TCTC President asks Grads “What drives you everyday?”

Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) President Ronnie L. Booth told summer graduates now that they have chosen a field of study and mastered the various skills associated with their craft, the next step is to address the why of what you do, to determine what drives you everyday. Three hundred and twenty-two students were awarded degrees, diplomas and/or certificates during the College’s summer commencement held Aug. 4, at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts in Clemson. “By earning a certificate, diploma or degree, you are walking out with affirmation that our faculty and, therefore, the College, believe that you have the ‘How’ of your major figured out. We believe that you can do the technical aspects of your major but you also have had the opportunity to develop some of those all-important skills and traits required in the workplace today, such as being on time, being thorough in your work, being able to work in a team environment, being able to stretch yourself mentally and continue to learn. All of those are essential in the world of work. Ultimately, you proved that you can do it,” he said. But he urged them to address one more question; ‘Why do you do what you do each day?’ “Trust me, having a ‘Why’ in life makes all of life more meaningful for you and others with whom you are associated,” he explained. “We all are driven by something. Just what is it that drives you? Why do you do what you do each day? We need to know the answer to that question. We need to understand what motivates us each day. Life takes on a completely different outlook when we can articulate ‘Why’’,” he said. “Do we, or will we, go through the motions and give minimal effort? Or will we act as if what we do each day is essential to the lives and well-being of ourselves and others? Will we act with passion each day and commitment to our work that will cause others to notice that we are not typical? Are you, am I, driven by something beyond the basic instincts of survival? Do you have a mission, a meaning, in life?,” he asked. “What we do at the College each day is driven by our Vision Statement, “Passionate people transforming lives and building strong communities one student at a time.” This is our Why. This is Why we do What we do. Our goal is to transform lives by assisting our students in finding their respective places in the world of work. When we do that, we ultimately change the community in which our students live and work,” he said. “Are you determined to make the life of everyone with whom you come into contact better? Is your goal to help every child, patient, offender, client or customer you come into contact with understand that he or she is of value and that each can live a better life? Whatever the case, your ‘Why’ will make a difference,” he said. Following the speech, Dr. Booth and other College officials presented degrees, diplomas and certificates to the graduates.