2018 Anniversary Booklet

Beaufort Campus

Turning potential into reality for 150 years.

The Technical College of the Lowcountry proudly shares its mission of education with The Mather School, which opened in 1868 to educate the daughters of freed slaves during Reconstruction. For 100 years, this extraordinary establishment educated and empowered countless individuals. In 1968, the property was given to the state of South Carolina and eventually became TCL, your community college.

These last 50 years have been filled with growth, innovation and advancement for this institution, our students and the Lowcountry. TCL’s talented faculty and staff have welcomed more than 85,000 students from Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper and beyond. These diverse and driven students have filled our halls and our hearts, giving us purpose and passion.

Our vision is that we continue to elevate each student and every community we serve. The following pages highlight our recent achievements and future opportunities organized according to the College’s six visionary pillars: transformation, technology, academics, relevance, reach and influence, and community. Please join me as we reminisce and look ahead.

Together, we’ll ensure a thriving community for another 150 years, no matter what.

Onward and Upward,

Richard Gough, Ed.D. President

Transformation

MAXIMIZING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY STUDENT

The College honors The Mather School by our commitment to providing access to education. Personalized education continues to be paramount. No matter what obstacles or challenges our students face, TCL is committed to elevating all students to their fullest potential.

TCL Today • 2314 Students • 3 Campuses • 300+ Faculty and Staff

The Mather School 1868 The Mather School for daughters of former slaves established.

1881

1901

Rachel Crane Mather deeds the property to the New England Baptist Missionary Association.

Mather’s first elementary class of three members graduates.

“ It was never about me. In the military, I fought for my country. As a TCL student, I taught my daughter to dream big. And now as a nurse, I help others every single day. The Technical College of the Lowcountry empowers alumni like me; we elevate the community.”

– Thomasina Smalls, Nursing Graduate

1932

1954

Mather School high school program is approved by the South Carolina State Department of Education as Mather Industrial School – 12 grades are now being taught.

The Junior College Department is organized to provide increased educational opportunities for high school graduates in the greater Beaufort area and allows male students to enroll.

Technology

TRANSFORMING TEACHING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

As the Technical College of the Lowcountry, technology is central to the programs we offer as well as to the delivery methods we use. Technology enhances student learning and adds valuable skills training. In addition, technology extends access, core to our mission since day one.

TCL Today • 90+ Academic Programs of Study • 100+ Online Courses • 9 Fully Online Career and Transfer Programs

1955

1956

1966

Mather School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Mather Junior College graduates first class.

Mather School is one of three schools designated by the Office of Economic Opportunity for a pilot project designed to assist Lowcountry high school graduates overcome certain academic deficiencies before entering college.

“ The faculty and staff at TCL are amazing. The amount of time they put into working with each student – and even helping with job searches – far surpasses anything I ever expected. Going back to school at TCL was one of the best life choices I could have made.”

– Robert Gecy, Computer Technology Graduate

1967

1968

The Board of Trustees of the Mather School and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies vote to offer the campus and buildings to the South Carolina State Board of Education for use as a State Area Trade School and offer a merger relationship with Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina.

Mather School concludes 100 years of unique educational service to the greater Beaufort area. The campus is given to the state of South Carolina as an area trade school.

Academics

RIGOR, VIGOR AND QUALITY

Above all, the Technical College of the Lowcountry is an academic institution of higher education. TCL delivers a high-quality, fully accredited college education. The College offers a wide variety of curricular programs including university transfer options, career and continuing education, online learning, and dual enrollment for area high school students.

TCL Today • 15:1 Faculty Student Ratio • University Transfer Options with USC, Clemson and more • Dual Enrollment for High School Students

1969

1970

1972

The South Carolina General Assembly transfers the administration of Beaufort Area Trade School from the Department of Education to the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE).

The School becomes known as the Beaufort Regional Training Center.

The Center becomes part of the State Technical College System under the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education and renamed the Beaufort Technical Education Center.

“ TCL gave me the knowledge and skills needed to succeed and do what I love. There is nothing more gratifying than knowing that you have made a difference in people’s lives and helped them achieve their goals in becoming stronger and healthier.”

