To print this card, please click here.

ORANGEBURG-CALHOUN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SIFE TEAM RECEIVES RECOGNITION AT REGIONAL COMPETITION

The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Team returned to Orangeburg as winners after participating in the Charlotte, North Carolina SIFE USA Regional Competition on April 1. The event was one of 16 SIFE USA Regional Competitions being held across the United States in March and April.

After presenting a report of their year-long community outreach projects to a panel of business leaders, the OCtech SIFE team was named a SIFE USA Regional Champion. The team will now advance to the national level of SIFE competition, at the SIFE USA National Exposition May 13-15 in Chicago, Illinois.

OCtech SIFE team member Pamela Page said “For a group to achieve a goal is great. For our SIFE team to have come together in such a way that we were able to impact and help so many students, faculty, staff and community members throughout Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties was a feeling like no other. When the judges said that Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College SIFE Team was a Regional Champion, we all felt that we had achieved one of our top goals.”

SIFE is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,400 university campuses in 48 countries. SIFE teams create economic opportunities in their communities by organizing outreach projects that focus on: market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ethics.

During this academic year, the OCtech SIFE team organized 18 projects in the Orangeburg and St. Matthews communities, including success skills workshops at the Orangeburg School District 5 Technology Center during their Career Fair. The team’s goal was to help make high school students aware of soft skills needed to become successful in the business world today. The workshops consisted of two sessions each on: Making a Good First Impression, How Customer Service Affects the Success of a Business, and Social Graces. The methods used to conduct these workshops varied from group discussions to role plays and demonstrations.

“Being a member of SIFE is more than just a chance to grow as an individual. It's about making a difference in not only our lives, but in the lives of others as well. I am proud to be a part of such an organization as SIFE” said Rebecca Rickenbaker, also a member of the SIFE team.

Sheryl Carroll, another team member added, “I am proud to be a member of a team that is making such a difference in people’s lives. This commitment to community is something that I will take with me after graduation.”

Photo identification: Members of OCtech's SIFE team include, front row, Sophia Palmer, Team Leader for Business Ethics; Dr. Kathleen Dooley, Marilyn Amaker Fellow/faculty advisor, and Sharen Myers; and back row, Selena Waring; Pamela Page, Vice President of Business and Finance; Kari Harriman, Team Leader for Program Sustainability and Fundraising; Kendall Haigler, Team Leader for Financial Literacy; Ashlyn Hughes; Patricia Parker, President; and Sheryl Carroll, Team Leader for Success Skills.

New Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Area Commissioners

John F. Shuler has been appointed to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Area Commission by the Orangeburg County legislative delegation.

Shuler is an attorney and partner in the Bryant, Fanning and Shuler law firm. The Orangeburg native earned a bachelor’s degree from Erskine College and his Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University.

He is chairman of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind Foundation and is a former commissioner with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. He serves on the CASA board of directors and is a past chairman of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the Orangeburg Kiwanis Club. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg.

He and his wife, Jane, are the parents of three children.


B. Robert Paulling has been appointed to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Area Commission by the Calhoun County legislative delegation.

Paulling is the Chief Executive Officer of Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Tri-County provides electrical services to portions of Calhoun, Orangeburg, Richland, Lexington, Kershaw and Sumter counties.

He is a graduate of Clemson University and serves on the boards of Central Electric Power Cooperative and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina. He is a member of Cornerstone Community Church, the St. Matthews Rotary Club and the Edisto Clemson Club.

Paulling resides in St. Matthews with his wife, Dale, and daughter.

Calhoun County receives grant for QuickJobs Development Center
OCtech and WIA One Stop are Partners in Grant

Calhoun County has been awarded a $994,500 Community Enrichment Grant through the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and the Lower Savannah One Stop Workforce Development System are also partners in the grant. The Community Enrichment Grant program falls under the auspices of the Community Block Grant Program and provides funds to make education and workforce development programs more accessible.

Funds will be used to construct, staff, equip and maintain the QuickJobs Development Center designed to serve the residents of Calhoun County. The QuickJobs Development Center will be built adjacent to the new Calhoun County Library and will provide a physical presence in Calhoun County.

