A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Mary Thornley, the transformative president of Trident Technical College, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER fifty YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that Mary Thornley will begin a well-deserved retirement after a half century as a premier educator at Trident Technical College, the last thirty-three years of which have been as the distinguished and highly regarded president at Trident Tech; and

 

Whereas, the college's fifth and longest-serving president, she began her fifty-year career with Trident Tech as an adjunct instructor in 1973 and later became a full-time instructor the following year.  She became a department head, dean, and vice president during her years with the college before she was named president in 1991; and

 

Whereas, through President Thornley's visionary leadership as president, enrollment at Trident Tech has grown from 7,997 in the fall of 1991 to more than 13,000 in the fall of 2023, and it has been the largest technical college in South Carolina since 2010; and

 

Whereas, in 1991, the college included three campuses, and under her leadership it has grown to five campuses and two training sites.  Through her unwavering commitment to meet the ever-evolving needs of the region, President Thornley has tirelessly fulfilled the college's mission to educate the individual, accelerate the economy, and inspire the future; and

 

Whereas, her boundless ambition for the college has been an integral factor in the Lowcountry's continued growth and economic success.  Trident Tech helps to provide the demands of the community's workforce through its host of courses, including business, hospitality, manufacturing, nursing, radio, and television broadcasting, among many others; and

 

Whereas, President Thornley's success has been recognized with many awards and honors over the years with significant commendations, such as the Order of the Palmetto, the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award, the Shirley B. Gordon Phi Theta Kappa Presidential Award of Distinction, and the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners CEO Award.  She received the Association of Community College Trustees CEO Award twice, in 2009 and 2019; and

 

Whereas, in 2018, Trident Tech's Area Commission voted to rename the college's Main Campus in North Charleston to honor President Thornley for her years of service and leadership.  The college's original and largest campus is now the Thornley Campus; and

 

Whereas, grateful for her many years of distinguished service to Trident Technical College, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Mary Thornley as she transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, the members wish her many years of enjoyment as she begins her well-earned retirement on June 1, 2024.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Mary Thornley, the transformative president of Trident Technical College, upon the occasion of her retirement after fifty years of outstanding service, and wish her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mary Thornley.

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