President Booth Tells Summer Grads to Be the CEOs of Their Lives

Tri-County Technical College President Ronnie L. Booth urged summer graduates to think of themselves as their own corporations and to take charge and be in charge of their own lives. Five hundred and thirty-six students were awarded degrees, diplomas and/or certificates during the College’s 49th summer commencement held August 2 at the Anderson Civic Center.

“My challenge to each of you is that you understand that you are and must continue to be the CEO of your life.  Each of us has a responsibility to do what we can do, and to control that which we can control to live our lives in such a way that we will accomplish all that we set out to do.  You should think of yourself as an entity that has something to offer the world, such as your skills as a nurse, medical laboratory technician, welder, police officer, IT specialist, machinist or pre-engineer,” said Dr. Booth.

“Whatever your goals may be, one thing is for certain:  you are ultimately responsible for whether or not they are accomplished.  Others will certainly have an impact and play a role in what takes place in our lives, but only you can control many of the variables that will determine the outcomes.”

He outlined five attributes he believes individuals need to be successful.  “Know yourself and understand your personality type.  You must be willing to do the hard, but essential, work of getting to know your strengths, weaknesses, preferences and fears if you are going to be able to run your own life and not let it, or others, run you,” he said.

“It is necessary to be true to yourself,” he said, “even if others do not agree with what you choose to do.  Listen to others and seek advice, but at the end of the day, you must decide,” he said.

Another essential task is to market yourself, he said.  “You are in charge of helping others to understand what you can bring to the equation.  You are responsible for helping others to understand that you can work, are talented and dependable, and can add value to the team -- that you are the right person at the right time,” he said.

Lastly, Dr. Booth encouraged them to manage and improve themselves.  “What you know today is not enough for next year.  Whatever you do and wherever you go, you must continually improve or be left behind.”

Following the speech, Dr. Booth and other College officials presented degrees, diplomas and certificates to the following graduates from Pickens County 

            Brandon James Balevre, Associate in Arts; Nicole Ellen Bauer, Associate in Arts; Jatrese Alexandria Brownlee, Associate in Science; Bret Stairs Carr, Industrial Welding; Catherine Renee Dunham, Associate in Arts; Kyle Fridley, Associate in Arts; Kelley Denese Goodnough, Practical Nursing; Jessica Lynn Hardy, Surgical Technology; Jordan Nicole Link, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Kayla Roach Love, Surgical Technology; Megan Elizabeth Martin, Associate in Science; Michael George McDonald, General Technology - Mechatronics; Katrina Lauren McGaughey, Associate in Arts; Kelsie Travan Maxamill McMullen, Heating, Vent and AC Technology; Lindsey Erin Morris, Associate in Science; Destini Nicole Petitt, Associate in Arts; Sara Ann Pollard, Associate in Arts; Nyssa Quinon, Associate in Arts; David Bryham Roper, Associate in Science; Christopher Justin Sherer, Associate in Arts; Cynthia Diane Strader, Associate in Science; Derrick John Thomas, Associate in Science; Brandon James White, Associate in Science; and Taylor Marie Williams, Associate in Arts

FROM CLEMSON:

            Christopher Ross Bryant, Associate in Arts; Cory Joseph Lane Bryant, Associate in Science; Brandon James Campbell, Associate in Science; Morgan Chandler Clardy, Associate in Arts; Locke Edward Frazier, Associate in Science; Tara Nichole Garrison, Practical Nursing; Cory Hammond, General Technology - Mechatronics; Margaret Jane Jones, Associate in Science; Matthew Richard Jordan, Radio and TV Broadcasting; Katherine Dawn Langford, Practical Nursing; Jessica Claire Mullins, Associate in Science; Danielle Marie O'Neil, Management; Dhara P. Patel, Practical Nursing; Michael William Poore, Criminal Justice Technology; Mavis Delimini Robinson, Associate in Science; Donald Lee Spitler, Associate in Arts; and Douglas Stephen Thurston, Management

FROM EASLEY:

