Half a century of growth: Horry Georgetown Technical College celebrates 50 years

Fifty years ago, Horry Georgetown Technical College served 123 students on one campus. Now, the two-year technical school boasts three campuses and more than 7,000 students every year.

HGTC is ringing in its 50th year on the Grand Strand, and officials hope the next 50 years will bring more growth, innovation and professional development. The college welcomed its first class of 123 students in 1966 and since has grown to more than 7,000 students on its three campuses.

Neyle Wilson, HGTC’s president, has been with the college for 46 years. He’s witnessed massive changes in program offerings and technology over the decades, but one of the most impressive changes is how the college shed its “fallback” school image.

“In the ’70s, this was a place you came when you couldn’t go anywhere else,” Wilson said. “But now, we’re no longer a second or third choice.

“We’re where you go if you want a good, high-paying job that involves school training,” Wilson said.

Over Wilson’s 14 years as president, he’s most proud of keeping classes affordable and flexible for the nontraditional student. HGTC offers more than 90 certificate and degree programs, and about 90 percent of graduates stay in Horry and Georgetown counties to work.

The average age of an HGTC student is 27. Most graduate in two years and some quickly enter the workforce, while others move to a four-year institution or re-enroll in more training.

Wilson said the technical school wants the middle-ground students who wouldn’t normally earn a scholarship, because those students already have opportunities elsewhere.

“We really wanted the average student who maybe doesn’t have a history of post-secondary education in their family,” he said.

The inclusion of tourism, healthcare and technology programs is another selling point of Wilson’s legacy. HGTC has offered manufacturing and healthcare programs for decades, but the inclusion of new tourism-based business training benefits students and the local economy.

“We’ve done a good job of mastering the growing economy and what skills would be needed in the future,” Wilson said.

A changing skill set

Those “future” skills have changed as technology has changed.

Engineering students used to work on manual machines that required exact measurements and perfect tool placement. Now, because of improved computer technology, everything is automated. Students still learn how to use the old machinery to establish foundation skills needed to accurately work the automated machines, said Brandon Haselden, professor of machine tool technology.

“It’s still important to teach them these skills, because they have to know how to fix these machines or how to bypass any system manually,” Haselden said.

First year students on the Conway campus use the non-automated machines first before moving to the multi-million dollar automated programs across the hall. HGTC has invested about $2 million into the new equipment so far, and has budgeted even more for a newer facility under construction. Haselden said although the equipment is pricey, it’s necessary for student success.

“Companies in our area all use these machines,” he said. “If our students didn’t have this type of equipment, they couldn’t go out and be proficient.”

Local companies are all for hiring skilled students. Dylan Willocks, who graduates from the machine tool program in May, already has a job.

Willocks works part time at Peddinghaus in Andrews, which is about 20 minutes from his home. He’s thankful HGTC professors could place him in a career so quickly and so close to his family.

“I love having it all – even HGTC – at my back door,” he said.

Most of the professors are current or former industry professionals, said Becky Boone, assistant vice president and dean for academic support. Because those professors have worked in their professions for years, they have the ability to teach students skills outside of their degree.

“Most of our teachers are leaders in their industry, and it helps students learn how it’s really in the job market,” she said.

That industry experience is why many students choose HGTC. Holly Neff, a first year digital arts major, was born and raised in Horry County. She said her family all graduated from HGTC and were placed in jobs because of professors’ connections.

“My professors have a lot of connections and a lot of tips, and it’s all very personal,” she said.

Program offerings for four generations

Unlike other vocational schools, HGTC provides opportunities for more liberal arts-minded students. The digital arts program caters to students interested in marketing, public relations and advertising careers, rather than machining or healthcare.

Alan Bunal, assistant chairman of digital arts, said college officials want to give students well-rounded training for any career, not just marketing.

“It’s media, it’s video, it’s branding,” Bunal said. “And the technology for it changes all the time.”

Keeping up with changing technology can be tricky, but figuring out how to teach that tech to a host of different age groups is trickier, Bunal said. Professors work with students straight out of high school, parents who have lost their jobs and even retired folks looking for a second career.

Appealing to everyone all at once is tough, he said.

“I’ve got four generations that I’m working with, so I’ve got to teach them all and they all learn differently,” Bunal said.

Flexible class times and one-on-one attention draws the older generations, Boone said, especially those coming back for a second career.

While most of the younger students have a better grip on the technology-side of class, the older students serve as unofficial mentors to those who have never been in the workforce, Boone said.

“They teach them what you can and can’t do in the workforce, and how to react around bosses,” she said.

Past, present and future growth

With new technology comes growth. Ann Daniels, chairwoman of nursing, has seen firsthand how nursing students have evolved their care practices. In the past, students had to practice on stiff dummies or even each other. Now, with improved technology, maternal nursing students can practice on Victoria.

Victoria is an automated child birthing simulator that can be programmed in real time for any kind of birthing situation; she blinks, screams and tells students when she’s having contractions. The dummy gives students a chance to practice dangerous situations before encountering real pregnant women.

“We’re limited to what we can do in the field, but here students can learn hands-on in a safe environment,” Daniels said.

Even though technology has changed, the importance of personal relationships in healthcare stays strong, Daniels said. Students can use automated dummies, computer programs and technical training to improve their skills, but creating a connection will always be most important.

“No matter the technology, you have to have that touch,” she said. “You have to think of that patient as a person with empathy.”

HGTC officials hope to keep guessing trends correctly and improving technology to draw even more nontraditional students. Daniels said she expects HGTC’s next 50 years to push the nursing program past its current 250 students, and machine tool professor Haselden said the new machining building should draw more people to the program.

Wilson agrees that healthcare and manufacturing are the next big industries to hit the Grand Strand, and he wants his school prepared.

“We don’t even know some of the jobs that will come about in the next two years,” he said.

Wilson expects Myrtle Beach to keep growing – as it’s done over a decade – and hopes HGTC will keep up. He can’t predict exactly what the next half century will hold, but said he’s confident the college will be here to serve the Grand Strand.

“I feel really good about this area. I feel really good about the next 50 years at Horry Georgetown Technical College,” Wilson said.

This story was originally published March 27, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Half a century of growth: Horry Georgetown Technical College celebrates 50 years."