Letter from the Chairman

Creating Magic

Thank you for your interest in the Technical College of the Lowcountry Foundation!

The Foundation is committed to actively and meaningfully supporting TCL’s vision of being a premier academic institution – visionary, vibrant and valued – engaged in leading the region to economic prosperity by providing innovative workforce solutions. As the Foundation, it is our job to support the college in its efforts by bridging the gap between state and county funds and the costs of a quality education.

An editorial in The Beaufort Gazette and The Island Packet marked TCL’s spring 2009 graduation ceremonies for 327 students.  Commencement speaker Lee Cockerell spoke about the leadership skills he taught while executive vice president for Walt Disney Resort.  Mr. Cockerell likes to say, “You can create magic, too.” – a play on the magic of Walt Disney.  When describing TCL graduates, the newspaper noted:

“The magical thing is how hard they’ve worked to seize that opportunity.  The average age is 27.  Most students only can go to school part-time, because many must juggle tomorrow’s opportunity with today’s responsibilities of children, jobs, and commuting.  Education can put more than a little magic in life.  It can increase the paycheck.  It can open the door to a more fulfilling job.  And it can show subsequent generations what it takes to get ahead.  TCL graduates know it takes tenacity and sacrifice.”

Providing scholarships to TCL students to help them realize their dream is just one of the ways the Foundation supports the College’s vision.

TCL is a vital economic driver in our community. The College provides the workforce needed to sustain the region’s economy. TCL educates the nurses, radiological and surgical technicians that staff our hospitals and physician’s offices. We train the security personnel and paramedics who serve as first responders. We also bolster the area’s service sector providing highly competent computer technicians, electricians, construction managers, paralegals, culinary employees and many others.

TCL gives students the opportunity to start a new path in their lives by training them for a new career or allowing them to receive their associates degree closer to home before transferring to a larger four-year college or university.

We invite you, the community, to help create a little magic by supporting the TCL Foundation. Help TCL provide the quality education required for students to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s employers.

By supporting the Foundation, you are supporting our community’s greatest resource – our students.

Together let’s seize the opportunity and create some magic!

Robert P. Trask

Chairman, TCL Foundation