Northeastern Technical College proudly celebrates Ms. Lib Norton, recipient of the 2025 South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners (SCATCC) Professional Board Staff Award, recognizing her extraordinary service and leadership spanning 57 years.

The award honors board staff members who demonstrate exemplary commitment to their institutions. Ms. Norton’s career is a testament to this ideal. Her meticulous record-keeping, deep institutional knowledge, and active engagement with administrators, faculty, students, and the broader community have consistently strengthened the college and the South Carolina Technical College System as a whole.

Throughout her distinguished tenure, Ms. Norton has been a trusted resource for the Area Commission, offering insights and guidance that only decades of experience can provide. Her dedication extends far beyond routine duties. She is known for going above and beyond to support the mission and vision of Northeastern Technical College and consistently contributes to the success of colleagues and students alike.

The SCATCC recognizes leaders across technical and community colleges statewide. Alongside Ms. Norton, the 2025 awards honor Commissioner Leadership Award recipient George Piersol of Piedmont Technical College, Chief Executive Officer Award recipient Dr. Richard J. Gough of Technical College of the Lowcountry, and Faculty Member Award recipient Shannon Sims-McAlister of Denmark Technical College.

All recipients will be formally recognized at a joint meeting of SCATCC, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, and the Technical College Presidents Council on September 23, 2025, in Columbia, SC.

Ms. Norton’s career is more than a record of service. It is a legacy of leadership, dedication, and unwavering support for the students, staff, and community of Northeastern Technical College. Her award highlights not only her exceptional professional contributions but also the profound impact one individual can have over decades of devoted service.

A great time was had by all at Northeastern Technical College’s Cheraw Campus as the college helped kick off the South Carolina Jazz Festival on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Guests enjoyed an afternoon filled with smooth, soulful sounds from The Sam Edwards Quartet, featuring Edwin Hamilton. The lively performance created the perfect atmosphere for lunch, laughter, and community connection.

Attendees also enjoyed delicious food from local favorites Constitution BBQ and Hidden Treasures food trucks, adding even more flavor to the event.

The kickoff was a wonderful way to celebrate local talent and bring together students, faculty, and community members for an afternoon of music, food, and fun.

At Northeastern Technical College, faculty and staff see firsthand how one small act of support can change a student’s future. Through the ASSIST Foundation Account, employees have the opportunity to make a direct impact when students face unexpected financial challenges that threaten to interrupt their education.

The ASSIST program is funded entirely by NETC employees and provides immediate help for students in need, covering expenses such as textbooks, certification fees, or emergency transportation.

Chad L. Vick, MSML, Director of Foundation, Grants, and Alumni Relations, is inviting every employee, especially new team members and those who have not yet participated, to consider joining the program.

How it Works:

• Choose a contribution amount that fits your budget ($5, $10, $20, or any amount)
• Donations are tax-deductible
• Contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck each month
• 100% of every dollar goes directly to students in need

Employees can make their pledge by completing the short Payroll Deduction Form and sending it to the Foundation. The Foundation will forward the form to Payroll, and deductions will begin with the next pay cycle.

“Every dollar matters,” Vick shared. “When we each give a little, it adds up to make a life-changing difference for our students.”

For those already contributing, the Foundation encourages considering a small increase to monthly giving or inviting a colleague to join.

To learn more or ask questions about the ASSIST Foundation Account, employees can reply directly to Chad Vick’s email.

Together, NETC employees continue to demonstrate what it means to invest in students, not just through teaching and mentorship, but through tangible acts of generosity that help them reach their goals.

Students in Northeastern Technical College’s Massage Therapy Day Cohort, led by Professor Janet Copelle, applied cold stones during today’s hands-on training session. The technique is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain, and invigorate the body by constricting blood vessels and promoting circulation.

Cold stone massage therapy serves as a natural analgesic, providing relief for joint pain, stiffness, and sore muscles. It is especially useful for conditions such as acute injuries, migraines, and sinus congestion.



