It’s the Holiday Season

I’m a Christmas music junkie, and the moment Thanksgiving ends, I crank up the Christmas tunes. The day “Holly” pops up on XM radio, I begin to phone or text my friends. In my family, we have this silly contest where the winner is the first one to verify that “Holly” has gone live in the XM lineup. In case you wondered, I’m the undefeated reigning champion.

As I write this note, my office is filled with a variety of Christmas tunes. It puts me in a good mood. For those who find this behavior strange, well I guess I’ll go down on record as being strange. It’s just me. The other day a local TV station had a Facebook question that asked listeners to write in and list the holiday song they disliked the most. As for me, I like them all, even that annoying barking dog song.

What is it that puts us in a special good mood or creates the spirit of holiday benevolence in us? Is it inspired by music? Further, why do we behave differently at Christmas? Is it truly the most wonderful time of the year?

I’m somewhat reflective because I’m mindful of the beautiful lyrics that accompany the Christmas tunes. There is a richness in the lyrics that speaks differently to each one of us. Treasure the beautiful music and use the power of the season to refresh and restore joy in your heart and in your deeds.

The Christmas Story, like the music, is rooted in anticipation, hope and belief. I like tradition and I especially like Christmas Eve, when all the retail establishments close, and it’s quiet. The air is calm and fresh, and there is a deeper feeling that gets to the core of life. This is the time that Silent Night takes on real meaning for me, with hundreds of reflective moments of the wonder of the season. It’s an opportunity to reflect and be thankful.

I’m thankful for many things. The ability to serve is a gift, and at this special time of year when the holiday pressures mount, take time to listen and enjoy the unique blessings around us, and know that there can be peace on earth and in our hearts.

Last, here is one more holiday tune. Relax and enjoy TCL’s 2010 Holiday Greeting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCipNvIVms


Joy and peace, today and always.

TCL

Give thanks.

This is the time of the year when we intentionally take time to acknowledge the many “things” we have, or perhaps more appropriately, the “gifts” entrusted to us. In taking the quick thanksgiving inventory our minds quickly go toward our family, friends and associates who are important to us. I often say to co-workers family comes first, and it does. I’m speaking here of our biological families, but I want us to extend that definition to include our broader sphere of influence, including everyone we encounter in our daily routines. Relatively speaking, it’s those with whom we contact daily that become part of our extended family, somewhat by default. It’s not difficult to feel close or connect to individuals especially in these times when the world is revealed and filtered through the vast forms of available media.

I’m enormously grateful for our students and my talented teammates who are committed to serve, each in her or his important way. We are truly blessed and humbled by the advantage we have as citizens in a free country. We have many to thank for this true blessing.

Let’s permit this season and the mindset of thanksgiving to guide our thoughts and actions in the days, weeks and months ahead. I’m convinced, it’s the attitude of gratitude that will provide the incentive to influence and ignite change. It is so true. Gratitude changes attitude.

Develop a thankful heart. Tell people you appreciate them, and develop the benevolent attitude that reflects kindness through specific acts. Do it often, in other words, extend the Thanksgiving season so that every day becomes a day of reflective and interactive gratitude. What you might discover is the thankful heart becomes the basis for a new leadership platform that reaches back to the important values we all extol and extends the family metaphor to new networks of acquaintances who manifest as true friends. What I see emerging is a broader level of leadership, one the literature terms inclusive leadership where we value the contributions of an extended family with respect and honest appreciation. The family value of feeling safe and trusted should allow an individual to move more rapidly toward fulfilling organizational objectives with a given level of confidence. The results will be extraordinary. Try it.

There are infinite reasons to be thankful each day. Give thanks. It’s a perfect fit gift, now more than ever.

Why study Latin?

Now there’s an academic debate for the ages. How many of us studied Latin? How many of us HAD TO study Latin? How many students today study Latin? What would it be like if students studied Latin? Research has shown that secondary students who study Latin score higher on their SAT’s. Specifically, Latin improved English comprehension scores and it was shown to sharpen language skills in general.

