Trident Tech president honored at campus renaming ceremony

Trident Technical College honored its longtime president during a campus renaming ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 1. This summer the college’s governing board voted to rename the college’s Main Campus in North Charleston the Thornley Campus after Trident Tech’s president, Dr. Mary Thornley. During the Nov. 1 ceremony, the college unveiled new signage and formally recognized Dr. Thornley’s 45 years of service to the college.

Thornley was hired as an adjunct instructor in 1973 and became a full-time instructor the next year. Over time she moved up the ranks and held positions including department head, dean, and vice president for academic affairs. She was named president in 1991. “She is an outstanding leader, and we look forward to working with her for many, many years to come,” said TTC Area Commission Chair Yvonne Barnes.

In conjunction with the campus name change, the TTC Foundation has established the Thornley Leadership Fund and is working toward a $1 million fundraising goal. “The Thornley Leadership Fund recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Thornley and will serve as a ‘greatest needs’ fund, providing additional support for Dr. Thornley to ensure that all opportunities to advance the college and to assist students can be considered,” said Lisa Piccolo, TTC Foundation executive director and vice president for development.

Trident Tech has three other campuses in the region: Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston, Berkeley Campus in Moncks Corner, and Mount Pleasant Campus in Mount Pleasant. The college also provides services at two sites, one in Hollywood and the other in St. George.