Topping Out Ceremony For Pickens Hall DSC 8256

Press Release                                                                                                                        
Date: August 14, 2025
Contact: lgarrett@tctc.edu

Tri-County Technical College Celebrates Milestone with

Topping Out Ceremony for Pickens Hall Expansion

PENDLETON, SC – Tri-County Technical College faculty and staff, Harper Construction and DP3 celebrated a milestone in the ongoing expansion and renovation project for Pickens Hall with a topping out ceremony today, August 14, to commemorate the last piece of structural steel being put into place.

Pickens Hall was the first building on site when Tri-County Technical Education Center opened its doors September 10, 1963. Since then, it has been the predominant home for the Business and Public Services Division, its classrooms and labs.

As the oldest facility on campus, the 42,000-square-foot structure was identified for substantial upgrades. However, its block masonry walls, low ceiling heights, and narrow corridors presented significant limitations.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t cost effectively gut and remodel this building like the recent Oconee Hall renovation. Instead, the plan became to demolish it and construct a 52,000-square-foot, two-story building in its place. It is a good use of the resources we have. Going vertical optimizes land use, accommodates programmatic needs within a reduced footprint, and offers cost efficiencies. It also enables us to create an outdoor green space. It will be energy efficient and meet accessibility standards,” said Richard Macbeth, director of project management at TCTC.

The Pickens Hall replacement, which began in January 2025 and will conclude November 2026, is part of a multi-year facility improvement plan that includes investments in buildings and exterior elements on TCTC’s main campus. “This investment will help us continue to deliver on our mission of providing students an exceptional and affordable learning experience that improves their quality of life while advancing economic development in the region by preparing a highly skilled workforce,” said TCTC President Galen DeHay.

The new building will house the Business and Public Services Division, I-BEST, Academic and Career Foundations, and the English department of the Arts and Sciences Division. Like the recently renovated Oconee Hall, the design is centered around the student and employee experience.

The first floor will feature a faculty neighborhood that fosters connectivity and accessibility, a conference room and a faculty lounge.

The new second floor is designed to support modern academic instruction and hands-on learning. It will feature two 50-seat classrooms, seven 36-seat classrooms, and four computer labs.

The central plaza will be transformed to provide full accessibility to the west side of campus, strengthening connectivity and inclusivity.

Construction funding is coming from a combination of College-accumulated capital reserves and state capital reserve appropriations. The College’s Foundation is also soliciting donations from entities or individuals interested in supporting this mission critical project.

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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