Groundbreaking for the new facility is expected to take place in early spring with construction beginning this summer. The QuickJobs Development Center should be operational in the summer of 2009.

David Summers, Chairman of Calhoun County Council, says “This will be a great asset for the Calhoun County community and we are fortunate to have been able to get the Community Enrichment Grant through the Department of Commerce. It will be an asset to the new Calhoun County Library. Even though OCtech’s campus is not far away, it will be ideal to have some classes offered in St. Matthews. It will also allow us to do special projects for industries. We are very appreciative of the project being approved.”

Dr. Anne Crook, president of OCtech sees the partnership between Calhoun County, the WIA One-Stop, and OCtech as a perfect match to enhance workforce training for Calhoun County residents. “With the development of the Center, we will be focusing on QuickJob training which will offer short-term training for high demand job fields. This should be a boost for employment opportunities in the county with the upcoming economic development activities in our area. It will provide support our existing industries as well. In addition, the Center will offer traditional training and will be partnering with the Calhoun County Library to expand opportunities for St. Matthews and the surrounding area” said Dr. Crook.

According to Sam Jordan, Director for Workforce Development for the Lower Savannah One Stop Workforce Development System, “The Workforce Investment Board has been trying for several years to get a One Stop Center in Calhoun County. This grant gives us a wonderful opportunity to partner with others and make good things happen for the people of Calhoun County.”

The approximately 4,500 square foot facility will house a Tech-Net distance learning classroom, a multi-purpose classroom, a computer lab equipped to serve 25 students, and a conference room that will be equipped with Tech-Net capability. The Tech-Net capability will allow the County to utilize instructors and industry trainers from remote locations. Dedicated space for OCtech administration and the area One Stop Workforce Development System will also be included.

The Center is expected to be open during normal business hours and will also be open two nights each week. Special hours of operation may be scheduled to meet industry training needs.

Proposed instructional offerings will concentrate on workforce development curriculum and job readiness efforts. OCtech plans to operate training programs that are in direct response to expressed business and industry needs and anticipates training a minimum of 400 people over the first two years of building occupancy.

Based on a needs assessment of Calhoun County employers and their employment needs, initial training opportunities are expected to be available in areas such as industrial maintenance, truck driving, fork-lift operation, health care, welding, landscaping, and data entry.

Career Development Facilitators and financial aid counselors will be available on a scheduled basis to assist individuals with career planning. Software for career exploration and preparation will be offered and students may also utilize on-line resources to help in assessing career interests and personal skills.

OCtech receives grant from SC Arts Commission

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College has been awarded a $15,000.00 South Carolina Arts Commission grant. Monies received through the grant will be used to fund a series of year long events that will deepen participation in the arts among OCtech students. Through funding provided by the grant, OCtech students will learn about forms of poetry and music. They will have an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity by putting their own poetry to music through a concept known as Dub Poetry.

The first event planned for 2008 is a “New Year’s Dub Poetry Event” scheduled for January 17. This event will feature Maurice Gordon, a jazz guitarist who has performed and worked with the famous dub poet Mutabaruka. The day’s activities will include a concert by Maurice Gordon and an afternoon dub poetry workshop. The event is open to the public. For more information contact Tamara Miles at 268-2513 or by email at milest@octech.edu.

The South Carolina Arts Commission provides grants, services and leadership to arts organizations, schools and individual artists to preserve and promote the arts across the spectrum of South Carolina’s cultures and forms of expression. The agency strives to make the arts accessible to all South Carolinians, enhancing quality of life and contributing significantly to the state’s economic well-being. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission draws on the resources of state tax dollars appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly and the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.

