Midlands Technical College Names Local Judge as its 2015 Distinguished Alumni
March 26, 2015
Honorable Tomothy C. Edmond and college donors recognized at MTC Celebration of Philanthropy
COLUMBIA, SC – The Honorable Judge Tomothy C. Edmond, Class of 2004, became the Midlands Technical College 2015 Distinguished Alumni at the annual Celebration of Philanthropy that recognized donors, friends, partners and alumni of MTC who are leaving a legacy in the community. The invitation-only event was held at Midlands Technical College’s Harbison Theatre, one of the most technologically advanced performing arts venues in the Midlands, and featured a 90-minute concert by five-time Grammy winner Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives.
“This celebration allowed us to welcome our newest inductee into our Distinguished Graduate Society,” said Tim Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Midlands Technical College Foundation. “Judge Edmonds personifies what an MTC graduate represents. He is a dedicated man. His colleagues have told me he is a consummate professional, an outstanding leader, and an extraordinary human being.”
Judge Edmond, a veteran of the US Army, said early in his career he was working for the SC House of Representatives when “a senior Representative, who is now a Senator, advised me, in order to get to the next level, I needed an education,” said Edmond. “To Senator (John) Scott, I thank you for the position to succeed and to give back service to the community. Then in 1999, while in an elevator in the Blatt Building, a young Senator also advised me to get an education. That young man was Senator Darrell Jackson. Senator Jackson, I thank you for giving me great information. I can’t thank you enough for setting me up for success.”
Edmond received degrees in public service with concentrations in criminal justice and criminology with a dual focus in social work from Midlands Technical College and the University of South Carolina.
Midlands Technical College alumni Joe Johnson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Palmetto GBA and Judge Tomothy C. Edmond, with Edmond’s daughter Tacara Farmer and MTC Commission Chair Randall “Mack” Jackson
Friends of the college attending the event included Bill and Lou Kennedy, and Robby and Suzanne Wilkins of Lexington.
In November 2014, the Kennedys named the Midlands Technical College Life Skills Center in honor of Lou Kennedy’s father, William Jerry Wood.
MTC Commissioner and major gift donor Robby Wilkins explained why he and his wife Suzanne support Midlands Technical College, sharing his story about a recent visit to the dentist and finding that the dental hygienist was an MTC alum. “I am continually reminded how Midlands Technical College is a vibrant, important part of making the Midlands the successful community that it is.”
“It’s our way of giving back,” said Wilkins, “MTC helps so many people, whether it is providing training for a new career, enhancing a skill, enriching a life with the many courses offered through continuing education, or rigorously preparing a student to transfer into a four year college or university. MTC is right here, meeting the need.”
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
