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STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - July 2006

Byron Clark - Electrical/Electronics

Twenty-year-old Byron Clark says there were two things which attracted him to Danville Community College -- the Electrical/Electronics program and the brand new Men’s Basketball Club Sport. During the last two years, he’s managed to excel at both and will graduate this month with a Diploma in Electrical/Electronics.

“I have enjoyed it here at DCC,” Clark says with a broad smile. “I know I have learned a lot over the last two years. I want to get a job and try my hand in the workforce.”

A 2004 graduate of George Washington High School, he is the son of Billy and Karen Clark. While the bright lights of other cities were beckoning, he chose DCC when he finished high school.

“I thought about going other places, but I wanted to stay around here a couple more years,” Clark says.

He was convinced to attend DCC after discussing possible majors with friends. Clark says he knew several graduates who spoke very favorably about the Electrical/Electronics program and the possibilities for good paying jobs in the field.

“I have always liked troubleshooting and finding out how something operates so I thought I’d like to study electronics,” he says. “But, when I heard that DCC was starting a men’s basketball team (in 2004) that convinced me even more -- because I love to play basketball.”

Clark says he played basketball briefly at GWHS on the junior varsity squad. However, playing on the inaugural team at DCC has been a positive experience.

“This has been great,” he says. “I’ve gotten to know more people and I have traveled to various colleges playing better talent in some cases. This has made me a better player and sharpened my skills”

Clark, who has served as co-captain, says the first two years for DCC’s basketball team has been a struggle because they lost a lot of games. But, he expects future teams to be very strong, especially since more people are becoming aware that DCC has both male and female basketball teams.

“I know they will do better next year, because we worked hard to get our foot in the door and make a name for ourselves,” he says noting he was a guard on the team. “We should attract a lot more talented area players.”

Head Men’s Basketball Coach Albert Logan says Clark was one of his best players and he will miss him on the team.

“Byron was always very dependable. He was one of my better players,” Logan says. “He is a very nice young man and I know he will do well in whatever he chooses in life. He has a good chance to play ball on the next level.”

As a member of the basketball team, Clark was involved in collecting donations for the Katrina Hurricane Relief Effort, and in loading truck loads of supplies for hurricane victims. He also represented the team when Governor Tim Kaine visited the college and met with students. He says the team participated in several other community and college-wide service projects.

While he says other colleges have expressed an interest in him continuing his education and playing basketball, Clark says right now he is focused on getting out into the workplace and seeing where his electrical/electronics training can carry him.

“I’m not going to rule out basketball in my future, because if it doesn’t work out with the electronics, I’ll have something else to consider,” he adds. “I’d like to start out as a technician, working with someone else, and maybe one day own my business.”

Joseph Nixon, Associate Professor of Electrical/Electronics, says he remembers Clark in his classes. “Byron is an individual that is enjoyable to have in class. He works very well with others.”

Nixon adds that the Electrical/Electronics program is a two-year diploma program designed to train persons for employment in the technical positions available in business and industry related to electricity and electronics. The program has two options: analyst and general. Students have the option of finding employment after graduation or continuing to baccalaureate degree programs such as at Old Dominion University.

“Byron will be willing to learn on the job using the skills and experiences he has received in this program,” Nixon adds.

Clark says DCC instructors such as Nixon and Jim Phillips, Associate Professor of Electrical/Electronics, have made his stay at DCC worthwhile because of the constant encouragement he receives from them. He adds they were tough at times, but students know the faculty only wants to see them succeed.

“They (Phillips, Nixon and others) encourage us to do better. They keep pushing because they know we can make it,” Clark said. “I appreciated that.”

In addition to studying and working a part-time job, Clark is active in his church, Saint James Baptist in Danville, where he is a member of the Male Chorus and Usher Board. Another hidden talent, he says, is his singing as the Male Chorus performs regularly throughout this area.

“I enjoy singing too,” Clark says with that broad smile again. “Who knows where that might lead?”

For more information about the Electrical/Electronics program, contact Nixon, Phillips, or the department office at 434.797.8456. For information about the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Club Sports, contact the Office of Student Development, 434-797-8490.