OCtech Announces Honor Students for 2007 Fall Session

The following individuals have been named honor students for the Summer Session by Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

Fall 2007 Academic Honor Rolls

President's List (full-time):

Bamberg: William Spires
Bluffton: Hassel Estep
Branchville: Velma Butler
Cameron: Kayla Mowrey
Columbia: Kimberley Amos, Janice Lewis
Cordova: David Blankenship, James Minus, Joshua Polson
Denmark: Brooker Brooks, Daniel Eubanks, Danielle Faust, Stacey Smith
Elloree: Lacey Beach, Shane Gibson
Eutawville: Kathleen Cuttino, Karla Myers
Ft. Motte: Karen Buckman
Holly Hill: Catia Mack
Neeses: Ida Grenier
North: Meri Bailey, Teisha Peoples, Lakeshia Smith
Norway: Thomas Morton
Olar: Christopher Fail, Melissa Hutto
Orangeburg: Shelsea Brennan, Nichole Brown, Warren Grapsity, Shawanda Green, Monica Harrison, Fredrica Middleton, Cynthia Pough, Charlene Roberts, Kim Sawyer, Calondra Shepherd, Kimberly Young
Ridgeville: Venetia White
Rowesville: Samantha Bacot
Ruffin: Sheryl Carroll
Santee: Wyman Brown, Amanda Coffey
Smoaks: George Lyons
St. George: Anjana Patel
St. Matthews: Lynn Beckett-Lowe, Staci Bozard, Olivia Hair, Laura Polhill
Swansea: Linda Kaneft
Varnville: Justin Wiggins
Williston: Andrea Still

Dean's List (full-time):

Bamberg: Katie Brummel, Daniel Collins, Shina Robinson, Ashley Thomas, Lance Thomas
Barnwell: Kristin Carter, Heather Everett
Beaufort: David Torman
Blackville: Erica Bolen, Morgan Funderburk, Mary Jamison, Karen Kinard, Courtney Padgett, Mary Smith, Yolanda Williams
Bowman: Deborah Allison, Shauna Rhett, Lacey Russell
Branchville: Megan Lyons, Coran Myers, Jessica Summers
Cameron: Shon Aiken, Stacy Weeks
Columbia: Leiann Roberts
Cope: Kerry Neese
Cordova: Charles Rose, Lee Stillinger
Denmark: Christopher Breland, Melinda Hutto
Elgin: John Singleton
Elloree: Bridgette Beach, Aaron Clossman, Ben Felder
Eutawville: Jessica Collins, Louise Edmonds, Crystal Jones, Jonathon Murrell, Antoinette Palmer
Garnett: Dominique Jones
Gaston: Theodora Rumph
Holly Hill: Deborah Lee, Tiffany Prescott
Hopkins: Bridget Williams
Lexington: Jerri Newton
Mt. Pleasant: Melissa Cartwright
Neeses: Kari Harriman
North: Stephanie Rogers
Norway: Julie Harley, Amanda Hawkins, Henry Judy, Kelli Vellenga, Brian Yongue
Orangeburg: Monderiko Baxter, Judd Bolen, Theresa,Bonaparte, Ashley Bozard, Julie Brookshire, Roger Brown, Dawn Clark, Stephanie Croft, Carroll Davis, Senay Getachew, Hattie Gilmore, Nakeila Hampton, Valeda Hood, Crystal Jackson, Cathy Knotts, Ni Lin, Marcus Mintz, Tiffany Moody, Jennifer Morris, Max Morris, Laverne Murray, Laura Perry, Nikia Purnell, Sidney Quick, Lafe Schrock, Paulette Scott, Byron Sharperson, Fariba Tebyanian, Gary Till, Shirneke West, Tabitha Westbury
Pelion: Patricia Baker
Reevesville: Dustin Lott
Rowesville: Debra Cardell
Ruffin: Chandra Broughton
Santee: Amy Starks
Springfield: Jennifer Counts
St. George: Erin Jones, Todd Murray, Christopher Shuman, Carmon Steele, Ashleigh Watson
St. Matthews: Audrey Bonnette, Tonya Bravo, Yalanda Fludd, Amber Huffman, Koya Johnson, Adam Kennerly, James Rucker, Krystal Swygert, Lance Swygert, Justin Wise
Swansea: Cindy Sandy
Vance: Joya Joseph
Walterboro: Sheila Biering, Jessica Price, Terri Steedley
Ward: Stacey Spires
Williston: Brittany Mitchell

President's List (part-time):

