Schneider Electric Honored with Tri-County Technical College Foundation’s Philanthropist of the Year Award
November 23, 2010
SENECA, SC – November 23, 2010 – Schneider Electric, known in the area by its brand name Square D Company, and Tri-County Technical College have had a long-standing partnership for the past 22 years.
Schneider Electric Square D was honored November 18 with the Tri-County Technical College Foundation’s Philanthropist of the Year award at a meeting of its Board. This award is the Foundation’s highest and most prestigious honor. The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals, foundations, companies, trusts, organizations, or other entities that have made a significant financial contribution, either cash or non-cash, to the Foundation to support the work of the College.
Pictured to the right are Larry Smith, plant manager of Schneider Electric, left, and Dr. Ronnie Booth, president of Tri-County.
Since 1988, the Seneca company has supported the Tri-County Technical College Foundation through annual gifts, all devoted to advancing educational opportunities and instruction. Because of the company’ s generosity, through its teaching chair, faculty in the Industrial and Engineering Technology Division have grown professionally through participation in and presentations at seminars and conferences, along with enrollment in advanced course work.
In addition, Tri-County graduates fill many jobs in vital plant functions at the Seneca plant. “ Tri-County graduates are major contributors to the success of our operation. Many graduates are key members of our quality and engineering teams. Several have continued on into supervisory and management positions.” said Larry Smith, plant manager at Schneider Electric.
The company was honored November 18 with the College Foundation’ s Philanthropist of the Year award at a meeting of its board. This award is the Foundation’ s highest and most prestigious honor. The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals, foundations, companies, trusts, organizations, or other entities that have made a significant financial contribution, either cash or non-cash, to the Foundation to support the work of the College.
Schneider Electric has been a loyal donor to the Tri-County Technical College Foundation for the past 22 years. The company’ s first gift came in January of 1988 to support the purchase of equipment. Since that time, the majority of the Company’ s gifts have been used to establish the Square D Teaching Chair. Earnings from this endowed chair are used each year to support the professional development of faculty who teach in the Industrial and Engineering Technology Division. Including a pledge of $50,000 to the College’ s major gifts campaign earlier this year, the Company has given more than $112,000 to the teaching chair and a total of $124,750 to the Foundation. The company is also a member of the College’ s prestigious Wall of Honor, which is reserved for donors who have contributed $100,000 or more cumulatively. Another check for $10,000 was given at the Philanthropist of the Year presentation.
“ Tri-County plays a crucial role as we see the importance of education in this global economy. We can’t depend on the simple jobs to be there anymore. Today’ s jobs are higher tech and require more knowledge and training. Tri-County fills that valuable role for us,” said Smith.
“ I’ ve been impressed with the College’ s willingness to ask for input from its customers, (in our case, industry) and with its flexibility. The College is always willing to adapt to meet the needs of its customers. They are always willing to work with us.”
“ It’ s all about partnerships,” said Tri-County President Ronnie Booth. “ It’ s nice to see our community members step up and recognize the critical role that we play in economic development, job creation and job sustenance. It helps us in a major way. We just appreciate the role model way that Square D has been there with us over the years,” added Dr. Booth.