Let’s have fun with this, and let me suggest that we are somewhat familiar with Latin by our common use of phrases, abbreviations and mottos. Law and medicine are full of Latin phrases, expression and abbreviations. Here are some abbreviations you probably know.

A.D. (anno domini) – in the year of the Lord
A.M. (ante meridiem) – before midday
Etc. (et cetera) – and the rest, and so forth
Lb. (libra) – pound
Rx (recipe) – take

Here are several common Latin phrases:

In absentia – in one’s absence
Semper fidelis – always faithful
Mea culpa – through my fault
Summa cum laude – with highest honor
E plaribus unum – out of many, one.
Carpe Diem – seize the day

Latin phrases or mottos are often used as a guiding principle of a particular group or organization. They are commonly used by academic institutions. Consider these.

Mens et manus – Mind and hand (M.I.T.)
Magnus est veritas – Great is the truth (U. of Miami)
Veritas et virtus – Truth and Virtue (U. of Pittsburgh)
Ut Prosim – That I may serve (Virginia Tech)

(I’m particularly fond of one of these from my
“alma mater” – kind mother)

I believe each motto coveys an element of prestige, an element of scholarly awareness. I find them interesting. Why do we use Latin phrases? Should we just say what we mean?
Why don’t we have a Latin motto for TCL?

Latin takes a slogan or motto and transforms it to make it sound important or meaningful. It’s not really catchy, but rather classy. Is there a prestige value in a slogan if it is stated in Latin?

TCL’s slogan (not moto) is The wave of the future. We don’t use a Latin translation. Should we?

The power or force of a wave and the cleansing opportunities it holds for our future. Perhaps we don’t need a Latin phrase. Or do we?

Culture and language are important. Over time, Latin remained unchanged. It is the root language. Perhaps that is why we need to study it, appreciate it, and marvel in its values.

If you care to explore this topic further, consider this link:
http://www.yuni.com/library/latin.html

P.S. (post scriptum) – written after. Ipsa scientia potestas est. Check it out.

(To TCL’s Presidential Ambassadors, thanks for letting me know you read my blog. Excelsior.)

TCL

Do you really know?

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” - Aristotle

You know … fall is a wonderful time of year when the sport of the season involving teams everywhere at all levels compete on the gridiron. Of course I’m speaking of football.

It’s the post game interview that bugs the life out of me. Here’s what I want you to do. The next time a player or coach is interviewed, count the number of times they use the expression “you know.” Guaranteed, it’s distracting.
In a recent 90 second interview following a game, I counted 21 “you knows.”

My point: I don’t know. That’s why I’m listening. That’s the purpose of an interview – to gain added insight. I surely want to know, and I want you to tell me. Please don’t assume I know.

Perhaps I’m being silly, and giving you some insight into one of my pet peeves. Our language is filled with rich opportunities to express oneself. In college, our athletes are students first, followed by their extracurricular investments of time in activities or sports. I know it’s a habit to say “I know,” a very bad and annoying habit. So, let’s break it.

When you know something, then tell me in explicit terms. Then I will know too. I will listen because I too want to learn from your knowledge. Please don’t assume I know, because I probably don’t.

Here’s what I know. I know TCL staff and faculty are serving students in record numbers, and I know we’re making a valuable impact in our community. I know we can make a difference with a planned credit curriculum in a variety of skill areas (some requiring a speech course) or through a customized non-credit course designed to meet immediate learning needs. Did you know that?

It’s All About Jobs.

In a recent speech, President Obama claimed that education is the economic issue of our time. He’s right. We need to rally behind educational opportunities at all levels and take an investment perspective.

In June, the Center on Education and the Workforce at George Mason University, under the talented work of Tony Carnaville, said the U.S. is on a collision course with the future since far too few Americans complete college. The report went on to say that by 2018, the economy will have jobs for 22 million new workers with college degrees, but based on current projections, there will be:
a. a shortage of 3 million workers for jobs needed by individuals who have some postsecondary degree (associate or higher) and,
b. a shortage of 4.7 million workers for jobs that require a postsecondary certificate.

