FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED                             

            DANVILLE, VA., May 10, 2002  -- Scholarship awards and special recognition honors were presented to 19 Danville Community College students during DCC’s commencement held recently. In addition, a DCC faculty member was chosen the "Teacher of the Year" by the Student Government Association.

Charlie W. Adams, II, Professor of Information Systems Technology, was honored with the SGA's Teacher of the Year Award. Adams was cited for his professionalism, dedication, concern for students, and work as a co-advisor for the award-winning Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

Seven students received the James Bustard Scholarships with awards totaling $9,000. The scholarship awards are given to students who exemplify high ideals, leadership, concern for others, good citizens and who plan to continue their education by transferring to four-year colleges. The awards are named in memory of James Bustard, a friend of the College. The 2002 recipients are: Chris Haskins, Chatham, who received a $3,000 award; Amanda Chilton, Danville, who received a $2,000 award; Jonathan Hollie, Danville, $1,500;  Lois Galloway, Ridgeway, $1,000; and A. Summar Coles, Danville, Summar Wood, Danville, and McKenly Graves, Pittsville, all received $500 awards. Haskins, Chilton, and Wood, all are graduating with an Associate in Arts and Science Degree in Liberal Arts. Hollie, Associate in Arts and Science degree in Business Administration; Coles, Associate in Arts and Science Degree in Science; and Galloway and Graves, both Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Information Systems Technology. The awards were presented by Dr. Betty Jo Foster, Dean of Instruction and Student Development.

In addition eight students are the first recipients of the Barksdale Honor Scholarships, named in memory of Mary Morton Barksdale, a former DCC librarian. They are: Cheryl Hill, Halifax, who received a $3,000 scholarship award; Matthew Walker, Ringgold, and William Morgan, II, Halifax, both received $2,000 awards; Tammy Jackson, South Boston, and Emily Hall, Danville, both received $1,000 awards; and Marianne Oakes, Blairs, Lisa Collie, Dry Fork, and Melody Fowlkes, Danville, all received $500 awards. Walker, Hall, Oakes, Collie, and Fowlkes all graduate with an Associate in Arts and Science Degree in Liberal Arts; Morgan, an Associate in Arts and Science Degree in Business Administration; Hill, an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology; and Jackson, an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Information Systems Technology. To be eligible for the award, the recipients must display leadership qualities, excel academically, and be planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. The awards were presented by DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey.

Linda Wilborne, South Boston, received the $1,500 James T. Catlin Jr. - Kiwanis Scholarship Award, named in memory of the former Danville Kiwanis Club President. Wilborne, who graduates with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Management, plans to transfer to Bluefield College, and major in education. The Catlin-Kiwanis Club Award was presented to Wilborne by Janet Holley, President, Danville Kiwanis Club.

            Chris Haskins, Chatham, is the fifth recipient of the Delius-Rorrer History Award. In addition to a medallion and a $100 award, Haskins receives a book of historical significance – The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant. The award was presented to Haskins by Russell L. Scruggs, Assistant Professor of History. The award is given by the Delius in Danville Festival Organizers under the sponsorship of the Danville Historical Society and the Lady Astor Preservation Trust, in commemoration of Frederick Delius, late 19th and early 20th century British composer, and in honor of C. Kinney Rorrer, DCC history professor. Haskins graduates with an Associate in Arts and Science Degree in Liberal Arts and will transfer to Averett University to major in history.

            Ashley Rich, Danville, received the $1,000 McGovern General Excellency Award, named in honor of Mrs. Rebecca McGovern and the late Dr. Francis McGovern. Rich graduates with an Associate in Arts and Science Degree in Liberal Arts. She will transfer to Christopher Newport University and major in English with a concentration in journalism. The award, presented to Rich by Dr. Wade Davenport, Chair, Division of Arts and Sciences, recognizes scholastic achievement, leadership, and citizenship.

Sarah Brown, Dry Fork, received the $750 Danville Virginia Tech Alumni Scholarship Award and the $600 DCC Educational Foundation Accelerated Transfer Scholarship Award. Brown, graduates with an Associate in Arts and Science degree in Business Administration. The DCC Foundation award recognizes a student who has completed two years of study in one year because of college classes taken while in high school. She is a graduate of Tunstall High School. The Virginia Tech award recognizes students with a commitment to high ideals, leadership, citizenship, scholastic achievement and who are planning to transfer to that institution. Brown plans to transfer to Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College and major in Business Information Technology. The awards were presented to Brown by Dr. Betty Jo Foster, Dean of Instruction and Student Development.

            Janice M. Brandon, Alton, received the Stephanie L. Ferguson Medallion of Courage. She is the 12th recipient of this special award, which was established in 1990 in memory of a DCC student who died following a long battle with cancer.

Brandon was cited by President Ramsey for her enthusiasm, motivation, courage, and determination in pursuing her educational goals in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration  program. Despite health concerns, Brandon graduates Magna Cum Laude with a grade point average of 3.76.

            Cheryl Hill, Halifax, and Summar Wood, Danville, were recognized by President Ramsey for their selection to the All-USA Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today, American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Both are active members of the Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at DCC, and Hill is the current chapter president.