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First year student Clinton Johnson scored second in the nation on a key skills test, and Jeremiah Farley scored third in a network design competition. Christine Keasler and Clint Johnson scored second in a graphics communications contest, and everyone on the HGTC team ranked among the top 30 of 538 students for hardware repair.
Six computer science technology students from Horry-Georgetown Technical College placed among the top in the nation recently at the 17th Annual Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) Conference in San Antonio, Texas. First year student Clinton Johnson scored second in the nation on a key skills test, and Jeremiah Farley scored third in a network design competition. Christine Keasler and Clint Johnson scored second in a graphics communications contest, and everyone on the HGTC team ranked among the top 30 of 538 students for hardware repair.
Prof. Steve Luse, chair of information technology and digital arts, returned to campus all smiles. “These awards affirm our programʼs value,” he said, “but they also confirm that the college is making the right investment in technology. Competing students competed at AITP from other two-and four-year colleges and graduate programs, many with multiple teams. We took one team, and that team earned its way to attend the national competition. Being there with so many winners was a real thrill.”
Team members earned multiple professional certifications, from networking and security to server and operating systems. Two students were offered jobs on the spot during the conference, but declined in the interest of completing advanced degrees and opting for different geographical locations.
What beyond superior teaching and learning made the team successful? Christine jokingly attributed at least some success to her orange Nikes. A Clemson fan, she was convinced her special shoes set her apart for the competition. “They were my good luck charm in San Antonio,” she said. And sheʼs still wearing them in her race to complete her degree. “Iʼll wear these shoes when I march for graduation in a few weeks,” she added.
But Professor Luse said Christine is planning to re-enroll for a second degree. “Itʼs a thrill to see these students represent what HGTC is all about,” he said. “Success in the real world.” About 300 students are enrolled in HGTCʼs computer science technology programs.