TTC Instructor Honors Her Mentor by Giving Back

As a young medical laboratory student at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Michelle Mantooth learned everything she needed to know about clinical laboratory testing. But under the wing of Mary Eileen Leonard, she learned that working in the medical laboratory technology field wasn’t just a job; it had to be your passion.

"She had an infectious way of distilling a passion for learning and serving, " says Michelle, who is now an instructor in the Medical LaboratoryTechnology program at Trident Technical College. She shares with her students what she learned from her mentor: "the patient is the most important part of your life from now on. Continue your education and make a name for yourself and the profession and never forget what it is to get your hands dirty.”

So every year, through the TTC Foundation Campus Campaign, Michelle makes a gift to the Mary Eileen Leonard Clinical Laboratory Sciences Scholarship, which was established by friends and colleagues in 2004 to recognize Ms. Leonard’s years of service and dedication to the field.

Giving back to the community was important to Mrs. Leonard. Michelle says, “She taught service, compassion and being passionate about those things you endeavor to do in life. If she wasn’t in the lab or the classroom, she could always be found helping kids at Bishop England with their homework or seeing to it that those in the orphanage always had a Christmas.”

Michelle continues to follow in her footsteps and, in addition to volunteering for her church, the American Red Cross and other community organizations, she is currently serving on the leadership team as a captain for the 1516 TTC Campus Campaign. As a volunteer, she encourages her colleagues to make a gift to the TTC Foundation, something she has been doing every year since she started at TTC in 2006.

"I wouldn't be who I am today if I didn't have such an inspiring mentor in Mrs. Leonard. By giving to her scholarship, I can honor her by helping many more students receive an education and feel that same passion in their work."

Last year, 77 percent of TTC employees contributed more than $72,000 to benefit the college. Learn more about the campaign | Learn more about the MLT program | Learn more about TTC Foundation Scholarships

Comments

New Laptop is a Game-Changer

When life throws you one challenge after another, you start to appreciate the small wins. For Trident Tech student Kristi Salvo, receiving a new laptop through the Student Urgent Needs (SUN) fund was a game-changer. Like students across the country, Salvo’s in-person classes were abruptly switched to an online format this spring due to COVID-19. But she knew her older computer couldn’t keep up with the online demands and she couldn't afford to buy a new one. “I was already dealing with a lot and it felt like this was going to be the thing that would break me,” she said. Salvo, a veteran of the US Air Force, struggles with health issues, including a back injury and a severe autoimmune disorder. In March, she and her husband separated, leaving her to juggle the responsibility of being a student, while also being a teacher to their two young children. All this, while trying to stay healthy and safe during a global pandemic. After Salvo and her children moved into a smaller, mor...

The Path to Success

As the 11th of 14 children, Kathy Simmons knows what it’s like to be a part of a close-knit family. Which is exactly why she has made her way back to Trident Technical College 33 years after graduating in 1985. Kathy’s path back to TTC began with her desire to fulfill two goals – advance her education and travel – and she figured the best way to accomplish both was through the military. So Kathy joined the Air Force in 1987, and did indeed accomplish both goals. She received her Bachelor of Arts while stationed in Minot, North Dakota, her Master of Arts from Erskine Theological Seminary and she has completed 60 hours toward a Doctor of Education from Walden University. She saw much of the country and spent time overseas in Korea. After the military, Kathy found herself back at TTC in the Admissions and Registrar’s office, and it was there she realized she really wanted to stay in education and help students find success. But a wise mentor once told her that in order to advance...

Alumna Living her Best Life

E arning a college degree is challenging enough. But for single parents, it can seem like an insurmountable feat. Costs like living expenses and childcare only add to the stress of paying tuition. Making time to study usually means waiting until after the kids are in bed, leading to added exhaustion and stress. When Joyce Antonetty attended Trident Technical College as a single parent of two young children, she knew it would be difficult. But she was determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a Fitness Specialist. “I wanted to help people become a healthier version of themselves,” says Joyce. Joyce had been down this road before. Like many Trident Tech students, she had attended a four-year college immediately after high school. But when she was waitlisted to enter the Physical Therapy program at MUSC, she postponed her dream in order to start a family. Joyce's life took an unexpected turn when she went through a divorce in 2010. She held se...

Change Starts Here

Search This Blog