DSCC Holds 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony
DSCC Holds 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Dyersburg, Tennessee – Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held its 47th annual commencement exercises May 6 at the Dyer County High School Gymnasium. The graduating class consisted of 370 candidates for degrees and certificates with 171 of those candidates graduating with honors.
A grand processional opened the ceremony with music provided by the Dyersburg Community Orchestra conducted by Dr. Carol Feather, retired DSCC professor of music and speech. Reverend Mario Hayslett, pastor of Community Fellowship and Worship Center, gave the invocation. The DSCC Choirs ‘Syncopation’ and ‘Singsation,” led by Director Desiree Dolan and accompanied by the Dyersburg Community Orchestra, directed by Floyd Speck, performed special musical selections including the DSCC alma mater.
DSCC President Karen Bowyer gave a brief welcome to those in attendance and congratulated the graduates on their success. She then recognized 10 retiring DSCC employees: Diane Camper, vice president for technology; Ginger Dozier, lead testing technician; Theresa Dunn, secretary I; Dr. Carol Feather, professor of music and speech; Debora Gay, custodian; Lowell “Bud” Hoffmann, vice president for finance and administrative services; Dr. Teri Maddox, vice president for the College; Margaret Prater, vice president for workforce development; Stephen Son, associate professor of mathematics; and Vivia Kay Wall, associate professor of English.
Graduates who were members of the Alpha Epsilon Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, who had served in the Armed Forces, and who were Emergency Medical Technician graduates, were also recognized. Special recognition was given to John Caleb Ball, a senior at Dyer County High School, who received an associate degree from DSCC through the College’s dual enrollment program.
Richard Keenan, Jr. of Drummonds, president of DSCC’s Student Government Association (SGA), introduced guest speaker Randy Boyd, former commissioner of economic and community development for Tennessee.
“Every great success story begins with yes,” stated Boyd. “My challenge to all of you graduating is the next time an opportunity comes along, just say yes. That’s where all successes begin.”
A native of South Knoxville, Boyd graduated from Doyle High School at age 16. He worked his way through The University of Tennessee at Knoxville by running plastic injection molding machines at night at his father’s business, and by age 19 he became the first in his family to graduate college. Following graduation, he sold electric fencing to small farm stores throughout the Southeast from the back of his van. At age 31, Boyd sank his entire savings into the design of a new product, the invisible fence. Now, Radio Systems Corporation (RSC) is known worldwide by the brand names Invisible Fence, PetSafe and SportDOG. Ranked as a top workplace by Forbes magazine, RSC employs more than 700 people who produce over 4,000 pet-related products.
As a lifelong entrepreneur, Boyd is an advocate for expanding economic and educational opportunities in Tennessee, including serving in the administration of Governor Bill Haslam as an unpaid advisor on education in 2012. His work resulted in creating the Drive to 55 and the Tennessee Promise Scholarship Programs.
Boyd and his wife, Jenny, reside in Knoxville and have two children, Harrison and Thomas, a daughter-in-law, Lindsey, and a beloved dog, Oskar.
Following Boyd’s remarks, DSCC vice president for the College Dr. Teri Maddox presented the candidates for diplomas and certificates, and Dr. Bowyer conferred the degrees and certifications. The announcement of graduates by academic division was presented by Dr. Jimmy Barham, dean of arts and sciences; Julie Frazier, dean of business, technology and allied health; and Amy Johnson, dean of nursing.
Closing remarks were made by Kristol Sentell, president of the DSCC Alumni Association. A reception honoring the graduates and their guests followed Commencement exercises.
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Photo captions:
DSC0082 – Commencement speaker Randy Boyd addresses DSCC graduates during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
DSC0203 – DSCC graduate Tyler Reed of Halls poses following his graduation from DSCC May 6.
DSC0222 – DSCC graduates Brooke Evans (left) of Dyersburg and Hannah Stroud (right) of Halls pose for a photo following their graduation from DSCC May 6.
1P3A4468 – Evan Montgomery of Atoka graduated from DSCC during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
1P3A4538 – Brandon Bramlett of Union City graduated from DSCC during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
1P3A4584 – Kendall Lawler of Dyer received her nursing degree from DSCC during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
CE6B3317 – DSCC graduate and veteran Terence Brock of Drummonds stands to be recognized during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
CE6B3383 – Rachel Carroll Abbott of Dyer graduated from DSCC during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
CE6B3446 – Kathryn Higham of Kenton received her diploma from DSCC during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
CE6B3459 – Jaelyn Jones of Memphis received her diploma from DSCC during the College’s 47th commencement ceremony May 6.
