Spring Graduation Delivers Inspiration and Promise
Messages of inspiration abound during graduation season, and more than 200 Piedmont Technical College (PTC) graduates were not disappointed when they heard the insightful words of their fellow classmates on PTC graduation day, May 3, at the James Medford Family Event Center.
“Graduation should serve as a launching point, projecting us to our successful futures, whether we land ourselves a new career, enhance our current vocation or continue our education,” said evening commencement speaker Kayce Porterfield, an accounting major. “Wherever your path may take you, let it be victorious.”
Dr. Ray Brooks, PTC president, welcomed graduates, family and guests to celebrate the achievements of a diverse and gifted class of young citizens during two emotion-filled ceremonies.
“What a gift it is to live in a country where opportunities abound,” Brooks said. “These individuals here in front of us tonight have dreams, and they have acted on their dreams.”
Porterfield, who received her associate in business administration with an accounting concentration, was one of three student commencement speakers. Tina Magnussen, who received her associate degree in nursing, delivered the commencement address for the afternoon ceremony, and Hunter Gravely, who graduated with a degree in building construction technology, provided remarks for the evening ceremony.
After overcoming numerous challenges and setbacks, including the death of her beloved father, Porterfield persevered despite strong inclinations to quit. “With the love and support of some PTC faculty and my family, I found the strength to push forward,” she said. “To think back on all of the struggles of college alone and the trials and hardships in my own personal life, I have traveled further than I could have ever imagined.”
When a football injury dashed his hopes for college athletics and a related career, Gravely decided to tackle the next best thing ― carpentry. He grew up watching his grandfather operate a family decking business and loved building things. He graduated with an associate degree in building construction technology and already landed a job with a major commercial builder.
“Today, we graduate and go out into this world. Some of us will go back to school and some of us will go straight to work like myself. Whatever you do, make an impact and leave your mark,” he told his fellow graduates. “We worked very hard to be here today. Let’s go out into this world and make an impact. Let everyone know that, here at Piedmont Technical College, the graduates are mature adults who aren’t afraid to work and be the type of worker that every employer wants. Take your education you worked hard for … and go out into the world and make it count!”
At the afternoon ceremony, Magnussen was good-humored while acknowledging that she never saw herself making it to this particular goal.
“To be honest, the last five semesters of my life have been the most challenging thing I have ever done,” she said, “…and I have been through the police academy and the fire academy!”
For Magnussen, recipient of the 2018 President’s Award ― PTC’s most prestigious honor ― the third career choice was the charm.
“I tried firefighting as a volunteer in my community. Then I worked in law enforcement, and on two fateful consecutive nights, I helped deliver two babies,” Magnussen said. “My desire for helping people only intensified, and not long after, I began my journey to Piedmont Technical College. I have to say, I am proud to be a PTC graduate and, today, nothing makes me prouder than to say I am a nurse, just like my mom.”
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: Keaton Flowers, mechatronics technology; Greenwood: Zachary Hemann, associate in arts, and Stephen Vickery, associate in arts; Laurens: Clifton Boyd, building construction technology; McCormick: Nathaniel Mason, dual enrollment/associate in arts; Newberry: Colin Capell, veterinary technology; and Saluda: Brandon Tarlton, mechatronics technology.
“Congratulations and Godspeed!” Brooks said in closing. “Thank you for allowing Piedmont Tech to be part of your lives.”
PTC Area Commission Chairman George Piersol presented this year’s graduates. Certificates, diplomas and associate degrees were conferred by Brooks and Dr. Jack Bagwell, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Brad Griggs, dean of arts and sciences and interim dean of business, information technologies and public service; Rusty Denning, interim dean for engineering and industrial technologies and associate vice president for economic development and continuing education; and Tara Harris, dean of nursing and interim dean of health science.
Music was provided by Emerald City Brass. The Reverend Adrian Wideman, senior pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Saluda, delivered the invocation and benediction.
PLEASE NOTE: PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE’S MAY 2018 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 – Meredith Ryann Beiler, associate in applied science, major in nursing; *Presley Mytedominique Black, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; *Stacy Douglas Gray, associate in applied science, major in machine tool technology; Kionna Jackson, associate in applied science, major in business administration; **Lisa Christina Timms Lanford, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, information technology concentration; Scott Allan MacMeeken, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Darlene H. Maffett, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration; Thomas Robison, associate in applied science, major in general technology, welding concentration; Joseph H. Rogers, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Cammie Lea Vivanco-Hernandez, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; and Sandra D. Williams-Allen, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, legal concentration.
