President Kristin Keller called the meeting to order
Kevin Courtney offered the prayer and led the pledge to the flag
Announcements:
Saturday March 11 is the official kick off for "Round Up for Rotary" at Piggly Wiggly. We will be on site to help bag. When doing your grocery shopping, don't forget to support Piggly Wiggly
March 18 -Wing Fest - volunteers are needed to fill two shifts. There are no limits to how many members. We will get paid $150 per shift which goes to our commitment for the rec center
Scholarship application is now available. $10,000 over 4 years for a graduating high school student from Hilton Head Island
Trash pickup at the Hilton Head High School will be scheduled soon. Watch for information about this.
Heritage - we will be serving pulled pork and tacos. More to follow - watch for the sign up sheet.
Happy $$ - John Farrenkopf shared highlights of his Disney trip. Sonny headed to South America - other great shares.
Speaker:
Dr. Rich Gough, President of TLC provided an update:
-things they are working on
- TLC is one of 16 technical colleges in SC
- has 2400 students
- 60% of courses are online
- 26-27 is the average age of students
- 70% women from service industry
- Beaufort, Hampton, New River & Buckwalter campuses
- Offer Baccalaureate degrees
- Affordable / 70% receive financial aide
- Students come out without debt
- 95% graduate rate/students remain in the area
- Work force development is the main forcus
- Culinary facility - built from local support - in year #2 with 125 students, looking to grow. Goal is to train culinary students who will stay in the area
- 1 of 4 higher ed institutes to have all their programs' participants to pass their qualification tests.
Dual enrollment - high school students can take college courses at no cost.
Provides 1/2 of Baccalaureate to high school kids
Credits transferrable to 4 year colleges
- Enrollment is up 14% this year
Trades programs are now getting some support from the state. ex: truck driver training, a newly established trade offering.