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Denmark Technical College President and CEO Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr. has been named the 2022 CEO of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners.  

The award, which recognizes the tremendous services of and contributions made by a technical or community college chief executive officer, is given on an annual basis. Recipients are chosen from nominations made by the area commissioners from the 16 colleges that make up the South Carolina Technical College System.  

“It is clear that Dr. Todd has helped Denmark Technical College not only survive but thrive since his arrival in January 2020.  We now know how truly hard the job was during that time for any seasoned college president, but particularly difficult for a president new to our system as a whole,” said Ashley Jaillette, executive director of the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners.  

Todd assumed the helm of Denmark Technical College on January 13, 2020 after serving as the vice president of academic affairs and student services at the college. Under Todd’s leadership, Denmark Technical College has reemerged as a leader in higher education for the residents of Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties.  

In his brief time as president and CEO, he has made tremendous strides across all areas of the college including sweeping facility and technology improvements, placing a focus on curriculum and academics, fortifying technology programs, building capacity for a thriving student affairs division, rebuilding the DTC brand and creating a strategic plan along with a ten-year master plan that will guide the college through the next decade.  

“With so many challenges facing Denmark Tech, we needed the vision of a strong leader who would address the challenges and move the college forward with immediate resolve. Dr. Todd exceeded the expectations as a resolute leader, with his swift and laser-like approach. His vision, tenacity, dedication and passion for excellence are among the reasons the Denmark Technical College Area Commission nominated him for South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners CEO of the Year,” said James W. Bowden, Denmark Technical College area commissioner.   

Todd has nearly three-decades’ experience in higher education where he has intentionally spent his professional career serving HBCUs. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in English from Georgia State University, a Master of Education in higher education administration from Regent University and a Master of Education in English education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Albany State University.  

Todd has received numerous awards across his career including the 2021 Shining Star Award from the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs and several national awards from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a national award-winning playwright and has received local, regional and national awards for teaching excellence and creativity. 

“I’m humbled and honored to receive this recognition. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Denmark Technical College team who devotes countless hours to keep the college forging onward,” said Todd.

Three sisters are making their dreams of a career in IT reality and helping to change the face of cybersecurity through a unique opportunity at Denmark Technical College. Tanya Martino, Tongie Martino, and Tonia Martino Governor are 2023 workforce development graduates from the Fusion Cyber Virtual RMF Bootcamp and are preparing to test for their Security+ industry credentials. 

The newly minted program is part of the four-way public-private partnership between Denmark Technical College, Fusion Cyber, Capital Business Development Association (CBDA) and Cisco aimed at promoting diversity in the cybersecurity industry.   

The sisters are all HBCU graduates from Denmark Tech and Voorhees University and have worked in a variety of fields, including education, healthcare and finance, before setting their sights on a career in cybersecurity.  

“One day I stumbled across a YouTube video about cybersecurity, and it was saying how there were a lot of opportunities in this field and how so many jobs were vacant. That’s what got me excited about cybersecurity. I started talking to a friend who was already in the industry, and every time he would tell me a little bit more of how I could get into cybersecurity. When he found out about this program, I was like, okay, this was actually meant for me, right? It was actually meant for me to be in this program,” said Tongie Martino. 

From there, Tongie set out to get her sisters hooked on the idea of a cybersecurity career change too. 

“Tongie was talking about it every day, from sunup to sundown. She was talking about how she can get into cybersecurity and all these things that she’s going to be able to do with her cybersecurity salary. She would talk about where she’s going to work and how she’ll have to study to pass the certification. It must have planted a seed. So, I decided hey, I’ll try it, if I get in, I get in and if I don’t, then I know that it wasn’t for me. I happened to get in,” said Tanya Martino. 

All three sisters started the cohort last July and quickly started learning. 

“The program is very fast paced, so one of the challenges for me has been to keep up with everything. I’m a special education teacher in a general education classroom, which means I’m teaching 107 students a day with 90-minute classes, but I’ve been able to find a balance and make it work,” said Tanya Martino.  

“I work for a company that has some ties to cybersecurity, so it was kind of exciting to come to work and know a lot more than what I did. By taking a chance and studying for ten months, I really have acquired a lot of knowledge,” added Governor. 

The sisters participated in the Denmark Technical College spring graduation ceremony and wrapped classes last week.  

“It was a proud moment for me to attend the graduation at Denmark Technical College and watch four of our graduates receive their certificates. The fact that three of them were sisters was even more gratifying. As part of Cisco’s on-going commitment to social justice and workforce development, we hope to be able to continue to extend the opportunity to enter the exciting field of cybersecurity to underrepresented communities,” said Scott McGregor, Director,Social Justice Action Office, Cisco.  

“Up next is to buckle down and pass the Security+ test. Cybersecurity really spans every industry, so from there, I’ll be looking at the doors this program has opened for me. I feel this program has prepared me for an amazing career in cybersecurity and I’m looking forward to a new beginning,” said Governor.  

“I’m really excited to see the success the students are having. When we designed the program, one of our goals was to diversify cybersecurity by removing barriers and providing high-level training for mid-career workers. The Martino sisters are really at the heart of what this movement is all about,” added Christopher Etesse, founder and CEO of Fusion Cyber. 

The program, which launched last summer, has several cohorts of a 24-week version of the course schedule that will meet two evenings a week virtually and has a for-credit associate degree in cybersecurity with Denmark Technical College starting in August.  

SC Tech, the statewide technology and cybersecurity industry cluster housed within the SC Council on Competitiveness, reported the number of tech firms in South Carolina has grown 254% since 2000. With the exponential growth of cybersecurity and the influx of South Carolina technology based businesses, the bootcamp couldn’t have come at a better time.  

“Fusion Cyber Bootcamp is helping increase opportunities and enabling new pathways for a diverse group of people who are now ready to pursue a fantastic career with 75% higher wages than the state average in a field that is essential to our personal, corporate and national security,” remarked SC Tech’s Director, Kim Christ.  

“I strongly encourage anyone who has the interest to come and learn more about this amazing opportunity. Denmark Technical College has been thrilled with the preliminary results of the partnership. We are churning out graduates that will become leaders in the charge to diversify the technology industry. The generous scholarships provided by CBDA, Fusion Cyber and Cisco allow us to bring the program to students who may not otherwise be afforded the opportunity,” said Willie L. Todd, Jr., Ph.D., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College. 

“I’m so proud that I can be a representation of African American women. I want them to know that the opportunity is out there and all it takes is just a little bit of dedication, a little bit of hard work and they can do it too,” added Tongie Martino.  

Denmark Technical College is currently filling seats for the July 2023 24-week Fusion Cyber RMF Boot Camp. Interested individuals should fill out the cyber career survey at https://denmark.fusioncyber.co/survey-form/ today.    

Former Virginia State University women’s head basketball coach, James Hill Jr., has been selected as the next athletic director and head women’s basketball coach at Denmark Technical College.

Hill spent 16 seasons at the helm of the women’s basketball program at VSU, where he led the Trojans to five 20-win seasons and a 2015 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Championship. He has been named the CIAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year three times.  In total, Hill has led the Trojans to four trips to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament with four CIAA Division Championships. During the 2017 season, Hill claimed his 200th victory as head coach of the Trojans.

Hill has twice been named HBCU Mid-Major Coach of the Year and in 2015 earned the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Coach of the Year Award. He posted the longest winning streak in VSU program history (15-0) and has coached nine All-CIAA performers. He was voted into the Virginia State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Hill’s accomplishments don’t end on the court. During his tenure, his team claimed the CIAA highest team Grade-Point Average Award.

