FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 6
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- In his first community-wide speech since assuming the presidency of Tri-County Technical College in July, Dr. Ronnie L. Booth pledged his commitment to developing and maintaining partnerships, presented an update on developing a roadmap for Tri-County's future and reaffirmed the College's commitment to leaving a legacy of serving students and their community.

He made his remarks at the College's report to the people luncheon held annually for business, industrial, education, government, and community leaders. He also distributed copies of the annual report publication that highlights the major accomplishments of 2002 - 2003.

Dr. Booth's first 90 days have been filled with community and industry visits, special committees, chat sessions with faculty and staff and an economic impact study to help the College leadership to plan strategically and to develop a roadmap for the future.

"The very best way to connect the legacy of the past to future growth and progress is through our partnerships -- it has proven to be true time and time again," said Dr. Booth. "We need to strengthen our old alliances and develop new ones. None of us can exist, let alone thrive, without the help of others. All of us face pressing demands, tighter budgets, increased competition, changing technology and more."

He said he is working to find new ways to use limited resources and thinking beyond the typical ways of working together to develop new strategies for better outcomes.

"We must see our missions and our very existence as symbiotic and figure out how we can work together to accomplish what we must," he said.

Dr. Booth has already begun by asking industries to recommend to him one or two good employees who would enter one of the industrial and engineering technology programs to learn advanced skills and ultimately grow with the company. The College will assist with financial aid forms, including lottery scholarships, and will pick up the difference to cover whatever tuition costs remain.

Two weeks ago after hearing that a local manufacturer had laid off almost 200 employees, Dr. Booth called the president and offered a guarantee of free tuition for one semester to those who were laid off.

"We will work with those individuals to help them to get enrolled in credit programs that will teach them the skills they need to find new employment," he said. And, Tri-County will work with those individuals to help obtain financial assistance so they can continue after the first semester.

Other forms of partnerships include addressing the nursing shortage, strengthening ties with K-12 education and the Educational Alliance that was formed last year with Clemson University and the three Upstate technical colleges to help lure high-tech photonics companies to the area.

"We intend to be a college for the entire community. And we will do so by developing partnerships across our service area for the common good of all those we serve," he said.

"Tri-County is not about me, not about our employees. It is about those we serve directly and ultimately those we serve indirectly -- all of you. If we do our job at the College, then you and the entire community will benefit."
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