FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

	Businessman Donald Merricks speaks as DCC college officials look on.
	Scholarship awards totaling more than $43,000 were presented to graduating students. One highlight of the evening was the James Bustard Scholarships presented to 11 students. Shown, left to right, front row, are: Leigh Keatts, Ashley Smith, Lori Matherly, Victoria Wilson, Brianna Whitesell, and Jessica Gibson. Back row: Director of Development Buddy Rawley, David Whitley, Jennifer Jones, Justin Hill, and Summer Childrey. Not pictured is Desmond Wilson.

DANVILLE, VA, May 3, 2007 – Eighty one Danville Community College students were recognized recently

 at the 10th Annual Awards, Recognition and Reception. The students were recognized for their leadership and community service, academic skills and their work with clubs and other campus organizations.

The guest speaker was Donald W. Merricks, President and Owner of J.W. Squire Company Inc. and River City Specialties & Interiors, Inc. Merricks is also a 1972 graduate of DCC. Awards were presented by Pete Castiglione, Director of Student Development and Enrollment Management, Buddy Rawley, Director of Development, Dr. Ed White, Dean of the Business and Engineering Technologies Division, while Dr. Chris Ezell, Vice President of Academic and Student Services, recognized club sponsors, and DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey provided welcoming remarks.

In addition, the following representatives of area organizations presented scholarship awards: Vicki Jenkins, President, Kiwanis Club of Danville, Inc; James Shelhorse, President, Virginia Tech Alumni Association; Russell Scruggs, DCC History Department; and Cathy Conner, Chair of the Education Committee, Southside Virginia Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). More than $43,000 in scholarship awards were presented to the following students who will transfer this fall to four-year universities. The students are:                                                              

Barksdale Honors

Christie Allen, Danville, $3,000

Chad Bailey, Danville, $4,000

Michael Gourley, Danville, $3,000

Valena Knapp, Halifax, $3,000

Elizabeth Lassitter, South Boston, $3,000

Angela Saunders, Danville, $945 

Bob Stinespring, Jr. Memorial

Christie Allen, Danville, $500 

Danville Virginia Tech Alumni

Chad Bailey, Danville, $750

DCC Delius-Rorrer History

Wesley Hearp, Danville, $100

James Bustard

Summer Childrey, Danville, $3,000

Jessica Gibson, Danville, $1,000

Justin Hill, South Boston, $1,000

Jennifer Jones, Dry Fork, $1,500

Leigh Keatts, Danville, $4,000

Lori Matherly, Chatham, $4,000

Ashley Smith, Danville, $1,500

Brianna Whitesell, Chatham, $1,500

David Whitley, Danville, $3,000

Desmond Wilson, Cascade, $1,500

Victoria Wilson, Chatham, $1,000 

James T. Catlin, Jr. – Kiwanis

Ashley Smith, Danville, $1,500

Malisa Smith, Danville, $1,500 

McGovern General Excellency

Allison Carter, Danville, $925 

Southside Virginia Society for Human Resource Management

Jennifer Jones, Dry Fork, $500 

Other students were recognized at the ceremony for their leadership in various college clubs and organizations. The clubs included Afro-American Culture, Baseball, Better Earth & Animal Treatment Society, Cheerleaders, Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, DCC Gospel Ensemble, International Association of Administrative Professionals, Justice Club, National Technical Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, Practical Nursing, Student Government Association, and Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges.

Students from the City of Danville are:

Ann Bentley

Anthony Bigelow

Michael Broadnax

Mandi Bryant

Samantha Camm

Charika Carter

Lindsay Carter

Morris Deshazor

Marilyn Durrbeck

Lekesha Farmer

Janet Garrett

Michael Gourley

Stephenia Grasty

Genevieve Gregory

Steven (Drew) Gurkin

Michael Hearp

Wesley Hearp

Kelly Ingram

Garry Irvin

Leigh Keatts

LaWanda Kidd

Lisa Lee

Novetta Marable

Ronald Mason

Amanda Mazzoni

Steven Myers

Vera Myers

Serena Perkins

Sheryl Royal

George Scott

Sue Sizemore

Curtis Stephens

Cherry Stone-Smith

Patricia Swann

Brenda Thompson

Patricia Trimyer

Mary Trotter

Donald Walters

Santa Watkins

Kimberly Watson

Jaade Williams

Jazzmine Williams

Nathaniel Wimbush 

Students from Pittsylvania County are:

Travis Anderson

Michael Blackstock

Isaac Booth

Mickey Carter

Tracey Corns

Penny Davis

Donna Favero

Wesley Francis

Phillip (Harvie) Jeter

Ashley Rawlings

Kenneth Stone

Patricia Thompson

Brittney Thornton

Debra Turner

Zachary Turner

Richard Waller

Jason Weaver

Students from Halifax County are:

Tamatha Arendall

Jonathan Bennett

Valena Knapp

Chris Perkins

Dereke Ridgeway

Ryan Roller

Rhonda Shelor

Steve Thompson

Students recognized from other areas are:

Taylor Farris, Henry County, VA

Michael Morrell, Caswell County, NC