Prior to coaching at VSU, Hill served as assistant women’s basketball coach at Shaw University where his duties included recruiting, scouting and skill development. From 2003-2005, the Shaw Bears captured three CIAA championships and three Black College championships, earning a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2005. Hill was named Shaw Assistant Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Shaw University Hall of Fame in 2017. 

A native of Macon, GA, Hill was a top player in the area as a member of the Northeast High School boys’ varsity basketball team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in allied health and professional recreation from Shaw University, where he was a standout guard for three seasons.

“We are elated to have Hill on board as we rise to take Denmark Technical College Athletics to the next level. His experience leading athletic programs at four-year HBCUs will be pivotal in preparing our student-athletes for the next stages in their careers,” said Denmark Technical College President and CEO Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D. “His enthusiasm and wealth of experience are the magic combination we need to help Denmark Tech women’s basketball and the athletics program reach their full potential.”

“I can’t wait to step into this new role and carry on the tradition of excellence with the Denmark Technical College Panthers.  I’m thankful to Dr. Todd for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to helping Denmark Tech become one of the best junior college athletic departments in the country,” added Hill.  

Leslie Holman-Brooks, Denmark Technical College executive director of career and student services, has been selected for the 2023 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition for her outstanding work involving high-impact practices for first-year students. Holman-Brooks was one of only ten individuals to be recognized internationally for this distinction. 

“I feel honored and humbled to receive this recognition.” said Holman-Brooks. “I love what I do. I’m passionate about getting our students started on the right path as they navigate college and set career goals. To have that recognized is such a blessing. It validates the importance of the work we do in the office of career and student services.” 

Holman-Brooks was recognized at the 42nd Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, which was held in Los Angeles, California on February 3-6. 

“On behalf of Denmark Technical College, I want to congratulate Ms. Holman-Brooks on this well-deserved award,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D. “The work done with our students, many of whom are first generation college students who come from challenging circumstances, by her and the career and student services staff has been transformational, not only to our students but to the culture of Denmark Tech. Her commitment to and concern for first-year students is evident in the programs she develops for them.” 

Holman-Brooks launched Panther Pathways, a guided pathways program aimed at personalizing the student advisement experience and empowering incoming freshmen to develop educational plans that will help them to meet their career goals, in 2020. The program had an immediate impact on the college’s persistence, retention and graduation rates. 

“Denmark Technical College students were experiencing the same trend that many technical colleges, HBCUs and traditional universities across the country were noticing, where first-year students were not fully engaged in their education which resulted in lower grades, student satisfaction and graduation rates. We took a hard look at our how we were serving our students and developed Panther Pathways. The program fully involves the student in their individualized career path and gives them the tools they need to be successful,” said Holman-Brooks.  

Holman-Brooks has been at Denmark Technical College since 2015, where she has also served as director of career planning and placement. She will begin the pursuit of her doctorate in educational leadership from Liberty University later this spring. 

Denmark Technical College has announced Bakari Sellers, CNN political commentator and former member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives, as the 2023 Black History Month program speaker.

“We are elated to announce Bakari Sellers as our 2023 Black History Month program speaker,” said Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College. “Sellers is a scholar, activist and revered media personality with deep roots in our service area. There’s no doubt that his message will be profoundly impactful to our students.”   

The Black History Month program is the centerpiece to a month-long celebration including cultural events, community service projects and a block party. This year’s Black History Month theme is “Engage. Educate. Empower. The Power of Black Resistance”, based on DTC’s mission statement and the theme for the national Black History Month celebration. 

Bakari Sellers was born into an activist family. His father, civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers, instilled core values in him to continue in the tireless commitment to service. 

In 2005 Sellers earned a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from Morehouse College. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2008, earning a juris doctor. He currently practices law with the Strom Law Firm in Columbia, SC where he heads the firm’s strategic communication and public affairs team and has recently added diversity, equity and inclusion consulting to the list of services offered. 

Sellers made history in the 2006 South Carolina state legislature as the youngest African American elected official in the nation, at the age of 22. In 2008 he served on President Obama’s South Carolina steering committee. His ability to “reach across the aisle to get things done” has led to numerous achievements including being named TIME Magazine’s 40 Under 40, “The Root 100” list of the nation’s most influential African Americans in 2015 and HBCU Top 30 Under 30 in July 2014. 

Bakari Sellers recently released his new children’s book Who Are Your People?, inspired by his 3-year-old twins, to teach young Black readers about their history and authored a New York Times Best Seller, My Vanishing Country, described as part memoir, part historical and cultural analysis illustrating the lives of America’s forgotten black working-class men and women. He recently expanded his audience with the Bakari Sellers Podcast, a twice-a-week show that is part of the Ringer Podcast Network. His podcasts discuss a variety of topics including politics, race, sports, media and the presidential campaign. 

Sellers is married to Dr. Ellen Rucker-Sellers and is the father to twins Sadie and Stokely.

The annual Black History Month program takes place on the Denmark Technical College campus at 10:00 a.m. on February 22, in the William L. McDuffie Student Life Center and is open to the public.

Denmark Technical College, in partnership with Santee Cooper, named their new electrical lineworker range after James W. Bowden, Sr. at a June 1 ceremony on campus.  

Bowden, a two-time Denmark Tech alumnus and the first African-American vice president at Duke Energy, was joined by DTC administration, faculty, staff and stakeholders, the Bowden family, local and state leaders including Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston as well as executives from Santee-Cooper, Edisto Electric Cooperative and Duke Energy.  

The ceremony celebrated the recent kickoff of Denmark Tech’s new electrical lineworker program, the first of its kind at a South Carolina HBCU. The program was conceptualized by Bowden and DTC administration and was championed by Cobb-Hunter.  

“We are elated to bring this program to the people of our service area.” said Willie L. Todd Jr., President and CEO of Denmark Technical College. “There are so many worthwhile technical programs we plan to develop at Denmark Tech, but we really wanted to dive into the lineworker program because we see this as an amazing opportunity to increase diversity and gender equality in the power industry and provide the residents of rural South Carolina with access to education that can have a swift and dramatic effect on their financial stability.”    

“Lineworkers provide a critical service to the communities in which we live. Having a diverse workforce will show a commitment to being an equal opportunity employer and it will give a complete perspective of customer needs and expectations,” added Bowden.     

The addition of the lineworker program comes on the heels of a nationwide movement to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Progressive industry leaders across the Carolinas were quick to prioritize the initiative.  

“A diverse workforce makes us a stronger company and helps us better meet the energy needs of communities across South Carolina,” said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “We applaud the work of former Duke Energy employee, James Bowden, to inspire and develop the next generation of diverse lineworkers in partnership with Denmark Technical College.” 

The range, which was sponsored by Santee Cooper, is already in use by the first cohort of lineworker students.  

“This partnership helps create more opportunities for diversity in the power business,” said Mike Poston, chief customer officer at Santee Cooper. “We hope it provides future opportunities for generations to come for the people in this community.”  

The planning is already underway for subsequent cohorts for the 2022-2023 academic year.  

“This is an excellent time for anyone interested in the lineworker program, or any of the dozens of other programs we offer, to further their education because we have a wealth of tuition and fee relief opportunities that can bring a student’s contribution down to zero dollars out of pocket,” said Todd.  

Bowden said of the naming honors, “It was a total surprise to me because my commitment was based only on the fact that this class and program will change the course of our students’ lives for generations.  However I must admit that when I found out that the lineworker range was being named after me, I had a feeling of joy, satisfaction and pride, knowing that the students, parents, alumni and the Denmark community will know that I played a vital part in making this program a reality for our children.”   

Bowden graduated from Denmark Tech in 1972 in the electronic technology program and again in 1993 in industrial technology, two degrees that served him well throughout his 42-year career with Duke Energy. Bowden started as an operating service technician in Greenville in 1972 and worked his way up the ladder, becoming Duke Energy’s first African-American vice president in 2005 until his retirement in 2010. 

