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STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - August 2007

Rodney I. Shelton

Industrial Maintenance Technology and Maintenance Mechanics

“‘You can’t do it!’ they said. ‘You can’t make it through college.’” Rodney I. Shelton of Dry Fork describes how little confidence people had in him when he enrolled at Danville Community College in Fall 2005. It had been 25 years since he had been in school, but Shelton was determined to continue his education.

“I said to myself, ‘I need to be tough. I’m no quitter. I need to stay focused and stay positive,’” says Shelton. “Sure enough, once I started taking classes, things turned out for the better.”

Shelton had worked at National Textiles in Eden, NC for 13 years when the plant closed. Although he had been out of school for a long time, Shelton says that with lots of encouragement from those closest to him and some personal sacrifices, he worked hard to achieve his higher education goals. As a result, he was named to both the President’s and Vice President’s Honors lists.

“You have to make sacrifices,” Shelton says. “Instead of hanging out with friends and watching baseball and football, I stayed home and did my homework. You have to put school first if you want to succeed.”

He credits his fiancée, Vicky Rye, for helping him stay focused. Shelton says watching her overcome challenges has been his inspiration.

“Vicky is my inspiration and the love of my life,” says Shelton, noting they have been together for almost 10 years. “In 1991, she broke her back in a car accident. Although she’s in a wheelchair, I see her as capable of doing anything that everyone else can do. She always tells me not to get down and keeps my spirits up.”

Shelton says his best friend also encouraged him to continue his education. He adds that memories of his late father also inspire him and boost his confidence.

“My best friend said he couldn’t go to college, but he knew that I had the drive to finish. Just knowing supportive people helped build my confidence,” Shelton says. “My dad didn’t have a chance to go to college when he was younger because he couldn’t afford it. I know he’s looking down from heaven now and is very proud of me.”

Shelton recently earned a Diploma in Industrial Maintenance Technology and a Certificate in Maintenance Mechanics. He says that he may also return to DCC to pursue a Career Studies Certificate in Electrical Concepts.

“When my brother-in-law was killed in a car wreck in 2002, I told myself that if I ever had a chance to go back to school, I’d try to carry on what he did,” Shelton explains. “My goal is to work in the industrial field and to eventually be self employed as an electrician.”

He says that he chose the Industrial Maintenance Technology program because the curriculum covers a broad perspective of subjects, from Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Electrical/Electronics, to Welding and Mechanics. The program teaches students to repair and maintain machinery, electrical wiring and fixtures, hydraulic and pneumatic devices and program logic controller systems found in industrial facilities.

Shelton hoped that being a “jack of all trades” would increase his employability. He was right. He notes that even before he graduated, he was hired at Mount Cross Welding, Inc. as a Welder and as a result, plans to take more welding classes at DCC.

“College helped me a lot,” says Shelton. “It made me a better person, gave me a better outlook on life and helped me make better choices. It broadened the good aspects of life and my ability to do anything I set my mind to do.”

He notes that DCC is a “top class institution” and encourages others to enroll in one of its many programs. He also thanks the faculty, staff and administrators for helping him along the way.

“All of the instructors I had cared about the students,” explains Shelton. “They don’t mind taking extra time to help them, and they encourage them to finish their education. I think that if I can go to college, then anyone can!”

John Heinrich, Associate Professor of Electrical/Electronics, says that Shelton serves as an example to others. He believes that he will make an excellent employee in the field and has enjoyed teaching him.

“I’ve been advising Rodney for a couple of years and found him to be an eager individual who knows what he wants to do in life,” Heinrich says. “He always has a great attitude and is an excellent student.”

For more information about the Industrial Maintenance Technology and Maintenance Mechanics programs, contact the Division of Business and Engineering Technology at 434.797.8440; toll free: 800.560.4291, ext. 8440; or click here.