PEOPLE in the NEWS

CCU announces various honors lists
The following students from the area have been named to the Coastal Carolina University Dean’s List. To qualify for the list, freshmen must earn a 3.25 grade point average and upperclassmen must earn a 3.5 grade point average; students must be enrolled full time.
From Marion are Jessica Anderson, Carrie Neelly and Kerry White. From Mullins are Jayme Baker, Christina Byron, Allison Causey, Robert Lewis, Titus Pressley, Ashley Price, Callie Smith, Caleb Sutton, Brittney Wheeler and Nicole Horton. From Nichols are April Rabon and Candace Strickland.
The following earned President’s List honors for the Spring 2008 semester. They are Jamie Lee of Marion; Allison Elliott of Mullins; Martha McMillan of Mullins; Mary Meares of Nichols; Jessica Scott of Nichols; and Hollis Strickland of Nichols.
Making the Dean’s List from Fall 2007 were Chad D. Carteret, Green Sea; Christopher W. Daniels, Britton’s Neck; and Farah N. Arnette, Latta. From Marion were Jessica F. An-derson, Robert M. Barnes, Ashley L. Elvington, Lauren E. Holland, Jamie D. Lee, Rebecca L. Rowe and Kerry A. White. From Mullins were Allison L. Elliott, Stephanie S. Rimer, and Caleb J. Sutton. From Nichols were Kasey L. Grainger, Timothy M. Jolly, Mary L. Meares, April M. Rabon, Jessica B. Scott, and Hollis N. Strickland.

Wilson graduates
Hazel Wilson, daughter of Martha Wilson and the late Julius Gary Wilson, graduated with a master’s degree in education from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M.  on May 10. Wilson is a 1982 graduate of Marion High School and a 1986 graduate of Francis Marion, with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She teaches special education at Holloman Air Base in Alamogordo, N.M.

FMU names students to honors lists
Officials at Francis Marion University have named 331 full-time students and 20 part-time students to the President’s List, and 508 full-time students and 11 part-time students to the Dean’s List for the 2008 spring semester. Of those students listed on the President’s List, 194 earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages for the semester, the highest possible ratio a student can receive.
Students named to the President’s List must have earned a 3.75 or higher GPA for the semester. Full-time students named to the President’s List must have taken at least 12 semester hours and part-time students named to that list must have completed at least 12 hours at FMU, have declared a major and completed at least six hours during the semester.  Dean’s List students earned a GPA for the semester between 3.25 and 3.749. Full-time students named to the Dean’s List must have taken at least 12 hours and part-time students named to that list must have completed at least 12 hours at FMU, have declared a major and completed at least six hours during the semester.
Connie Davis* of Gresham was named to the President’s List. (*denotes 4.0 GPA)
Others making the list were *Stephanie R. Arnette, Dillon; *Ronald L. Carter Jr., Latta; Lauren A. Christenburg, Dillon; *Kassie A. Driggers, Latta; *George E. Edwards, Latta; Nicholas B. Gardner, Dillon; *Krista C. Jackson, Hamer; Haley E. Legette, Latta; *Jessica A. McColl, Little Rock; Jessica H. McDaniel, Dillon; Addie C. Moody, Lake View; Deborah H. Outlaw, Dillon; *Jennifer L. Powers, Hamer; *Shannon L. Pratt, Dillon; *April N. Rouse, Latta; *Vernita R. Scarborough, Dillon.
Marion:  Krista J. Allen, Mullins; *Kristin B. Cook, Nichols; *Melanie B. Cook, Nichols; *April M. Dietz, Nichols; *Heather D. Grant, Mullins; Stephanie D. Hobbs, Nichols; Cristen D. Jacobs, Mullins; Curtis O. Jacobs, Mullins; *Kimberly D. Richardson, Marion; Caroline E. Sellars, Mullins; Casey S. Shelley, Nichols; *Alexander Whittington, Marion; *Ross D. Wise, Marion.
Part-time students on the Dean’s List from Marion were Sherita M. Crawford and William H. Page.
Full-time students on Dean’s List were Candace S. Bethea, Dillon; Michelle L. Breeden, Little Rock; Robyn M. Brigman, Latta; Sarah J. Calhoun, Hamer; Amanda M. Connor, Latta; Rosa M. Cooper, Dillon; David A. Cox, Lake View; Mary K. Cox, Latta; Krystle N. Daniel, Dillon; Melissa M. English, Dillon; Kadeidra C. Grice, Little Rock; Arthur F. Hasty, Lake View; Leslie F. Hernandez, Dillon; Kacie N. Kinsey, Dillon; Pamela R. Lane, Latta; Alecea M. Manghi, Minturn; Jamie S. Manning, Dillon; Christan D. Marsh, Hamer; Aidan F. McGuire, Latta; Joseph D. Myers, Dillon; Jerry L. Phillips III, Latta; Kristen B. Shackelford, Dillon; Christian Simmons, Latta; Kristin E. Sims, Lake View; Hannah E. Weyant, Latta; Paul E. Wiggins, Fork.
Chaniece T. Applewhite, Nichols; Latasha Blathers, Mullins; Stephanie N. Bridgman, Marion; Stephanie J. Byrd, Marion; Leo C. Cox, Marion; Alison N. Davis, Marion; Samuel D. Dew, Nichols; Heather L. Dozier, Marion; William B. Ellis, Mullins; Lori B. Farrow, Marion; Jennifer M. Hannah, Marion; Hillary D. Johnson, Marion; Charles W. Jones, Marion; Jeremy S. Lewis, Nichols; Shiquata A. Lewis, Mullins; Matthew J. McColl, Mullins; William E. McMillan, Mullins; Monica D. Moody, Mullins; Blake C. Palmer, Marion; Jerrod A. Quinnfenwick, Marion; Ashley N. Rogers, Marion; Angela D. Saxon, Nichols; Brittany N. Shelley, Mullins; Heather R. Soles, Mullins; Kristen L. Stokes, Marion; Chiquita M. Thompson, Marion; Sara D. Vinson, Mullins; Wellons M. Williams, Marion.

