J.E. Sirrine Foundation Funds 10 Textile Scholarships,
Development of College's First Web-based Textile Class

CONTACT: JIM WILSON, EXT. 2283

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/5/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- A $70,187 grant from the J. E. Sirrine Foundation will fund 10 Textile Management Technology scholarships at Tri-County Technical College beginning this fall, in addition to the development of the College's first web-based textile class designed for students working 12-hour and/or rotating shifts at area industries.

Specifically, $54,587 is earmarked for the 10 two-year scholarships, and the remaining $15,600 will be used to develop Introduction to Textiles, an Internet course that will accommodate students who work non-traditional shifts and want to attend college but cannot because of distance and time constraints.

"We are happy with the continued support the J. E. Sirrine Textile Foundation bestows on our Textile Management Technology program," said Department Head Jim Wilson. "Textiles remains the largest employer in our area, and the need for qualified management personnel continues. These funds enable us to offer scholarships that pay for the student's entire tuition, plus up to $300 in book costs. These 10 new scholarships will be available to students who are either employed in the textile industry or who want to enter the textile industry on a first-line supervisor level," he said.

Anyone interested in applying for one of these scholarships for fall semester should contact Wilson at Extension 2283 now. The fall semester starts August 20.

Currently, there are more than 60 students enrolled in the Textile Management Technology program at Tri-County. The degree enables the students to further enhance their capability of getting a first-line supervisory job. The majority of the students enrolled already are employed in a production capacity with area textile firms. Since the program's inception in 1973, companies have donated 966 textile scholarships, valued at $1.5 million. "Firms are dedicated to these students (their employees) by furnishing scholarships annually. The support of the area textile firms helped to make Tri-County's program the strongest at any two-year college," said Tri-County President Don Garrison. "We are grateful to these textile companies for their generous support of our department."

The degree allows a better chance for promotions, added Wilson. In many companies a degree is a necessity to advance into management level positions, he said.

"Our goal is to help our textile companies better compete with increased productivity and quality by providing knowledgeable, new leadership through education," said Wilson. "Almost all of our textile students are on scholarships, and many of them tell me that the scholarship is what makes it possible for them to achieve a two-year degree. While our students range in age from 18 to 50, the average age is 26. In the past and even now, we have husbands and wives going through the program together. This degree has made that possible for hundreds of students in the past," he said.

"Another exciting aspect of the program is the wonderful relationship we have with Clemson University. Qualifying students who graduate from the Textile Management Technology program at Tri-County can now get a full scholarship to Clemson's textile program beginning with their first semester," said Wilson.

"Just think of that-a mom and dad, who, without the financial resources, can enroll their child in the Textile Management program here at Tri-County Technical College and reasonably expect their child to be able to go on to Clemson University from here to complete his or her four-year degree," said Wilson. "I have several students working toward that goal right now. The same is true for a wife or husband with a family to support. This is exciting because it takes the financial barrier out of the way for anyone wanting to pursue higher education," he said.

"Textile education is important because tomorrow's leaders are taking shape today in a challenging worldwide competitive environment. We need new ideas and new millennium innovation. A big part of the difference between our local industry and the rest of the world will be made through education. It's our future we're talking about. I never get up in front of a class that I don't think, you know, the next Roger Milliken might be sitting in this class right now," said Wilson.
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