason Andrew Cain, Industrial Electronics Technology; Rozenia Prescott Canty, Business Technology; Cedric Lamar Cherry, General Technology - Industrial Mechanics Technology; Lonnie Clark, Industrial Electronics Technology; Phillip Lyn Craft, Associate in Science; Crystal Gale DeRosa, Accounting; Donald Carlton Dowdy, Industrial Mechanics; Andrea Marie Dyar, Industrial Electronics Technology; Jon Eric Foster, Accounting; Tammy Michelle Fuller, Electrocardiology; Tysonia Capricia Glover, Phlebotomy; Karin Ruth Gudinas, Industrial Electronics Technology; Jan Elizabeth Haguewood, Surgical Technology; Jeremy Kyah Hicks, Computer Technology; Angelic Michelle Hook, Dental Assisting; Esther Ebelechukwu Ikenegbu, Practical Nursing; Bobby Joe James, Jr., Business Technology; Lashica Tamara Johnson, Practical Nursing; Angella Arnethea Jones, Phlebotomy; Dennis Martin Junkins, Jr., Gas and Arc Welding Certificate and Industrial Mechanics Technology; LaTanya Keishana Kennedy, Practical Nursing; Shiywana Verneakia Lee, Business Technology; Kathryn Stevenson Lloyd, Engineering Graphics Technology; John Stanley Long, Accounting; Angela Dawn Lowe, Practical Nursing; Heather Lea Marshall, Surgical Technology; Patricia Gail Marshall, Office Systems Technology; Jeremy Edward McCall, Associate in Arts; Matt Keith Meinte, Industrial Electronics Technology; Shaneika Lanae Moore, Practical Nursing; Willie Tilliman Moss, Jr., Practical Nursing; Brian Lee New, Industrial Electronics Technology; Stacy Lynn Norris, Engineering Graphics Technology; John Cornelius Odom, Welding; Charlotte Faye Parrott, Surgical Technology; Marshall Danny Patterson, Practical Nursing; Mylinda Marie Peeples, Practical Nursing; Crystal Blunda Pickens, Dental Assisting; Bonnie Annette Porter, Practical Nursing; Carolyn Lucille Raymond, Electrocardiology; Jason Edwin Riggins, Machine Tool Technology; Deborah Willingham Robinson, Practical Nursing; Gloria Annette Rousey, Office Systems Technology; Joey Lee Scott, Computer Technology; Johnny Mack Shedd, II, Business Technology; Ginny Lee Sherrow, Associate in Science; David Michael Stein, General Engineering Technology; Sheryl Annette Sweat, Business Technology; Bradley Steven Taylor, Industrial Mechanics Technology; Barbara Priscilla Thomason, Surgical Technology; Yashica R. Thompson, Dental Assisting; Dixie Cassandra Todd, Early Childhood Development; Joshua Timothy West, Industrial Electronics Technology; Johnny Dale Whitfield, Industrial Electronics Technology; Edna McDavid Willis, Early Childhood Development; and Shuya Xing, Computer Technology.

FROM BELTON: Brenda Alexander Bennett, Business Technology; Julie Anna Fant, Phlebotomy; Jennifer Abbott Horsfield, Surgical Technology; Alice Yvonne Morgan, Office Systems Technology; Cheryl Allyson Nock, Computer Technology; Torri Whitten Smith, Associate in Science; Velma Roslyn Trice, Phlebotomy; and Joyce Elaine Wilson, Practical Nursing.

FROM IVA: Gwendolyn Johnson Gilliard, Microcomputer Applications; and Linda Gail Manley, Quality Assurance Technology.

FROM LA FRANCE: Edward Craig Smith, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM PIEDMONT: Eva Lee Dorminey, Accounting; and David Edward Sams, Welding.

FROM STARR: Chad Alston Carroll, Industrial Mechanics Technology; Mary McCullough, Practical Nursing; Carolyn Gilliard Patterson, Computer Technology; and Chrissy Michelle Sanders, Surgical Technology.

FROM TOWNVILLE: Timothy Ray Beebe, Engineering Graphics Technology; Donna Duggan Carter, Engineering Graphics Technology; and Jon Cortney Wright, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM WILLIAMSTON: William Melton Blackmon, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Technology; Joseph Allen Fowler, Industrial Electronics Technology; and Amy Lynn Sumner, Dental Assisting.

FROM FAIR PLAY: Michelle Leigh Glenn Miller, Accounting.

