South College graduate and award winner, Katrina Gibson

“Demonstrate the desire to be the best.” That is the challenge issued to the South College Class of 2010 by keynote speaker Keith Goodwin, president and CEO of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Friends, family and colleagues filled the historic Tennessee Theatre Saturday, June 19, for our 128th graduation ceremony.

Speaking as an employer, Mr. Goodwin encouraged the 200 graduating students to be “passionate and competitive with a commitment to excellence.” That pursuit of excellence is what we strive for at South College. It is the focus of the staff and faculty and a direction we like to acknowledge.

To that end, we were pleased to honor several students as well as two faculty members with awards for excellence, distinguished service and outstanding achievements in their field. We provide our students with a quality education and valuable experience in the work field; but it is the extra effort and personal commitment that make these honorees stand out.

Our top award, the Presidential Award, went to two incredible students. Katrina Gibson, who relocated to Knoxville following the devastation of hurricane Katrina, was honored for her perseverance, attitude and performance in pursuing a degree in radiography. And T.J. Eubanks, Jr., who received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education, was honored for his outstanding scholarship and service. The collection drives he organized through the school provided much-needed books and classroom supplies to poor areas throughout East Tennessee.

Faculty member Gay Dunlap received the Distinguished Teaching award and Gary Taylor received the Distinguished Service award for his outstanding institutional, professional and community service. Other award winners were as follows:

• Joyce Smith - Medical Assisting Pursuit of Excellence
• William Lloyd Walker - Outstanding Student (Imaging Sciences)
• Mike McGimsey - Outstanding Student (Physical Therapy Assistant)
• Amber Wieniewitz - Outstanding Student (Nursing)
• Rebecca Doell - Outstanding Student (Criminal Justice)
• April Denard - Outstanding Student (Legal Studies)
• Larry Brown - Outstanding Student (Criminal Justice Associate)
• Wesley Wright - Excellence in Business
• Heather Morrison-Monger - Outstanding Student (Business Administration)
• Jessica Mills - Outstanding Student (Health Science)

From here, our students will go on to practice nursing, medical assisting, accounting, business and much more. Some of our students will continue to serve our community locally while others have set their sights for missions of hope abroad. Whatever their course, we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors