Business and community leaders recognized for financial support of MTC
June 23, 2017
Midlands Technical College (MTC) and the MTC Foundation recognized many of the college’s top loyal supporters and partners during its annual Celebration of Partnerships. Individuals and companies were honored for achieving significant levels of giving in the Foundation’s 1974 Society and the Harbison Society. Others were recognized for outstanding volunteer work to the Foundation and service to the community.
“This is very special for Midlands Technical College,” said MTC President Dr. Ronald L. Rhames. “We enjoy celebrating those who support MTC by contributing their precious financial resources, time, and expertise. We are truly grateful for the support our community provides our students through the MTC Foundation.”
The Foundation recognized new members of the 1974 Society – those individuals, couples, or families who have made a lifetime cash commitment of $25,000 or more in support of the college. The 1974 Society is named after the year three separate institutions merged to form Midlands Technical College.
“These partners have made extraordinary financial contributions to Midlands Technical College,” said Jack Hoekstra, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy and CEO of the MTC Foundation. “Each of these individuals is part of a community whose foresight and generosity will forever make a difference in the quality of MTC.”
Friends of the college Lex and Cathy Knox were recognized for reaching the Founder’s Circle, the top level of the 1974 Society. This category represents those who have given $100,000 or more to MTC.
MTC President and alumnus, Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, was recognized for reaching the 1974 Society Distinguished Benefactor level through his cumulative gifts of more than $50,000.
“Dr. Rhames is personally committed to the college and believes in creating a culture of philanthropy throughout MTC and the community,” said Hoekstra.
Two couples, Jim and Margaret Morris, and Garry and Peggy Powers, achieved the Benefactor level of the 1974 Society by giving more than $25,000.
The MTC Foundation recognized three companies who reached the Distinguished Benefactor Level of the Harbison Society through cumulative gifts of more than $250,000. Companies reaching this notable level were Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company, Michelin North America, and Pepsi. The Harbison Society is named after the Harbison Campus, which played a major role in the development of African-American educational history in South Carolina.
MTC Foundation Board member Lex Knox received the Foundation’s Distinguished Volunteer Award. Knox, who has served on the Foundation Board for 15 years, was recognized for his service and significant contributions to MTC and the Foundation.
The Reverend Doctor Solomon Jackson received the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Foundation.
“Through his philanthropic efforts, Reverend Jackson has supported many educational institutions and charities throughout South Carolina,” said Hoekstra. “His pledge to Midlands Technical College was the largest, one-time gift from an individual in the college’s history.”
Jackson, along with friend of the college Lou Kennedy, recently was conferred an honorary Associate Degree of Humane Letters from MTC.
Rhames ended the evening by saying that as a former MTC student, Midlands Technical College made his life better. As the college’s president, he said his goal now is to help make lives better for students and their families.
“As part of that effort, we are working to create a culture of philanthropy for MTC, both internally and externally,” he said. “Creating a culture of philanthropy is critical if we are going to continue to make lives better. The donors honored here tonight and those already represented on our Wall of Honor truly understand what philanthropy is all about in a very significant way.”
About Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College (MTC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. The fifth-largest provider of higher education in South Carolina and the largest provider of transfer students to four-year colleges and universities in the state, MTC enrolls approximately 15,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 15,000 and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. MIDLANDSTECH.EDU
