The Bartley crew gathered Saturday on the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Clifton Forge campus for the 2021 commencement exercises. From left: younger son Mason; father Daryl; oldest sibling Ty (the most recent DSLCC graduate); mom Phyllis; and daughter and son-in-law Emily and Caleb Divelbiss. All of the family members have a connection to DSLCC.
Bartley Family Creating Tradition of DSLCC Graduates
The Bartley family from Alleghany County is creating quite a tradition of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College alumni.
The family gathered last week to celebrate two College commencements, not only on the DSLCC Clifton Forge campus on Saturday for son Ty, but also on Friday at Liberty University in Lynchburg for mom Phyllis and daughter Emily Divelbiss. Everyone in the crew, including son-in-law Caleb Divelbiss, has a connection to DSLCC.
Richard Tyler “Ty”, the oldest of the Bartley children, earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electrical Instrumentation Technology, as well as two Career Studies Certificates, in Electrical Wiring Fundamentals and Instrumentation Technology. He is currently working the woodyard scales at the Westrock mill in Covington, through a company named Gardaworld, and is considering continuing his education at a four-year college.
Daughter Emily Bartley Divelbiss received an Associate in Arts and Science Degree in General Studies from DSLCC in 2019 and was the recipient – at age 17 - of the Gary Lee Miller Outstanding Graduate Award that year. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Liberty in Healthcare Informatics.
Emily’s husband, Caleb Divelbiss, is a 2020 DSLCC graduate, also earning the E&I Associate Degree. Caleb is currently serving the U.S. Army, and was able to get home to attend the commencement ceremonies.
The youngest of the Bartley children, Mason, a junior at Covington High School, has taken welding classes at DSLCC as a dual enrollment student. He is pursuing a Pipe Welding Certificate.
Daryl Bartley, the father of the crew, earned a Career Studies Certificate in Industrial Maintenance through WestRock’s Millwright apprenticeship program in 2005. Several years later he returned for additional classes to be cross-trained as a pipefitter.
Phyllis Bartley, the mother of the three siblings, is a 1995 DSLCC graduate. She received an Associate of Arts and Science Degree in Business Administration, and decided to go back to school to earn a Bachelor’s Degree, also in Business Administration, from Liberty University.
Both mother and daughter participated in Liberty’s commencement exercises on Friday, following each other, with Phyllis directly behind her daughter in the diploma line.
What’s more, both mother and daughter are employed at DSLCC. Phyllis, who has been employed at DSLCC since 2011, is the Executive Assistant to the President, Dr. John Rainone. Emily recently took a position as the REV Coordinator, a grant program for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to apply for and receive tuition assistance.
"DSLCC is a family affair for many in this region,” commented DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone. “We are proud of so many generations who have entrusted the College over the years."
For more information about DSLCC, contact Student Services at (540) 863-2820 or check the web site at www.dslcc.edu.