December Graduation Returns to Piedmont Technical College

The Multipurpose building at Piedmont Technical College was the setting for the culmination of many dreams for the more than 200 Piedmont Technical College graduates who took center stage Thursday.

Dr. Ray Brooks, president, welcomed graduates, family and guests to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates.

“You have received the best gift you can get for Christmas and that is the gift of education and the gift of opportunity,” Brooks said. “We are here tonight to celebrate learning and achievement.”

Brooks was followed by the commencement speakers. The address was delivered by three graduating students – Joe Brown, a computer technology graduate from Whitmire; Brandy Hudson, an engineering graphics technology major from Greenwood; and Tammy Walker, an Associate in Science graduate from Epworth.

Brown shared the experience of his commute to Piedmont Tech and challenged his fellow graduates to serve their communities just like the bridges he crossed during his travels.

“Today, I am truly grateful to be among those that traveled through the educational bridge that is Piedmont Technical College,” he said. “To my colleagues, the opportunity is ours to bridge the gap for many people as we journey on through life. Today, let us all accept the challenge to be the bridge we need to be.”

Hudson shared the story of finding her ideal career path and congratulated the other graduates on finding their paths.

“We have all traveled a different path but we have all made it,” Hudson said. “I challenge everyone to give back to the community and the school some of the support that we all received during our time here.”

Walker talked about the steps all of the graduates shared through their general education classes and how those seemingly simple steps formed the path to success in their program areas.

“There were English, literature and public speaking courses that taught us to communicate in the workplace and shine in that important interview. In art appreciation, world religion and ethics, we learned to respect other cultures and to look deeper and think deeper,” she said. “It was those general education classes that molded us into the people that we are today, standing here in graduation gowns and tassels.”

Several graduates were recognized for highest academic achievement within their counties of residence.

The winners by their counties of residence and their majors were:  Abbeville: Robert Wooley, Mechatronics; Punit Patel, Associate in Arts; and Christopher Kidd, computer technology; Edgefield: Nathan Legrand, welding; Greenwood:  Rachel Bowick, administrative office technology; Laurens:  Deborah Patrick, computer technology; and Benjamin Langston, mechatronics; Newberry:  Henry Brandt, industrial electronics technology and mechatronics; and Saluda:  Brandon Padget, diversified agriculture.

Presenting this year’s graduates was Andy Omundson, dean of student services. Certificates, diplomas and associate degrees were conferred by Brooks and Susan Timmons, vice president for educational affairs, with assistance from board chairman William Whitfield; Evelyn Beck, interim dean of Arts and Sciences; Jerry Alewine, dean of health science; Tara Harris, dean of nursing; Sissy Copeland, dean of business, information technologies and public service; and Keith Lasure, dean of engineering and industrial technologies.

The macebearer was David Martin, faculty senate president. The mace was designed by members of the faculty and staff and presented to the college in 1991 by PTC’s Alumni Association. Music was provided by Emerald City Brass. Dr. Richard Barbare, English instructor at PTC and assisting priest for Holy Trinity Anglican Church, delivered the invocation and benediction.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE’S DECEMBER 2012 GRADUATES AND THEIR AREAS OF STUDY ARE LISTED BELOW.

Piedmont Tech shares in the well-deserved pride our graduates feel in their accomplishments.  To meet the printing deadlines required for production of the program and to maximize use of graduates’ names in area media, information is compiled a minimum of two weeks in advance of commencement exercises.  For that reason, names of students who fail to meet graduation requirements may be included.  Conversely, names of students who met those requirements after the print deadline may be omitted.  We regret any embarrassment or inconvenience these schedules may cause.

ABBEVILLE COUNTY

ABBEVILLE – Dennis L. Batson, diploma in applied science, major in welding; Brandon E. Beaty, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; Zachary A. Cavall, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Sarina Sharoozi Fry, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Linsey G. Hawthorne, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; Amber Nicole Henderson, associate in applied science, major in general business, accounting concentration; ***Christopher Lance Kidd, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, Internet concentration; Dustin Allen Laughlin, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology; Sandra M. Moore, certificate in PC technician; ***Punit Patel, associate in arts; Katie Danielle Pressley, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; William C. Sherard, associate in arts; Ilissa Victoria Stovall, associate in applied science, major in human services; and *Charles F. Willis, Jr., associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology.

BRADLEY – Lameisha S. Carter, certificate in office technician.

CALHOUN FALLS – Michael J. Connelly, Jr., associate in arts.  

DONALDS – **Marc Pretot, diploma in applied science, major in welding.  

DUE WEST – JeColby Tobias Davis, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, programming concentration; *Joshua Grant Fields, associate in applied science, major in general business, general business concentration; and *Justin Mario Thompson, associate in applied science, major in general technology, commercial art concentration.   

HONEA PATH – Robert E. Murdock, Jr., associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology.

