Each year, the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation names its Distinguished Alumni based on academic achievement, career success and community involvement. Eleven alumni were chosen to be recognized as Distinguished Alumni this year, and were honored at a dinner on May 29 at Chatmoss Country Club. This year's recipients are:

Pam Brinegar ('76) 

Pam Brinegar earned her associate degree from PHCC in nursing in 1976. She received her registered nursing licensure later that year and continued coursework towards a B.S. degree in nursing.

She currently serves as a nurse at Edwards Adult Day Care Center in Martinsville, President of Brinegar Equipment, and Secretary/Treasurer of Brinegar Enterprises. Prior employment includes twenty-three years at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County and fourteen years at Piedmont Urology Associates which included assisting with surgeries, running satellite clinics, and coordinating health fairs. She currently volunteers at the Spencer-Penn Centre, Chatham Heights Baptist Church, Basket Guild, and the Spencer Ruritan Club.

Ray Caldwell ('88) 

Ray Caldwell earned his associate degree from PHCC in science in 1988. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University and a doctorate in physiology at the Medical College of Virginia at VCU.

Caldwell is an electrophysiologist at Parion Sciences in Durham, North Carolina which is dedicated to research, development, and commercialization of treatments to improve and extend the lives of patients with innate mucosal surface defense deficiencies of the eye or airway. Caldwell previously worked for the Cystic Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He is an active volunteer for the Orange Rural Fire Department in Hillsborough, North Carolina. 

shirley craven ('77) 

Shirley Craven earned her certificate in clerical studies from PHCC in 1977.

She is the president and owner of Adkins Construction Company in Collinsville. She was previously employed by Nationwide Homes in Martinsville as an accounts payable clerk. Craven is an active member and serves in numerous volunteer positions at the First Baptist Church of Collinsville. She volunteers for the Henry County Baptist Developmental Disabilities Chevis and Helen Horne Home, Hope Tree Family Services, First Baptist Church, and the Henry County Baptist Association. She also volunteers with the Virginia Disaster Baptist Relief organization traveling throughout the United States to assist with rebuilding and recovery efforts.

eddie dillard ('05) 

Eddie Dillard earned his associate degree in administration of justice from PHCC in 2005. He graduated from the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Academy in 2007 and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Liberty University in 2012.

Dillard is a state trooper with the Virginia State Police. He was previously employed with the City of Martinsville Police Department. He also served as a training instructor with the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Academy. He has served on the CASA board as an advocate for child welfare and participated in the Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Development Program. He is an active member of the Axton Volunteer Fire Department, Masonic Lodge #274, and with Morning Star Holiness Church. 

barbara dove ('98)

Barbara Dove graduated from PHCC in 1998 with an associate degree in business technology and management.

Dove is employed by Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro, North Carolina as the Patient Financial Services Director. She was previously employed by Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County for twenty-eight years as a refund representative, insurance billing supervisor, reimbursement supervisor, and assistant director of the business office. She was also employed as an accounting specialist with the Rockingham County Health and Human Services Department. Dove volunteered at Fuller Memorial Baptist Church and at Martinsville High School and is currently a Sunday school and music teacher at Chatham Heights Baptist Church in Martinsville.

nicole harris ('98)

Nicole Harris earned her associate degree in general studies and a certified nurse’s aide certificate from PHCC in 1998. She holds a certificate as a veterinary assistant and a diploma in shelter medicine from the University of Florida.

Harris is the Executive Director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Martinsville and Henry County after beginning her career there in 2007 as an animal care technician. She was previously employed by Home Health Care and Blue Ridge Rehab of Martinsville and has served in the United States Marine Corps. She is an active member of the Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County and the HEY! Collaborative with United Way of Martinsville and Henry County.

craig hicks ('99)

Craig Hicks graduated from PHCC in 1999 with an associate degree in business administration. He continued his education at Ashford University earning a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and is currently working towards a master’s degree at Ashford University.

Hicks is employed as the Regional Distribution Center Manager for Intertape Polymer Group in Danville where he coordinated Intertape Polymer Group’s disaster relief runs and drove the truck that delivered fresh water to Flint, Michigan; relief supplies to New York for Super Storm Sandy; and relief supplies to flood ravaged areas in South Carolina. He served in the United States Air Force and volunteers in a variety of positions at Wayside Baptist Church in Ridgeway. He also volunteers for the Rock of Ages Prison Ministry, Disaster Relief ministry, God’s Pit Crew, and Hearts with Hands. 

sue martin ('81, '83)

Sue Martin earned her associate degree from PHCC in business technology in 1981 and a diploma in data processing in 1983. She continued her education at Averett University in management.

Martin is employed as Human Resources and Payroll Manager with Nelson Automotive Group in Martinsville. She was previously employed at PHCC as a Computer Lab Administrator from 1984-1987 and served as the women’s tennis coach for two years. After her husband’s retirement, they started their own family business, Clear Defense, Inc. to sell and install patented sports and security film laminates where she served for fourteen years. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Martinsville and the Martinsville Garden Club. 

Kathy vernon ('78)

Kathy Vernon graduated from PHCC in 1978 with an associate degree in business and one in education. She continued her education at Ferrum College earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration.

Vernon is employed as a human resource specialist with the City of Martinsville. She holds professional certifications in Human Resources and the Society for Human Resources Management. Vernon is an active member of the Blue Ridge Human Resource Association and has completed the LEAD program conducted by the Weldon-Cooper Center for Public Service through the University of Virginia as well as the MHC Chamber of Commerce Leadership program. Vernon is a member of the Local Emergency Preparation Council and is a member of the Horsepasture Ruritan Club. 

christy yaple ('99)

Christy Yaple earned her associate degree in business administration from PHCC in 1999. She continued her education at Old Dominion University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in occupational and technical studies.

Yaple is employed as the Director of the Student Success Center at Patrick Henry Community College after serving in several capacities at PHCC and at Danville Community College. Yaple is a member of the Henry County, Martinsville, and Patrick County Re-Entry Council; West Piedmont Development Board Youth Council; Great Expectations Regional Cohort; and Piedmont Region Independent Living Coalition. She is a member of Southside Baptist Church in Ridgeway and an active volunteer with Special Olympics and the United Way. 

Mary Lou yeatts, edd ('74)

Mary Lou Yeatts earned her certificate in clerical studies from PHCC in 1974. She continued her education at Averett University earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education, at the University of Virginia earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, and at Virginia Tech earning her doctorate degree in educational administration.

Yeatts is employed as an adjunct professor in the division of elementary education at Montgomery College in Germantown, Maryland, professor at The Citadel, and faculty member at Walden University. She was previously employed at Murray State University, Southwest Calloway Elementary School in Murray, Kentucky, and with Henry County Public Schools in Collinsville. Her volunteer work includes work with "A Child's Place" to assist homeless children, Alzheimer's Walks, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Relay for Life.