Twenty students have been named to “Who’s Who Among Students at Wayne
Community College” for 2004.
The inductees were selected based on outstanding contributions and
characteristics in academics, participation at the college and in the
community, maturity, diligence, leadership and potential for future success.
They must have a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average and have accumulated a
minimum of 18 semester credit hours, attending during the previous year.
Students are nominated by faculty and staff members. Only 1 percent of
the students who attend Wayne Community College are selected for this honor.
This is the 28th year the college has honored its top students with
inclusion on its Who’s Who list. Some of the accomplishments of the
inductees follow.
Shannon Davenport of Goldsboro will receive her associate in
science/college transfer this Friday. She has been accepted by N.C. State
University with a full scholarship to double major in zoology and
microbiology and plans to go on to veterinary school. Mrs. Davenport
served as vice-president of the WCC SGA and president of Phi Theta Kappa,
the honor society for two year colleges. She has been the recipient of
numerous awards including being honored with a N.C. Community College
System 2003 Academic Excellence Award and earning a scholarship from the
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Mrs. Davenport works as a lab assistant on
campus and as a veterinary assistant off campus.
Jorge J. Gracia of Dudley is working on a associate degree in business
administration. A husband and father of two small children, Gracia
balances a full-time college career with 45 to 65 hours a week working for
Mount Olive Pickle Company. He is involved in his church, St. Mary’s
Catholic, and is the president of Our People United, a Hispanic charitable
organization that fundraisers and drives to give to needy people with the
intent of getting Hispanics involved in the larger community.
Franklin Grey Gurganus of Raleigh is a peer tutor at the college and is
very involved in Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. He
maintains a 4.0 grade point average while taking classes both on campus at
WCC and online through N.C. State University, carrying more than 27
combined credit hours for the past three semesters. Gurganus owns a custom
apparel business and has donated use of his van and his goods to Phi Theta
Kappa projects.
Jamie R. Ham of LaGrange, vice president of the 2004 ADN class, will
earn his associate degree in nursing (ADN) this spring. He serves as a
volunteer with the Goldsboro Volunteer Emergency Medical Service and
part-time paid/volunteer EMT Paramedic with the Wayne County EMS. His
rescue credentials include 2002 valedictorian of the WCC EMT paramedic
program, 1998 valedictorian of the WCC firefighter program and 1999 “Past
Captain Award” for Goldsboro Rescue and EMS. Prior to entering the nursing
program, Ham directed the EMT program in the WCC Continuing Education
Division, and he continued to work there part-time until a couple of
months ago.
Leah D. Heim of Dudley will graduate this year with an associate in
science/college transfer degree. She is active on campus, serving as an
Ambassador, Academic Skills Tutor and member of the International Club.
Heim was the SGA secretary in 2002-2003 and served as the Phi Theta Kappa
vice president for scholarship this year. Outside of school she in a Girl
Scout, works as a mentor for kindergarteners, teaches first and second
graders about world cultures, and baby-sits her younger brother. Heim
holds a 4.0 GPA and earned a spot on the National Dean’s List.
Amy E. Hendrix of Fremont is in the associate degree nursing program.
She is a very dedicated and involved single parent with four children ages
two through 12 who also took care of her terminally ill mother for years.
Hendrix is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Fremont Free Will Baptist
Church. She was involved in the Fremont mayor’s election campaign, with
“jump starting” the Fremont Community Watch Program, and her children’s
church, athletic and school activities.
Julie Hollowell of Goldsboro will graduate this year with associate
degrees in accounting and business administration and a certificate in
information systems/software applications. The mother of three, Hollowell
also runs a computer business and assists her mother-in-law with another
family business. She was active in a number of Phi Theta Kappa’s projects
this year and developed and maintained the chapter’s website and message
board. Hollowell is a member of the Stoney Creek Free Will Baptist Church
and a volunteer with the Goldsboro Civic Ballet.
Ahmad R. James of Goldsboro, an associate in arts/college transfer
major, is the president of the college’s Multi-Cultural Association for
Enrichment. He is the recipient of the Man of the Year Award from the
133rd Session of the N.C. Annual Conference of the Sons of Thunder. A
member of the New St. John A.M.E. Church, James serves as a Sunday school
teacher, assistant Sunday school superintendent and a member of four
church choirs. He is a tutor in the church’s after-school tutorial program
and visits the sick twice a week as a member of the Missionary Department.
James is a part-time claims assistant in the Social Security
Administration’s “Stay In School” program.
