VGCC honors Radiography Graduates
Twenty-two new graduates of Vance-Granville Community College’s two-year Radiography program were honored in a May 12 pinning ceremony in the college’s Civic Center.
The Radiography Class of 2014 included Dana Michelle Thompson of Creedmoor; Marilyn Cook Griffin and Bernard Kimani, both of Durham; Erin Sleboda Edwards of Franklinton; Chelsea Hunter Wade of Henderson; Christina Rodriguez of Hurdle Mills; Susan Brown Smith of Kittrell; Makiesha A. Dickson and Kelly Patton, both of Louisburg; Linda Kennedy, Kelvin Ray Pennell Jr., Eric Boone Stovall, Kyrston Elizabeth Taylor and Jessica Harris West, all of Oxford; Elizabeth Hill of Rougemont; Michelle Diane Gregory of Stem; Sarah Dockum and John Geist, both of Wake Forest; Kasey Nicole Renuart of Wilton; Christina Leigh Long and Donna E. Webb, both of Youngsville; and John C. Brantley of Zebulon.
In welcoming remarks, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine congratulated the graduates and shared some information about the class. Ballentine noted that the diverse group included three who were born in other countries. “Seven already held college degrees in one field or another before they entered the Radiography program, and at least 12 of these students are planning to continue their education, in fields such as CT, mammography and radiation therapy,” she said. “No matter what academic or career pathway they choose, I know that they will continue to succeed.” She also thanked the faculty and staff who had “educated, inspired and supported these students.”
The featured speaker for the ceremony was Lewis H. Daughtry, Jr., who joined the program as an instructor in 2013. He has also been a technologist at UNC Hospital, Alamance Regional Medical Center and Franklin Regional Medical Center. “Each of you has your own personal vision of where you go from here, but I can assure you that the education you received here at Vance-Granville will give you a solid foundation,” Daughtry told the students. “Never stop preparing to take advantage of the opportunities you will have in the future. Those opportunities won’t stop and wait for you. You must be ready!”
Class president Eric Stovall gave a response on behalf of his fellow students. He thanked family members and friends for their support and encouragement. Stovall added that the class had become “a big family” and expressed gratitude to their instructors. Student John Brantley was presented with the Academic Achievement Award for having the highest GPA in the class. Bernard Kimani and Kasey Renuart both received the Mallinckrodt Award for outstanding clinical performance. Marilyn Cook Griffin received the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) Student Award of Excellence. The students voted for VGCC alumna Deborah Gilliam from Triangle Orthopaedics Associates, PA of Raleigh as the top technologist at the clinical sites in which they received their 900 hours of practical training, while Laura Herbstreith, another VGCC alumna from the VA Medical Center in Durham, received the JRCERT Award of Excellence for Clinical Educators. The Clinical Affiliate Award of Excellence went to the VA Medical Center in Durham. Graduates received pins from program head Bobby Austin and recited the Radiographer’s pledge as the ceremonies concluded.
Above: Members of the 2014 Radiography graduating class at Vance-Granville Community College who received their pins May 12 included, on first (front) row, from left: Kyrston Taylor, Michelle Gregory, Makiesha A. Dickson, Erin Edwards, Jessica West, Sarah Dockum and Susan Smith; second row, from left: Bernard Kimani, Christina Long, Donna Webb, Kelly Patton, Kasey Renuart and Kelvin Pennell; third row, from left: John Geist, Marilyn Griffin, Elizabeth Hill, Dana Thompson and Christina Rodriguez; fourth row, from left: John Brantley, Chelsea Wade, Linda Kennedy and Eric Stovall. (VGCC Photo)