Bowden currently serves as a Denmark Technical College Area Commissioner and as the president of the Denmark Technical College National Alumni Association.  

“I’m thrilled that we chose to name the range after a trailblazer for equality in the power industry and a champion of Denmark Technical College,” said Todd. “Our ‘Putting the TECH Back in Denmark Tech’ campaign is proving that a technical education can lead to a lucrative and rewarding career. Bowden is a shining example of that notion.”  

Denmark Technical College dual enrollment student and senior at Denmark-Olar High School, Laila Donaldson, is poised to blaze trails in the IT field.   

Donaldson was recently chosen to be a part of the national app building team with HBCU C² initiative. The HBCU C² program is a collaboration of dozens of HBCUs, led by Tennessee State University, aimed at increasing diversity in technical career fields.   

Donaldson was chosen from hundreds of students for the HBCUC² app design team. The team consists of five other students from HBCUs around the country and is busy working on their first project, an app for the North Nashville Heritage Project.   

“We’re working to push out an app that really celebrates the history of North Nashville. I’m helping with the design which will feature information about important people, historic locations and significant events,” said Donaldson. “Right now, we’re hashing out the details to include a walking tour tab on the app.”  

When finished, the team plans to do a full launch and will have their product featured in the app store before moving on to their second project.   

“Miss Donaldson was a natural choice for the team. Her history of excellence at Denmark Tech, paired with her thirst for knowledge and her penchant for technology, sets her apart from the competition. She has a bright future ahead of her,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., Denmark Technical College president.   

Donaldson has been excelling in computer science classes and tech based extracurricular activities since she entered the Denmark Tech Dual Enrollment program in 2017, as a freshman.  

“The classes I’ve taken in Upward Bound and through Denmark Tech Dual Enrollment are teaching me to code, so I hope that one day soon I can use those skills to make my own app ideas a reality,” she said.   

This past year, Donaldson took home the first-place award at Denmark Tech’s inaugural App Challenge Expo, competing against fellow dual enrollment students, full-time college students and even a few higher ed professionals.   

Donaldson will graduate as valedictorian of her high school next month with an Associate of Science degree from Denmark Tech and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science. She is still weighing her options as to which four-year institution she will attend but is excited for the future. So far, she has been accepted to over ten colleges and universities and has been offered more than a million dollars in scholarship money.   

“We’re very proud of Miss Donaldson. She has worked hard and is an example of what it means to be a dual enrollment student at Denmark Tech,” said Doris Beard, Denmark Technical College dual enrollment counselor.  

Denmark Technical College announced Tuesday that National Alumni Association President and Area Commissioner James W. Bowden, Sr. has been named to the 2023 class of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Each fall, the Hall of Fame showcases alumni standouts from Historically Black Colleges & Universities who have impacted the worlds of medicine, business, education, arts, entertainment, science, government, faith, community service, law, athletics, civil rights, industry and lifetime achievement. As the contributions of HBCU institutions and their graduates increase, Hall of Fame inductees continue to exemplify an influential cross-section of leaders that positively impact campus, local, national and global communities.

“We’re honored to assemble a powerful and impactful roster of leaders that are working across diverse professions to better the world and to highlight the contributions of these exceptional graduates,” said Quentin Roach, chairman of the NBCA Hall of Fame Foundation. “HBCU institutions continue to nurture, educate and develop men and women to ascend to new heights of achievement and we endeavor to spotlight their successes with each class of inductees.”

“I can’t think of a more deserving individual to be inducted into the NBCA Hall of Fame. James W. Bowden, Sr. has spent over fifty years as a champion of Denmark Technical College and HBCU education. His professional achievements and outstanding character serve as an inspiration to our students and community for what can be achieved with determination, grit and an education from Denmark Technical College,” added Willie L. Todd, Jr., Ph.D., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College.

The 2023 class spotlights the phenomenal impact of HBCU graduates, showcasing visionaries, leaders and advocates across a diverse range of professions who are widely recognized for their professionalism, advocacy of HBCUs and community service.

Bowden, who is this year’s Lifetime Achievement honoree, graduated from Denmark Tech in 1972 in the electronic technology program and again in 1993 in industrial technology. During his 42-year career with Duke Energy, Bowden started as an operating service technician in Greenville and worked his way up the ladder, holding various titles to eventually become the company’s first African American Vice President, where he headed up field operations and maintenance, leading over 300 employees from 2005 until his retirement in 2010.

Bowden currently serves as a Denmark Technical College Area Commissioner and as the president of the Denmark Technical College National Alumni Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Denmark Technical College Foundation. His unwavering support of the College has spanned over five decades, most recently championing the development of the Denmark Technical College Electrical Lineworker Program, the first of its kind at a South Carolina HBCU, which aims to increase diversity in the energy industry and provide economic opportunity for the citizens of rural South Carolina.

Bowden will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation Weekend, September 29-October 1, in Atlanta, GA.

“I am humbled to be included in such a stellar class of inductees. It’s an honor to represent my alma mater, Denmark Technical College, and to serve as an example of the power of an HBCU education to the next generation of rising stars,” said Bowden.

Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College, was recently awarded the Diamond Award for excellence in education, leadership, philanthropy, humanitarianism and community engagement by the Not Alone Foundation and the Academy of the Diamond. The award was presented at the Diamond Gala which was held on January 21 at the Buckhead Club in Atlanta.  
 

“I am honored and thankful to be a recipient of the 2023 Diamond Award. I feel blessed beyond measure to be called to do the kind of work that makes and impact on our students and the future,” said Todd.   

“I was thrilled to be able to attend the Diamond Awards and to see Dr. Todd accept his well-deserved honor. The program itself was an amazing display of talent, paled only by the caliber of the Diamond Award recipients,” added Kimoni Hickman, vice president for institutional advancement and effectiveness at Denmark Tech.  

The Diamond Awards honor individuals in entertainment, business and education who have made a significant impact in their field in alignment with the Not Alone Foundation’s mission.  

Mark Dodd founded the non-profit organization and Diamond Award Gala to provide financial assistance toward educational and medical expenses of kidney transplant patients after being diagnosed with renal failure himself and learning about the financial burden that many kidney transplant patients are faced with.   

Todd assumed the helm of Denmark Technical College in January of 2020 and has made sweeping improvements across all facets of the institution. He is a national award-winning playwright and winner of numerous local, regional and national awards, most recently being named the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs Shining Star Award and being named CEO of the year by the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners. 

Denmark Technical College recently kicked off the fall cohort of their new Nuclear Fundamentals Certificate program. This program, which provides an “earn while you learn” apprenticeship in conjunction with Apprenticeship Carolina, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) and Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), is part of the Savannah River Site (SRS) Apprenticeship School which trains employees in a variety of disciplines in an effort to fill vacancies the nuclear energy workforce. 

“Denmark Technical College is excited to continue our partnership with Savannah River Mission Completion, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Apprenticeship Carolina to help fill the workforce pipeline for industry and provide economic mobility for the students we serve,” said Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D., Denmark Technical College pesident and Chief Executive Officer.

“We can’t say enough about this wonderful program and partnership. Denmark Technical College is changing lives and supporting industry with this innovative program,” said Hadi Hamid, Ph.D.,” Denmark Technical College assistant vice president of industrial related technologies and workforce.

The Denmark Technical College Nuclear Fundamentals Certificate is a seven-month program in which adult learners spend two days a week at SRS and two days a week in class at Denmark Tech. In addition to classroom training, students will also have the opportunity for hands-on learning and job shadowing for various roles at SRS. 

