Area Students Graduate From Tri-County Technical College

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

ANDERSON --- 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:

Area graduates who received degrees at the summer graduation are:

FROM GREER:

Katrina Danielle Baker, University Studies; James Arnold Garner, III, Machine Tool Technology; Sara Margaret Gilbert, Veterinary Technology; Sarah Nicole Hobbs, University Studies; Alyssa Paige James, University Studies; Garielle G. Jones, Practical Nursing; and Parker Andrew Rhoden, Associate in Science

FROM TAYLORS:

Irene M. Ballew, Industrial Supervision Technology; and Holly Alexis Megilligan, Surgical Technology