Student Awards Celebrate Excellence Through Service

Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Students

The annual student awards ceremony was held April 5 to celebrate excellence and to honor outstanding students in our academic programs.

Among those honored was Keith Toomer, TCTC’s Outstanding Mechatronics student. Thirty-three years ago, Toomer enrolled at The Citadel, but had academic challenges and dropped out. In 2011 he moved to the Upstate and worked in the plumbing and manufacturing business. He also became involved in a ministry called New Mercies, where he was hired as the housing director for men struggling with lifelong problems. A scholarship opportunity at TCTC led him back to college where he graduated in May with a 4.0. Instructor Kimberly Conner informed him of a job opening at Wal-Mart Distribution Center and after an interview, Toomer was hired on the spot. He began the job as a maintenance technician while completing his studies.

Outstanding EDDA Student Receives Mary Clary Award

Expanded Duty Dental Assisting (EDDA) student Katlyn Holden, pictured right with Program Director Mandy Hanks, is the recipient of the 2023 Mary Clary Award for Assistant of the Year. Holden was presented with a plaque and a $1,500 scholarship at the S.C. Dental Assistants Association (SCDAA) Student Symposium on April 29.

The Mary Clary Memorial Award is given by the SCDA Foundation board to one Dental Assisting student and one Dental Hygiene student in the state each year.

Holden also received the College’s Outstanding Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Student Award in April.

Student Recognized as Member of Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team

Devin Bramlett, left, was recognized as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State Academic Team on April 18. He joined students from the state’s 16 technical colleges at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

He was recognized at TCTC’s Student Awards ceremony for his participation in Alpha Zeta Beta, the TCTC chapter of PTK.

Linda Jameison, vice president of student support and engagement, presented the award.

Associate Degree Nursing Grads Report Perfect Pass Rate on NCLEX

Congratulations to the December graduates of our Associate Degree Nursing program who report a perfect pass rate on the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX).

Thirty-eight first-time candidates who took the NCLEX report a 100% pass rate for the first quarter of 2023 (January 1 – March 31, 2023). Graduates’ scores surpass state and national averages.

The NCLEX exams for ADN programs are computerized exams that test a graduate’s basic nursing knowledge and decision-making ability on commonly encountered health-care situations. Graduates must pass the exam to work as RNs in the state.

New Lock-Out Tag-Out Training Provides Hands-On Experience for Students in EIT Division

Kenny Fletcher, workforce solutions coordinator for the Engineering and Industrial Technology (EIT) Division, recently conducted lock-out tag-out (LOTO) training using the division’s LOTO trainers. This training is essential for anyone who works on or near energized parts and is required by OSHA and NFPA70E. Fletcher was able to teach the training in five course sections this semester, providing a certificate to each student who successfully completed the training. Our LOTO training systems are designed to help employers comply with this training requirement and provide hands-on experience in properly applying various lockout techniques, including electrical disconnect switches, circuit breakers, and control switches. Proper LOTO protocols are an essential tool for any employer with maintenance personnel that deals with electrical safety.