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Midlands Technical College Foundation to Host Celebration of Distinguished Graduates

Submitted by: Amanda K. Taylor on Aug 23, 2011 at 7:59 pm Tagged with: Higher Education; Awards; Honors Source: Midlands Technical College

The Midlands Technical College Foundation is holding its inaugural Celebration of Distinguished Graduates Thursday, September 29, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. The event will recognize distinguished graduates of the college who have made significant contributions to the community.

“This event is a wonderful way to honor some of the many successful graduates of Midlands Technical College,” said Dr. Marshall (Sonny) White, Jr., MTC president. “These individuals have become leaders in their chosen career fields, and by example demonstrate that you really can get anywhere from here. We are extremely proud of all of our graduates.”

This year’s recipients are as follows:

• Anne F. Castro, VP, Chief Design Architect, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
(Business, 1978)
Castro has worked for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in the Information Systems Division for more than 30 years. She is a member of the senior staff and information technology governance, which provides the overall governance for the entire information technology structure for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Castro has also been named by the Office of the National Coordinator to serve on the Health Information Technology Standards Committee charged with making recommendations on standards, certification criteria and implementation guidelines for the Presidents’ initiative on the interoperability of electronic medical records.

• James R. Metts, Sheriff, Lexington County, South Carolina
(Chemical Engineering Technology, 1970; Public Service, 1975)
Metts has devoted his career to law enforcement, starting as a dispatcher with the West Columbia Police Department in 1967. In 1972, at age 25, Metts became the youngest sheriff ever elected in the nation. He has served as sheriff of Lexington County since December 15, 1972, earning him the longest tenure for a Republican currently holding elected office in SC. Metts holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the National Sheriff’s Institute and the National Corrections Academy. In 1998, Governor David Beasley awarded Metts the Order of the Palmetto; in 2004, Governor Mark Sanford presented Metts with the Order of the Silver Crescent.

• Ronald L. Rhames, Senior Vice President and Chief Operation Officer (COO), Midlands Technical College
(Business Management, 1978)
Rhames is the Senior Vice President and COO at MTC, where he has been employed since 1990. In addition to serving as the Chief Financial Officer for MTC, he manages the college’s accounting and finance operations, physical plant operations, human resources, auxiliary and support services and information technology. Rhames earned an associate degree from Midlands Technical College, a bachelor’s degree from Benedict College, a master’s degree from Central Michigan University, and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Rhames was selected as a 1991-92 Kellogg Fellow for Leadership in Community Colleges and was named the 1998 International Outstanding Chief Business Officer by Community Colleges Business Officers (CCCO). Rhames is the current president of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers and serves on the board of directors National Association of College and University Business Officers.

• John R. Roof, Entrepreneur
(Retail Management Technology, 1972)
Roof, a native of Batesburg-Leesville, is a commercial real estate investor and developer. After graduating from MTC, Roof started his business career with the JB Martin Company and worked his way up to National Sales Manager. In 1985, he started his own business with a small convenience store and built it into a chain of ten Exxon stores in the Columbia area. In 1998, he got into the real estate business. He manages his properties and has his real estate license with Southern Visions Realty. Roof is a member of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Lexington Medical Center Foundation Board. He recently finished a term on the Board of Directors of LRADAC, and has served on several bank advisory boards.

• Bernice G. Scott, Former Chair, Richland County Council
Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs, Austin & Rogers, P.A.
(Public Service, 1976)
Scott began her career of public service in positions including Tax Collector, Assistant Clerk of Council and Ombudsman for the Richland County Court Administration. In 1988, she was elected to Richland County Council, on which she served for 20 years. Scott is a member of the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Black County Officials, the Lower Richland Development Council, the Infant Mortality Committee and LRADAC. She formerly chaired the Richland County Development and Services Committee and the Lower Richland Community Health Care Association Board. Scott currently directs Community Relations and Public Affairs for Austin & Rogers Law Firm.

• Randy Scott, Chief of Police, City of Columbia, South Carolina
(Public Service, 2002)
Scott was named Chief of Police of the City of Columbia in January 2011. Prior to this appointment, he was the commander of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Uniform Division, where he was responsible for more than 400 deputies and more than 30 units. During Scott’s 15-year tenure with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, he also served as Captain of the Community Services Division as well as Captain of Region Three. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from Limestone College and a master’s from Troy University. Scott is a 2008 graduate of the FBI National Academy. Scott serves as the Chairman of the United Way of the Midlands’ Success by 6 Council, and is a member of their Board of Directors.

Individual tickets are $25 and can be purchased by September 22 by calling (803) 822-3034. Tickets include an Honorees’ Reception and entertainment. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by calling (803) 822-3034.

Midlands Technical College Foundation
The MTC Foundation, a group of business leaders from the Midlands, is the structure through which individuals, corporations and other private sector interests can demonstrate their support for the academic programs and economic development services offered by Midlands Technical College. MTC enrolls approximately 18,000 credit students annually, and provides training for 30,000 individuals and services to hundreds of area businesses each year. MTC is the largest source of transfer students to the University of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.mtcfoundation.net.