LEADERSHIP
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alhalla native W.T. (Bill) Yarborough served as the first Executive Director, beginning in September 1963 when the College opened its doors until his resignation in 1971. Under his eight-year leadership, the College grew from one building and 272 students to three structures and more than 1,600 students. Tri-County exceeded all other technical colleges in South Carolina in total enrollment growth during the fiscal year 1970 – 71. During Mr. Yarborough’s tenure, the College added two buildings, Anderson Hall in 1968 and Miller Hall in 1970. He laid the groundwork for accreditation by the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, which was granted in 1971. Mr. Yarborough was a pioneer in the technical education system, having helped to establish Greenville Technical Education Center and serving as its Associate Director before coming to Tri-County. He graduated from Walhalla High School where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. He earned his degree in Education in 1957 from Clemson University, where he is remembered as a tremendous athlete who set 37 basketball records. He still holds eight of those today. Mr. Yarborough, who died July 27, 1996, at his home in Leesville after a brief illness, is survived by his widow, Carolyn Few Yarborough, and their four adult children. By Lisa Garrett, Tri-County Technical College
1963
The Trilon, the three-column structure at the front of the campus, became symbolic of the united efforts of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties to provide for Tri-County Technical College. The upward direction of the columns symbolizes the College’s continuously advancing programs and services, and the band around the Trilon represents the unified approach of the College toward providing programs and services to all the counties as though they are one community. A modernistic sign, made of concrete and metal, read on each side, Tri-County TEC. The sign stood 15 feet in height.
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tri-county technical college
1965
Tri-County Technical (Education Center’s) College’s first commencement exercise was on the lawn in front of Pickens Hall Sunday, August 15, 1965, at 7 p.m. Fortyfive graduates received their awards in Electronics Technology, Technical Drafting and Design, Industrial Electronics, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Automotive Mechanics, Machine Shop, and Welding.