TCL is starting another academic year with record enrollments. There are people for jobs, and we need to make sure there are jobs for people. Many dedicated people in our local communities are behind the economic development movement. I believe the economy will recover. The Lowcountry, with all its appeal, is the place that will grow, and as it does, count on TCL, through the learning channels and academic programs we maintain, to prepare the people with marketable skills for jobs. I’m thankful for an engaged faculty and staff. Together, we’ll survive the downturn and move into more prosperous times. There is a very bright future ahead, and now is the time to prepare for it. Our students are here in full force leading us on this journey with inquisitive minds to shape. I’m also grateful for their optimistic attitude and investment in their future for the jobs that await them.

On your mark, get set.

The semester is off to a grand start. Enrollment, once again, looks strong. This is a very exciting time of year for everyone at TCL, beginning in the Admissions Office, continuing through the College Bookstore, and culminating in the sidewalks, hallways and the paths that lead to the classroom.

On the day before start of the fall semester, I watched about two dozen student posts on the TCL Facebook landing page, and I was thrilled to see how each student expressed her or his excitement about the start of the academic year. Comments like, “bring it on,” and “I can’t wait to get started” seem to capture the spirit. I believe faculty is equally excited to welcome students to their classrooms and labs. Some have posted Facebook comments expressing their excitement.

The energy at TCL is alive and there is definitely an uplifting feeling to the start of the semester, full of anticipation and full of hope. As a college community we embrace learning and the pathway beyond the classroom, lab or clinical setting that leads to a job or advanced higher education. We are thrilled to observe student success in many forms, which ultimately changes the economic landscape of our communities. As President Obama recently said, “education is the economic issue of our time.”

Go. Get started. Enjoy the benefits of learning. I hope to see every single student at Commencement when we celebrate new options for pathways that hold infinite reward.

Take your time. Study hard.

Instant Gratification. That’s what we want. In general terms, we have become an impatient society. We want answers, we want solutions, and we want them now. We operate in soundbites and we look for short cuts, to conversations, to directions, and we’re always wanting the bottom line. Just the facts.

I like results as much as the next person; however, I’m disciplined. I don’t jump to the end of the book (anymore) to learn the ending. I don’t like people telling me how movies end. I like to wait until the official results are reported in an election. I respect process.

This is the wonderful time of year when we officially welcome new students to the campus. In my orientation remarks to new students, I will focus on process, and let them know that the process of earning a credential is a time honored tradition. There is a time commitment established for a reason.

Recently, there are pushes to have this process occur more rapidly. I fear the push may impede the learning process. Learning takes time. It involves reflection. It involves thought. It involves patience. Learning a new subject or skill takes disciplined attention. In fairness, it does not need to be rushed.

Too often I see students who become impatient with process and they tend not to give it a chance. This year, I plan to encourage students to allow time to study and to ponder the fine points of academic investment. The classroom is a sacred place where one is free to learn and think. It is fun and exciting. It is an escape from the pressures of the world, and it needs to be preserved as such. The message is a good one for everyone. Allow ample time to process and think.

So, for students, it’s a class at a time, on a day at a time, by completing an assignment or a project at a time -- all adding up to the earning of a credential. The process is designed to take time. And to our students, for each hour you spend in class, your instructor expects that you will spend two hours outside of class reviewing, prepping, writing, reading and, yes, thinking. Take time to think. Take time to reflect. Eliminate distractions and concentrate. Learning is a process that takes time. Your days in College are precious, so enjoy every second. Get to know your faculty and fellow students in your new community of learners. Set the goal to complete your program and earn your degree or certificate. Good things come to those who persist.

Learning Partnerships

On July 23 the Beaufort County School Board celebrates the opening of the new Whale Branch High School, officially called the Whale Branch “Early College” High School. It’s the early college part that begs my attention.

In its conception, Superintendent Dr. Valerie Truesdale had the vision to make this new high school different by offering its students an opportunity to participate in an on-site Dual Enrollment educational program. The dual track allows students to earn both high school and college credentials at the same time. It’s definitely made a huge splash in the community and substantially lifted the awareness of this efficient combination of learning alternatives.

