Students, staff and commissioners representing Northeastern Technical College gather on the front steps of the State Capital building in support of LTA funding.  In the photo are NETC students Jaleesa Gillespie, of Cheraw; Jabolin Gary, of Cheraw; Charles Brigman, of Cheraw; Raven Fennell, of Bennettsville; Sandra Evans, of Ruby; Ronnie Ford, of Bennettsville; Tina and Thuramn Lowery, of Cheraw; Destini Bridges, of Cheraw; James Moore, of Bennettsville; and Marlene Ponce, of Ruby.  Representing NETC staff are Reese Bostic, coordinator of student support service; Leron Peterkin, dean of student  services; Dr. Forest Mahan, vice president of academic affairs; and Dr. Ron Bartley, president.  The NETC Area Commission is represented by Herbet Watts, commission chairman; and Dan Bozard, a commissioner representing Dillon County.

February 3, 2010
NETC Students Travel to Columbia to Show Appreciation for LTA Program

Students and staff from Northeastern Technical College joined hundreds of other students from the South Carolina Technical College system last week at the State House in Columbia.  The students were rallying in support and appreciation of Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA), a program that nearly 285,000 technical college students have benefitted from since inception.

At Northeastern Technical College, nearly 50 percent of the students rely on the LTA program to pursue their pathway to a future.

“The LTA has given us the means to attend school and obtain access to services that are helping us to redefine our lives,” said Tina Lowery, of Cheraw.  Lowery, a homemaker and caregiver returned to college with her husband to further her education and acquire the skills she needs to begin a new career in law enforcement.  She aspires to be a crime scene investigator. 

Her husband, Thurman, is also interested in law enforcement and they are each pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

“I worked in a local textile plant for 35 years and since it’s closing last year I have been looking for a job with very little success,” said Lowery.  “Without the LTA I would probably be at home looking for a job that is not there instead of being here attempting to better myself and have a positive impact on my community.”

Raven Fennell, of Bennettsville, also traveled to Columbia to take part in the rally.  Fennell, a senior at Marlboro County High School in Bennettsville, is using the LTA to get a head start on college by taking dual credit classes offered through Northeastern Technical College.

“LTA funding has given me the opportunity to become college prepared,” she said. “With LTA assistance I’ll be graduating high school with 12 college credit hours and will have a better idea of what it takes to succeed in college.”

Fennell plans to attend Francis Marion University and pursue a degree in accounting. Her mother, Mary, also appreciates LTA funding.

“LTA is helping us to alleviate the high cost of going to college which makes a big difference,” she said.  “So not only is it providing her the opportunity to prepare for college, it’s also helping us to manage the cost associated with her continued education.”

 During the rally, the NETC students joined more than 300 students representing students enrolled in South Carolina’s technical colleges who receive LTA funding.  Speakers included Dr. Barry Russell, president of the South Carolina Technical College System.

“Today we are putting a face on the impressive numbers the SC Technical College System boasts. Each of these students present today has their own personal story of how LTA has helped them achieve their education and career goals.  Goals that are important to our state—that will help build a skilled workforce for our future.” said Russell. “We appreciate the General Assembly’s foresight in creating this program.  Their continued support and consistent funding of Lottery Tuition Assistance is vital to ensuring that a quality higher education is accessible and affordable for all South Carolinians.”