Bamberg: Deondra Ellison, Andrew Hoffman, Tracey Myers
Barnwell: Winter Atkinson, Virginia Blount, Janet Hamel, Regina James, Tiffany Steadman
Batesburg: Debra Hill
Bowman: Sheree Breaker, Kristen Cook, Brenda Lewis, Jerry Looper, John Riser
Branchville: Brett Ardis, Katelynn Corder, Elizabeth Fogle, Kearsten Furtick, Jessica Walters, David Zeigler
Brunson: Kellie Varner
Cameron: Charnequa Huggins
Columbia: Roberta Scott
Cope: Josh Bloodworth, Christina Carter, Harry Ferguson, Angela Toole
Cordova: Lauren Hammond, Elizabeth King, Kaitlynn Turner
Denmark: Emily Black, Sarah Richardson
Elloree: Linda Hood, Lakeisha Pauling
Hampton: Karen Reap
Harleyville: Ashley Zeigler
Holly Hill: Michelle Jenkins, Danielle Sweatman
Johnston: Cassie Cantu
Kingstree: Tara Dantzler
Lexington: Ashley Ferrell
Newberry: Melissa Johnston
North: Dana Bloome, Jessica Jenkins, James Morris
Norway: Robin Brown, Whitney Harley
Orangeburg: Lee Allen, Casey Betsill, Eric Blume, Anna Braxton, Gabriel Brickle, Tarah Carter, Mary Chavis, Toi Clark, Johann Crichlow, Julia Crutchfield, Deron Dantzler, Ashley Darrow, Hunter Faulling, Roshana Ferguson, Lynnet Fields, Celeste Gardner, Linda Glover, James Graham, Dara Grant, Teresa Grubbs, Alexandra Heaton, Shelbie Holbrook, Dawn Houck, Amber Hughey, Janna Jeffcoat, Bryant Jenkins, Linda Johnson, April Kovach, Jessica Laursen, Magdalene Laursen, Joquan Lemon, Richard Livingston, Justin Marro, Barbara McCann, Ragan McDonald, Anne Patterson, Kelley Puckett, Kimberly Pugh, Courtney, Rutland, Elton Sanders, Shamyria Simon, Eleni Stilianidis, Nancy Tyner, Whitney Westbury, Deborah White, Nolan,Whitman, Cynthia Williams
Pelion: Wendy Lashchenko
Rowesville: Flower Glover
Salley: Rosa Crumpton
Santee: Dhara Gajjar, Needham McNeal
Springfield: Jessica Justice St. Matthews: Hannah Allford, James Allford, Emily Anthony, Shane Barber, Charity Beck, Victoria Bozard, Sharon Centek, Antoinette Glover, Patricia Govan, Steven Johnson, Jennifer Keller, Leandra Keller, Dante,Kenly, Brandi Pacheco, Crystal Robinson, Anisa Staley, Shannon Stillinger, Heather Wise, Ebony Youngblood
Summerville: Amanda Padgett, Kazumi Ross
Swansea: Ashtin Glover, Laura Jumper
Vance: Krystal Dickson, Loretta Haselden
Walterboro: Mary Girardeau, Mary,Keller-Petrolawicz, Elizabeth Moore
West Columbia: Kimberly Keaveny
Williston: Yolanda Jenkins, Janice Williams

Dean's List (part-time):