CALHOUN FALLS – Deshawna Monae Patterson, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
DONALDS – Jimmy R. Beasley Jr., associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; ***Jessie Kathryn Estep, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, programming concentration; and Austin Blake Phillips, associate in applied science, major in mechanical engineering technology.
HONEA PATH – Georgia Elizabeth Jones, associate in applied science, major in early care and education.
IVA – **Keaton Flowers, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Kassidy Hope Miller, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; and **Gregory B. Sorrow, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, network concentration.
WARE SHOALS – Brennay Garrett, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration.
AIKEN COUNTY
AIKEN – *Trevor Steven Beard, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; **Mariya Hawks, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; and Keenesha Danielle Sanderson, associate in applied science, major in early care and education.
WAGENER – Sandra Ann Deans, associate in arts.
ANDERSON COUNTY
ANDERSON – *Ariel L. Burton, associate in applied science, major in human services; **Alisa Y. Frazier, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Alissa Bailey Gambrell, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Jon Michael Vassey, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
BELTON – Pamela Brooke Schronce, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Brittany Renee Strickland, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
EASLEY – Ashley Brooke Clark, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; and Patsy Ann Hunter, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
HONEA PATH – *Charli L. Chasteen, associate in applied science, major in business administration; *Carson Taylor Foster, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Angel Rae Gambrell, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Ashli Elaine Rasmussen, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration.
IVA – Kayla Marie Fairchild, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; and Jacquelyn Tate Patton, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
STARR – Rebecca Leann Shaw, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
BERKELEY COUNTY
MONCKS CORNER – Carolyn McNeil, certificate in funeral service.
CHESTER COUNTY
CHESTER – Norma Jean Blauvelt, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant.
DORCHESTER COUNTY
SAINT GEORGE – Nancy Britt-Stevens, certificate in funeral service.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY
CLARKS HILL – Harry Joseph Taylor III, associate in arts.
McCORMICK – Latashett Nicole Culbreath, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant.
TRENTON – Theresa Lee Meador, associate in arts; and Sandra Davis Richardson, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
WINNSBORO – Ashton S. Lee, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration.
FLORENCE COUNTY
FLORENCE – Taylor Joyce Kirby, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant.
GREENVILLE COUNTY
GREENVILLE – Conneshia Verya Drummond, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
GREENWOOD COUNTY
BRADLEY – **Tyler Monroe Burnette, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; Breelyn Noel Kidd, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Johnathan Dakota Leopard, associate in applied science, major in engineering design technology; and Ashley Hope Sellars, associate in applied science, major in human services.
GREENWOOD – Tonju L. Anderson, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Kevin Michael Barker, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; Ebony Simone Belcher, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; **Caleb Boatwright, associate in applied science, major in machine tool technology; Deanna Nichole Boyles, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; William Carmine, associate in applied science, major in general technology, gunsmithing concentration; Jeremy Catoe, associate in applied science, major in mechanical engineering technology; *Kayla Marie Cordero, associate in arts; **Teresa L. Cowan, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; *Teresa L. Cowan, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; Nicholas James Crooks, associate in applied science, major in engineering design technology; Jon M. Crouch, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, network concentration; *Tammy Sevetlana Cunningham, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; *Michelle Dalrymple, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting; **Ashley N. DeVore, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; *Ceirra Parks Dunlap, associate in applied science, major in business administration, office management concentration; Carolynn Dye, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration; Rebekah J. Field, associate in science; *Joseph Lowery Fleming, diploma in applied science, major in welding; ***Peggy Foulkes, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Kenyatte Frazier, associate in science; **Tara Tharpe Godfrey, associate in applied science, major in business administration, office management concentration; *Lloselin Guzman-Palmerin, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; Tyshevia L. Hackett, associate in applied science, major in human services; Yolanda Chantez Hackett, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; ***Zachary Thomas Hemann, associate in arts; Liszet Hernandez, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; **George Calvin Hill III, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology/associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Michael Antony Hudgens II, associate in arts; Alexa Stephanie Huskey, associate in applied science, major in business administration; and Jasmine Mechelle Johnson, associate in applied science, major in business administration, office management concentration.