This cohort has offered positions to thirteen impressive 13 apprentices, eight from SRMC and five from SRNS, who were chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants. In addition to earning a paycheck while they are in class, students won’t have to come out of pocket to pay for the courses which are funded by the State Apprenticeship Grant, the University Engagement Grant and SC Workforce Development funding. 

Officials from Denmark Tech, SRMC and SRNS were on hand at the kickoff to welcome the new apprentices to the program and offer words of wisdom. 

Savannah River Mission Completion President and Program Manager Dave Olson told the students that they are needed in this program for a number of reasons. “There is no doubt you are needed. SRMC needs you. You are each necessary to assure we accomplish our mission to safely clean-up nuclear waste generated over the years at Savannah River Site,” Olson said. “Your coworkers need you to work together to get the job done, your community needs you to help protect the environment and your family needs you to support them.”

This is the third cohort for the nuclear fundamentals program at DTC. This first graduated seven students in April and the second will commence with 21 graduates in December. 

After completing the program, graduates will continue in their full-time positions at SRS where they will apply their newly acquired skills to become fully qualified nuclear operators. They will also have the opportunity transfer their academic credits to other programs if they choose to pursue a degree in the field. 

“We are thrilled with the students who have been chosen for this cohort and can’t wait to see what all they will accomplish. There is no doubt they are on a trajectory for a long and fulfilling career in the energy industry and we’re so happy they are getting their start and Denmark Tech,” said Todd. 

 Denmark Technical College celebrated the formal inauguration of Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr, the college’s ninth president, with a weekend full of events designed to showcase the college’s progress.     

The weekend kicked off with the official investiture service. Although Todd has served as president since January of 2020, the ceremony was delayed due to COVID-19. The ceremony featured well wishes from the local community, HBCU leaders, Todd’s family and political figures including South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and United States Congressman James Clyburn, as well as musical tributes and the presentation of the symbols of the office.     

The cornerstone of the ceremony was Todd’s inaugural address in which he outlined the triumphs of the last year, challenges the college has faced and plans for the future. Todd made a point to recognize those who stood behind the college and fought to keep its doors open.    

“As some threatened to close the college due to financial woes and declining enrollment, there are also many seated here today that refused to let that happen. They knew the importance of saving South Carolina’s only black technical college and the vital role it plays in the community. We’re grateful for all of those who advocated on our behalf,” he said.    

Todd also discussed the five priorities featured in the college’s newly adopted five-year strategic plan: increasing enrollment, persistence and retention, enhancing academics and inspiring technological advancements, renewing commitment to community and social justice, rebranding and strengthening communications infrastructure and establishing a sustainable model for a financial future.     

Todd closed out his speech by pledging to keep Denmark Tech forging onward.     

“With mission at the foreground I, with the support of our team, will provide courageous and transformative leadership to move the college forward, ensuring academic and professional success to all whom the college serves,” said Todd.     Friday evening, the college celebrated with the annual Legacy Scholarship Gala, which raised funds for both need based and academic scholarships. The event featured dining, dancing and the music of the Legacy Band.     

“The gala was just a stellar event. It was so nice to be able to socialize with my co-workers and raise funds for such a worthy cause,” said Dr. Sid Emory, director of information technology.     

The weekend continued Saturday morning with the 72^nd annual commencement convocation. This year, Denmark graduated 84 students from four academic divisions.     

“We are just unbelievably proud of these graduates. They have persevered through unprecedented challenges to achieve their goals. If they can succeed in college during a pandemic, they can truly do anything and we cannot wait to see where the future takes them,” said Todd.     

The commencement speaker was world renowned actress and philanthropist, JoMarie Payton, of Family Matters and The Proud Family fame. Payton provided a wealth or encouragement and advice to the graduates.     

“We all have a position. We are links in a chain and we’re stronger when we stand together,” she said.      

The weekend closed out with the Madhatters Sunday Service and Scholarship Luncheon featuring the music of Dove and Grammy Award winning artist, Rudy Currence. The scholarship luncheon and gala, together, raised over $65,000 to support the education of Denmark Tech students.     

Dr. A. Clifton Myles, executive vice president for administration and innovation, who led the investiture committee, was thrilled with the outcomes for the weekend.     

“The weekend was a great success for the college. We were able raise a lot of money for scholarships, we established some wonderful HBCU traditions and we installed an amazing leader who will continue to blaze trails for Denmark Tech. In my book, I call that a success,” said Myles.  

Denmark Technical College and the U.S. Small Business Administration have signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) that will strengthen and expand small business development throughout the local area.  

In accordance with the SAM, Denmark Tech and the SBA will develop a working relationship through their common mission of helping to start, maintain and expand small business throughout DTC’s rural service area.   

“Denmark Technical College and the U.S. Small Business Administration both have a wealth of resources that, in and of themselves, make powerful contributions, but when we collaborate our impact will be exponential. It’s a classic case of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Tech.   

Through the agreement, the SBA will foster collaboration between Denmark Tech and the SBA’s resource partners such as SCORE, the Small Business Development Centers and the Women’s Business centers, invite DTC to SBA sponsored trainings, provide speakers for workshops and share advice on how to best make an impact.  

In turn, DTC will aid in the dissemination of information to the local community and will diligently work to find opportunities that help establish and strengthen small businesses in and around the Denmark Tech service area.   

“One of the best ways to create wealth for individuals in rural areas is through the development of small businesses. Trades are a place where you can develop independent businesses that serve the community and sustain families. Denmark Technical College has a great opportunity to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit,” said R. Gregg White, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s South Carolina unit.  

“Small business is the glue that holds local communities together, so it’s critical that we make it a priority to keep the established ones afloat, while encouraging citizens to move forward with developing new ones. Partnerships like the one between Denmark Tech and the SBA are a cornerstone in the revitalization of rural America,” added Todd.   

According to a report issued by the SBA in 2019, small businesses account for 44 percent of the economic activity and 43.5 of the GDP in the US, are responsible for two-thirds of new jobs and lead the way in innovation across industry.      

Denmark Technical College will host MUSC for a vaccination event on Friday, March 12, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The event will be on their main campus located at 1126 Solomon Blatt Blvd. in the William McDuffy Student Services Center. 

“Denmark Technical College is proud to continue its over 70-year history of community service and civic engagement. We were excited that MUSC was able to accommodate our request for them to use DTC as a site for a vaccination event via their community outreach efforts,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College.  

“As soon as we heard that the state was moving into phase 1b of the distribution of the vaccine, we knew we wanted to help bring the vaccine to the residents of Denmark and surrounding areas. MUSC was easy to work with and the plan quickly went from an idea to reality,” said Karen Myers, dean of the Denmark Tech nursing program.  

Appointments can be scheduled at https://muschealth.org/outreach-form and must be made prior to arrival. Individuals who do not have internet access can call 843-876-7227 to make an appointment. If anyone would like assistance in making an appointment, they can reach out to the Denmark Tech nursing department at 803-571-4007 

MUSC asks that, if available, those being vaccinated bring a valid id and insurance card. 

Two doses of the vaccine are required, so a follow up appointment for the second dose will be made at the time individuals receive the first dose. 

“We are encouraging anyone who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine to make an appointment. It’s one of the easiest ways you can protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19,” said Todd.  

You can learn more about the South Carolina vaccine distribution schedule here. https://scdhec.gov/covid19/covid-19-vaccine 

Denmark Technical College, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Southern Carolina Alliance have partnered to bring residents of Barnwell County the opportunity to participate in a five-week training program that prepares potential employees to begin a career path in manufacturing.  

A full scholarship will be awarded to all participants of the program.  

“We were thrilled to learn that the Southern Carolina Alliance and their partner organizations would be providing funding so that students could take advantage of this unique opportunity at no cost to them. Removing the financial barriers that exist makes education more accessible to those who need it the most,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College.  

