TCL graduates 326 at Waterfront Park ceremony

tcl graduatesThe Technical College of the Lowcountry handed out degrees to 326 local students on Friday night at its commencement ceremony at a packed Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.

The 326 graduates received a total of 468 associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in arts and sciences, health sciences, business and industrial technologies from TCL.

Commencement speakers included Dan Wood, a TCL alumnus and Bluffton Town Councilmember, and Jasiah Ballenger, a senior at Whale Branch Early College High School who is earning two associate degrees and three college certificates before she graduates high school.

Hilton Head Island resident and philanthropist Liz Clist received the Presidential Medallion, the College’s top honor.

tcl graduates
The Technical College of the Lowcountry honored 326 graduates at its Commencement Ceremony on Friday evening. Photo courtesy TCL

TCL’s President, Richard Gough, took time at the commencement ceremony to talk about the Mather Academy, reminding attendees that “for 100 years, The Mather School educated and empowered countless individuals. In 1968, the Mather School property was given to the state of South Carolina and became TCL, your community college.”

“The Mather School legacy lives on through our students and alumni.”

“Without a doubt, these last 50 years have been filled with growth, innovation and advancement for this institution, our students and the Lowcountry,” Gough said.
 
“TCL’s talented faculty and staff have welcomed more than 85,000 students from Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper and beyond. These diverse and driven students have filled our halls and our hearts, giving us purpose and passion.”

TCL tailors programs to meet our local community’s needs. Graduates are mostly local – they live, work and raise their families here in the Beaufort area and most will go right into the local workforce. That’s is extremely valuable to our local community.

Congrats to all the graduates. To learn more about TCL, visit the school here.