FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - October 2007

Brent Royal

Science/College Transfer

Danville Community College student Brent Royal has mapped his educational career plan. He wants to be a radiologist, and the18-year-old is well on his way to achieving his dream, even though it means he may spend the next 11-13 years pursuing this goal.

“It really doesn’t bother me,” Royal says with a smile. “Pretty much anything you do in life means you have to work for it. I am prepared to do that.”

Enrolled in the Science/College Transfer program, the Pittsylvania County resident says DCC is his first step on the ladder to success. While he knows pursuing a medical degree is quite costly, he is glad to attend DCC where he can realize some financial savings. Upon graduation from DCC, he plans to transfer to a pre-med program, probably at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I have always been interested in the medical field,” the 2007 Tunstall High School graduate says. “I feel I can save lives. That’s what I’d like to do.”

Royal says he first became interested in a medical/radiology career after receiving a knee injury while playing basketball in the seventh grade.

“That injury required lots of x-rays to determine the extent of the damage. I was amazed at the technology involved,” Royal explains. “From then on I was convinced that this is what I wanted to do. I was just fascinated watching the doctors who were trying to find an answer for my condition.”

Royal also says there was no question that he would attend DCC for the first two years of his baccalaureate degree education. That’s because he watched his two older sisters, Pamela and Sonya, and brother, Vincent, plus a cousin, all attend the community college and then transfer to four-year colleges and universities. They all had successful experiences, so he wanted to do likewise.

“I was not ready to leave home,” Royal admits noting he is the youngest of four children of Clara and Melvin Royal. “DCC is great. I like the smaller class sizes. There’s more interaction with the instructors. You can get everything you need right here. There are plenty of places to study, and you have an opportunity to do so in a very nice environment.”

While his interest is now in radiology, Royal also remembers a time when he thought about a career as a veterinarian because of his love for animals. At home, he has a nine-year old pet rabbit, appropriately named “Bunny”; a three-year-old cat, a stray that appeared on his doorstep; and an 18-month-old puppy that he purchased at a flea market for $5.

“Yes, it’s true I like animals and for a while I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I found that I don’t like to be around all animals which is a part of a vet’s work,” Royal says. “Some animals you just don’t want to get too close to.”

Royal plans to parlay his passion for dogs, cats and other pets as he takes over the reins as the 2007-08 president of DCC’s chapter of the Better Earth and Animal Treatment Society (BEATS), which is a relatively new club on campus. After meetings with area shelter administrators, Royal is convinced that greater awareness of animal issues is needed.

“We want to create awareness of how humans treat animals,” Royal says. “I had no idea myself that there were so many mistreated animals in our shelters. That’s horrible. I am convinced that if more people knew just how badly animals are being treated they would want to do something about it.

“Just remember if there are people who would do these things to animals just think what they would do to people,” Royal continues. “It’s horrible and we need to let people, especially DCC students, know about it.”

Kristin von Karowsky-Nelson, Assistant Professor of English and the faculty advisor for BEATS, is looking forward to working with Royal.

"I find Brent to be a polite and helpful young man, " von Karowsky-Nelson says. "The Better Earth and Animal Treatment Society (BEATS) seeks to provide information and raise awareness of animal rights, animal welfare, and environmental protection for DCC and the community at large and to actively help animals and the Earth through positive social action."

Royal is active in the community, as well as on the DCC campus. He has volunteered 110 hours at Goodwill Industries. This fall, he plans to continue his volunteerism by spending time at the Danville Humane Society. He and other BEATS club members plan a fundraising drive to assist area shelters. He is also interested in starting a Chess Club on the DCC campus, and he works 12 hours a week in the Public Relations Office.

“I enjoy interacting with people,” Royal smiles. “If I can do something to help people I will.”

The Science/College Transfer program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree program in any of the sciences or related pre-professional programs. The program may also be appropriate for students who are interested in certification to teach elementary or secondary math, science, or technologies. The major emphasis in this curriculum is on mathematics, and the biological and physical sciences.

For more information, about the Science/College Transfer program, contact the Division of Arts and Sciences at 434.797.8402, 800.560.4291, ext. 8402, or click here.