The cornerstone of the expedited manufacturing certification course is ManuFirstSC, a public-private initiative originally developed between Volvo Cars, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Trident Technical College, readySC and Berkeley County, designed to bridge the gap entry- level workers face when seeking manufacturing positions.  

“To ensure our workforce meets the needs of both existing and future industry, Team S.C. takes an innovative approach to recruiting and training employees in all corners of our state,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “The ManuFirstSC program not only helps prospective employees jumpstart manufacturing careers, it creates a pipeline of talented workers for our industry partners – reducing the skills gap and enlarging our state’s manufacturing talent pool.”    

“With the demand for manufacturing experience by our local Industry, we needed a fast-track method to get workers prepared to fill more skilled and higher paying jobs. The ManuFirstSC program, offered by Denmark Tech, will quickly prepare less skilled jobseekers for these positions,” added Danny Black, president and CEO of the Southern Carolina Alliance.  

Upon completion of the new expedited manufacturing course, students will have earned the ManuFirstSC Certificate, Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Microburst Employers Choice Certification and the OSHA-10 Card. They will also qualify to sit for the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certified Production Technician Safety Exam, which certifies that individuals demonstrate mastery of the foundational, core competencies of advanced manufacturing production.  

“The expedited manufacturing certification is a robust program that offers students an in-depth study of manufacturing fundamentals over the course of a few short weeks, quickly preparing them to fill in demand jobs that pay well above average for entry-level positions,” said Dr. Hadi Hamid, dean of industrial related technologies at Denmark Technical College.  

“One of the biggest deficits in potential employees today is the lack of essential skills such as time management, communication and presentation. The addition of the Microburst EmployABILITY Soft Skills curriculum is a game changer, giving students the well-rounded skill-set they need to launch a successful career in manufacturing,” added Harry McFadden, Denmark Technical College’s director of workforce development.   

To qualify for the program, students must have a high school diploma or equivalency and Bronze WorkKeys job readiness status. However, prerequisites may be earned in tandem with program enrollment. ASVAB is required for military and veterans. A drug screen and background check will be required for all participants.   

The course runs March 29-April 29, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., at the Denmark Technical College Barnwell Technology and Educational Center located at 1037 Ellenton St., Barnwell. 

To learn more about this opportunity, visit denmarktech.edu/manufirstsc or reach out to Harry McFadden at 803.809.7016. 

This past weekend, Denmark Technical College held its annual homecoming celebration, with a few alterations to their usual plans.   

“We usually have a full week of in person activities for both students and alumni alike. This year, with COVID-19 still having a strong grip on the county, we scaled back on our plans and offered a hybrid homecoming with both virtual and in-person events,” said vice president of student services, Dr. Lamar White.   

The week kicked off with a student paint and pour event where students were led with step by step, professional instruction on how to paint a panther paw canvas to adorn their living quarters, followed by a game night and several other small-scale activities.   

“The students had a lot of fun, got to socialize and expanded their creativity with these activities. We were able to make sure everyone stayed safe by imparting the same protocol we have for our classes in our extracurricular events. Students are tested weekly for COVID, required to wear masks and socially distance, have their temperatures taken upon arrival to each building and are educated on safety measures,” said student activities coordinator, Taylor Helton.   

In place of some usual in-person events, a schedule of virtual events was offered for participants who wanted to remain home due to COVID-19 concerns. Videos of a welcome from the college president, a virtual parade and a closing service were placed on YouTube for DTC community members to enjoy and an alumni day party was held via zoom which brought alumni from near and far together for a trip down memory lane.    

“This was only one of a handful of homecomings I’ve missed over the last fifty years. Although it was disappointing not to be able to attend in person, it is worth missing one to help ensure I’m around to attend many more in the future. The virtual events helped to ease the sting of not being able to be there in person and it was a lot of fun to connect with old friends and members if the DTC community online. I’d like to commend Dr. Todd and his team for putting on such an enjoyable homecoming that was inclusive of everyone who was unable to attend in person due to the current COVID-19 crisis,” said James Bowden, president of the Denmark Technical College National Alumni Association.   

One event that was noticeably missing from the calendar was the annual scholarship gala, a black-tie event that is held on the Friday before homecoming each year to raise funds for both academic and need-based scholarships.  

“It was a tough decision, but we decided, given that we are living in a COVID culture, it would be best to postpone the event until it is safer and more people have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. We’re planning to hold the gala in late spring during our presidential investiture,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Tech.   

The week culminated with the traditional homecoming basketball games and tailgating.   

“On top of our usual COVID restrictions, we put extra safety precautions in place including the spacing of vehicles for tailgating, cutting off ticket sales at 25% capacity, checking temperatures at the gate and halting concessions sales in the venue,” said Todd.   

This year, the DTC Panthers took on neighboring rival, the Voorhees Tigers. The Lady Panthers claimed victory, 83-68. During halftime, Dasia Harden and Jordan Blanding were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.  The Panther men put up a good fight, but in the end fell to Voorhees, 79-88.   

“This is a young team with a lot of heart. They are working hard and improving every day. Although we came up short this time, I foresee a bright future for these talented young men,” said Andre Payne, athletic director and men’s head coach.   

“Realizing the importance of Homecoming to HBCUs, in the midst of a pandemic, we were able to welcome our alumni home to DTC and provide the homecoming experience while focusing on the safety and wellbeing of our community.  We look forward to many more elaborate homecomings in the future, when the pandemic is behind us,” added Todd.  

Today, at its annual meeting held virtually due to the pandemic, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) lifted the 12-month probation status placed upon Denmark Technical College (DTC) in December 2019.  

Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr. was named as the college’s ninth president in January of this year, just after the status was placed on the college, a move the DTC Area Commission saw as critical to positioning the college on the path to having accreditation reaffirmed.  

“Strong leadership is imperative to a college’s success, especially in a time of crisis. Dr. Todd’s selection ushered in an opportunity for Denmark Tech to regain footing as we navigated the process with SACSCOC,” said Denmark Technical College Area Commission Chair Kevin Whitt.  

Upon taking office, Todd quickly set a plan in motion toward DTC clearing up any issues in question from SACSCOC. Features of the plan included creating a strategic plan with five strategic priorities structured to address all areas of college operations, assigning key faculty and staff members to put the strategic plan into action and adopting program assessment best practices for both academic and non-academic divisions.  

“We are extremely pleased with the decision by SACSCOC to remove the probation sanction, which signifies to the world that Denmark Technical College is in compliance with the standards of the regional accrediting body,” said DTC President Willie L. Todd, Jr. “As a member institution of SACSCOC for forty-two years, we fully appreciate the peer review process, and we are committed to continuing the excellent work needed to maintain the high standards of the commission.”  

Todd stated, “It took the tireless work of the faculty, staff, and administration in a collaborative college-wide effort to address the SACSCOC concerns. I would like to thank our Area Commission and the college’s SACSCOC Leadership Team for their dedication and persistence. Our entire DTC family came together in a spirit of unity. As we forge onward toward continued success for our service area and our state, I am indebted to our amazing students, faculty, staff, and Executive Cabinet members who made invaluable contributions that helped bring about this positive outcome.”  

Denmark Tech expects to receive a letter from SACSCOC in January 2021 confirming today’s announcement.  

“Moving forward, the college is committed to being mission driven and is dedicated to rebuilding the Denmark Technical College brand. It is our intention to consistently be found in compliance of all accreditation standards, without exception,” said Todd.

Beginning this Friday, Sodexo’s Richland School District Two dining services are expanding their COVID-19 emergency feeding program to include weekend meals for students. In addition to their normal Friday meals, parents will now be given two additional breakfasts and lunches for Saturday and Sunday for the remainder of the school year.

Meals are available to all students under the age of 18 who reside in the Richland School District Two attendance zone, regardless of their free and reduced meal eligibility status.

