Welding Alumnus Larry Hembree Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award
Welding Alumnus Larry Hembree Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award
PENDLETON --- Larry Hembree, a professional welder who has taught for Tri-County Technical College’s Welding program for 17 years, received the College’s 2025 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award May 5.
This award is given annually at the spring faculty/staff convocation to the adjunct faculty member who is recognized for excellence in teaching, who has consistently high student evaluations and who supports the philosophy and goals of the College.
A 1990 graduate of TCTC’s Welding certificate program, Hembree worked as a fabricator/welder for Blair Mills Inc., Consolidated Southern Industries, and Day & Zimmerman, Inc., before returning to his alma mater in 2008 as an adjunct instructor. He assumed the role of Welding lecturer in 2016 and has taught multiple sections of almost all of the Welding program offerings.
“He has a great passion and desire to see all of the students in the Welding program succeed and has played a vital part in their ability to do so,” said Matt Woodall, Industrial Technology department head. “Not only does he care about the students’ success, Larry goes the extra mile to make sure all of his fellow co-workers are successful as well.”
“Larry is one of the ‘constants’ here who can always be counted on. He is reliable, consistent, and focused on our objectives. He is always willing to do anything needed to help move our program forward,” said Scott Brabham, TCTC Welding instructor and alumnus of the program.
“Larry consistently exhibits qualities that line up with the mission and purpose of Tri-County Technical College,” said Evan Bate, Welding program director and a 2009 graduate of the program. “He is consistently evaluating and reflecting on teaching strategies and outcomes to strive for continuous improvement in his approach.”
Instructors say Hembree is the first to volunteer to cover a class when an instructor is out sick; he has mentored and trained new instructors coming into the program; and he volunteers his time to support students while traveling out of town for annual welding competitions.
Faculty agree that Hembree maintains high welding quality standards for his students and pushes them daily to do their best.
“Larry sees each student for what they can be and not where they are in their life or learning process. He truly wants the best for his students in their personal and professional lives. Larry thoroughly prepares his students for this industry in every way possible. He takes pride in his students’ successes both in the classroom and later in the workplace. Larry has kept in contact with dozens of students over the years. even some from his first year of teaching more than 17 years ago. This speaks volumes about the type of person Larry is and the type of positive experiences he provides his students in the Welding program,” said Woodall.
“Mr. Hembree was my first instructor when I started the program in 2015 and he excelled in teaching me the basics and fundamentals of welding,” said Dakota Phillips, Welding instructor and a graduate of the program. “I now have the pleasure of working with him as a fellow instructor in the TCTC Welding program. From day one he has guided me in the right direction and helped me overcome any issues that I had. Mr. Hembree has made an impact on so many students over the years.”
Other alumni agree Hembree made a lasting impression on them and say their journey to success began in his class.
Tristan Pitt, a welder at Crowder Construction and a 2019 graduate, said,
“Larry Hembree was one of my instructors during my time at TCTC. It was where I found my passion for welding, but it was instructors, like Larry, who taught the skills and gave me the confidence to pursue this passion. Larry's ability to balance being a friend and mentor allows him to develop relationships with his students that last far beyond their time at Tri- County. Since I graduated in 2019, Larry still makes a point to keep in touch. Having him as an instructor not only prepared me for my career path but provided me with a friendship and source of support that is far greater than any skill that could be taught.”
Jamie Walden, a Welding instructor for the Greenville County School District and a 2013 graduate, said, “Larry was my first Welding instructor at TCTC. I was in my 30’s and had been welding professionally for quite a while. Larry saw that immediately and knew he had to challenge me. He has the great ability to see where a student is and meet them on their level. He knew that I wanted to be a teacher, so utilizing my skill to show others was what he had in mind for me. Looking back, I enjoyed my time there and I had no idea how much that would impact my future. Now that I am a teacher, I use a lot of his knowledge in my own classroom. I am forever grateful for his help and willingness to teach the way he does. To this day Larry will call from time to time to chat and check in on me. Every time I visit TCTC I make sure to find him so we can catch up. He truly made a life friend with me during my time there.”
“Larry Hembree is a vital part of TCTC’s Welding program. He has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students over the past 17 years while enabling them to have a transformative experience every semester in his courses. TCTC’s Welding program wouldn’t be the same without his dedication and service for our students,” said Woodall.
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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