High school students must qualify for college admission to take college-level classes. It has huge benefits. Consider this success story.

This past May, twins Gary and Trenicia Wilson received their Associate in Arts degrees from TCL at the same time they received their diplomas from Bluffton High School, thanks to Dual Enrollment. Because of this accomplishment, Gary and Trenicia will enjoy advanced placement as they begin Howard University in the fall where they’ll be working to earn their pharmacy degrees.

The Whale Branch Early College High School could be a very important model for other school districts in the Lowcountry. We’re eager to get involved.

With the cutting of the ribbon, we celebrate learning and we celebrate partnerships with friends and with students. We do this with a mindset of appreciation to leaders who make a difference, including the TCL Area Commission, The Beaufort County School Board, and Dr. Truesdale.

Additionally, on the TCL side, Dr. Gina Mounfield gave specific attention and direction to the initiative along with Dr. Sean Alford from the Beaufort County School District. We are grateful to the work of many, and we’re honored to be a learning partner. We’re excited about this and we stand united behind Principal Priscilla Drake with our best wishes for long-term success in changing lives through education.

Supporting the F-35

Well, here’s a “no brainer.” The F35-B Joint Strike Fighter is essential for our area and our local economy. Our region is fortunate to have a military presence. From the economic perspective, estimates suggest that we benefit each year by $1.2 billion through our military’s investment in our community. Beyond the economic impact, I’m personally impressed by the unique talents of all military personnel. It begins with the leadership of Col. Snyder at the MCAS and Brigadier General Padilla at Parris Island. These individuals are highly skilled and they care about the community where they live. They are personally involved in local activities and want nothing but the best surroundings and opportunities for their troops.

The F-35 B project includes three new operational squadrons in Beaufort. It is a vital infusion of opportunity that reaches far into every individual and community agency. We need to support the F35-B.

Through our military, freedom is preserved. We can all play an important part in preserving freedom by telling the Navy how committed we are to keeping the Air Station active through new squadrons and new investment. On June 22, between 4 and 7 p.m., we need to show up at the Beaufort Holiday Inn to record our support. Additionally, between now and July 12, your comments can be expressed through a website: www.usmcjsfeast.com.

Our military personnel are heroes. They deserve our local support. I urge you to support economic development and future growth opportunity through the public meeting on June 22. Let freedom ring clear over the skies of Beaufort. Support the F35B Joint Strike Fighter squadrons at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort.

Let’s read.

The Memorial Day holiday is a reference point for the start of the summer season. Conversely, Labor Day signals the onset of fall. In my professional life, I have a wonderful opportunity to be bombarded by information from all sources. Although the information barrage gets overwhelming and difficult to manage, the summer season is a traditional time for catch up on one’s reading.

I once lived in a community where the local newspaper had an annual column asking local leaders to list their choices for summer reading. It was interesting to see the responses. Some responses were surprising. One might proffer what we read tells a lot about us. Does it? The newspaper column always had me thinking -- What would I say if I were asked the question to list my summer reading choices?

I’ll admit, I don’t read much fiction. My disciplined-based colleagues in the humanities shake their heads at this, but when given time, I am not a “pleasure” reader; although, reading is pure pleasure. For me, holding a book – a physical book – is my preference. I can highlight and write in the margins. I’m not good at looking at a screen, let alone a portable electronic device – at least for now.

When I have the time to read I select topics that relate to the job I perform with the hope of gaining a new insight. I maintain a constant reading list. So, if asked, I can easily answer the reading list question. I always take several books with me when I travel because being without something to read when delayed in an airport could be catastrophic. I can’t stand to be idle.

Okay, after all of this, I better share a partial summer reading list with you. Although I could easily list a dozen, I’ll give you three:

Love Leadership, by John Bryant
Rework, by Jason Fried & David H. Hansson
Switch, by Chip & Dan Heath

What’s on YOUR summer reading list? Feel free to share your ideas by sending me an email: tcl@tcl.edu.