Fenters wins in writing competition
Gib Fenters was recently selected as a Regional Winner in the SC. Lt Governors writing competition. This is a state wide competition sponsored by Lt. Governor Andre Bauer’s office.
Fenters, a fifth grade student at Pee Dee Academy was selected as the Region One Winner, which includes all private schools and home school associations in Marion, Florence, Horry, Dillon, Marlboro, Darlington, Chesterfield, Georgetown, and Lee Counties.
He was presented his award by the Lt. Governor at a ceremony held at St. Andrews Baptist Church in Columbia and accompanied by his parents and teacher, Claudia Anne Brewer.

Locals graduate, get duty assignments
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol had graduation on May 16 for its 86th Highway Patrol class.
For 19 weeks, troopers underwent intense training in the classroom, on the driving range, firing range, etc. Troopers’ training is comprehensive covering such topics as collision investigation, traffic stops, firearms’ training, enforcement techniques, etc.
Graduating from Marion, assigned to Horry County, is Ira H. Hicks; from Latta, assigned to Florence, Dillon and Marion is Jimmy King II; and from Mullins and assigned to Horry County is James Sarvis Jr.

Wright graduates Cumlaude
Kivette Wright, a native of Mullins, graduated on May 10 Cumlaude from Benedict College in Columbia, with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
She is enrolled at South University in Columbia, working on her Masters Degree. Wright is employed with Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia as a Detention Officer. Her goal is to become a Federal Probation and Parole Agent.
Wright is a 2004 graduate of Mullins High School and is the daughter of Kris and Tony Nelson of Mullins and Theron Wright of Columbia. She is the granddaughter of Rebecca Ford of Mullins and Polly Carmicheal of Nichols and the step-granddaughter of Ruby (Dayes) Nelson of Mullins. Wright asks that special thought be given to her grandmother, Ruth Wright of Marion, who passed away a year ago. She believes her grandmother would be proud of her and her accomplishments.

Several make FDTC honors lists
The following students have been named to the Florence-Darlington Technical College President’s and Dean’s Lists for Spring 2008.
To be named to the President’s List, students must maintain a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) on 12 or more credit hours.  Students named to the Dean’s List must have attained a 3.50 GPA or above on 12 or more credit hours for the semester.
Making the President’s List from Marion are Andrea Johnson, Eugene Jones and Angela Sturm. From Mullins are Annie Fordham, Steve Marcous and Kianna Richburg.
Making the Dean’s List from Gresham are Elaine Richardson and Pamela Wiggins; from Marion are Maxine Burch and Jeffery Nelson; from Mullins are Linda Bennett, Matthew Collier, Kari Martin, Britannia Millington, Derhonda Nobles, Priscilla Stroud and Melissa Taylor; and from Nichols is Ashley Smith.

Blum earns degree
Heather Lee Blum of Marion received her Doctor of Physical Therapy on May 16 from the Medical University of South Carolina. She is the daughter of Ronald Britt of Latta and Sheilah McLaughlin of Florence.
Her maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Pierce of Florence.