The addition of weekend meals will help fill the void for children who may not have access to healthy, balanced meals outside of regular school feeding operation days. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, upwards of 11 million children in the United States live in food insecure homes, a number that could likely be growing given the current national health and economic crisis. With over half of their students eligible for free and reduced meals, Richland School District Two is not immune to this statistic.

“We recently learned that a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture was available to expand our emergency feeding program to include weekend meals, and quickly worked to to get approved so we could get these meals into the hands of students who need them the most,” said Sodexo Richland School District Two Senior Operations Manager Jeff Clarke.

Emergency meals are available at eleven school feeding sites throughout the district, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. as well as at a variety of mobile feeding sites placed in high needs areas. Families can put their address in here to find the site most convenient to them.

“Right now we are set to feed students through the end of the school year, but we are working on a plan and are hopeful that we will be able to continue providing meals throughout the summer. As soon as plans are solidified, we will release details,” added Clarke.

East Point Academy has been abuzz with activity as the school and community celebrates Chinese New Year and the ringing in of the Year of the Dog.

The celebration kicked off with the sixth annual Chinese New Year Celebration and Auction on February 9, 2018 at the River Center at Saluda Shoals Park.

East Point business partners, friends, families and staff shared a special evening which highlighted to significant accomplishments of the school while celebrating Chines New Year.

The event included an authentic Chinese dinner, a live band, dancing and entertainment from traditional Chinese performers. The centerpiece of the event was a silent auction that raised over $30,000 to be used toward a new playground, educational enrichment and school operations.   Auction items varied from small student made pieces to sports collectibles to vacation packages.  There was something for everyone.

“It was an absolutely amazing night for the East Point family! Our parents and staff worked so hard to make this a special night and all their efforts paid-off.  The River Center has never looked more beautiful, the food was delicious and the entertainment was terrific. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of staff and parents supporting EPA,” said East Point Academy Head of School Mark Bounds.

The following evening, East Point students wowed the attendees at the Chinese Cultural Association New Year Gala.  The students performed four traditional Chinese dances, showed the crowd a video featuring East Point Academy and demonstrated their skills speaking in Mandarin.  Dance teacher Mr. Yinghao Dong said, “I was so proud of our students. They danced great and represented our school very well.  It was wonderful to show how we infuse Chinese culture and language into our school.”

Later in the week, festivities continued with a Chinese New Year parade and assembly. Student dancers, performers and activity groups paraded down Leaphart St., dressed in traditional Chinese attire and school spirit wear. Immediately following the parade, guest experienced the beauty and artistry of Chinese culture as students from every grade level perform in the school wide Chinese New Year Assembly. Performances included traditional Chinese dance and drum routines, Mandarin choral performances, a play performed in Mandarin and musical numbers. The program included the world primer of the newly composed East Point Academy Alma Mater.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important and most widely celebrated holiday in China. It is a time for family celebrations, honoring ancestors and wishing luck and good fortune in the year to come. Chinese New Year begins with the new moon that occurs between the end of January and the end of February and it lasts until the full moon arrives with the Festival of Lanterns.

Over 740 students at East Point Academy collaborated on a sign making project designed to encourage students to choose kindness and speak up against bullying, as part of October’s Bullying Prevention Month activities.

Each homeroom, at both the elementary and middle campuses, received a blank yard sign and some art supplies and worked as a team to create a one-of-a-kind sign to help spread the message. When the classes completed the project, the signs were displayed throughout the car line, so that students and parents alike could read the messages as they arrived and departed each day.

The project was sponsored by Davis Orthodontics.

“Kids of all ages are affected by many types of bullying. At Davis Orthodontics, we are sensitive to these issues. I wanted to create a project that would bring discussion about how what we say and do affects those around us,” said Dr. Ed Davis.

Davis proposed the partnership to East Point Academy Head of School Mark Bounds, who was quick to jump on board.

“At East Point Academy, our motto is ‘Be nice. Work hard.’ so this project was a natural fit. We are always looking for ways to reinforce the Panda Core Values. Our students really enjoyed working on the project and it brought about productive conversation on how students can play an active role in stamping out bullying,” said Bounds.

When the signs were displayed, staff members voted on a winner for each campus. Ms. Nikki Dixon’s second grade class was the elementary winner with a sign that read ‘Kind is the New Cool’.

The middle campus winner was Ms. Jodie Eish’s Algebra I class, with as sign featuring the words ‘Never Bully’ in both English and Mandarin Chinese. As a Mandarin immersion school, the addition of the Chinese characters was instinctual.

“Bullying peaks during the middle school years, so I’m glad to see East Point taking a stand against it. Activities like this help create a culture of kindness. I love that we are providing an atmosphere where all students can feel safe to learn and grow,” said Eish.

The winning homerooms each will receive a pizza party for their efforts, but the real prize is something much more valuable.

“I enjoyed making the sign. It is important that you don’t be mean to people. I pledge to be nice to everyone and will work hard at helping others who need friends,” said fourth grader Maggie Cole.

About East Point Academy 

East Point Academy, founded in 2011, is a globally minded public charter school in West Columbia, S.C., serving over 740 students in preschool through eighth grade. East Point students at the elementary level receive half of their daily instruction in Mandarin Chinese. Middle school students receive approximately 25% of their daily instruction in Mandarin, with placement from novice to advanced levels. The school is tuition free and open to all students in South Carolina, regardless of their zoned district.

East Point Academy is ‘A’ rated on Niche.com, has been voted Best Private or Charter School in Columbia by the readers of the Free Times and the State’s Best Public Charter School by the readers of The State newspaper. 

 

Fifth grader Michaela Brown took home the title of Future Chef in the 2020 Sodexo Richland School District Two Future Chefs competition on March 11 at the R2i2 Conference Center in the Village at Sandhill. 

Brown, who attends Pontiac Elementary, was one of 10 finalists chosen from 137 student chefs in grades three through five from across the district who submitted recipes based on this year’s theme, “Your Favorite School Lunch Reimagined.”  

Brown’s winning recipe, Rainbow Veggie Grilled Cheese, which can be found below, is a healthy take on a traditional grilled cheese filled with vegetables from across the color spectrum.

Judges awarded points based on originality, taste, healthy attributes, plate presentation, ease of preparation and kid-friendliness and, while the competition was fierce, in the end, Brown’s recipe took the win by a one point spread. 

For her first-place dish, Brown was awarded a prize package of cookware, kitchen utensils, cutting boards, a Fit Bit Ace 2 and a Future Chef apron. She now has a chance to move on to the 2020 regional and national Future Chef competitions. 

“I had so much fun and was so excited to win,” said Brown. 

In addition to being fun, Future Chefs, is also educational and gives students the opportunity to explore interests outside of core subject areas. 

Will Anderson, Executive Director for Operations and Logistics at Richland School District Two and Future Chefs Judge, said, “Future Chefs aligns to the mission and vision of Richland Two. ‘In partnership with our community, we develop global citizens of tomorrow — citizens who are prepared to lead and excel in their chosen pathways.’ The Future Chefs competition provides the experience and an avenue for students to pursue their pathway to hopefully becoming future chefs. It also allows them to understand the benefits of healthy eating, collaborating with current chefs and communicating with judges. It prepares students for the real world.”