Uvette L Johnson of Goldsboro is a student in the associate in science
program with plans to enter the ADN program. While working full-time as a
certified nursing assistant, she also attends school full-time, serves as
an algebra tutor and maintains a 3.7 grade point average. Johnson served
as SGA secretary this year and was recently elected SGA president for next
year. She is also a member of the Multi-Cultural Association for
Enrichment and participated in the club’s Apollo show and the college’s
Martin Luther King Celebration as well as the city-wide King celebration.
Johnson is active in Darden Chapel Church and sings in the choir.
Jacqueline P. Malone of Goldsboro is working toward an associate in
arts/college transfer degree. At the college, she is involved in Phi Theta
Kappa, working on a number of projects and serving as the public
information officer this year. She has been active in WCC theater
productions and Center Stage Theater and was published in Renaissance, the
college’s literary and arts magazine. She is involved with the
parent-teacher association at Norwayne Junior High School and comforting
other Air Force officer’s wives whose husbands were deployed.
Rebekah M. McInnis of Goldsboro will receive her associate in
arts/college transfer degree this week. She served as vice president of
service for Phi Theta Kappa this year and was involved with a number of
the organization’s projects. McInnis is the librarian at White Oak
Presbyterian Church and a Reach Out and Read Volunteer. She works 30 hours
a week at Billie’s Restaurant. McInnis earned a spot on the National
Dean’s List.
Matthew McNair of Goldsboro is earning a degree in human
services/substance abuse. This year, he served as the first president of
the Male Minority Mentoring Group. McNair received a certificate of
participation for the Black History Month Quiz Bowl. At St. Mark Church of
Christ, he is a teacher for the young adult Sunday school class, vice
president of the men’s choir, member of all the choirs, Spiritual Care
Team leader, youth advisor and member of the Missionary Department.
Emily A. Odom of Goldsboro will graduate this year with an associate
degree in medical assisting. She is active in and served as vice president
of the Medical Assisting Student Association, an organization she helped
start, and she was a founder of the Wayne County Chapter of Medical
Assistants, a professional organization. Odom is a member of Phi Theta
Kappa and is a work-study student in the college’s business/computer
technology department.
Gary Patterson of Rosewood is a Jump Start student (dual enrolled in
WCC and Spring Creek High School) who will graduate from his high school
in May, will receive his associate in arts/college transfer degree from
WCC in July and will enter a four-year institution as a junior this fall.
He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa as well as the National Honor Society.
Patterson has worked in a number of WCC drama productions as a cast and
crew member and was one of the founding members of the WCC Drama Club this
year. In the community, he is active in two local churches, serving as a
member the choirs and handbell groups. Patterson volunteers throughout the
community, with groups at his high school, and during various Foundation
of WCC events.
Nichole Perkins of Goldsboro will complete her nursing degree this
year, two years after earning a degree in medical assisting. The mother of
two, ages 11 and 7, Perkins volunteers for the school and sports
activities and at her church. She is a member of Gold’s Gym and worked as
a certified medical assistant at Immediate Care until a couple of months
ago. Perkins has had a spot on the WCC President’s List and received an
Exchangette Club scholarship in 2003.
Ina T. Royer of Goldsboro will receive her associate in arts/college
transfer degree this spring. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA while caring for
her two sons and volunteering in their schools, serving as a Guardian ad
Litem and a volunteer translator in four languages on Seymour Johnson Air
Force Base. At the college, Royer is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, tutors
French students and won the short story award for a piece published in
the 2003 Renaissance.
Qwan M. “Mickey” Turton of Goldsboro is an associate in science/college
transfer major who will spend her summer at Texas A&M working on a
research project dealing with the environment. She is a participant in the
N.C. Transfer Assistance in the Biomedical Science program that allows her
to attend workshops across the country and supports her work as a lab
assistant in the college’s biology and chemistry departments. Turton is
also an active member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Christopher S. Vance of Goldsboro is pursuing an associate in
arts/college transfer degree with plans to study aerospace engineering at
N.C. State University. A single parent of two children who works 30 hours
a week in the evenings at Sears and is a realtor, he still finds time to
coach soccer at the YMCA and tutor in math at the college. Vance is a
member of Phi Theta Kappa and was recognized in 2002 with a “Bronze Award”
for sales by Century 21.
Brenda W. Vinson of LaGrange will earn a degree in medical office
assisting this year. She works as the part-time administrative assistant
in the college’s science department and also is responsible for her
elderly parents and involved with her adult children and young
grandchildren. Vinson was active in Phi Theta Kappa which she served as
recording secretary this year; was a member of Phi Beta Lambda, the
business honor society; and was named to the National Dean’s List. She is
a member of Garris Chapel Church.
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