Southwestern Community College

Southwestern Community College

Matthew Draughon

Matthew was born and raised in the town of Metairie, Louisiana-just outside New Orleans. Shortly after graduating high school in 2004, he joined the United States Marine Corps.

Jamee Pelcher

Jamee Pelcheer, Southwestern Community College, Excellence Award 2014

It would be an understatement to say that I was terrified to return to school after 27 years. Unexpectedly, I found myself having to close my business and facing surgery that would leave me with a long recovery.

Matthew Reese

Matthew Reese, Stanly Community College, Excellence Award 2014

When I made the decision to return to college at age 41, it was not without trepidation.

Jonathan Gass

Jonathan Gass, Southwestern Community College, Excellence Award 2012

The same month Jonathan Gass graduated from Southwestern Community College with an associate degree in electronic engineering technology he started working full time at Duke Energy as a distribution engineering associate.

Anthony Heltsley

Anthony Heltsley, Southwestern Community College, Excellence Award 2013

After being out of high school for over nineteen years and never taken a college class ever, I began to have trouble adapting to the college class environment and lacked self-confidence. I was starting to doubt whether I was really cut out or even smart enough for college.

Darrin Bark

Darrin Bark, Southwestern Community College, Excellence Award 2012

As a student here at Southwestern Community College, I have been liberated from my inadequacies. My instruction here has given me the necessary skills and self-assurance to continue in discovering my strengths.

Conner Wilson

Conner Wilson, Southwestern Community College, 2015 Academic Excellence Award Recipient

When I started my college career I was excited for what my future as a student held. I was already working two part-time jobs and then I just added the task of going to school full-time. In the fall semester of my first year was when I decided to join the fire department.

Sophie Maxwell

Southwestern CC 2016 Academic Excellence Award recipient Sophie Maxwell

Before I began classes at Southwestern Community College, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

Debra Jean Cumbie

A mother who raised her son alone, 2014 was going to be a challenging year for Debra Jean Cumbie.  In May of that year she lost her husband to cancer, and two weeks after his death she lost her job.  She realized that it was time for a change and she needed to chase her dreams of becoming a nurse