FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DR. BETTY JO FOSTER

TO ADDRESS DCC GRADS

            DANVILLE, VA, May 10, 2004 -- Dr. Betty Jo Foster, Vice President of Academic and Student Services at Danville Community College, will be the speaker at DCC’s Commencement, on Friday, May 14, , at 7:00 p.m., on the grounds near the Hill Building. All fall and spring graduates and students who will complete their studies this summer will participate.

            Associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be awarded to more than 430 graduates of DCC programs. In addition, scholarship recipients who are continuing their education at four-year institutions will be recognized during the ceremony. In addition, two community leaders, Mrs. Virginia Hunt “Poo” Roberts of South Boston, and Mrs. Eileen Stendig of Danville, will each  be awarded the honorary degree of Associate in Humane Letters.

After more than 34 years in academia, spanning a career in a variety of positions including teaching, workforce services coordinator and acting director, interim college president at Central Virginia Community College, dean, and now vice president, Foster will be leaving her current administrative position effective July 1 to return to her first love, teaching. Beginning in the fall semester, Foster will teach three Administrative Support Technology classes and continue to assist with the College’s re-affirmation of accreditation process.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Radford University, a Master of Science Degree in Vocational Technical Education from Virginia Tech, and her Ed.D in Educational Administration from NOVA University. She attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education-Institute for the Management of Lifelong Learning in 1997, and in 2004, she was certified as an Achieve Global Trainer. Foster serves on numerous community board and has received many honors and awards.

She is married to David Foster, a retired Pittsylvania County Schools administrator, and they have two children: son, Brian, and daughter, Tracey. She resides in Ringgold.

For more information about the commencement, contact the college at 434.797.2222, or toll free at 800-460-4291.