FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR SERVICE TO DCC, STUDENTS

DANVILLE, VA, June 25, 2007 – Three Danville Community College employees have been honored for

Donald R. Pippin	Sherry F. Gott	Joyce D. Burton

 outstanding service to the college in 2007. Sherry F. Gott of Danville, Assistant Professor of English, has been named Outstanding Faculty Member, while Joyce D. Burton of Halifax, Administrative and Office Specialist III in the Engineering Technologies Division, was named Outstanding Staff Member. In addition, Donald R. Pippin of Danville, Director of Middle College, has been named the Student Government Association’s Teacher of the Year.

Gott and Burton, who were nominated by fellow employees, each received a plaque and cash award from the DCC Educational Foundation. Pippin, the seventh recipient of the honor, was nominated by students for his effectiveness in assisting students in and out of the classroom. He received a plaque. 

Gott, who has been employed at DCC for 18 years, with five of those years in a full-time capacity, earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) in 1973 and 1976, respectively. She attended McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, for doctoral work in English.

Gott taught English at Ohio Northern University, Norfolk State University and Eastern Shore Community College. She has been an editor for American Book Publishing and has owned The Write Business. She is a co-advisor for the Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. 

“I was stunned and very humbled to receive the award,” says Gott. “I never expected that the college was going to give me this honor.” 

Burton earned her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology - Medical Office Specialization from DCC in 2002. She served as a student worker in the college’s Business Office for one year prior to accepting her current position in 2001. 

“It’s very rewarding to be working at DCC,” Burton says. “Just watching students achieve their goals is a satisfying experience.” 

Pippin, a resident of Danville, has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health and Physical Education from Lynchburg College. He has been honored with several others awards including DCC’s Outstanding Adjunct Instructor of the Year for 2002. He is also a nationally-certified tutor by the College Reading and Learning Association.

 “I was overwhelmed to receive the award and speechless,” says Pippin, who previously  served as the Senior Mentor Supervisor for the college’s Title III program until June when he assumed his new position with the Middle College. “It’s the best feeling I’ve experienced because I was nominated by the students.”