– Jessica Trani, Physical Therapist Assistant Graduate

1974

1978

State Board designates a four-county service area – Beaufort, Hampton, Jasper and Colleton counties. A branch campus is established in Hampton County.

The Center is accredited by the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools.

Relevance

AGILE, FOCUSED AND RELEVANT

The College continually adapts to meet the changing needs of our diverse service area and mirrors the Lowcountry economy. To meet current and emerging workforce needs, College priorities include The Culinary Arts Institute, the Regional Workforce Training Center and a health sciences program expansion.

TCL Today • 93% Graduate Placement Rate • “Military Friendly” College Designation

• Named the Best Community College in South Carolina

1979

1981

The Center’s name is changed to Beaufort Technical College. Off-Campus military education programs at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island begin.

Special Services, a program offering counseling to high risk, first- generation college students begins as part of the federal government TRIO programs.

“ I chose to go far by staying close to home. The Technical College of the Lowcountry gave me the skills I needed for a great career, right here in the Lowcountry.”

– LaToya Grier, Office Systems Technology Graduate

1982

1983

1984

College receives funding for the Upward Bound Program, also part of the federal government TRIO programs. Area high school students are selected for special counseling and tutoring.

The College’s Hilton Head Island Center is opened and the Beaufort Technical College Foundation is established.

SACS Reaffirmation.

Reach & Influence As the Lowcountry’s workforce engine, the College ensures employers have access to skilled, professional workers. Workforce development is economic development.

Enhanced workforce development initiatives directly benefit the economic vitality of the Lowcountry.

EXPANDING OUR IMPACT TO ALL THE REGION TCL Today • Center for Business and Workforce Solutions • 300+ TCL Alumni Association Members • 85,000+ Students Since 1968

1985

1986

1987

College receives funding for Talent Search, a TRIO program providing career and college counseling in area high schools. College becomes one of only three colleges in the state to offer all three of the TRIO programs.

Legislation is introduced to establish an area commission, a local government board for the College.

Dr. Anne S. McNutt appointed President.

“ TCL is where the rubber hits the road. We need to understand just how important technical colleges are to workforce development and industrial and business recruitment.”

– Tom Davis, S.C. Senator

1988 College changes name to “Technical College of the Lowcountry” to reflect its four-county service area.

1990

1991

Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees are offered.

The Hampton Center is renamed H. Mungin Center in honor of Halbert Mungin, who served as Hampton County’s representative on the TCL Commission from 1987-1990.

Community

BE KNOWN & CONNECTED INTERNALLY & EXTERNALLY

2006

2008

2011

The New River Campus, which sits in both Beaufort and Jasper counties, opens its doors.

Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel appointed President.

TCL opens Colleton Quick Jobs Center.

TCL’s greatest impact is local. In the last five years, TCL has honored more than 1,500 graduates who go to work here, raise their families here and pay taxes here.

The Technical College of the Lowcountry is proud to be your community college.

The Mather School Campus

2012

2014

2018

Renovated Hampton Campus opens.

Dr. Richard J. Gough begins as TCL’s President.

College celebrates 50 Years of Community College and announces the building of the Lowcountry Culinary Arts Institute and Interpretative Center.

TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY POST OFFICE BOX 1288 BEAUFORT SC 29901-1288

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HILTON HEAD, SC

PERMIT #260

2018 anniVersary eVenTs Anniversary Cake Cutting 11 a.m., Jan. 29, All Campuses President’s State of the College Address 5:30 p.m., Feb. 8, Bluffton New River Campus Mather presents An Evening of Jazz with the Earl Fleming Trio featuring Marlena Smalls 7 p.m., Feb. 22, TCL Beaufort Campus Mather History & Education Day Feb. 23, TCL Beaufort Campus Mather presents the Sesquicentennial Semi-Formal Gala with the Lavon Stevens Band 7 p.m., Feb. 23, Beaufort Holiday Inn Mather presents the Sesquicentennial Luncheon Celebration Noon, Feb. 24, Beaufort Holiday Inn College Commencement 6 p.m., May 11, Beaufort Waterfront Park 50th Anniversary Dinner & Gala Sept. 20 Oysters, BBQ and Friends by the Bay October, TCL Beaufort Campus Community Christmas Concert December

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