Reading stimulates. It’s exciting. It’s powerful.

Enjoy summer. Happy reading.

Hold it high

At the close of her Commencement address, Dr. W. Joye Hardiman encouraged graduates to take responsibility and hold up their piece of the sky. This message was accompanied by everyone in the audience raising their arms with open palms, pushing them skyward. Symbolically, it was an emotional moment to see everyone holding up the sky. When the students exited the ceremony through the reception line, many of them gestured to Dr. Hardiman with their arms raised, suggesting they continue to hold up the sky. The illustration conveyed a positive message that we can take with us in the true spirit of new beginnings or the essence of commencement.

When graduates met family and friends on the lawn outside of the arena, I noticed them holding high their diplomas for another photo opportunity. The celebration was joyful. In their hearts, they will indeed hold high their learning experience just as we hold them in high esteem for their academic accomplishment.

Dr. Hardiman also spoke about truth. Let’s all try to visualize a world where truth prevails and where we seek to keep our commitments to promoting goodwill. Take time to hold up your portion of the sky. Extend yourself to help a stranger, or volunteer in a community service agency. Be the one to stand up and take on a noble project or better yet to lead the change effort. Congratulations to our graduates. We will always hold you high in gratitude for allowing us to share wisdom through the college experience.

New Beginnings

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, I’m not quoting Andy Williams and one of his popular holiday tunes. The end of the spring semester and all of the celebrations make this a unique and wonderfully exciting time. Commencement represents the ultimate culmination of efforts. It’s the pinnacle moment in the life of an academic enterprise.

Our students bring life to our institution. As employees organized to serve them, commencement becomes a very sacred time, and we relive precious moments as we reflect fondly on our own graduation events. We also intentionally preserve culture and honor tradition through planned celebrations of accomplishment. Students and guests alike who participate in the formal commencement exercises will see symbols, and those symbols have deep meaning. For example, symbolism occurs in the colors of the faculty’s commencement hoods, which convey academic programs and disciplines. Symbolism shows in the bands that surround our college mace, which represent the four counties we serve. Tradition is proudly reflected in our own college seal as we honor our founding dating back to 1868.

For me there is a feeling of relief and contentment following the commencement ceremony. It’s something I can’t explain. It may be similar to the empty nest time when children leave the home. Perhaps it’s a time to let go and a time to bid our graduates Godspeed. There is a feeling of joy and excitement for we know the journey begins, and new frontiers await our graduates as they are now equipped with a new set of skills that they worked hard to acquire. We ask them to become a respectful owner of their new academic credential and treasure the moments they spent at TCL with their faculty and fellow learners. Further, we believe it’s time to begin establishing their own traditions, and among them, we carefully challenge our graduates to never stop learning and to share their knowledge with others and commit to making a difference in the world. We salute our graduates for their accomplishment and we wish them endless success as they create a new beginning for themselves and our community.

Enterprise Campus Designation

As a representative of TCL, I have a wonderful opportunity to meet many creative individuals who come to the coast to live and some who relocate their businesses here. They want to get involved with higher education, and many times, these folk have novel ideas that are worth pursuing. However, their timeframes are different. They want it now and they want to see what we can do to help them accomplish their initiatives in a partnership framework.

The Enterprise Campus concept/designation allows that to happen. It is an incentive that will allow TCL to combine efforts with campus based functions of applied research and instruction along with the implementation options designed to bring a product to the marketplace with vigorous excitement. An Enterprise Campus will prompt growth in human and investment capital ---- in the name of economic development, which translates directly with an investment in human capital for job growth.

The concept is right for our area. It suggests that TCL is open to and for business. The Enterprise Campus designation will allow TCL to move forward with less cumbersome bureaucracy thus aligning with the way the corporate world does business.

On March 26, Governor Sanford exercised executive privilege and vetoed the Enterprise Campus bill that was properly prepared, uncontested in both the SC House and Senate, and ratified through our Lt. Governor. An override is in the works.

