Don’t wait to prepare for disaster
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014
75 CENTS
Officials urge you to have a plan now
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com (803) 774-1211
2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 276
EDUCATION
Think ahead. That’s the recommendation Sumter County Emergency Management Director Erik Hayes has for res-
idents on how to prepare for any impending disaster. “Everybody needs to think about what they can do for themselves to prepare,” he said. With September being National Preparedness
SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTO
Volunteers help distribute food after Hurricane Hugo hit the tri-county area in September 1989. The Sumter Item will mark the 25th anniversary of the deadly storm with special coverage, photos and memories in the Sept. 21 edition. Month and the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Hugo only days away, Hayes said people should be mindful of what they can do to handle an emer-
gency situation. Hayes said it is important for people to realize that basic services such as
SEE BE PREPARED, PAGE A8
Interest in mechatronics field grows
Creative outlet helps talent grow Students think outside the box with sculpture projects A3 ENTERTAINMENT
‘Stand Up to Cancer’ event unites networks A9 SPORTS
Gamecocks’ defense looks to tighten up against Stratford B1 DEATHS, B4 and B5 Mattie J. Walters Alphonza Dowe Sr. Lisbon H. Ramsey Willie Clark Warren E. Hatcher Addie T. Robinson Mario L. Bumpers
PHOTOS BY MATT WALSH / THE SUMTER ITEM
Louise W. Benjamin Henry Lawson Carlton H. Segars Sr. Ruth Bell Marie J. Burroughs Randolph Jackson Willie A. Hinson Jr.
WEATHER, A12
Corey Brown, a second-year mechatronics student at Central Carolina Technical College, said he originally wanted to study welding but changed his mind to put into action his interest in electronics. The college’s mechatronics program continues to expand, with study opportunities for students in local high schools as part of a partnership with Sumter School District.
Program gives students chance for immediate jobs after graduation BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com (803) 774-1214
STORMS POSSIBLE AGAIN An afternoon storm in spots; humid tonight HIGH 89, LOW 70
INSIDE
CONTACT US
Classifieds B6 Comics A10 Lotteries A12 Opinion A11 Television A9
Info: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News and Sports: 774-1226
VISIT US ONLINE AT the
.com
The mechatronics program at Central Carolina Technical College is constantly evolving — changing and improving to meet the demands of the industry that, even in trying economic times, continues to progress and expand. After the 2012-13 school year, the college had a 92 percent job-placement rate for graduates who received degrees and certification and recently provided information that showed a 100 percent job-placement rate in multiple programs including welding and mechatronics. CCTC continues to inform interested students about the benefits, job opportunities and long-term careers in mechatronics and has
Central Carolina Technical College mechatronics student Wayne Dicks studies diagrams Thursday afternoon. Dicks is one of many people training and becoming certified in the mechatronics field as the industry continues to grow and change. watched the program grow during the past few years. “What’s happening is that parents are also starting to get involved and take a look at the industry,” said Bert Hancock, CCTC’s mechatronics academic program manager. “They see it’s not a bad,
dirty job, but these jobs have good pay and benefits.” Decades ago, jobs in plants and factories were considered hard labor, but technology has had a tremendous impact on the industry,
SEE MECHATRONICS, PAGE A8
Morris professor wins Heroes of Chemistry Award BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 During the recent American Chemical Society’s 248th meeting and exposition, Morris College professor Dr. David Magnin was one of a small group of scientists who received the prestigious Heroes of Chemistry Award. This year’s meeting took place in San Francisco, where the organization recognized scientists who helped develop products that improve health and developed materials for plastics and electronics. Every year, the American Chemical Society accepts nominations from
companies for Heroes of Chemistry to recognize talents. Previous scientists inducted in the organization’s hall of fame have excelled in innovation at prominent international corporations and have developed numerous commercial products that demonstrate strong financial performance — one of a number of important criterion to receive the award. MAGNIN Magnin and six other scientists received the award for their work while with Bristol-Myers Squibb. The scientists’ innovations have led to the discovery of Lomitapide (Juxtapid), an inhibitor of mi-
crosomal triglyceride transfer protein. The scientists’ discovery is a treatment for familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited genetic disorder that could lead to premature cardiovascular disease. Magnin worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb for almost 20 years, and the drug was later licensed by Aegerion Pharmaceuticals and is on the market. “I recognized at the time that I was working on a very special project. I also knew that these kind of opportunities come across your path once or maybe twice in a lifetime,” Magnin said. “It was a rare privilege to be in the right place at the right time and surrounded by great individuals.”
Some of the methods used in their discovery are also reasons ACS recognized their work at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Magnin said. During the project, the team used “hit to lead-to New Chemical Entity” strategy, and it was the first project to determine the biological target using genetic markers and was also the first project to use robotics and technology to make compounds — methods that are now the norm in the industry, Magnin said. Magnin has been an associate professor of chemistry at Morris College since 2005 and was previously a pastor at The Lighthouse Elim Fellowship in
SEE MAGNIN, PAGE A7