Executive Director's Message

Executive Director's Message - Lisa Piccolo

As you may know, the North Charleston campus of Trident Technical College was recently renamed Thornley Campus, after President Dr. Mary Thornley, to honor her for 46 years of service and leadership to the college. We held a dedication ceremony last fall, and the campus now proudly has signage bearing her name.

What you may not know is that in conjunction with the campus renaming, two TTC Foundation trustees, Bobby Collins (immediate past chair) and Chris Fraser (vice chair) developed an idea to create a fund that will enable Dr. Thornley to continue her great works.

The Thornley Leadership Fund provides immediate and significant benefits to TTC students. There are opportunities that present themselves for which students may not have the resources to pursue, and those opportunities can slip by. The Thornley Leadership Fund provides critical resources which have a direct impact on our students and allows Dr. Thornley to continue her legacy of leadership.

The fund is already off to a great start, thanks to the generosity of a group of founding donors, which include Bobby and Boo Collins, Chris and Karen Fraser, Bill and Elizabeth Craver, the Dayna and Dick Elliott Family Fund, Bill and Prudence Finn, Mary Graham, Bill and Jeanne Hall, Carolyn Hunter-Heyward, Tony and Gillian Mark and Bob and Margaret Seidler. Together they contributed more than $800,000.

In addition, a special appeal was held at TTC's annual fundraising gala, A Night in the Valley, bringing the total to more than $1 million, which included a $100,000 pledge made by Nancy Snowden of NCGS.

The funds will create a lasting impact on our students and honor Dr. Thornley, who, throughout her 28 years as president, has accomplished some amazing feats - new buildings, campuses and programs - which continue to stimulate the economy of our communities.

To make a contribution to the Thornley Leadership Fund, click here.

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