The other finalists were: 

Lejohnny Anthony, Langford Elementary – Lejohn Quesadilla

Sophia Bell, Center For Knowledge North – Leopard Lettuce Wrap

Jeremiah Boyd, Keels Elementary  – Jeremiah’s Tuna and Chicken Wrap

Kyle Foster, Bethel Hanberry Elementary – Monsta Pizza

Zariyah Jackson, Sandlapper Elementary – Lechuga Wrapper Burger

Logan Jacobs, Windsor Elementary – LJ’s Casserole

Payton Johnson, Rice Creek Elementary – Monte-Cristo Waffle-wiches

Audrey Lees, Forest Lake Elementary – Superwoman Bowl

Laliah Moore, Jackson Creek Elementary  – Spaghetti with Roger Wood Sausage

Rainbow Veggie Grilled Cheese

Arnold Health Nut Bread

White Cheddar Cheese

Avocado – thinly sliced

Shredded Cabbage

Butter – softened

Canned, sliced beets – sliced matchstick style

Yellow Bell Pepper and carrots, sliced matchstick style

Directions – 

1. For each sandwich, butter two slices of bread
2. Place one slice of bread buttered side down in pan and add one slice of cheese followed by beets, carrots and yellow pepper
3. Add another slice of cheese, ¼ avocado slices, sprouts and cabbage
4. Add last slice of cheese and final slice of bread, butter side up
5. Cook in skillet until bottom slice is browned
6. To flip, use spatula to raise sandwich off the pan, carefully balancing while you flip your pan over to the top uncooked part of the sandwich 
7. Make sure uncooked side is touching panthen flip pan right side up and continue grilling until other side is browned
8. Remove from stove, slice in half diagonally 
9. Look at the amazing rainbow and enjoy

At East Point Academy, we believe it is important to raise global citizens who not only speak a second language, but also understand the culture that language was born from and embrace cultures from across the globe. Every student at East Point Academy learns Mandarin Chinese and is taught about life in China, customs, celebrations and history.  

Each fall we celebrate the Mid-Autumn-Festival with our Moonfest and enjoy a month-long celebration of Chinese New Year, culminating in a parade and gala open to the community showcasing the talent of our students and the beauty of Chinese culture. 

Students have the opportunity to show their Mandarin speaking and cultural skills at the Palmetto Chinese Star competition. The winners of that competition go on to participate nationally at the Chinese Bridge competition at the University of Maryland. This was our first year participating and one of our students claimed the national title!

Each spring our 8th graders have the opportunity to travel to China for a capstone trip, where they sightsee, take classes at a Chinese school and stay with a host family. Talk about a true immersion experience! 

While we love to connect the target language with its culture, we also embrace all cultures! Our monthly series, Going Global, brings in a special guest each month from different countries around the globe. Students learn about the guest’s country through exciting, interactive exhibits that are a feast for the sences. 

East Point Academy has been alive with excitement throughout the month of February as students, staff and community members came together to celebrate Black History Month. The school’s tagline is, “Merging Cultures. Inspiring Minds. Expanding Horizons.”

Each day, the morning announcements started off with a Black History Month trivia question. All students had the opportunity to answer questions and the student who had the most correct answers from each campus won a gift certificate and a custom Black History Month t-shirt, designed for the occasion. T-shirts, which featured a Black History Month graphic, the East Point Logo and a quote from NASA pioneer, Katherine Johnson, were also available for purchase to students, staff and parents. Second grader Eden Smith was the elementary campus trivia winner and seventh grader Hanna Sophia Dornik claimed the title for the middle campus.

Each class chose an important, historical African-American figure and did an in-depth research project highlighting their contributions and achievements. Some classes even translated their projects into Mandarin Chinese, which is taught at the school using a 50-50 language immersion model.

“As a global school, we are constantly merging different cultures. It was fun to see so many different cultural elements come together for this project,” said first grade Mandarin teacher Kiki Gao.

The project culminated in a living wax museum exhibit. One student from each class dressed as their chosen figure, while the other students had the opportunity to tour the exhibit.

Second grader Laken Smith, who played the role of Jackie Robinson, said, “It was exciting to see so many great costumes. It is important to let people see what [the figures] did to help others and for us to honor them.”

The grand finale to the month-long celebration was an assembly at both the elementary and middle school campuses. The assemblies featured the Gye Nyame dance troupe, Condor Elementary’s Steel Pan Drum Troupe, lead by East Point parent Davin Lail, and keynote speaker Larry Haltiwanger. Haltiwanger is a well-known figure in the local education scene. He shared with students his experiences as a graduate of Richlex High School, which was the last segregated high school to close in the Columbia area in 1968.

“The program celebrates our diversity and emphasizes the importance of learning about different backgrounds,” said related arts teacher Kim Gamble, who lead the Black History Month committee.

The assemblies were attended by students, parents and community members, including special guest West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton.

The month-long celebration was a great success and enhanced the learning of East Point students from all grades.

“As a leader in global education, East Point Academy makes it a priority to infuse many different cultures into the curriculum of the rich and rigorous education we provide for the students we serve, all year long. The Black History Month celebration is an important part of that,” said East Point Head of School Mark Bounds.

Students in Nikki Dixon’s second grade classes at East Point Academy recently had the opportunity to adopt a stuffed animal as a part of their new Reading Buddies program.

East Point parent and technology integration specialist Channing Anderson donated the materials needed to get the program started.

“As the parent of a child who lacks motivation when it comes to reading, I will jump on any fun idea. I learned about Reading Buddies in an education group, and instantly wanted to make it happen at East Point,” said Anderson.

Anderson told her coworkers, including Dixon, who just so happens to be her daughter Hadley’s teacher, about the program. Dixon immediately knew she wanted to bring the program to her classroom, so Anderson offered to purchase the stuffed animals.

Students were presented a basket of plush animals including bears, puppies, bunnies, elephants and more. Each student chose a new buddy and filled out and adoption certificate, complete with name.

“I was so incredibly thrilled to see the joy and excitement on my students’ faces as they chose their reading buddy, gave them a name and then promised to read to them every night,” said Dixon.

“I named my buddy Puppy Wuppy, because he’s so cute,” said second grader Cassidy Wise.

So far, the program has been a huge success.

“When we got home on adoption day, Hadley ran straight to her reading nook with Blue Bun. I am so thankful the teachers of East Point are open to trying new things,” added Anderson.

A 2017 study from the Osaka Institute of Technology and Kyushu University in Japan found that programs where students read to stuffed animals help develop children’s prosocial behavior and literacy by encouraging them to read.

East Point librarian Jessica Easterbrooks agrees. “Research shows that reading just 20 minutes each day exposes readers to over a million words a year.  Activities like the Reading Buddies adoption help to take the anxiety out of reading. With a Reading Buddy, reading is more fun and engaging for students,” said Easterbrooks.

It looks like the Reading Buddies program at East Point Academy is going to be around for a long time.

“I’m reading Dog Man Lord of the Fleas to my buddy TJ and it’s so funny,” said second grader Roman Thomas, “I’m going to keep reading to him every night. It’s the best thing ever.”

East Point Academy offers an exciting and enriching after school program called Horizons, every day from dismissal until 6 p.m. During this time, students are given ample time to complete homework, meet with their teachers, receive additional tutoring in Mandarin, as well as receive time for recess, snack, computer-based learning and games.

Horizons students often take part in our many after school activities.  Athletic activities include basketball, karate, gymnastics, cheer, archery, dance and running.  Our activities include chorus, Beta Club, piano and violin lessons, Outdoor Learning, Yearbook and more. Check out the Horizons guide to see what clubs and activities appeal to you. (Click link to see guide as another design and writing sample.)

On Friday, June 7^th, East Point Academy hosted a Career Carnival, showcasing a wide variety of job fields by some of Columbia’s best talent.

“We are providing a rich and rigorous education to the students we serve,” said East Point Head of School Mark Bounds, “Our Career Carnival, which is just one small piece of that, helps students discover their calling and teaches them what it takes to get there.”

The day started off at the elementary campus with Real Men Read for our 4k-2^nd grade students. Guests included a judge, business owners, computer gurus, a stay-at-home dad, police officers, a photographer, attorneys and much more. Each guest chose a picture book to read to classes and then taught them about their career.

