Three Longtime Arts and Sciences Faculty Retire
Press Release
Date: July 25, 2025
Contact: lgarrett@tctc.edu
Three Longtime Arts and Sciences Faculty Retire
PENDLETON --- Three Arts and Sciences faculty members will depart Tri-County Technical College at the end of the summer term after long and distinguished careers.
We bid farewell to Dana Griffith, Tom Hiebel and Greg Toney, who have served as instructors, mentors, and friends to students and colleagues during their tenure at TCTC.
“As we say farewell to Dana, Greg, and Tom, we celebrate not only their years of service, but the lasting impact they've made on our students, our colleagues, and our college community,” said Jennifer Hulehan, dean of the Arts and Sciences Division. “Each brought something unique to the classroom—whether it was Dana’s warmth and humor, Greg’s calm leadership and commitment to excellence, or Tom’s deep knowledge and steady presence. Their dedication to teaching, mentoring, and building strong relationships has shaped generations of learners and left a legacy we’re proud to carry forward. We wish them all the best in this next chapter.”
Dana Griffith
Faculty member (speech) in the English Department since 2008
1983 Radio and Television Broadcasting (now Media Arts Production) graduate and TCTC’s first Alumni Association president
B. S. in Industrial Education from Clemson University; M. Ed. degree in Industrial Education (Graphic Communications)
In addition to serving as a speech instructor, Dana was a member and former chair of the College’s Enrichment Series Committee and for many years has been a faculty chaperone for the annual Learning Beyond Campus (Boston) trip. She also served as faculty co-advisor for Tri-County Association of Political Scientists (TAPS).
Why did you choose to spend a lot of your career at TCTC?
I had a lot to share with students at TCTC. All my degrees are in some form of communications: A.A. degree in RTV (now Media Arts), which I completed at TCTC, B.S. and MS degrees from Clemson University, and post-graduate work in Public Communications at Georgia State University, Atlanta. I taught at Gwinnett TEC before applying for a position at TCTC in 2008. Quick note: when I was hired at TCTC, I shared my story about getting my first degree here and that I think I could bring that experience to our students. I have always been a supporter of the community college experience, especially for students who are coming right out of high school and for students who don’t know exactly what they want to do. I think our faculty and administration support that as well.
What are the highlights of your time here?
I enjoyed being chair of the Enrichment Committee, my work with the TCTC Speech and Drama Club, and I can’t forget having the opportunity for teaching the Learning Beyond Campus class In Boston, MA, for 11 years. Since I teach public speaking, I felt that Boston had a lot of history that would be appropriate for informative and persuasive speeches.
What is your most memorable moment?
I would probably say it was when I was a student here in the mid-70s and was editor of The Prism student newspaper. It was around the time of the Jim Jones 1978 Jonestown Massacre where he convinced his followers to drink ‘the punch’ which was laced with cyanide. Of course, they all died. The famous picture we remember from that day were all his ‘followers’ laying on the ground with their cups near them and some still in their hands. Now, what does this have to do with TCTC? Well, at the time there was a canteen, not a cafeteria, and the RTV students hated the coffee the company provided. So, some clever RTV students climbed up on the top of Anderson Hall and took a photograph with students recreating the suicide drink. The yearbook staff put the picture in the yearbook and thankfully, the printer notified the College and let them know that might not be a good idea and could result in a lawsuit. Dean of Student Al Norris flew to Memphis and confiscated the picture, and it was not in the yearbook. Yes, RTV students are known for their sometimes-unorthodox behavior. But I wouldn’t change any of my years as a student and instructor at TCTC. I make it a habit to share my story of attending TCTC with the young and older students in my classes.
What are your retirement plans?
Retirement? What’s that? I am still teaching adjunct which means all I must do is teach. And I love teaching. I am also traveling when time allows and enjoying my four grandchildren.
GREG TONEY
Faculty member in the English (speech) Department since 1998
Master’s degree, Auburn University; and bachelor’s degree in Communications, Winthrop University
He joined TCTC after six and one-half years as communications director for the Foothills United Way.
For more than 20 years, he served as a coach for the Tri-County Technical College Speech and Drama Team (other coaches were Kim Harp and Dana Griffith).
Under Greg’s leadership, students competed in the South Carolina Speech and Theatre Association (SCSTA) college festival competition, bringing home awards each year and first-place honors in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2014 and 2020. In 2016, students dominated the festival by sweeping top prizes, taking home overall college championship, and the overall individual student award.
In 2000, Greg was elected vice president of the College Division of the SCSTA.
Why did you choose to spend most of your career at TCTC?
Teaching was very fulfilling personally, and I found I was actually pretty good at it. I used to joke that it beat working. But I really never had that moment where I dreaded coming to work.
What are the highlights of your time here?
I think the highlight of my time was knowing that in some way I made an impact on others' lives that helped them develop a skill they would use for the rest of their lives.
What is your most memorable moment?
I would say the year the TCTC Speech Team won the overall championship at the South Carolina Speech and Theater competition.
What are your retirement plans?
Golf. Lots of golf. My wife and I also own Apple Dumplin Antique Mall. Will be dedicating a lot of time continuing to grow our business. Probably going to do some travelling as well.
TOM HIEBEL
Bachelor’s degree, Union College
Master’s degree, Tulane University
Joined the College in 1997 as an adjunct humanities and philosophy instructor and in 1998 joined the Arts and Sciences Division as a full-time instructor.
After working for several years at Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and Loyola University of New Orleans, and William Carey College's New Orleans Campus, Tom and his family moved to the area.
Tom served two terms as president of Faculty Senate and chair of the Curriculum Committee.
In 2021, Tom received the Student Advocate Award at spring convocation. He was chosen by the Student Government Association in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding vision, commitment to excellence, and dedication to student success.
Why did you choose to spend most of your career at TCTC?
I had a job where I was teaching the material I love.
What are the highlights of your time here?
My students understanding why something is true.
What is your most memorable moment?
Two students scoring 100 on the symbolic logic test for the first time ever at any college.
What are your retirement plans?
To follow Epicurius' example and retire to my garden.
About Tri-County Technical College
Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, industrial electronics, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu.
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