The session allowed students to gain practical experience with cold stone applications while learning how to use this method to support overall wellness, recovery, and stress reduction in future clients.

Northeastern Technical College’s Enrique Morales Rojas delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Livingstone XC Invitational on Friday, October 10, finishing sixth overall in the men’s 7.85k race.

Rojas crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 29:02.6, averaging 5:57.2 per mile, a personal best for the sophomore runner. His strong showing highlights his growing momentum as the Region 10 Cross Country Championship approaches on October 25.

A top-three finish at the upcoming regional meet would earn Rojas a return trip to the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championship, a milestone he achieved last season.

At 10:16 a.m. on October 16, students, faculty, and staff across all Northeastern Technical College (NETC) campuses, including our tiniest Trailblazers in Compass 3K and 4K, took part in The Great American ShakeOut, the world’s largest earthquake drill.

The annual event encourages participants to practice how to stay safe during an earthquake by following the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” procedure. When the drill began, NETC students and employees dropped to the ground, took cover under desks or sturdy furniture, and held on until the exercise ended. Participation in The Great American ShakeOut demonstrates NETC’s ongoing commitment to safety and emergency preparedness.

While earthquakes are uncommon in the region, the drill ensures that everyone on campus knows how to respond in the event of a real emergency.



Through this coordinated effort, NETC joins schools and organizations around the world in promoting awareness, readiness, and resilience in the face of potential natural disasters.

Students in Northeastern Technical College’s Culinary Arts program showcased their skills this week by preparing and serving a gourmet meal for college employees and administrators. Under the guidance of Professor Sha’Kira Gattison, the class crafted a flavorful menu featuring Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto paired with Sautéed Chicken.

The creamy risotto, rich with roasted butternut squash and fresh spinach, offered a perfect balance of comfort and sophistication. Paired with tender, golden-browned chicken sautéed to perfection, the meal highlighted both technical precision and creativity in the kitchen.

The event provided students with valuable experience in professional food preparation and presentation, while giving college staff a delicious opportunity to enjoy the culinary talents developing within the program.

The Northeastern Technical College (NETC) golf team recently competed in the 2025 Walters State Fall Classic, held October 5–7 in Morristown, Tennessee. The event featured teams from nine colleges and universities and marked the Trailblazers’ second tournament of the fall season, serving as their penultimate competition before the season finale.

Leading the way for NETC was Evan Cox, who posted consistent rounds of 82 and 81, earning a tie for 32nd place. Landon Hardy followed closely, finishing tied for 37th after an 86 in the opening round and a strong 79 on day two. Drake Morris finished 54th with rounds of 86 and 100, just ahead of Rodney Atkinson, who shot 92 and 99. Cody Watkins rounded out the lineup with rounds of 86 and 115.

As a team, NETC finished ninth overall, an impressive showing for a squad still early in its competitive journey together.

The first round was played under ideal conditions, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s. The second round presented a tougher challenge as intermittent rain and shifting winds gave the course a Scottish-like feel rather than the typical Tennessee setting.

The Trailblazers now turn their focus to their final tournament of the fall season, the Atomic City Classic, hosted by Roane State at Oak Ridge Country Club in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, from October 19–21. The team continues to train diligently and looks forward to finishing the season strong.

Open Enrollment is here! While the official dates are October 1–31, employees can begin making coverage changes today for the upcoming year.

Any updates made during this period will take effect on January 1, 2026.

To ensure everything is in order, employees are encouraged to log into their MyBenefits account at mybenefits.sc.gov to:

• Verify that all personal information (address, phone numbers, email, etc.) is accurate and current.
• Make any necessary coverage changes for next year.
• Review existing coverage.
• Update life insurance beneficiaries.
• Provide up-to-date contact information for beneficiaries.

If employees are satisfied with their current choices, the only step needed is to re-enroll in the MoneyPlus flexible spending account if they participate.

Dental changes can only be made during odd years. This means 2025 is a dental year!

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