IVA – Brittney Leigh Crawford, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and ***Robert G. Wooley, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology.

WARE SHOALS – Katie Rebekah Carroll Vaughn, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

AIKEN COUNTY

AIKEN – Jennifer Ashley Harmon, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and Jennifer Laurentina Wright, associate in arts.

BEECH ISLAND – Maxie Francine Rembert, associate in applied science, major in nursing.

ANDERSON COUNTY

ANDERSON – *Rebecca Hill Byington, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

HONEA PATH – Deana Fleming, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration.

IVA – Karon Latricha Toney, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

BARNWELL COUNTY

WILLISTON – Adrianne Danyale Smith, associate in arts.

CALHOUN COUNTY

NORTH – Fielding L. Bolton, III, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

CHARLESTON COUNTY

NORTH CHARLESTON – Cynthia A. Mitchell, certificate in funeral service education.

EDGEFIELD COUNTY

EDGEFIELD – *Tabatha Tamika Grasty, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Pam Holmes, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; **Nathan Legrand, diploma in applied science, major in welding; Vickie Michelle Mims, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Alison Paige Ouzts-Owen, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Aaron Rhynes, associate in applied science, major in general technology, welding concentration.

JOHNSTON – Jackson Bush, III, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and Tammie Denise Bush, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

NORTH AUGUSTA – *Henry June Caines, diploma in applied science, major in welding.

TRENTON – Jeannette Williams, associate in arts.

GREENVILLE COUNTY

GREENVILLE – **Sabrina Danielle Hicks, associate in applied science, major in funeral service; and Laura Marie Duran Martinez, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, legal concentration.

GREER – Casey Lynn Watling, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

SIMPSONVILLE – R. Mitchell Holcombe, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

GREENWOOD COUNTY

GREENWOOD – *Lauren Elizabeth Ashley, associate in applied science, major in human services; Latasha Yolanda Barber, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Veronique L. Baylor, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; *Detracuase Belcher, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, Internet/programming concentration; Jordan Lynn Bell, certificate in advertising design; Karen R. Bentley, associate in applied science, major in general business, office management concentration; Mark A. Boswell, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; **Rachel Bowick, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Emilie Brade, associate in arts; LaQuita Brown, associate in applied science, major in general technology, pharmacy technology concentration; Austin M. Byrd, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Faith Rene Cannon, associate in arts; Lacodian Demorris Carter, associate in applied science, major in general business, accounting concentration; Bryan Dean Patrick Crocker, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Cherise Janell Daniels, associate in applied science, major in human services; Quneshia Duncan, certificate in office technician; Kayla Alexis Fuller, associate in applied science, major in early care and education, informant/toddler care concentration; Annette J. Gantt, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Shanna Gray, associate in applied science, major in general business, general business concentration; Benjamin Paul Herig, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, programming concentration; *Alicia L. Holm, associate in applied science, major in funeral service; **Brandy Kirker Hudson, associate in applied science, major in engineering graphics technology; Charlene Kennemore, certificate in office technician; *William Gilmer Ketron, III, associate in applied science, major in general business, general business concentration; Cintia Lanee Lewis, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Jamie D. Lindley, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Leslie Latricia Lockhart, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Amber Victoria Lyons, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Shenita Marshall, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Theresa Kelly McDonald, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Kathryn Ruth Brown McDowell, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Allan Giles McLane, associate in applied science, major in machine tool technology; Belinda Faye Melson, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, Internet concentration; LaShae Nicole Morgan, associate in applied science, major in human services; Regan Mountz, associate in applied science, major in general business, general business concentration; Deborah L. Newman, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Cheryl Lynn Nicholson, associate in applied science, major in general business, office management concentration; Stevi Nicole Norwood, associate in science; Seneca F. Palmore, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Brittany Parkman, certificate in photography;  Edward Larkin Pendergrass, associate in applied science, major in horticulture; Vernon B. Reed, certificate in automotive fundamentals; Anna Marie Rhodes, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Deltrice L. Riley, associate in applied science, major in general business, office management concentration; Holly Jeanette Rinehart, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Latoya Shonta Scott, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Jesse L. Sibert, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, network concentration; Brittney Jean Smith, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Everett Kendell Smith, Sr., certificate in microcomputer software specialist; Kathrine Marie Smith, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Brady Scott Strawhorn, associate in applied science, major in automotive technology; Andrea Denise Strong, certificate in advertising design/certificate in photography; La-Doris Clark Turner, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; **John K. Wanto, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; *Davita Lashawn Watkins, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, programming concentration; Chicora Marie Williams, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; *Jermiah M. Williams, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration; Alberta Wright, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; and Everly Wright, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration.

HODGES – Kimberly B. Ouzts, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Eldred S. Tinsley, V, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice.

NINETY SIX – Trey Andrew Childs, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, programming concentration; Mary Allison Collins, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Sophie Grace Everitt, associate in arts; *Deneshia Keyona Freeman, associate in science; *Jennifer L. Hall, associate in science; *Michele A. Lewis, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Alicia Narciso, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; *Tammy Capps Walker, associate in science; and Kera M. Yarborough, associate in applied science, major in nursing.

WARE SHOALS – Lindsey Nicole Scoggins, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and *Leone’ Henwood Williams, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration.

JASPER COUNTY

RIDGELAND – Darlene Marie Bostick, certificate in funeral service education.

KERSHAW COUNTY

BETHUNE – Melanie Marie Anthony, certificate in funeral service education.

LAURENS COUNTY

CLINTON – Britney Nicole Fuller associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Buck R. Lowman, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology; and Nakia Temeshia Wesley, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

CROSS HILL – Lillian Ree James, associate in applied science, major in human services; Sharka Nicole Lindsay, associate in applied science, major in general technology, medical assisting concentration; and Brandy Lee Wilson, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration/medical coding/billing concentration.

FOUNTAIN INN – My-Dayshia Siete Golden, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration.

JOANNA – Brandon Lawrence Prewitt, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology; and Tammy M. Snead, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, legal concentration.

LAURENS – *Patricia W. Boyd, certificate in office technician; **Bradley Neal Cooper, associate in applied science, major in horticulture; Chad Flowers, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; Amy Hashey, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; ***Benjamin J. Langston, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Laura Dawn Nelson, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Leigh-Anne Marie Nixon, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and Brian Prevost, diploma in applied science, major in welding.

WATERLOO – *Alex L. Hightower, diploma in applied science, major in welding; Valerie Knight, associate in applied science, major in nursing; *Kimberley D. Lovejoy, associate in applied science, major in human services; and ***Deborah A. Patrick, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, information technology concentration.   

LEXINGTON COUNTY

BATESBURG – Leah Elizabeth Hite, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

LEXINGTON – *Robert J. Nelson, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

McCORMICK COUNTY

McCORMICK – Sylvia Scleato Smith, associate in arts; Jermaine Tolbert, diploma in applied science, major in welding; and Latoya Williams, associate in applied science, major in human services.

TROY – *Nicholas James Bowick, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology/mechatronics technology; and Laditra Nacole Harrison, associate in science.

NEWBERRY COUNTY

NEWBERRY – Duane Milton Abnathey, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; *Linda Tereasa Cannon, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; Kimberly Amick Chapman, associate in applied science, major in nursing; **Paula Annette Quattlebaum Dudley, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; Hope Danyel Gary, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Leslie S. Minick, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Mercie Lee Minyard, associate in applied science, major in human services; Benjamin Hunter Pratt, associate in applied science, major in funeral service; LG Samuel, Jr., associate in applied science, major in computer technology, information technology concentration; Jason C. Sexton, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilating and air conditioning technology; Stevie P. Sligh, III, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; April Cherie Smith, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and *Brenda R. Trapp, associate in applied science, major in early care and education.

POMARIA – Anna M. Dubousky, associate in applied science, major in general business, general business concentration.

PROSPERITY – ***Henry A. Brandt, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology/mechatronics technology; Joni Seibert Chapman, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Andrea S. Griffith, associate in applied science, major in nursing.

SILVERSTREET – Janet F. Davenport, associate in applied science, major in nursing.

WHITMIRE – Samantha Bridges, associate in applied science, major in general business, accounting concentration; **Joe Brown, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, network concentration; Amanda J. Stone, certificate in patient care technician; and Alisha Carlene Taylor, certificate in photography.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY

ORANGEBURG – Harold L. Carson, Jr., associate in applied science, major in funeral service; and Carl Dickson, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

RICHLAND COUNTY

COLUMBIA – Kelley G. Butler, associate in applied science, major in funeral service; and *Adrin Winton Keitt, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

IRMO – Angela Sara Dyches, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

SALUDA COUNTY

JOHNSTON – Latoya Machelle Bibbs, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

SALUDA – Ann Marie Brown, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Annie Gibson Coleman, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; Alanah Ruthanne Fox, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and *Brandon W. Padget, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY

LANDRUM – Bridgette Santana McDowell, associate in arts.

SUMTER COUNTY

SUMTER – Gregory M. Edwards, associate in applied science, major in funeral service.

UNION COUNTY

CARLISLE – **Tammy Michelle Kean, associate in applied science, major in human services.

OUT OF STATE

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Olympia Kendrick, associate in applied science, major in funeral service; Victoria M. Paige, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Shirley L. Powell, associate in applied science, major in nursing.

HARLEM, Ga. – Charlene Watson, associate in applied science, major in nursing.

PINEVILLE, Ky. – Amanda E. Cleveland, associate in arts.

MAX MEADOWS, Va. – Jennifer L. Hughes, associate in applied science, major in general business, general business concentration.

 

 

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