I’m personally grateful to our Lowcountry legislative delegation for supporting TCL’s Enterprise Campus bill override. I’m proud to know bold leaders who are committed to education and opportunity. On the Senate side, I value the leadership of Senators Pinckney and Davis. On the House side, I value the leadership of Representatives Erickson, Chalk, Herbkersman, Bowers, Brantley, Hodges, and Littlejohn.

I have faith in the override process. Watch what can happen when we get creative. The Enterprise Campus designation will open doors to new avenues of economic development. The process works, and so will the people in the Lowcountry with the passing of this bill.

Good teams respond.

It’s great to work in challenging times. Dr. Greg Rutherford, President of York Technical College, recently made that statement when he opened a meeting of the President’s Council of the South Carolina Technical College System. Dr. Rutherford serves the Council as this year’s chairman. The comment is simple; the implications are so very complex. These are indeed challenging times in all sectors of our communities, state and nation.

There is another statement I hear when I’m watching an intense sporting event. It is usually voiced after one team scores and there is a huge momentum shift mounting. Soon after an impressive drive leading to a score, in a surprise turnaround fashion, the other team responds quickly with a convincing play or series of plays in a short timeframe to counteract the previous score by the opposition. Typically, you’ll hear the announcer proclaim – good teams respond.

It’s true. Good teams respond to adversity. At TCL we have a good team that is on its way to greatness. During these times of mounting opposition, we have to remain committed to our calling and respond vigorously with creative initiatives that show the public our spunk and determination to keep the momentum going even when there are obstacles.

It’s difficult to remain positive when financial difficulties confront us, but determination allows us to succeed. That manifests in many ways. It’s evident in the way we encourage students to think, it’s evident when we prepare facilities for the next day of classes, it’s evident when we make one more student appointment when the available office hours have long past, it’s evident when we offer a helpful smile and greeting that conveys we’re here to help, and it’s evident when we accept one more student into a full class because he or she needs it to graduate. Yes, it’s also evident when we go out of our way to show kindness to someone who is having a bad day or to offer an encouraging word of praise when one is performing tasks that exceed our typical expectations. Yes, good teams indeed respond to challenges. They not only survive the challenge, they are better for not caving or giving in to adversity. Great leaders lead with positive demeanor. Yes, it is truly great to work in challenging times.

Spring is a wonderful time and we all sense the freshness and liveliness due to the season. I feel energized and refreshed, and at TCL we’re making some plans for extraordinary times. There is never a time when we will get complacent. We are so fortunate to work at a time that needs our services and our product, which is the curriculum.

I challenge all teammates at TCL to respond to challenges, knowing that it may get more difficult and demanding in the next year as our financial resources dwindle even farther.

The best reward is coming. It’s Commencement. It’s that time of year when we get to celebrate the conferring of an academic credential. It’s a big deal for our students. It will remind all of us why we keep responding and keep pushing harder.

It’s great to have a responsive team of committed individuals who believe in human potential. There is hope out there. I remain committed to the fact that our community and technical colleges are our nation’s great hope to lead and the major force behind the innovation driven economy.

The major news of the year so far is the passing of the Healthcare Initiative. Imbedded in that initiative are funds for advancing two year colleges. This marks the first time the federal government has awarded funds to community and technical colleges.

We will continue to seek alternative sources of revenue to fund our operations so we can continue to respond to the needs in our community. Believe in our process, our resolve to serve and our commitment to leading the region to economic prosperity. I challenge our TCL team to lead the community with responsive solutions that reflect pride in the trust that others have given us, for the survival of this great nation rests solidly on an educated polity. Our job is defined for us. Let’s get it done.

Funding Dilemma.

More budget cuts are coming, get prepared. That’s the word from Columbia. I appreciate the advanced notice, and I realize the funding issues will continue to hamper operations for all state agencies in the coming fiscal year. We’re bracing for at least another 15% cut in funding from the State when we begin the new fiscal year on July 1.

