Matthew Scott Wiseman of Gap Mills, WV, was the recipient of the Gary Lee Miller Outstanding Graduate Award, honoring a graduating student demonstrating academic excellence, leadership and active participation in co-curricular and community activities. The award, established in 1969, is named in honor of former student Gary Lee Miller, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who died in combat in Vietnam. Wiseman received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management, has been an active member of the DSLCC Student Senate, was a member of Who’s Who in American Community and Junior Colleges, as well as Phi Theta Kappa, and also served as a work study student. In the fall he plans to attend Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio to pursue a degree in business management and pastoral studies.

DSLCC Graduation Photos (1)   GOVERNOR’s SCHOLAR-- Kari Arritt (center), a Covington High School senior who earned an Associate of Arts and Science Degree in General Studies from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, was recognized by Virginia Secretary of Education Laura Fornash during commencement exercises Friday night. Arritt received the prestigious Governor’s Scholar Medallion, a new award created by Gov. Bob McDonnell to honor students who complete associate degrees while still in high school. Kari is surrounded by her family: brother Kyle; parents, David and Tammy; and sister Anna Grace. Arritt will graduate from CHS in June and will attend Virginia Tech in the fall. HAPPY GRADUATE – LaDonna Billups of Covington is all smiles after walking across the stage and receiving her diploma during commencement exercises Friday night at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. Billips earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice with Specialization in Forensic Science. Katrina Hoke (right) of Selma, one of the graduates receiving diplomas during the 46th annual commencement exercises Friday at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, poses with her mom, Kathleen Gilliland of El Paso, TX. Hoke, who was one of the student speakers for the evening, noted a coincidence that she and her mother share: Gilliland graduated from the nursing program the same year that the former DSLCC president, Dr. John Backels, was officiating over his last commencement exercises before he retired. This was the last graduation for Dr. Richard Teaff, who is retiring next month from DSLCC.

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