It was a groovy scene on the campus of Aiken Technical College as the school observed a milestone in its history with a celebration.
Sept. 1, 2022, marked the college’s 50th year, lending itself to a 70s themed event at the Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing building.
The celebration included burying a time capsule at the CEAM building with instructions to open it in 25 years. President Forest Mahan said it is a nod to the past while also looking to the future, a future that includes many changes for Aiken Tech.
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“We have a lot of opportunity to really remake the look of the campus,” he said. “We’ve just rolled out a new brand and logo, which is going to transform our signage across the campus. We’ll have a new marquee. We have a couple of older buildings coming down in the next year. And then we have two new buildings and if all goes according to schedule, the new nursing building, and also a partnership with the Aiken County Public School District and build a new career and technology center.”
Aiken Tech is getting $11.5 million from the $525 million SRS settlement money. That will be added to the $3 million the school received several years ago. Those funds are seed money, the first step in Aiken Tech’s plans to build a new 30,000 square foot Nursing Education Center.
The SRS settlement money stems from the Department of Energy’s failed mixed oxide fuel fabrication that was to be built at SRS along with the weapons grade plutonium that was brought to the state to be converted into fuel pellets for reactor fuel assemblies.
As a history major, Mahan said it was amazing to be the school’s president as it reached its 50th year. He said it lets him enjoy past accomplishments and plan for the years to come.
“So, to be here, especially as we’re finally coming out of COVID-19, the last couple of years have just been really challenging. So, this these types of events, to be able to get everybody together to celebrate what they do for the community it just gives everybody a chance to sort of reengage, because for so long, every meeting was done through zoom or teams,” he said.
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In addition to celebrating the anniversary, the college launched its inaugural Day of Giving.
“So, we’re asking alumni, friends and supporters in the community to make a gift to support student scholarships. They can do that online. They can go to our homepage and link to the Giving page in the top right,” said Beth LaClair, director of resource development for the Aiken Technical College Foundation.
Donations can be made online at https://www.atc.edu/foundation. Donations can also be sent by texting ‘ATCDAYOFGIVING” to 44321. Donations are tax deductible.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