Across the nation, recent student demonstrations called attention to decreased funding and tuition increases. Students amassed to use their collective voice to communicate their concern. For me, it's good to see engaged students voicing their opinion; however, the sobering truth is institutions of higher learning, even those with state affiliation, can no longer rely on tax-based revenue to fund college operating budgets.

Although base funding from the State of South Carolina is decreasing, we have been careful to examine the tuition structure so that we are not placing students at a disadvantage. Our tuition increases have been modest. The technical college tuition structure is less than what the other SC higher education sectors charge. In no way are we making up for declining state support through the tuition we charge. We do encourage all students to apply for available grants through our Office of Financial Aid, providing they qualify and follow all the requisite steps. There are dedicated financial aid staff available to assist.

TCL employees are curious about the impact of state budget declines. From what I know now, providing that our enrollment continues to grow while we retain current students, we should be able to survive and hopefully maintain full employment. Survival is one thing. We are surviving. Are we advancing as we should? Not to the extent we should. At TCL we know that since 2008 we have approximately $1.2 million less in state appropriations. Imagine where we could be with those dollars. As a consequence, there are some items on hold, including new programs, expansion plans, and deferred maintenance items. This is all part of the dilemma.

A dilemma is defined as choice between equally undesirable outcomes. Those choices are to remain operational and continue to serve more students with fewer funds or to outright restrict enrollment and operate within our funding structure.

At present, my position is to maintain our commitment to open access. Students are enrolling at the two-year colleges in record numbers all across the nation, TCL not withstanding. The dilemma we face, as we admit record numbers of students, is how many more students do we admit before our service to them is impacted?

In the current fiscal year, TCL received some financial assistance from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These non-recurring funds helped us renovate facilities, purchase new furniture and repair campus HVAC systems that otherwise would have been deferred. The funds provided a temporary boost to our financial position, but they will not last beyond next fiscal year. The funding picture will look substantially different in fiscal year 2012 when these funds are no longer available.

There is no question that TCL employees are working harder at all levels to serve more students. Yes, they are stretched. For the record, there has been no increase in compensation in the last few years. Due to the enrollment increase, there have been some temporary part-time employees hired to help with the increased workload. Rather than continue to add more work to existing employees, we attempted to add temporary help. The greatest advantage we have is the collective intellectual capital of TCL employees.

Let me be unequivocal. At TCL, we will continue to do our best to serve students. The same is true for our State lawmakers. They are not destined to spitefully hurt higher education or any other state agencies for that matter. Public service is a high calling, both locally and in Columbia. The individuals who serve in the General Assembly have noble intentions. They are simply having to deal with a lousy dose of economic decline, and it is widespread, far beyond South Carolina.

The purpose of this note is to communicate. I want to create the open agenda to know that as an institution, we are very sensitive to concerns of everyone, including our constituents, our students and our employees. We will continue to make careful decisions about how we handle the financial resources we are given. We are mindful stewards of the public trust, and above all, I pledge to operate in an honorable fashion where we remain committed to service to our community, our students, and our staff.

Preserving a Legacy

Families are so important. At TCL our family roots go back to our Matriarch, Rachel Crane Mather. We credit Mrs. Mather as our founder dating back to 1868. Each February, we celebrate Founder’s Day, a day when we remember the legacy of a woman with a vision who inspired others by giving them hope and by making a difference in their lives through education.

I’m reading a book by Barbara Mackoff and Gary Wenet called the Inner work of Leaders: Leadership as a Habit of Mind. In it, the authors mention how psychologist James Hillman describes the “net of nurturance” that shapes our lives. Clearly, Mrs. Mather is part of a net that binds us together. The authors also talk about the importance of mentors. They claim the action of leaders is shaped by mentors, and we need to remain open to opportunities for mentoring relationships.

I have many treasured mentors. Most of them are educators, some are community leaders. Some of my special mentors helped shape my faith. Take a moment and think about your mentors. Who are they? How did they impact you life? Some may have had a dramatic impact on your life, so much so that you place them in a unique category. These individuals, like super mentors, are termed exemplars, or people along your path of leadership who served as true role models -- who inspired in you the leadership concept as a habit of mind. An exemplar is a person who serves as a model of behavior, guiding the growth of inner resources in leaders-to-be.

