FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KEITH LOGAN: BREAKING BARRIERS 

AND ACHIEVING SUCCESS

DANVILLE, VA., January 24, 2006 -- Keith Logan could have attended any college or university of his choice after graduating as valedictorian of his class at Chatham High School in June 2005. Instead, the 18-year-old chose to begin his higher education closer to home -- at Danville Community College (DCC).

As a resident of Java, VA, he travels 40 minutes each way to attend classes, but he feels it is well worth it because he is the first in his family to pursue higher education with a goal of obtaining a college degree. Logan is well on his way –now into his second semester in the Business Administration/ College Transfer program at DCC.

The middle child of Peggy and Jeff Logan Sr., he has two brothers - ages 15 and 20. Logan says that growing up in a religious household has helped him get where he is today, but he has had his share of obstacles. He explains that he was very shy in high school and didn’t want to graduate number one in his class.  Being smart had its price because he was often called the “Teacher’s pet” by his peers.

“I had to overcome the peer pressure,” Logan says. “People at school would talk about me because I wasn’t doing the things they did.” 

A deeply-rooted religious faith helped him to cope.

While in high school and immediately after graduation, he spent his summers working third shift at a paper company to save money for his college education. He says he didn’t want to put the burden of his higher education expenses on his parents. But, according to Logan, working third shift was difficult at times.

“I would come home many times with a sore back because I had to lift and stack boxes. Also, I missed being with my family during the day (time) because I had to sleep,” Logan says.

Nevertheless, the hard work at the plant intensified his desire to obtain a college education. He also realized it would be up to him to carry out his dream of attending college at no expense to his parents. He says he prayed for a “full ride” to college and because of his outstanding academic achievements, he was offered the DCC Board Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Kenneth L. Neathery Memorial Endowed Scholarship awards, which allowed him to continue his college education, tuition free at DCC.

Logan not only saved money from receiving scholarships, but he will also save time. As a result of the dual enrollment program at his high school, he received college credit for some of his accelerated high school courses. After only one year at DCC, he will receive an Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree and transfer to a four-year college or university with junior status.

Since making the transition to college, he has noticed the difference in what he thought college would be like and reality.

 “My first expectation on how it would be at a community college was that it would be just like high school,” Logan says. “I have noticed that students have more freedom and the pace is faster compared to high school. I am enjoying it here.”

At DCC, Logan has joined several clubs and organizations, such as Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges and the Afro-American Culture Club.  He maintains his strong commitment to his church and community, serving as an active member of his church (New Jerusalem Pentecostal Church).

“I am in the choir and also on the Missionary Board,” says Logan.

He is hoping that his experiences at DCC will allow him to develop other talents and hobbies. He says he is in a more mature state of mind now and has overcome the pressures of what others think about him. This was demonstrated recently when he displayed his musical talents by singing a gospel ballad in a DCC talent competition.

“Singing in front of all those students has helped me overcome a lot of fear,” he said.

Logan says he is just beginning to achieve his dreams.

 “I want to finish school, get a job and be happy, while doing what God wants me to do,” says Logan.