A total of 157 graduates received almost 200 associate degrees, certificates and career studies certificates during the 48th annual Commencement Exercises May 15 at Dabney S Lancaster Community College. The ceremony was held in the Convocation center on the Clifton Forge campus with DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone handing out the diplomas. This was the second commencement ceremony for Dr. Rainone since he took office at DSLCC in July 2013.
Guest speaker Delegate Terry Austin, who represents the 19th district in the Virginia General Assembly and was introduced by DSLCC Board Vice Chairman Steve Douty, spoke of his own success in both business and politics. Opportunities arose, he said, when he started his electrical contracting business and when he first accepted an invitation to run for the Botetourt County Planning Commission, and he accepted the challenges. “I allowed those doors to be opened,” he said. He encouraged the graduates to do the same.
Student speaker Lisa Colwill reflected about how she had decided to go back to school after moving to the area four years ago. The married mother of three said she was full of self-doubt but because of the supportive faculty and staff at DSLCC, and her family, she persevered.
Colwill was also recognized as the winner of the Gary Lee Miller Outstanding Student Award, awarded each year to a student demonstrating academic excellence, leadership and active participation in co-curricular and community activities. The award is named in honor of former student Gary Lee Miller, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who died in combat in Vietnam. In addition to earning an Associate of Arts and Science degree in Business Administration, Colwill is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the DSLCC Student Senate, and was recently honored as a member “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities”. She plans to transfer to Old Dominion University and earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with a minor in finance. Colwill is a resident of Selma; she formerly lived in Manchester, NH.
“I am reminded that education for my parents’ generation was a luxury,” said Dr. Rainone in his closing remarks. “It was an opportunity for my generation, but it is a necessity for this generation.”
“Those with an associate’s degree will earn approximately 33 percent more in earnings over a lifetime than those with just a high school diploma,” said Dr. Rainone. Those who continue to earn a four-year degree can expect lifetime earnings to jump even more dramatically.
Dr. Rainone noted that like most of the graduates, he was the “new guy” on campus two summers ago. “When you were new at being college students, I was new at being a college president. ..I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to bid a fond farewell to you –a class with whom I share a great deal.”
Dr. Rainone provided this profile of the 2015 graduating class: 71 percent received associate degrees; 21 percent started with DSLCC through the high school dual enrolment program; one-third travelled more than 30 miles to come to campus; 27 percent took classes primarily at the DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista; almost half took summer courses; three-quarters finished in the amount of time anticipated; more than half sought help from faculty at least once a week; 90 percent plan to continue their education (80 percent of those have been accepted to four-year colleges); and 68 percent already are employed.
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Lynn McAllister served as Master of Ceremonies, while Charles Bartocci, Program Head, Advanced Technology Systems, was commencement marshal. Student marshals were Victoria Dorey, Ryan Lockhart, Bryan Secoy and Mahaley Reyns, who also performed the national anthem. Flag bearers were Lisa Colwill and Anthony Green. James and Nancy Mathias performed the DSLCC alma mater, “Circled by Moutains”.
Graduating members of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society recognizing academic excellence among students in two-year colleges, included: Jenna Marie Rivenbark Barletta, Daniel James Bluntzer, Richard Allen Boguess, Lisa Michelle Colwill, Kristen Lynn Craft, Amanda Jane Ferguson, Jenna Ruth Gabbert, Anthony Charles Green, Carter Fitzgerald Griggs, Stephen Spencer Gordon, Richard Keith Heitzenrater, Justin Paul Hilbert, Kayla Elizabeth Johnson, Christopher Patrick McGuire, April Kuebler Moore, Matthew Ryan Paxton, Mary Anne Sibold, Jannell Theoron Sowers, Anita W. Staton, Kevin James Tremblay, Lealon Matthew Vassar and Katie Buchanan Weese.
In addition to Colwill, other members of Who’s Who are Holly Fagg, Cody Plecker, Anthony Green and Richard Thorman.