Also *Tammy Gilbert Jones, associate in applied science, major in business administration, office management concentration; Victoria Lynn Keasler, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; Thomas Dean Kirkland, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Jeremiah Hayden Kohl, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; Courtney Marta Leggieri, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Monica Danielle Laymon, associate in applied science, major in human services; Zhilin Li, associate in applied science, major in engineering design technology; Detriese Light, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Karla Suzette Lopez, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; *Kevin Lawrence Mahler, associate in applied science, major in business administration; *Nicholas Jordan Marshall, associate in arts; *Martha Esther Martinez Simon, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; Jessica B. Mathis, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Edrick Levon Morton, associate in applied science, major in human services; Sherri A. Murray, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; *Amber Michelle Nabors, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Justin Ricky Nettles, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Christine Roberta Nulty, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Evelyn Olvera Tolentino, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Maria Corona Ordonez, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Anna Reed Pinson, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Kayce Brooke Porterfield, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; Sanquilla Oceana Rapp, certificate in early childhood development; Catherine Alene Richardson, associate in applied science, major in human services; Meghan Katherine Richardson, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Deborah Michelle Ritter, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; *Chris F. Robertson, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; *Tahj O’Brian Robinson, associate in arts; Brittany Deonsha Roman, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Tyler Stone Shealy, diploma in applied science, major in welding; Alexandria Danielle Shelton, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Loni Sherrill, associate in applied science, major in nursing; James A. Singletary, associate in arts; Nequila Michelle Smith, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration; Heather Anne Snyder, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; Anthony Speaks, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; Brian P. States, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Julie Catherine Stevens, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; Matthew Richard Timmerman, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; Jennifer Lynn Tumblin, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Lucy M. Turman, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; **Tyler Turman, associate in arts; **Thomas Chad Wall, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology; *Thomas Chad Wall, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Rustin Wyatt William Wallace, diploma in applied science, major in welding; Alina Chantal Williams, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Tracy Williams, associate in applied science, major in business administration, office management concentration; Amber Kaelin Young, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; and **Evan Blaz Zimmerman, associate in applied science, major in machine tool technology.
HODGES – *De’Varius Lashawde Harrison, associate in applied science, mechatronics technology; Genesis Anahi Marelyn Hernandez-Duran, associate in applied science, major in mechanical engineering technology; Hillary Kaye Johnson, associate in arts; Hayley Nicole Mathis, associate in applied science, major in general technology, pharmacy technology concentration; Johnson Blake Miller, associate in applied science, major in general technology, welding concentration/associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology/associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; and Austin Britton Rodgers, associate in applied science, major in building construction technology.
NINETY SIX – **John Michael Avery, associate in arts; John Lindsey Barton, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, network concentration; Brady Russell Calliham, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; Lacey Brooke Griffin, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Isabel Harris, associate in arts; Jordan Hewett, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; **Heather Michelle Jackson, associate in arts; Heather Summer Kerr, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Gaalon Aleese Lukie, associate in arts; Taylor M. Mabrey, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Chelcea Deanae McKinney, associate in applied science, major in nursing; *Dylan Lee Morrison, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Michael Kent Stroud Jr., associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; and ***Stephen A. Vickery, associate in arts.
PLUM BRANCH – Luke Edward Seigler, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology.
SALUDA – Desiree Grace Price, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
LAURENS COUNTY
CHAPPELLS – **Lillie R. Calwise, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
CLINTON – William Frank Quinton Amick, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; Blair L. Dendy, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; *James Joseph Fruehwirth, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Chance Gearhart, associate in arts; Brooklyn K. Lanford, associate in applied science, major in human services; Whitney D. Scott, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Adkinnea Sanquee Thompson, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
CROSS HILL – Tiffany Barnes, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; **Clifton Boyd, associate in applied science, major in building construction technology; Victoria Sade McDowell, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; and Tinslie D. Yoder, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
GRAY COURT – Anna Dyar, associate in applied science, major in engineering design technology; Shannon Holm, associate in arts; Sade Nicole Mack, certificate in office technician; Amanda Nichole Smith, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and *James Robert Wells, associate in applied science, major in machine tool technology.
HONEA PATH – Estefania Vera Gonzalez, associate in applied science, major in early care and education.
JOANNA – Lynn Shealy Gresham, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Hannah King Honeycutt, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant.
LAURENS – Gloria Ann Bailey, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Princess Keona Boyd, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Michael Franks, associate in applied science, major in horticulture; *Nikki Latham, associate in arts; Daniel Hang Ngov, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Chad A. Phillips, associate in applied science, major in business administration; **Maryelizabeth A. Powers, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting; Jordan Keith Riegel, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology/associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Jaquez Deont’E Robinson, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Cody Smiley, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; and Lacy A. Williams-Rouse, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
MOUNTVILLE – Kathy Stewart Lowman, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; and Claire M. Yochem, associate in arts.
