Easley Couple to Graduate with Business Degrees

EASLEY, SC – May 2, 2012 – Mischelle and Philip Weidman, happilymarried for 26 years, are polar opposites in how they approach justabout everything, including how they pursued the same goal for the pasttwo years—a degree in Business Management at Tri-County TechnicalCollege.

Being a 30-year Air Force Reserve veteran who taughtaircraft maintenance classes on a regular basis, Philip’s study style is more methodical.  He identifies tasks to complete and approaches themsystematically and analytically.  He often took hybrid courses.

Mischelle, 44, is less structured, but more intense.  A stay-at-homemom who later worked as a medical receptionist, she takes a more free-style approach.

She reads the textbooks and goes over her notes daily; he listens toclass lectures and takes copious notes.  She would spend a week studying for a test while he read over his notes right before the exam.  Ironically, they would make very similar grades.   While they were onthe same journey of earning their first college degree, each went aboutit differently — even down to the way they plan to walk across theAnderson Civic Center stage at the College’s May 7 commencement.  Mischelle will walk slowly and proudly, while Philip, 45, will have torefrain from dancing.

Earning their degrees simultaneously was abig accomplishment for both who enrolled in the business managementprogram at Tri-County two years ago.

He spent 23 years at T & S Brass and Bronze Works in Travelers Rest as the lead set-up manager. He took leave from the company in 2003 when, as an air force reservist,was called to active duty.
    After working as an active duty aircraft mechanic in Charleston forsix and one half years, he returned home to Easley and retired inJanuary after almost 30 years of service.

When Philip came off oforders, he was unable to find a job and went on unemployment whilelooking for work.  “I knew I needed a new career,” he said. “So didMischelle.  That’s why we enrolled at Tri-County Technical College.”

Mischelle, who, for years, had stayed home to raise their three children, says,  “I put college on the back burner until our sons, now ages 25, 23 and19, were self sufficient.  It was the perfect time.”  After 10 years ofworking as a medical receptionist, she began to look at new careers.  “I quickly found that you need at least an associate degree for any job,”she said.     Initially, Philip planned to start his own engraving andtrophy business because one of his extra duties in the Air Force hadbeen to engrave plaques for retirements and other special ceremonies.  When he retired, the recession hit hard, jobs were scarce and theopportunity for college presented itself.  Things began to turn aroundand last November, with his career experience, he secured a job as amachinist at Rexall Bosch in Fountain Inn.  His 12-hour shifts (7 p.m. – 7 a.m.) led him to take online classes to finish his degree.

Earlier this year he was named the Outstanding Business Management graduate atthe College’s awards ceremony.  He is taking two more classes tocomplete a second degree in banking and finance.  He hopes to work hisway up at Rexall Bosch to team leader or a supervisory position.

“Philip was chosen for the award based on his academic performance and hisleadership skills,” said Meg Allan, business technology departmenthead.  “He was present on all levels in class and was always willing tohelp others.  He was always engaged and helping others to get engaged.For that reason, I always tried to put someone who needed guidance onhis team during class projects.  He really set an example for the team.In the classroom, he really got the conversation rolling and was a rolemodel for the young folks struggling to balance their lives.”

Bob Massey, an adjunct instructor who taught Philip and Mischelle, saysboth are “ideal students.  They were well prepared, they participated in class and made high grades.  They were serious about college and set an example for the other students.” 
    Mischelle, after a summer break, will return to Tri-County in thefall to take criminal justice classes.   She wants to work in crimescene investigations.  “I know I can use my Business Management degreein any job I have.  It helps to know how a business works in order to be a better employee,” she said.

Their youngest son, Sean, a management trainee at Zaxby’s in Easley, will enter Tri-County this fall. 

Both Weidmans are anxious to cross the stage to receive their diplomas.  “It’s another chapter,” he said.  “For me it’s a real sense ofaccomplishment —  for both of us,” said Mischelle.

“They workedreally well together,” said Meg Allan, who taught Philip and as aresult, got to know Mischelle.  “A husband and wife team, taking classes together and helping each other out, constitutes a cohort.  They areeach successful in their individual approaches and attitudes towardtheir academics, but collectively, they are dynamite.  Our collegeembraces the culture of cohorts and their story is an example that itworks.”