History made twice as $1.25 Million Gift is announced at the Inauguration of Midlands Technical College First Alumnus President
September 28, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a historical day for Midlands Technical College (MTC), Dr. Ronald L. Rhames was inaugurated today as the first alumnus president of Midlands Technical College. He is the first person to graduate from a South Carolina technical college and later become its president.
During today’s celebration, fellow Midlands Technical College alumnus Soloman Jackson announced a $1.25 million gift to support scholarships in the college’s QuickJobs program – the largest individual gift in the college’s history.
“I am honored to be inaugurated as the sixth president of Midlands Technical College,” said Rhames. “We are all deeply honored by the gift Mr. Jackson has pledged to the college today. I thank him, and our students thank him. Mr. Jackson’s generosity will see that more MTC students get the best education and services available.”
Jackson, a member of the Midlands Technical College Foundation Board, says the college has always been a special place to him.
“MTC itself was a school that seemed like they wanted to help you,” said Jackson, the first person in his family to graduate high school and go to college. “For that reason I said, ‘I’m going to go to Midlands Technical College’. And I’m glad I did.”
Increasing private support and growing enrollment are two key elements in Dr. Rhames’ vision for the college. Rhames, the honorary first member of the recently launched MTC Alumni Association, is hoping other alumni, business and individuals will show their support for the college so the college can continue changing lives.
“I’m proud to be the leader of my alma mater,” Rhames said. “This is home to me. This is my community.”
Dr. Rhames earned his associate degree in business management from MTC and went on to study at Benedict College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in economics. He earned his master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University and doctorate in business administration from Nova Southeastern University.
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 18,000 credit students annually. The college’s Corporate and Continuing Education program, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, annually has 30,000 enrollments and provides continuing education to hundreds of area businesses each year. MIDLANDSTECH.EDU
