David Wakefield Awarded Tri-County Tech Order of Merit

Tri-County Technical College honored former Foundation Board of Directors Chair and Anderson resident David C. Wakefield October 30 with the highest award given by the College’s nine-member Commission. President Ronnie L. Booth presented Mr. Wakefield with the Order of Merit at the College's Annual Report luncheon.

The Order of Merit is an honorary society that recognizes community and state leaders who have contributed to the development of Tri-County Technical College, and the State Technical College System.

“This is a tremendous and unexpected honor and one I’ll always cherish,” said Mr. Wakefield. “Tri-County is one of the most vital cogs in the educational engine and our community couldn’t get along without it.”

“David has served selflessly in his five years as chairman of Tri-County Technical College’s Foundation Board of Directors,” said Dr. Booth. “He has been a steadfast and strong supporter of quality educational programs and facilities at all of the College’s campuses. He is a great leader.”

Mr. Wakefield joined the Board in 1998, representing Anderson County. He was appointed to the Finance Committee in 2004 and remained a voting member until he was elected chairman of the Board in 2007. He led the Foundation in its first-ever Major Gifts Campaign. After stepping down as Chairman June 30, 2012, he remains a valuable member of the Board, and was reappointed to serve as a voting member of the Finance Committee.

He and his wife, Sally, exhibited a commitment to student success and the future of Tri-County by establishing the Hill M. Seigler Scholarship in memory of their son.

A longtime Anderson County resident and a highly respected banking executive, Mr. Wakefield served as president and CEO of First Southeast Financial Corporation and First Federal Savings and Loan Association (which became Carolina First), and later served as director of Carolina First Corporation and Carolina First Bank (now The South Financial Group).

He is an active community member, formerly serving on boards for Carolina First Corporation, Carolina First Bank, and the Anderson County Development Partnership, Inc., as well as the Anderson Rotary Club.