            Hadley Maxine Achterhoff, University Studies; Belinda Jean Adkins, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Jessica L. Allen, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Ashley Lauren Anderson, Associate in Arts; Angela Koshiol Anthony, Practical Nursing; Aaron Joseph Bader, Associate in Science; Alisha Brooke Barnes, Associate in Arts; Aaron Scott Brotherton, University Studies; Regan Danielle Carson, Associate in Arts; Susanna Ruth Childers, Nursing; Ethan Jerald Cleveland, General Technology - Mechatronics; Karen Louise Coleman, Practical Nursing; Danielle Joy DiMuzio, University Studies; Paige Noelle Droney, Management; Hannah Suzanne Elgin, University Studies; Georgette Sonyetta Gamble, Medical Assisting; Joseph Thomas Garand, Jr., Associate in Arts; Kevin Dale Gibson, Associate in Arts; Kelli Stewart Hall, Practical Nursing; Megan Elizabeth Handley, University Studies; Alison Renee Harper, Computer Technology; John David Hawkins, Machine Tool Technology; Edward Dylan Huffman, Associate in Science; Jamie Brooke Knight, Associate in Arts; Connor Larkin Lanier, Associate in Arts; Kasey Taylor Lee, Practical Nursing; Jessica Anne Long, Practical Nursing; Joseph Michael McKenzie, General Technology - Mechatronics; Wydalis Nieves, Practical Nursing; Jodi Cooper Pearson, Associate in Arts; Casey Nichole Penson, Associate in Science; Claiborne Nicole Perry, University Studies; Taylor Brianne Perry, University Studies; Hendel Leshae Price, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Megan Rachelle Roberts, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Teresa Siders, Practical Nursing; Matthew Clark Simmons, Associate in Arts; Jessica Marie Skelton, Associate in Science; Cara Elizabeth Smith, Associate in Arts; Leah Elizabeth Styles, Associate in Science; Gerry Ann Touchet, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Savannah Joy Touchet, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Christopher Allen Turner, Computer Technology; Arrington Page Welborn, Associate in Science; Cynthia Faith Williams, Financial Accounting; and Karen Suzanne Zimmer, Associate in Science

FROM LIBERTY:

            Ileen Rolinda Aiken, Associate in Science; Joseph Tyler Albertson, University Studies; Tracy Ann Becknell, Practical Nursing; Darrell Stuart Best, Associate in Arts; Erin Marie Cartmell, Criminal Justice Technology; Catherine Suzanne Clem, Associate in Science; Crystal Jean Davis, Practical Nursing; Mujahid I. Faruq, Associate in Science; Dobromira Kelley, Associate in Science; Grady Franklin Kelley, Practical Nursing; Lauren Michelle King, Associate in Arts; Beth Anne Krupp, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Andrew Wayne Rackley, Criminal Justice Technology; Miranda Jean Redding, Surgical Technology; Samantha Nicole Smith, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Harley Lamar Staton, Associate in Arts; Lindsey Christine Swindle, Surgical Technology; Nicole Felycia Thomas, Associate in Arts; Brooke Inez Walters, Administrative Office Technology; and Joseph E. Wilson, III, Associate in Arts

FROM NORRIS:

            Claudia Marie Reynolds, Associate in Arts

FROM PICKENS:

            Courtney Ann Collins, Associate in Arts; Brian Keith Davidson, Practical Nursing; Kamryn Laurel Dyches, Radio and TV Broadcasting; William Christopher Ellenburg, Management; Ashley Joy Franks, Surgical Technology; Christopher Thomas Gerstle, Associate in Arts; Kayla Elizabeth Golden, Expanded Duty Dental Assist; Joshua David Hickey, Industrial Electronics Technology; Joy Gray Lee, Practical Nursing; Megan Nicole Mann, Associate in Science; Stephanie Raquel Pechthalt, University Studies; Pressley Christian Roach, Nursing; and Sammy Joe Snider, Associate in Arts

FROM SIX MILE:

            Tonya Marie Arnett, Associate in Arts; Zachary Jackson Dransfield, Management; Beau Zachary Franklin, General Technology - Mechatronics; Katie Ann Garrett, Practical Nursing; Justin Raggi, Management; and Elizabeth Jessi Lou Whitlock, Associate in Arts