Tri-County Alumnus Dale Butts to Graduate with Honors in New
Customized Training and Development Option at Clemson University

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/9/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Breathless after mounting that long flight of steps leading to Oconee Hall and already exhausted after putting in a full day's work, Dale Butts remembers stopping to catch his breath and asking himself -- again -- why he was returning to evening classes to complete his criminal justice degree at Tri-County Technical College.

"I was tempted to go home. When I got home that night, I told my wife between work and classes, I don't know how I can do this," he said.

"But after a couple of weeks, I looked forward to the challenge, and it was much easier and well worth it," he adds.

Several years later, armed with a nearly perfect GPR and an unstoppable attitude, he is one week shy of graduating with honors from Clemson University with a degree in Technology and Human Resource Development. Butts is one of five enrolled in this new option, Customized Training and Development (C.T. & D.), offered by the Department of Technology and Human Resource Development. The degree is designed for working individuals who already have earned a technical degree and want to pursue a four-year degree. "It has definitely made me more marketable," said Butts, who earned his associate degree in Criminal Justice in 1995 and is employed part-time as a real estate paralegal at Derrick, Ritter, and Williams, P.A., in Seneca.

This new and unique major recognizes the skills and abilities of a person with an associate degree and allows him or her to build on those skills to finish the student's professional growth, said Dr. Bryan Simmons, assistant professor in the Department of Technology and Human Resource Development at Clemson University. "The degree allows the students to become trainers and curriculum developers in business and industry. Graduates would start out working for human resource development officers --- but not for very long. They will be promoted quickly. It's quite an opportunity for those holding technical degrees," he said. "We can work wonders with the new articulation agreement."

Earlier this month Butts was honored with the Technology and Human Resource Development (THRD) Faculty Award bestowed within the College of Health, Education, and Human Development at Clemson. As the outstanding senior majoring in THRD, he received a cash award and was honored for his professional commitment, leadership and scholastic abilities. "It was a surprise, and it was very nice to be recognized," said Butts.

Dr. Simmons says Butts' opportunities are vast in this new field.

"Any corporation that hires Dale will be well pleased with his professional experiences and motivation. He is a real gem. It's a pleasant surprise to have an undergraduate who works, is married and has a family, and continuously performs well above average," said Dr. Simmons.

"An advantage is that he is a non-traditional student," said Dr. Simmons. "He brings a level of maturity to what he'll do in the field. His age is one of the things that made him unique. He has a wonderful personality and can get along with anybody any time of day. That's an asset in the human resource development profession."

Since 1986 Butts has been working at the law practice in Seneca, initially as a 'go for' and as the job as progressed, he began to take on more responsibilities. Now he spends most of his day doing research at the courthouse. "Real estate is booming in this area, and it's a big part of our business," said Butts.

He considers his 14-year tenure there "the true essence of on-the-job training," adding that he quickly "began to see the relevance between what I was learning in classes and the work environment."

"At first I was just treading water, but the classes at Tri-County and Clemson helped me to relate to people and gave me insight into what I've seen first hand in the law office. The knowledge I've gained is unbelievable. It's the right fit, and it's worked."

He wasn't always so sure about his career aspirations.

When he graduated from Westminster High in 1981, he entered Tri-County's criminal justice department with no real direction. Fortunately, he says he met the late Jim Longo (former Criminal Justice department head) whom Butts says had a tremendous influence on his life. "He was a real mentor for me. He wanted to see people become officers who were community minded."

The following year, at age 19, Butts received a job offer in retail and says he "instantly and foolishly" accepted it. "Several years later I realized it wasn't what I wanted. I realized I needed to go back and finish my degree at Tri-County."

He was close to completing the degree when he returned in 1994. He needed a couple of English and math requirements to fulfill the degree, but it was a slow process because he was juggling work and school.

"The attorneys in the office have been so encouraging," he said. "They have supported my working and going to school and have allowed me to do this. I've taken a lot of night classes, but they were always willing to rework my schedule when I had to take day classes. They understand the value of an education and are active supporters of the technical education system and Tri-County Tech."

Butts says he recommends Tri-County to high school grads and working adults alike, especially if they are planning to transfer to a four-year university. "It's an easy transition. Both institutions tried to make it as easy as possible for me. You can definitely save money at Tri-County, and you have the benefit of smaller classes and one-on-one instruction. Tech has been great for me. I have no regrets. I've been here as recently as last summer taking two Astronomy courses. Some of the most difficult classes I've taken have been at Tech."

Post-graduation time will be a huge adjustment for him, Butts says, but he looks forward to spending his free time with his wife and their six-month-old baby.
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