Bamberg: Kristen Mixon, Shaun Wright
Barnwell: Jason Randall
Beaufort: Jenny Goodman
Bowman: Angelina Brunson, Alanna Ulmer
Branchville: Denette Dantzler, Tynisha Ferguson, James Kinsey
Columbia: Ashley Davis, Nakia Green, David,Templeton
Cope: Zachary Blackburn, Lasandra Cleckley, Aretha Franklin, Savannah Smoak
Cordova: Stephanie Backmon, Darius Frazier, Marques Hill, Amanda Livingston, Jessica Lovern
Eutawville: Shakela Middleton
Gaston: Kevin Skinner
Holly Hill: Tiffanie Cross, James Jeffers, Kalina Jenkins, Lidina Young
Neeses: Ashley Churchwell, Ryan Etheridge, James Singletary, Amanda Toland
North: Kayla Bryant, Bridgett Dykes, Mason,Toole, Kristin Williams
North Charleston: Jacinte Johnson
Norway: Beverly Randolph, Rasia Williamson-Steadman
Orangeburg: Sarah Anderson, Chasity Bailey, Jakeyia Bailey, James Berry, Shakiyanna Berry, Ricky Boyd, Jacob Burger, Julia Carmichael, Latonya Darby, Tasha Davis, Aqueena Evans, Curshina Gadson, Jerod Gilmore, Shannon Ginn, Gloria Glover, Robin Govan, Frankie Gregory, Tyrone Hardy, Kimberly Howell, Shembra Irick, Bernice Johnson, Lauren Jumper, Shirley Keitt, Hannah Kitchings, De Lin, Litany Lineberry, Latasha Miller, Valerie Mitchell, Christopher Mixon, Lashawna Moultrie, Stephanie Owens, Shirley Rodriguez, Walter Samchuck, Mary Scott, Stella Smalls, Kenyetta Thrower, Marilyn Walker, Labirdia Young
Rowesville: Lacey Kinard
Ruffin: Landy Jones
Santee: Ericka Horton, Kristy Sanders
Springfield: Randall Gatson
St. George: Chaney Smith
St. Matthews: Equanda Bodrick, Quinnetta Garner, Margaret Shirer, Barbara Washington
Varnville: Miriam Crosby
Walterboro: Lakeshia Moultrie
West Columbia: Brittany Jeffcoat, Ashley Price

TEACHER TRANSFER PROGRAM EXPANDS TO INCLUDE ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS WITH CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY AND S. C. STATE UNIVERSITY

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College’s Teacher Transfer Associate in Arts program has expanded to include articulation agreements with South Carolina State University and Claflin University.

These agreements give students in OCtech’s Teacher Transfer program guaranteed transfer credit to the Colleges of Education at both South Carolina State University and Claflin University. Students who earn an Associate in Arts degree with concentrations in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or Mid-level Education at OCtech may transfer and complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Middle Level Education at either of these four-year universities.

According to Dr. Walt Tobin, OCtech Vice President for Academic Affairs, “South Carolina has had a shortage of qualified teachers for a number of years, particularly in rural areas, and that’s one reason OCtech became involved in teacher preparation. Because we serve the community, we are poised to recruit students interested, not only in becoming teachers, but staying and working in this area. Our unique partnership with Claflin and South Carolina State University is an illustration of our commitment to teacher education and to Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.”

“OCtech’s program is designed to provide local students with the means to train and teach locally. We try to foster “Hometown Teachers.” The agreements with Claflin and South Carolina State will help us with this goal” added Warren Yarbrough, OCtech Assistant Dean of Teacher Education.

Dr. Leonard A. McIntyre, SC State University Dean of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences sees the articulation agreement as being mutually beneficial to both partners. “It serves as an effective mechanism for recruiting students into our four year teacher education program. Students who choose to begin their teacher education program at the technical college will have the opportunity to satisfy the initial requirements for our program and, as a result, will have a seamless transition.”

“The partnership between OCtech and Claflin is extremely important in light of the fact that going to college and earning a degree has become so expensive” said Dr. Tina Marshall-Bradley, Dean of the School of Education at Claflin University. “Like other colleges, we have a need to recruit both the traditional and non-traditional students. The ability to start college at a community college, like OCtech, and then transfer to a four-year institution, such as Claflin, opens so many opportunities for students to earn a degree. There is a shortage of all teachers, particularly mid-level teachers, and this program allows us to help meet the need for teachers in our immediate community and in the state.”

OCtech’s Teacher Transfer program also has articulation agreements with the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston.

COCA-COLA SCHOLARS FOUNDATION AWARDS NIKIA PURNELL $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH THE COCA-COLA TWO-YEAR COLLEGES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Nikia Purnell, a student at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Through the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the Foundation awards a total of 400 scholarships annually to students attending higher-education institutions granting two-year degrees. In April, one scholar from each state received a $2,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola through the New Century Scholar Program of the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college scholastic honorary organization. On June 29, an additional 350 students were awarded a $1,000 scholarship. All recipients have demonstrated academic success and participated in community service within the past 12 months.

