General Assembly votes to keep DTC open for another year!
With the adoption of the budget conference committee’s recommendations, the General Assembly has voted to keep Denmark Technical College open for the next year. The House and the Senate gave the state budget final approval on Tuesday. The Governor’s signature is expected soon.
The school’s future was in doubt earlier this year as some lawmakers suggested that South Carolina’s only historically-Black technical college be closed. Alumni and supporters held a rally at the State House to convince legislators to save the school. Those efforts apparently paid off.
Rep. Jerry Govan (D-Orangeburg), Chair of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, stated the following:
“We are very happy that the budget conferees have taken the position of keeping Denmark Technical College open. I want to thank the House and Senate conferees for understanding the importance of Denmark Tech.
This was a top priority for the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. We believe in supporting South Carolina’s institutions of higher education, including historically black colleges like Denmark Tech. It was important to us that the people of South Carolina, especially the people of Allendale, Bamberg, and Barnwell Counties, continue to be served by the South Carolina Technical College System. I want all members of the local community, as well as all alumni, faculty, current students, and prospective students to know: Denmark Tech is open for business.”
Denmark Tech is fully accredited and approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its outstanding faculty provide a high-quality education to every student willing to work hard to achieve their goals. This spring, 127 students earned certificates, diplomas, and degrees — these individuals are ready to begin their careers as accountants, barbers, computer programmers, engineers, entrepreneurs, nurses, plumbers, teachers, welders, and so on.
“Thankfully,” Rep. Govan said, “Denmark Tech will continue to give students the skills needed for success in the 21st century job market.”