Frankly, I like the term and the meaning of exemplar. Rachael Crane Mather was an exemplar, a woman with a deeper passion who made a difference in countless lives. Mrs. Mather’s passion for education led her to reach out to daughters of freed slaves and encouraged them to begin a regimented program of studies, eventually leading some of them to become teachers. Is there any higher calling?

We are fortunate at TCL to celebrate the Mather legacy during Founders Day (February 26) and every day. May her legacy continue to live through the lives of our current and future students.

Energized.

TCL is energized and positioned to advance the latest technology in alternative energy. Truly, with the help of key partners, the College will champion causes that put our region in a position to embrace future job creation with smart decisions that are good for the environment and economically viable for consumers. The best part is the jobs that result from innovative solutions.

It is truly exciting to see community members and partnerships working to solve energy-related issues. It makes sense to examine problems, but it is far more exciting to be leading the discussion and helping create the responsive solution. There are many examples, but for one, consider the work occurring in TCL’s Industrial and Engineering Technology Division. Grant funds help us reach new levels and challenge our students to think differently about the energy-related conditions we face. The future demands creativity. New LEED-certified options stressing solar, wind and tidal power generation has gained substantial momentum of late. I invite you to watch what happens when creative minds get involved.

The dedication of the new “solar array” at TCL’s New River Campus gives us a claim that we mean business in the arena of smart energy decisions. On behalf of our students and the broader community, I offer by sincere thanks to Santee Cooper and Palmetto Electric for working with TCL. We pledge our continued support to advancing technology and creating jobs with a green tint.

(To watch the real time generation of power at TCL’s New River Campus, click on http://siteapp.fatspaniel.net/siteapp/simpleView.jsf?eid=422219)

Preserving Culture.

The spring semester started and enrollment is strong. It’s very good to have students want to participate in the educational process and consume the product we offer. That product, of course, is our curriculum.

The curriculum is a unique product. From a philosophical stand, I deem the curriculum is essential to preserve culture. The content of the curriculum is the specific and intentional elements that are planned, delivered and assessed by our faculty.

The curriculum is where major events are studied and analyzed. In history, for example, students can look at the lives of change agents to see results. Too often history is passive. Too often we do not relate to history; yet, each year I’m glad we take time to reflect on the impact of a visionary leader who believed in a life that was free from conflict. The relentless work of Martin Luther King is now recognized as transformational.

“Let us rise up with a greater readiness – with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, in these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.” Those words were spoken in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968, by Martin Luther King, in his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. He was murdered the very next day.

I know this through the curriculum. Many others will know this through the curriculum that preserves culture and inspires us to remember heroes. The lesson is not just in remembering our history but learning from it.

We’re all about learning. Join us.

Happy New Dacade.

It’s 2010 and the beginning of a new decade. What will happen in the next 10 years? That’s a question that sparks excitement and all sorts of creative thinking. Looking ahead, setting goals, and asking what will we look like in 2019 is clearly an exercise we will undertake at the College. Some things won’t change. I pledge to all members of our community: TCL will remain responsive and focused on providing innovative workforce solutions now and long into the future. Conversely, some things will change. How we respond to challenge will be different.

Arnold Toynbee, the famous British historian and prolific writer, once described the rise and fall of nations in terms of challenge and response. A young nation, he said, is confronted with a challenge for which it finds a successful response. It then grows and prospers. But as time passes, the nature of the challenge changes, and if a nation continues to make the same, once-successful response to the new challenge, it inevitably suffers a decline and eventual failure.

Herein lies my New Year’s resolution: to innovatively and creatively face opportunities with a mindset to respond differently for the hope of long term prosperity. Clearly, that is what gives me hope.

I’m approaching the New Year and New Decade with expanded optimism as now is the time to step up and provide creative and innovative opportunities to changing the economic and social landscape for our region.

We are TCL. It’s our job to lead change. Let’s get started.