Richard and Tina Burton

Richard Burton

Mechatronics Instructor, Engineering and Industrial Technology Division

Industrial Electronics Technology degree, TCTC, 1993

Tina Burton

Fiscal Technician, Business Office

Administrative Office Technology degree, TCTC, 1994 (outstanding graduate award)

Richard and Tina Burton are proud to support various programs and scholarships at their alma mater. The couple are both employed at TCTC - Tina Burton is a fiscal technician for the College’s business department, and Richard Burton is an instructor for the Mechatronics program. 

Both are first-generation college students who were the recipients of financial assistance. When Richard Burton enrolled at TCTC in 1991, tuition was around $200 per quarter and was manageable but increased when the College converted to the semester system. That year his mother passed away and he took on a part-time job to help his father. He qualified for Job Training Partnership Act funds which covered the cost of tuition and books and allowed for a small travel stiped.  “It helped me and my dad tremendously. Without JTPA, I would have struggled to finish my degree. It reduced the financial burden for my father, and I knew I could finish the degree in two years and go straight into the workforce,” he said.

“College was a big deal to both of us,” said Tina Burton, whose education was funded by her grandmother. Their daughter, Jena, also attended TCTC and was the recipient of a Pell grant and two scholarships enabling her to graduate debt-free like her parents. “When the appeal came out about establishing the First Generation scholarship in honor of TCTC President DeHay, it became very personal for us,” she said. “We asked each other, how can we not give back to TCTC? Look what it did for our daughter and our family. TCTC has a special place in our hearts and our TCTC education changed our lives.” 

In August of 2025, Tina Burton will celebrate 18 years of service with TCTC. All of her roles at the College have allowed her to serve students, faculty and staff from different perspectives.

As an alumna, Tina Burton sees working at TCTC as not only a job but an investment in lives like TCTC invested in her life as a student and as an employee through the years.

Both Richard and Tina Burton are Anderson natives. Tina Burton said, “Like so many within the tri-county area and beyond, TCTC has been a very important part of our lives. TCTC has provided opportunity and economic mobility. We are very thankful!”

Looking back, Richard Burton said when he graduated from TCTC in 1993, he felt a true sense of accomplishment. “I was proud of myself.  I learned viable, valuable skills that I have been able to use every day.”

Tina Burton adds, “I share a word of advice from time to time with students. That is, ‘When you feel like giving up. Don’t.’ Perseverance is key.”