By Raegan Scharfetter/managing editor
Campus brings community together for anniversary
South Campus celebrated its 50th anniversary by connecting students with community members who bring life to the campus Sept. 30.
The Family Extravaganza event had live performances, interactive games and other fun-filled activities.
South president Peter Jordan felt the event went very well, he said.
“I feel that this is a special moment,” Jordan said. “The fact is that we have the opportunity to look back on how far we came, but it’s also an opportunity to look ahead.”
District manager of communication Reginald Lewis said the celebration was held because TCC has given so many people opportunities and important resources.
“I am honored to have served the community at such a historic event,” Lewis said. “TCC has been enriching lives for years. I couldn’t be more proud.”
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South student and jazz vocalist Sara Ritsch performed songs from the 1960s at the celebration. Ritsch said even though it is her first semester at TCC, she loves everyone and has been happy to be involved.
“It has been awesome here,” Ritsch said. “I love that people came out to see us. It was really fun to work with everyone here.”
Having birthdays is reliving history, and it is nice to see how much TCC has been helping the community throughout the years, said Yadira Galicia, an instructional aide with Generation Hope.
“I’ve been at TCC since 2012 for dual credit, and now I’ve worked for TCC since 2016,” Galicia said. “It has done a lot for me, especially getting my basics out of the way.”
Phi Theta Kappa held a sign-up sheet for members who wanted to help with the celebration. South student Raymond Davis, who’s also an amateur magician, signed up to perform some tricks.
Davis said a 50th anniversary is a big milestone for anything, and a lot of people have had their lives changed by TCC, so it’s worth celebrating.
“I signed up to help and also do what I like to do,” Davis said. “I’m majoring in computer-aided drafting and design and hope to go professional in magic someday – TCC helps me do this.”
A Mobile GO bus was stationed at the celebration, offering student services to those who attended.
Mobile GO driver Kim Thomas-Tate said she loves TCC and when everyone gets together for a celebration, it feels like extended family.
“I’m an entrepreneur, and TCC classes have helped me and helped my business,” Thomas-Tate said. “It has benefited me in growth.”
Financial aid coordinator Freddie Sandifer said it is important to see the transformation and the changes in diversity throughout the years.
“I’ve been here 17, going on 18 years now,” Sandifer said. “I’ve seen the changes and the work that has been done here.”
Jordan said the campus is looking ahead and he is working on setting the stage for the next 50 years.
“I think to be a part of that reflection and looking forward is quite special, and it’s borne out in the kind of theme we chose for this year’s celebration which is ‘South Campus 50 and Forward,’ but really it’s about TCC’s 50 and forward,” Jordan said.
