More than 330 graduates participated in Greenville Technical College’s Commencement Exercises held Friday, May 10 at the Greenville Convention Center.
Two graduates -- Victoria Blackwell and Zachary S. Romanick --were recognized with the highest honors, the President’s Award. Victoria Blackwell is described as a strong student who motivates others. She has maintained an A average throughout the rigorous Radiologic Technology program, inspiring her peers to push harder. Her grades and work ethic led her to exhibit a project in the Student Scholar Showcase, representing her program with professionalism and character. She is the president of her class and a member of
Just as her grades reflect a desire to go above and beyond, Victoria’s dedication to community service far exceeds expectations. She has worked with Meals on Wheels, Caring Corner, Greenville Humane Society, Adopt-a-Highway, Operation Christmas, and United Way. She has also volunteered her time in the program’s open labs and has served as a tutor and study group leader.
Zachary Romanick is described as one of the best and brightest in a population of the very best. Admitted to the Honors Program in Fall Semester 2017, he has proven to be a motivated and engaged student. He has excelled in his classes including the rigorous math, science, and engineering courses needed to transfer to Clemson University and pursue a mechanical engineering degree.
Zachary has also surpassed the Honors Program requirement of completing at least 40 hours of community service, assisting at Forest Acres Elementary School and within the college. When the Greenville Tech Foundation sought assistance with donor-related events, Zach stepped up and has been involved every semester. He is prompt and professional and is known to be courteous and engaging with guests. Assisting the Foundation has taught him the importance of community relationships and the impact that donors have on student success.
Dr. Brian Swords received the Outstanding Alumni Award. Dr. Swords got his start at Greenville Technical College, earning an associate degree in the 1990s, transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree from Southern Wesleyan University, and later adding both a master’s degree and a doctorate from Clemson University. In addition, he completed post-doctoral work at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Swords has used this strong academic preparation to give back to the technical college system. With experience in teaching, coaching, and student affairs administration, he currently serves as executive director of community campuses for Tri-County Technical College. Dr. Swords is a member of the Pickens County School Board and program/technical director for Community College of Appalachia. He has been recognized many times over for his professionalism and dedication with awards including the Tri-County Technical College Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence.
The Daniel-Mickel Foundation received the Honorary Alumni Award. The Daniel-Mickel Foundation evolved from the philanthropy of its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Daniel. Established in 1948 as The Daniel Foundation, it allowed
In 1993, under the longtime leadership of the Daniels’ nephew, Mr. Buck Mickel, The Daniel Foundation was renamed The Daniel-Mickel Foundation. The foundation’s goal has always been to enhance
The foundation is now chaired by Buck Mickel’s daughter, Minor Shaw, carrying forth her father’s devotion to education and workforce development. The foundation has made a tremendous impact at Greenville Technical College, providing more than $300,000 in gifts over the last 20 years. These gifts have provided support for Economic Development and Corporate Training, for scholarships, for the Information Technology and Quick Jobs programs, and most recently, for a classroom at the Center for Culinary and Hospitality Innovation, coming soon to Poe West on Perry Avenue.
Chuck Baker was recognized as Professor of the Year. A faculty member and academic program director in the English department, Baker has been a member of the Honors Program faculty in literature, served as secretary and vice-president of Faculty Senate, and helped lead the English department in course design and creation with an eye toward student success.
Professor Baker has served as a mentor for students in the college’s Creative Inquiry program, leading them in research and scholarly projects on topics ranging from magical realism in Latin American literature to feminine empowerment in the Harry Potter series. A project featuring curricular design in graphic literature culminated in the creation of a new, state-wide course in graphic literature offered for the first time at a South Carolina two-year college this past fall.
Rebecca McKinney, the academic program director for Sustainable Agriculture at the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas, was honored as Adjunct Professor of the Year. In five years with the college, McKinney has developed a certificate program and the associated curriculum in Sustainable Agriculture, created an annual fundraiser that focuses on networking and collaboration among farmers and chefs, partnered with organizations and individuals in farming from across the state to strengthen the program and create a vision for the future, and continued to develop a farm at the Northwest Campus to provide vegetables and herbs for culinary classes in the summer.
Professor McKinney’s focus in the classroom is on increasing each graduate’s chance of success through rigorous training in entrepreneurship. She prepares students for owning or managing agriculture-related businesses by coaching them through the development of