“The Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program gives support and encouragement to an under-served population of college students,” said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “This program is an extension of our long-standing commitment to college education throughout the United States. These fine students, who often juggle school, work and family, continue to give back to their communities through volunteer service.”

The Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program is made possible with funding from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation. The Whitehead Foundation provides grants in support of human services initiatives. The late Joseph B. Whitehead was one of the original bottlers of Coca-Cola.

The Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program complements the Foundation’s Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which awards more than $3 million annually in college scholarships to 250 outstanding high school seniors. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is one of the most recognized and respected corporate-sponsored scholarships in America.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is supported by the financial commitment of Orangeburg Coca-Cola and The Coca-Cola Company. The Foundation was created in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola and to establish a legacy for the education of tomorrow’s leaders. Now in its 8th year of funding the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the Foundation has provided $3.25 million in scholarship awards to students attending two-year degree granting institutions and more than $32 million towards the Coca-Cola Scholars Program during the past 18 years.

Nikia is pursuing an associate degree in business with a major in accounting at OCtech and was named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester. Nikia is the daughter of Josephine K. Jenkins and William H. Pierce of Chester, Pennsylvania.

Kevin Carter and Jennifer Rider Awarded Scholarships by OCtech Foundation

The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Foundation has awarded full scholarships for the Fall 2007 semester to Kevin Carter and Jennifer Rider.

Rider, daughter of Donnie and Connie Hall, is a 2007 graduate of Edisto High School and will enter OCtech’s Health Careers Preparation program. She plans to pursue an associate degree in nursing.

Carter is a 2007 graduate of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School and plans to enroll in OCtech’s Industrial Electronics program. He is the son of Kim and Judy Carter.

Both students were enrolled in technical college transfer courses in their chosen career cluster. The courses were offered at the Cope Area Career Center. Rider was enrolled in Health Sciences career cluster courses and Carter was enrolled in Advanced Manufacturing career cluster courses. Each of the students earned 6 hours of college credit for the transfer courses completed during their senior year in high school.

Donna Elmore, OCtech Dean of Education, said “The EEDA (Education and Economic Development Act) requires that school districts and colleges partner to implement the career cluster concept with students declaring a major by the end of the tenth grade. Jennifer and Kevin were able to earn college credit in their respective career cluster areas while still in high school. They were part of a dual credit program partnership between Orangeburg School District 4 and OCtech designed to ensure seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary in these career cluster areas. The partnership is a result of joint planning designed to further the mandates of EEDA.”

Dr. Darrell M. Johnson, Superintendent of Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4, said “I am very proud of the students selected for their hard work. They exemplify the quality of their high schools and of the Cope Area Career Center's program. I am also excited about our partnership with OCtech. By offering dual credit to our students, we can make their senior year more beneficial and meaningful.”

According to Sandra Jameson, Principal of the Cope Area Career Center, “The dual enrollment program has proven to be successful for the students in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four. Dual enrollment allows students to gain valuable marketable skills for their chosen careers while increasing rigor and earning college credit at the same time. It is a win-win situation for any student.”

The scholarship recipients were selected on the basis of GPA in transfer courses, attendance and an essay written on career choice.

Marcia Wood named Retiree of the Year

Marcia Wood has been named Retiree of the Year by the Orangeburg Chapter of the South Carolina State Employees Association. Mrs. Wood was employed by Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College for 29 years where she served as Division Chair of Health Sciences and Nursing. After retiring from her full-time position with the College, she has returned to work at OCtech on a part-time basis as an Academic Advisor in Advising Services.

Renee Ritter recognized by State Department of Education for outstanding leadership in Orangeburg County Adult and Community Education program

Renee Ritter, Director of Orangeburg County Adult and Community Education, has been recognized by the State Department of Education as the State Rookie Director of the Year.

Under Ms. Ritter’s leadership, enrollment in the Orangeburg County program has grown to over 600 students and the number of successful GED candidates has more than doubled. In addition, 117 Adult Education students received the WorkKeys Career Readiness certificate.

Ms. Ritter received the award during the 2007 Adult Education Summer Conference of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.