Textile Industry Leaders Say Educated Work Force is the Key

CONTACT: STAN COMPTON, EXT. 1441

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/22/2003
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Each of you has the opportunity to meet the challenges of the textile industry just by advancing your education, Helen Roach, division director of quality management at WestPoint Stevens, said in her keynote address to Tri-County Technical College Textile Management students and industry representatives at the College's textile scholarship awards breakfast held October 21.

"We need a more educated work force and it's people like you, who are confident and not afraid to change, who can change the industry and strengthen it," said Roach, who is responsible for all of the bed products of WestPoint Stevens' Divisional Offices. She has been associated with Stevens for 25 years and credits her Textile Management degree as a factor in her rise up the company ladder. She recalled entering the evening program as a young wife and mother while working a full-time production job.

"Instructors understood my balancing act (work, family and school) and gave me confidence in myself. You, too, can be whatever you want to be," said Roach who graduated with honors in 1982 and is the first female to graduate from Tri-County's Textile Management Technology department. In an effort to give back the support given to her by instructors and supervisors, she teaches evening classes for the department.

"It's an awesome reward, to see a student graduate and get promoted to a leadership position in the business," she said.

Also on hand was Bob Hammersla, president of Southern Weaving Company and vice chair of the Textile Council of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. A stronger believer in education, Hammersla says there are "tremendous opportunities for highly motivated individuals who think for themselves. This Textile Management Technology program does it for us – we really like the distance learning aspect of the curriculum." Learn to think and understand your company's business, he advised the students. "We'll keep supporting Tri-County's textile program."

Gary Lickfield, associate professor of Textiles and Polymer Science at Clemson University, reminded the students about scholarship opportunities at Clemson, specifically the agreement allowing Tri-County textile graduates to be eligible for Clemson textile scholarships beginning with the first semester.

Following the speeches, Dr. Ronnie L. Booth, president of Tri-County, presented scholarship awards to the these students:

Glen Raven, Inc (endowed) -- Jason Ashley, of Honea Path

J.E. Sirrine Textile Foundation Scholarships (endowed) -- Cesar Becerra, Thomas Gambrell, and Jorge Navarro, all of Anderson, Tim Curry, of Hartwell, Georgia, Judy Garrett of Belton, and Mary Holliday of Seneca..

South Carolina Manufactures Alliance Textile Council -- Frankie Dyches and Joy Timms, both of Anderson.

In addition, Radge Harrison, of Central, received the Outstanding Graduate Award. This award is given to the student with highest GPA and who will be graduating this year. Radge is a graduate of Seneca High School and is the son of Robert and Lisa Harrison, of Clemson. He is a full-time student concentrating on his studies.
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