2024 State of the College

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Message from the President

Dear Friends,

What’s in a name? Though a rose may smell just as sweet regardless of what it’s called, I contend that there’s much to be revered in a name. Take the name “Technical College of the Lowcountry” for example. Who we are is all right there in our name.

TECHNICAL speaks to the career-focused education and training we provide to thousands of students annually for high-skill jobs today and tomorrow. As a nationally accredited two-year community COLLEGE, we offer more than 60 academic certificates, degree programs and university transfer options. And, most importantly, LOWCOUNTRY denotes our foremost commitment to our local community spanning Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties.

The naming of our new 50,000 square-foot training center, which received a $10 million appropriation from the state of South Carolina last year, is also significant. The Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center will be built at the college’s New River Campus in Bluffton. It’s named for General Art Brown, a longtime TCL donor, advocate and former commissioner, to ensure his name and legacy live on for generations to come.

We were also very intentional in finding just the right name for our new mascot. Last February, TCL embarked on a months-long, community-wide initiative to choose an official mascot and gathered input from our students, alumni, employees and the community. In August, we announced the “Tides” as our mascot, a perfect representation of TCL’s vision to elevate the students and communities we serve and
a fitting symbol of the steadfast spirit of our students and alumni.

You’ll note that this year’s State of the College report focuses on the many names behind our institution—from graduates to donors to other community partners. In addition, you’ll read important highlights from the past year and learn more about our plans for 2024.

Names matter. They certainly help define who we are as a college. I encourage you to get to know us by name, whether that be our faculty and staff, our programs of study or our students and alumni. As our partners in higher education and workforce development, we promise to welcome you by name to any of our campuses anytime.

Sincerely,

Richard Gough, Ed.D.
President

View the complete PDF here or click below to view it section by section.