WARE SHOALS – Natasha F. Bryant, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
LEXINGTON COUNTY
CHAPIN – *Justin Allen Dodd, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Keundra Calvalisha Gartman, associate in arts; and Brianna Nichole O’Rosky, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
GASTON – Courtney Kay Stutzman, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
GILBERT – Hannah Frazier, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; and Ashlyn Maroney, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
LEESVILLE – *Kara Nina Daniel, associate in arts; Nicole Mae Eidson, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; and Kimberly Ann Platt, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
LEXINGTON – Lauren E. Gazella, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; Yvonne Marie Harris-Mincey, associate in arts; Ryan Jordan Lindler, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture; Kimberly Ann Platt, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; Jennifer Tardy, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; and **Carly Wright, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.
WEST COLUMBIA – Misty Shook, associate in arts.
MCCORMICK COUNTY
CLARKS HILL – *Kaisha Houston, associate in arts.
MCCORMICK – Allisa Bell, associate in arts; Aliea Crane, associate in arts; Brittany Toynetta Gary, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; **Da’Dra Mack, associate in arts; **Nathaniel Mason, associate in arts; *Tyrhea Mason, associate in arts; *Heather Louise McNally, associate in arts; and Robert Moore, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice.
PLUM BRANCH – James Todd Durant, associate in arts; and *Mataeo Durant, associate in arts.
NEWBERRY COUNTY
CHAPPELLS – *Joanna Hope Arnsmeyer, associate in arts.p>
CROSS HILL – *Andrew Dale Smith, associate in applied science, major in building construction technology.
LITTLE MOUNTAIN – *Jessi N. Boland, associate in applied science, major in general technology, welding concentration; and Felicia Antoinette Gallman, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
NEWBERRY – Hunter Joseph Adams, diploma in applied science, major in welding; **Juan Jose Aranda Almaguer, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, network concentration; Yulissa B. Alvarez, associate in arts; Blake Edward Amerson, associate in science; Tatyana Maryann Bishop, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; Adrianna Bowers, associate in science; Carrie Lindsey Eargle, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Sayra Isabel Herrera, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; Hakeem Johnson-Mitchell, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; *Rosa Langford, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management; Denisse Lopez Altamirano, associate in arts; **Janneth Morfin, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; ***William Dean Morse, associate in applied science, major in mechanical engineering technology; Donald Lloyd Parsons, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; *Jesus Antonio Reyes, associate in arts; **Darli Rodriguez, diploma in applied science, major in welding; **Laytoia C. Salaam-Hill, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Toshia Faith Schiffert, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Kylie Wheatley, associate in applied science, major in engineering design technology.
POMARIA – Thomas Kiker, associate in science; Hayley Marie Lathrop, associate in applied science, major in business administration; and Tammi Jacobs Wessinger, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration.
PROSPERITY – ***Colin Capell, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; Kimberly Rose Farr, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Sandra Leigh Garbart, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Meghan L. Hartman, associate in arts; *Stephanie R. Jonkers, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology; Evan Chanler Thornhill, associate in applied science, major in business administration; and Brent David Wilson, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY
ORANGEBURG – Shakia B. Haynes, certificate in funeral service.
VANCE – Octavia Monique Durant, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
RICHLAND COUNTY
ELGIN – *Clara Byrd, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.
IRMO – Laura Hollamon, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; and Kaitlyn Elizabeth Taylor, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
SALUDA COUNTY
BATESBURG – **Adam Dakota Matthews, associate in arts; **Jared Bailey Matthews, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture; and Douglas White, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.
CHAPPELLS – Ilaria Natasha Holloway, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
SALUDA – Cesar Daniel Carrillo De La Paz, associate in arts; Charnticia Damita Holloway, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; *Tina Marie Magnussen, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Louis Fernando Martinez-Galan, associate in applied science, major in mechanical engineering technology; *Kristie Lucille Phillips, associate in applied science, major in business administration; and Holly Shannon Wohlman, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
WARD – ***Brandon Tarlton, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY
BOILING SPRINGS – Jaclyn Howell, associate in applied science, major in veterinary technology.
SPARTANBURG – Justin Elmore, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology.
OUT OF STATE
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Kenennesha Latasha Mitchell, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
COOKESVILLE, Tenn. – John Michael Miller, associate in applied science, major in general technology, gunsmithing concentration.
DALTON, Ga. – Hunter Alexander Kendrick, associate in applied science, major in general technology, gunsmithing concentration.
***Summa Cum Laude-4.0 **Magna Cum Laude-3.75-3.99 *Cum Laude-3.5-3.74