Type | Public community college |
---|---|
Established | 1966 |
Parent institution | South Carolina Technical College System |
President | Marilyn Murphy Fore |
Students | 8,137 [1] |
Location | , , United States |
Colors | Blue and Green [2] |
Nickname | Gators |
Mascot | Chomp the Gator [3] |
Website | www.hgtc.edu/ |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is a public technical college in Conway, South Carolina. It is a part of the South Carolina Technical College System.
HGTC is the fourth largest technical college in the state, [4] and offers over 65 degree and certificate programs in Golf & Sports Turf Technology, Arts & Science, Business, Engineering & Industrial Technology, Health Science, Information/Computer Technology, and Public Service Technology. [5] Tourism programs that have been added help the local economy. 90 percent of graduates stay in the area. [4]
HGTC currently has three campuses. In addition to the main campus on U.S. 501 next to Coastal Carolina University in Conway ( 33°47′47″N 79°00′12″W / 33.7964°N 79.0033°W), the school has campuses in Myrtle Beach ( 33°39′33″N 78°56′30″W / 33.6591°N 78.9416°W) and Georgetown ( 33°19′14″N 79°19′17″W / 33.3205°N 79.3213°W). Students can also take classes online. The Conway campus has 13 buildings on 50 acres (20.2 ha). [6]
The Grand Strand Campus Conference and Business Center near The Market Common has meeting space that includes the Thomas C. Maeser Auditorium, a 3,650-square-foot (339 m2) ballroom. [7]
In 1961, the Technical Education System in South Carolina began. In 1963, the South Carolina General Assembly created the Horry-Georgetown Commission for Technical Education. Horry-Marion-Georgetown Technical Education Center began with 123 students in 1966. In 1975, the name changed to Horry-Georgetown Technical College as a result of growth and changed emphasis. [8] Horry-Georgetown Technical College now serves Horry and Georgetown Counties, while Marion County is served by Florence-Darlington Technical College. [9]
In 2000, as buildings were torn down at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, HGTC claimed the Officers Club and Non-Commissioned Officers Club. [10]
The former base hospital became the Dr. Robert E. Speir Jr. Health Education Center on the Myrtle Beach campus, [11] which held its grand opening July 11, 2008. [12] In 2009, HGTC announced the center would get a 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) addition for dental programs. [13] The $7.4 million facility was substantially complete when Myrtle Beach City Council toured it May 8, 2012. [14]
On June 15, 2012, the dedication of the Fred Fore Wildlife Pavilion was held at the Georgetown campus. Fore served as president of Florence-Darlington Technical College for 29 years, and his wife Marilyn Fore, the current HGTC President, worked to develop the pavilion as a forestry classroom. [15]