Bruce Cannon Honored with Order of the Trilon

FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 4
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Just one week after retiring from a 31-year career as public relations director at Tri-County Technical College, Bruce Cannon was honored by the College's Area Commission with its highest award, the Order of the Trilon.

The Order of the Trilon is an honorary society which recognizes community and state leaders who have contributed to the development of Tri-County Technical College and the State Tech System. The presentation was made at the College's November 4 Annual Report to the People luncheon.

Mr. Cannon retired October 31 after serving as the only public relations director of Tri-County Technical College and holding the distinction of being the senior public relations director in the State Technical College System. He began his new job as executive director of the Oconee County United Way on November 1.

The Seneca native joined the Tri-County Technical Education Center's small staff on April Fool's Day in 1968. He was hired to direct the public relations office

and to establish the Radio and Television Broadcasting department. He set up office in the College's only building, Pickens Hall, and began working as the second public relations director in the State Technical College System.

Since Dr. Don Garrison accepted the presidency in 1971, Cannon has served as his speech writer and editor and publisher of various newsletters for business, industry and students, in addition to the annual report publication. He has written hundreds of speeches, budget presentations, nominations, letters, radio and advertising copy, and articles for newspapers and local and national publications. One speech, titled War Without Guns, was named one of the best speeches in the United States by the American Association of Community Colleges in 1986.

He received Tri-County Technical College's first Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence in 1983, the highest honor bestowed upon non-teaching staff.

"Throughout his tenure, he has been solidly committed to the community college philosophy, and in every way has pursued the mission and purpose of the College," said Dr. Garrison.

"I greatly admired Bruce's work before I arrived here in 1971, and he and I became close colleagues and friends from the onset. Bruce is the dean of all public relations directors in our system, and his work has always been admired by State Tech leadership."

Mr. Cannon began his communications career working for the late J. A. Gallimore as an announcer/news director of WSNW/wbfm from 1962 – 1968. During that time he served as president of the South Carolina United Press International News Writers Association.

He also was a correspondent for United Press International from 1962 – 68 and was a contributor to the Seneca Journal (now the Daily Journal) from 1968 – 71.

In 1966 he was recognized by the president of the S.C. Broadcasters Association for an in-depth story which led to a major clean-up at the Oconee County Home for the Indigents.

His record of public service includes serving as mayor of Seneca from 1976 – 78, as a Seneca city councilman from 1970 – 74, and a member of the Oconee Planning Commission from 1980 – 1989. He is a charter member of the Golden Corner Rotary Club in Seneca, and he is a past president of the Seneca Chamber of Commerce.

He served on the 1973 committee that drafted the original by-laws of the National Council of Community Relations (NCCR) and later represented eight Southeastern states as an NCCR trustee.

He served as chairman of the Pendleton District Historical and Recreational Commission from 1992 – 1999 and as director of the College News Association of the Carolinas in 1982.

Mr. Cannon and his wife, Donna, live in Seneca.
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