The following graduates earned diplomas:
Alderson, WV
Jenna Ruth Gabbert, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Altoona, PA
Cody James Lewis, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Certificate, Law Enforcement
Bath County, VA
Stacy Diane Sexton, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Certificate, Law Enforcement; Career Studies Certificate, Private Security Services
Beckley, WV
Kristin Lynn Craft, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Blue Ridge, VA
Jenna Marie Rivenbark Barletta, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Brooklyn, NY
Kristy Baratta, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Buchanan, VA
Patrick G. Pentecost, Associate of Applied Science, Forest Management Technology; Certificate, Urban Forestry
Buena Vista, VA
Cheyenne Adams, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Melissa Carter, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management
Dylan Scott Garrett, Certificate, Welding
Tori Paige Gregory, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration
Christy Cheryl Truslow Hamilton, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Joshua Randall Hamilton, Career Studies Certificate, Emergency Medical Services – Intermediate
Teri Hart Harmon, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Caleb Johnson, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Mary W. Mason, Certificate, Administrative Support Technology
Derek Scott McGrogan, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Certificate, Law Enforcement
Jacob McGuffin, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Certificate, Law Enforcement; Career Studies Certificate, Private Security Services
Zachary Montgomery, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology
April Kuebler Moore, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Brandon Phelps, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Burnsville, VA
Audrianna Marie Brown, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Canton, OH
Chris Rhoamond, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Chantilly, VA
Daniel James Bluntzer, Associate of Applied Science, Forest Management Technology
Charlotte Court House, VA
Lealon Matthew Vassar, Associate of Applied Science, Forest Management Technology; Certificate, Urban Forestry
Clifton Forge, VA
Gregory James Bartocci, Career Studies Certificate, Basic Wind Turbine Service Technology
Seth Belcher, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology; Career Studies Certificate, PC Repair
Brittney Jo Crowder, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Elizabeth M. Gardner, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Andrew Massie Gibson, Certificate, Urban Forestry
Dana Jean Harshbarger, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Benjamin Edward Haynes, Certificate, Welding
Christopher Hickerson, Certificate, Welding
Weston Trey Jones, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Austin James Lekan, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology
Angel Dawn Lucas, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Christopher Patrick McGuire, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology
Rebecca S. Persinger, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Franklin D. Ratliff, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology; Certificate, Microcomputer Operations; Career Studies Certificates, Networking Technologies and PC Repair
Daniel Craig Sorrels, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Certificate, Law Enforcement; Career Studies Certificate, Private Security Services
Hannah Brooke Taylor, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Jared Stephen Wallace, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Jollette Michelle Williams, Career Studies Certificate, Emergency Medical Services – Intermediate
Kaitlyn Wilson, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Covington, VA
Zachary Wayne Ailstock, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Jordan Levi Allman, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Christopher Ryan Andrews, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice with Specialization in Forensic Science; Certificate, Forensic Science
Tammy G. Arritt, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Nathaniel Raymond Arthur, Certificate, Welding
David Bailey, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Aubrey Batten, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Amy Renee Bennett-Washburn, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Amber Nicole Bess, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management with Specialization in Administrative Support Technology
Sidney Elcan Birchfield, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Richard Allen Boguess, Certificate, Welding
Sabrina Marie Cash, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management
Calvin E. Cooper, III, Certificate, Welding
Lucas William Crawford, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Jackleen Faith Crizer, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Education
Samantha Dawson, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Aaron Dilley, Certificate, Wind Turbine Service Technology
Sarah A. Dimaano, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Lisa Michelle Hansford, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration
Ramona Diann Hawk, Career Studies Certificate, Emergency Medical Services – Intermediate
William Lee Higgins Jr., Associate of Applied Science, Forest Management Technology; Certificate, Urban Forestry
Lisa Marie Horton, Career Studies Certificate, Emergency Medical Services – Intermediate
Gregory W. Horton, Jr., Career Studies Certificate, Emergency Medical Services – Intermediate