FROM MOUNTAIN REST: Amy Dianne Davis, Dental Assisting; Jennifer Mary Hamor, Business Technology; and Casey Elaine Scott, Engineering Graphics Technology.

FROM SALEM: Lisa Joanne Claytor, Quality Assurance Technology.

FROM SENECA: Melissa Rose Ashline, Accounting; Angela Hope Atkins, Surgical Technology; Benjamin Ryan Baker, Engineering Graphics Technology; Paige Holden Barnes, Surgical Technology; Virginia Leigh Bowen, Associate in Science; Heather Suzanne Coker, Dental Assisting; Stephanie Allison Connally, Dental Assisting; Rosalynn Elizabeth Craig, Phlebotomy; Jonathan Chester Crane, Welding; Thomas Dale Evatt, Jr., Welding; Renee Bryant Glass, Surgical Technology; Crystal Aldie Head, Dental Assisting; Dwayne Franklin Kendrick, Industrial Electronics Technology; Robbie Goss Lewis, Criminal Justice Technology; Patsy Jo Lynch, Office Systems Technology; Leah Paige Meeler, Early Childhood Development; Tandria Dion Moon, Business Technology; Michael Criston Moore, Quality Assurance Technology; Maria Athanasios Tzaferis, Business Technology; and Jacob Lee Ward, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM TAMASSEE: Joshua Jon McMahan, Business Technology.

FROM WALHALLA: Fernando Contla Arenas, Welding; Karen Rose Gambrell, Surgical Technology; Kathryn Lynn Honea, Associate in Arts; Stephinee Raphieal Jarema, Surgical Technology; Kimberly Dianne Marsengill, Computer Technology; Curtis Robin McAlister, Industrial Electronics Technology; Wesley Phillip Rumsey, General Engineering Technology; Julie Carylann Smith, Dental Assisting; and Jared McClusty Wilson, Business Technology.

FROM WEST UNION: Wayne Douglas Harbin, Associate in Science; Laura Nichole James, Dental Assisting; and Donna Kendra Keaton, Office Systems Technology.

FROM WESTMINSTER: Amanda Emolene Blackwell, Phlebotomy; Candice Natasha Blackwell, Dental Assisting; Sean Travis Joiner, Welding; Joanne Marie Murphy, Surgical Technology; and Allen Dwayne Smith, Machine Tool Technology.

FROM CENTRAL: Jason Lee Bell, Business Technology; Steven Lee Campbell, Welding; Jodie Denise Gilstrap, Office Systems Technology; and Robyn Renee Porter, Practical Nursing.

FROM CLEMSON: Chi Wing Chan, Associate in Science; Christian Kayle Cook, Microcomputer Applications; Glenda Brice Kelsey, Computer Technology; Kathie W. Lathan, Industrial Electronics Technology; Enith Elvira Mullins, Dental Assisting; and Staci Michelle Myers, Associate in Arts.

FROM EASLEY: Robin Smith Massie, Criminal Justice Technology; Joshua Clayton Owens, Welding; Tammy Lynn Roper, Electrocardiology; and Wesley
Tyler Waits, Industrial Electronics Technology.

FROM LIBERTY: Christopher Lee Black, Business Technology; Darlene Lois Clanton, Office Systems Technology; Ryan Dwayne Langston, Industrial Mechanics; Diana Lynn Moody, Office Systems Technology; Anthony Luke Roper, Computer Technology; and Heather Coffey Trotter, Surgical Technology.

FROM PICKENS: Melinda Sherril Holcombe, Office Systems Technology; Michael Elden Jenkins, Associate in Science; James Bradley Lance, Industrial Electronics Technology; Rhonda Lynn Shehan, Practical Nursing; and Ann Breedlove Trimnal, Practical Nursing.

FROM SIX MILE: Krystal Dawn Britton, Associate in Arts; Scott Aiken Davis, General Engineering Technology; and Robert Arthur Porter, Criminal Justice Technology.

FROM SUNSET: Heather Brianne Golden, Dental Assisting; and Michael Anthony Murphy, Computer Technology.

FROM DONALDS: Joy Darlene Burdette, Practical Nursing.

FROM GREENVILLE: Lola Mae Garay, Practical Nursing.

FROM LAURENS: Amanda Owens Garrett and Sheila Grayson-Thornton, both Practical Nursing.

FROM NEWBERRY: Heath Gary Neal, Criminal Justice Technology.

FROM HARTWELL, GEORGIA: Daniel T. Peeples, General Technology - Industrial Mechanics Technology.
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