“I chose Fox in Socks, by Dr. Seuss, because it’s such a fun book. I wanted to show that reading is fun, as well as talk about the necessity of reading in my career,” said martial arts master and small business owner, Dan Bernardo.

“Building literacy skills during the early years of elementary school is crucial to the future academic success of a student. Real Men Read reaches students who may not be interested and gets them excited about reading,” added East Point Academy Elementary Assistant Principal, Ashley Cohoon.

Students in 3^rd-7^th grade enjoyed in-depth presentations on a diverse range of career options. They learned about what each presenter does on a day to day basis, what education is needed to succeed in the field and what drew them to their career path. They also had time for Q&A.

“Volunteering for the Career Carnival helps bridge the gap students feel between learning and career opportunities, validating their hard work in the classroom by teaching them about life in the working world,” said Ingenico Strategic Client Relations specialist and East Point Board Treasurer, Alan Buck.

Later in the afternoon, students participated in Careers on Wheels. Dominion Energy and the West Columbia Fire Department, EMS and Police Department brought their impressive fleet of vehicles and staff members. Students got an up-close look at a fire truck, ambulance, bucket truck and police cars.

“The ambulance was my favorite,” said second-grader Kai Floyd, “I have always wanted to see the inside of one. I hope I can have a job like that, that lets me help people, someday.”

Eighth grade students had the opportunity to go into the community and job shadow for the day. Job shadowing provides students with hands-on experience in a field they are interested in and gives them insight into whether it will be a good fit for them.

Eighth grader Even Early shadowed Dr. Jiang Liu, a Chinese professor at the University of South Carolina.

“It was fun and exciting to see what being a college professor is like. I was able to help Dr. Liu grade some papers from a class because it was material I had learned in fourth grade at East Point,” said Early.

The Career Carnival was a big success and East Point plans to continue it for years to come.

“East Point Academy is doing great things in West Columbia. I was so glad I could give a little something back,” said Pro-Tem Mayor of West Columbia, Tem Miles.

The Bilingualism Matters Executive Board at the University of South Carolina College of Education welcomed new member, Mark Bounds, on October 9, 2019 at their monthly meeting. Bounds will assist the Board with outreach, creating relationships and advisement on matters of primary education policy.

Bounds has spent over 20 years in education and currently serves as Head of School at East Point Academy, a Mandarin immersion public charter school in West Columbia. Prior to becoming the East Point Academy Head of School, Bounds served as Chief Information Officer of Lexington-Richland District Five.

His multiple advanced degrees, numerous leadership program certificates, charter district experience, knowledge from serving on a dozen educational advisory boards and 20-year military career will bring a wealth of information to the Bilingualism Matters Executive Board.

“Like East Point Academy, Bilingualism Matters recognizes that we live in a diverse world where communicating and connecting with others across languages is incredibly important. When I learned about the organization, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Bounds.

Bilingualism Matters at USC is one of five US and one of 20 international branches of an international network, started in Edinburgh, Scotland. Locally, they conduct research and partner with school districts to promote awareness about bilingualism, develop sound instructional practices and share resources with the community.

Members of the Bilingualism Matters Board are excited about the new addition.

“Mark Bounds has a genuine desire to improve the quality of bilingual programs in his school and beyond,” said Dr. Eurydice Bauer, USC John E. Swearingen Chair of Education, “I am honored he has joined our board.”

East Point Academy’s progressive educational model combines language-rich Mandarin instruction with traditional study and hands on learning to create a vibrant, innovative program where students excel.

Each student’s course of study is individually tailored to meet their educational goals.  We offer small classes, a wide selection of extracurricular activities and a nurturing, close-knit community. Students have the opportunity to earn up to eight high school credits. Our Mandarin program has two tracks – one for beginners, just joining us in middle school and one for students who have advanced Mandarin skills. We also offer the opportunity to travel abroad with our optional middle school China trip.

For a complete look at our class offerings, take a look at our course catalog here.

Our exciting middle school program offers concentrations in leadership or the arts coupled with a rigorous core subject curriculum that prepares students for secondary education, college and beyond.

We have limited spaces available in 6th and 7th grade for the current school year. Email us at [email protected] for more information or to schedule a tour.

Students of East Point Academy participated in the 10^th Annual Palmetto Chinese Star competition at the University of South Carolina on Saturday, February 23, taking home first, second and third place awards in the middle division and second and third place awards in the elementary division.

East Point Academy was also recognized with an “Outstanding Organization” award, one of only four awarded among the nearly 20 organizations that participated and the only one not at the collegiate level.

The Palmetto Chinese Star competition, which is the largest of its kind in the state, provides a stage for students in colleges and K-12 schools of South Carolina to compete in the areas of language proficiency, which accounts for 70% of the score, and cultural performance, which is 30% of the score.

East Point also took home top honors with the title of Future Chinese Star, won by seventh grader Saba Pontens-Alemu.

“I love to participate in Palmetto Chinese Star and look forward to it each year because it gives me the opportunity to use what I learned at school in the real world,” said Pontens-Alemu, who performed a puppet show for the language portion of the competition and danced in the cultural part of the competition.

Eleven East Point students in all competed. Other winners included second place winners Ivory Paavola, Mia Rodriguez, Cade Waters and Emily Zheng. Third place awards went to Kasiah Hart, Kendall Givens, Aria Le and Jadon Page. Kate Stover and Shelah Whitney were awarded honorable mentions.

Performances included poetry, calligraphy, storytelling, speech, cello and dance.

“I am so proud of all of our students who competed this past weekend. We are educating globally minded citizens who embrace all cultures,” said East Point Assistant Principal Junlan Li.

This is East Point’s sixth year competing in the Palmetto Chinese Star and its fifth time bringing home the top award.

“East Point Academy provides a rich and rigorous education to the students we serve,” said East Point Head of School Mark Bounds, “Our showing in the competition reinforces that we are equipping our students with the skills they need to succeed in a 21^st century job market.”

At East Point Academy, native Mandarin speakers teach our students in 50% of their curriculum areas.

Language immersion is teaching method for learning a second language. Unlike more traditional language education, where the course is taught as a subject, immersion teaches the language as a subject, but also teaches core content in the target language, in our case Mandarin Chinese. For example, in addition to a Mandarin course, students are also taught math and science in Mandarin.

Elementary students at East Point learn via the 50/50 immersion model, meaning students spend half the day in English, learning ELA, Social Studies and various electives and half the day in the target language, learning Mandarin, math, science and arts. 

Once students reach the middle campus, they have built a strong base of Mandarin and are able to switch to a language rich model with up to 25% of the day in the target language.  The middle campus also offers novice level Mandarin courses for students new to the language.

One of the most common questions we get is, why Chinese? There are lots of great reasons for Chinese immersion. Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, with over a billion native speakers. South Carolina is commonly referred to as the gateway to the east due to the vast amount of both imports and exports that are traded through the state every year.

A growing number of Chinese companies are building factories and home offices in South Carolina. Next to the United States, China is the second-largest economy in the world. Additionally, students who learn Mandarin through immersion reap the host of lifelong benefits.

A bilingual brain is more alert, quicker and better able to deal with complex issues and conflict resolution. This is especially true for pictographic languages such as Mandarin Chinese. Through Mandarin immersion cognitive skills related to language and other subjects are strongly improved. Studies also show that students who became bilingual at an early age have less of a chance of getting dementia and other degenerative diseases.

These are just a few of the many benefits. We would love to share more and show you around our campus. For more information or to schedule a tour, email [email protected]. 

In the mean time, take a look at this episode of  ETV’s American Graduate, which highlighted East Point Academy in their special on immersion education.