Kayla Elizabeth Johnson, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Katie Carter Kegley, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Nneka Tenàe Lewis, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Anthony Glen Lipes, Certificate, Welding
Megan Lockhart Mann, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Michael Waylon Maydian, Associate of Applied Science, Forest Management Technology; Certificate, Urban Forestry
Austin McAllister, Certificate, Welding
Anthony W. Meadows, Certificate, Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Kathren Cydnee O’Conner, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Nathan Lewis Olewine, Career Studies Certificate, Welding
Matthew Ryan Paxton, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology; Career Studies Certificates, Networking Technologies and PC Repair
Barbara Royce Porterfield, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Jessica Perkins Pullin, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
AdriAnne M. Reyns, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Charles Edward Smith, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Olivia Smith, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Christa Marie Thomas, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Kevin Tremblay, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Lauren Leighann Webb, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Katie Buchanan Weese, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice with Specialization in Forensic Science; Certificate, Law Enforcement; Career Studies Certificate, Private Security Services
Benjamin William Wolfe, Certificate, Welding
Craigsville, VA
Nicole Lynn Strickler, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management
Eagle Rock, VA
Doris Balser, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Fairfield, VA
Cassidy Nicole Dixey, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology
Catherine M. George, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Education
Terry Wayne Hamilton, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Fincastle, VA
Angela Reneé Edwards, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Glasgow, VA
Bryan Kaleb Slayton, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration
Harrisonburg, VA
Dymond Kiara Henderson, Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts and Management
Hot Springs, VA
Austin Burns, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Samuel Tanner Lacks, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Alexander Dale Lindsay, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Kimberly Dawn Moore, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Brandon Lee Plogger, Certificate, Welding
Megan Faith Taylor, Career Studies Certificate, Massage Therapy
Iron Gate, VA
Anthony Charles Green, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Education; Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies; Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Sally Johnson, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Lexington, VA
Amy L. Armentrout, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration
Sidney Blair Baker, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing
Christen A. Bowman, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies; Associate of Applied Science, Nursing; Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Douglas Chase Bryant, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology; Career Studies Certificates, Networking Technologies and PC Repair
Adam Joseph Carter, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice with Specialization in Forensic Science; Certificate, Forensic Science
Ashby Nelson Clements, Certificate, Welding
Cora Makala Cox, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Science
Taylor McKenzie Crowder, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Rebecca Ivy Culp, Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts and Management
Erika Nicole Cummings, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Pooja Gandhi, Certificate, Business Leadership and Communications; Career Studies Certificate, Business Leadership
Stephen Spencer Gordon, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Jason Shane Everett Hostetter, Certificate, Wind Turbine Service Technology
Dylan Rives Johnson, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology
Jacob Dylan Deacon Kramer, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Danielle R. Lee, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management with Specialization in Administrative Support Technology
Jarrod N. Lewis, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Ryan Colby Lewis, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration
Frederic Sidna McKemy, Associate of Applied Science, Information Systems Technology ; Certificate, Microcomputer Operations; Career Studies Certificates, Networking Technologies and PC Repair
Chase Alexander Parker, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Audrey Vanessa Poindexter, Certificate, Practical Nursing
Sabra Dee Richards, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management with Specialization in Administrative Support Technology
Chelsea Gena Shea Riordan, Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts and Management
Jackson Rutherfoord Shaner, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Shawn Simmons, Associate of Applied Science, Business Management
Matthew Allen Slagle, Associate of Applied Science, Administration of Justice; Certificate, Law Enforcement; Career Studies Certificate, Private Security Services
Stylianos N. Tripodianos, Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts and Management
Derek Van DerVeer, Associate of Arts and Sciences, General Studies
Lindside, WV
Jeremy Thomas Erwin, Associate of Applied Science, Nursing