Unsung Hero Awards

2019 Unsung Hero Awards Winners

Unsung Hero Student Award: Shalimar Jackson

Shalimar is a successful graduate who has always worked to help others. She has mentored underprivileged high school students through Upward Bound, recruited minorities for the Nursing program, and referred students to services including Transitions, TRiO, the Caring Corner and more so that they can get the help they need. These services helped Shalimar when she returned to college as a nursing major with two small children and helped her realize her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. Through her efforts to help others and as a member of the executive board for the Student Nursing Association, Shalimar is a leader who has lifted those around her.

Unsung Hero Student Award: Melissa Wolschke

Melissa completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program earlier this year and is currently pursuing an associate degree. The skills she learned and the confidence she gained were recently instrumental in helping a student who had a seizure and collapsed. Melissa helped to stabilize the student and provided detailed medical information to the EMS crew while en route. Her actions allowed the crew to act quickly upon arrival to address the immediate needs of the student.

Unsung Hero Employee Award: Bill Harrison

Bill Harrison does a superb job with his duties at the Brashier Campus, paying exceptional detail to the cleanliness of the building, graciously meeting every request, and going above and beyond his job duties to carry boxes, hang decorations, and more. At the same time, Bill uplifts the students, faculty and staff around him, making a point each semester to learn the name of each first-year nursing student, encouraging them before tests, and asking how they’re doing. He is described as a constant source of joy at GTC.  

Unsung Hero Employee Award: Michael Holub

Mike works hard within his own program, teaching Diesel Equipment Technology classes, but he has also gone above and beyond to assist the Truck Driver Training program in keeping equipment operational. He has repaired transmissions, rebuilt an engine, repaired the air conditioning systems in several trucks, and made repairs on site. Without this assistance, the college would need to pay for repairs or replace equipment. With Mike’s help, students are able to gain the skills they need to succeed in trucking.

Unsung Hero Corporate Award: Bank of America

Bank of America and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation have been strong supporters of Greenville Technical College and the Greenville Tech Foundation for more than 20 years. Their strategic investments have helped to remove barriers to economic success for students and their families, with donations totaling over $160,000 for workforce development, economic mobility, Quick Jobs, advanced manufacturing, apprenticeships, and student scholarships. Bank of America was one of the first to contribute to student emergency needs with a $25,000 gift in 2017 and will name the reception area at the new Center for Culinary and Hospitality Innovation, slated to open in spring 2020.