Connection November/December 2024
In this Issue …
Dr. Laneika Musalini Receives Distinguished Alumni Award............3
Annual Report Showcases How Mentors Make a Difference..............4
Tri-County Technical College Celebrates Re‑Opening of Newly-Renovated Oconee Hall Tri-County Technical College re-opened the doors to a newly renovated academic building, Oconee Hall, on November 20, as College leaders, commissioners, faculty, staff, students and community partners gathered for a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the fully Oconee Hall updated facility. Faculty moved into Oconee Hall in December with students attending classes in spring 2025. When Oconee Hall opened in 1980, it was the first multi-level structure on the College’s Pendleton Campus. The 36,000-square-foot building housed some of the most modern classrooms and laboratories and virtually every student in every program received training in general education courses in the building. Forty-four years later, with TCTC’s enrollment topping 5,800, Oconee Hall is still the busiest building on the Pendleton Campus with roughly 80% of students taking at least one class in this building. Over the past 20 months, Oconee Hall underwent a complete renovation which increased the building’s size by 44% while retaining 87% of the original steel structure. Oconee Hall was remodeled with the student in mind. It features expanded classroom sizes and three new classrooms, a courtyard, student collaborative spaces, and an outdoor terrace. The new building has 20 total classrooms between the second and third floors. The first floor houses a new faculty neighborhood concept which enables students to easily find and connect with their instructors and academic advisors. Also, there is a 3,400 sq. ft outdoor terrace with additional collaboration spaces. This renovation increases student capacity by 60%.
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below: The ribbon cutting ceremony for Oconee Hall.
S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Don Beatty Was Guest Speaker At Men of Color Luncheon...............5