Business woman is in national magazine; signs music deal
Cynthia Furnace Lawes of Mullins has appeared in the July 2008 issue of Upscale Magazine. Lawes said a number of magazines and television shows heard about her returning to Marion County to help rebuild the community and asked for interviews. The article, written by Tamara Crockett, is on page 31 and is titled “Music Maven.” Lawes, who recently made an unsuccessful bid for a county council seat, said “I didn’t get county council but I don’t need a title to continue my fight to help rebuild and strengthen my community.”
Lawes, 32, uses “Lunden De’Leon” as her business name and is featured in the one-page article. She is quoted in the article as saying her goal “is to serve the community and continue following her business philosophy of turning every stumbling block into a stepping stone.” Also, Lawesthe owner of Dirrty Records South, based in Mullins, said in a press release that she has signed a five-year music publishing deal with publisher TerriLynn in Pasadena.
The deal will give Dirrty Records artists an opportunity to get their music on television shows, film, video games and commercials. One of Dirrty Records artists benefiting from this deal is the UK rock band The Fades, which has recieved music placement on the NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,“ Lawes said. Dirrty Records President is Willie D.

Whaley graduates with honors
Micca Sherece Whaley, the daughter of Jereta Page Whaley and the granddaughter of the late Fred M. and Lillie Mae Page, graduated with honors (Cum Laude) from the University of South Carolina’s College of Education with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education on May 10.
Whaley has begun working on her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at USC’s J. Arnold School of Public Health.

Winthrop University names graduates, honors students
Winthrop University has named students to its President’s and Dean’s lists for the Spring semester. To be named to the president’s list, students must have earned a 4.0 grade point ratio during the semester.
To be named to the dean’s list, students must have earned a 3.5 or better GPR. Students also must have completed 12 semester hours to letter-grade courses for the semester.   
Graduates of the class of 2008 from Marion County are Regina Joshetta Gilchrist, Master of Education, Educational Leadership; Pamelia Liely-Brown, Master of Education, Educational Leadership; and Martina Yates Rush, Master of Education, Educational Leadership. Making the President’s list from Marion County were Katherine Muriel Lloyd and Melissa Kelly Richardson. Making the Dean’s list from Marion County were Anne Campbell Dempsey,  Alexis Elise Falk, and Ashley Laverne Isreal.

Jones gives gift of money to United Fund
W. Frank Jones, 2008 recipient of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, has named the United Fund of Marion County, Inc. as his charity of choice.
Through the generosity of Pee Dee Federal Savings Banks, a check for $500 was presented to Jones to be used for an organization of his choice.
On hand for the presentation and shown below are Alan Ammons, vice president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce; Ralph Atkinson, executive vice president of Pee Dee Federal Savings Bank; W. Frank Jones, 2008 Community Service recipient; Rodney Berry, president United Fund of Marion County, Inc.; and Judy Stanton, executive secretary United Fund of Marion County, Inc. Jones received the Community Service Award at the Annual Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.

Charleston Southern names honor students
On June 11, Charleston Southern University congratulated the following local students on being named to the Dean’s List for spring semester 2008. Andrew Davis, Casey Jones, Rebecca Jordan and Erica Nanke of Marion.
In order to be named to the Deans’ List at Charleston Southern, students must have taken at least 12 credit hours (earned) and have a 3.5 grade point average or above for that semester.

Willoughby graduates from Samford University
Amy Elanie Willoughby of Nichols has graduated from Samford University in Birmingham,Ala. with a Master’s in Music.

White, receives certificate of award
James White II received a certificate of award in Columbia, at the completion of his State House Students Internship with state representative members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, Joseph Jefferson, Robert Williams, and Carl Anderson.
The morning event which took place in April and included a speech given by White on youth and gangs. In the evening he attended the annual banquet for students and their parents at Tisdale Honors College on the campus of Claflin University, Orangeburg. White is the son of Tammy White and James White Sr. of Mullins. He will be a senior honor student in the fall with an overall three year GPA of 3.8.

Pee Dee Bible College has graduation
On June 7 the Pee Dee Bible College and Seminary had graduation services for the class of 2008 in Marion Christian Fellowship. Keynote speaker was Chris Edwards, who pastors Harvest Time Ministries in Mullins. Special music was provided by Eartha Edwards, also of Mullins.
Shown are graduates, from left,  Lillie Mae Taylor, Bachelor of Arts;  Renee Braddy, Associate Degree; Edward Holmes, Doctor of Theolog;, Audra Graham, Associate Degree; Patricia K. Gerald, Bachelor of Arts;  and Vivian Flynn, Masters Degree.

Stewart earns master’s of education
Ansley Lauren Stewart graduated from The Citadel Graduate College during its commencement exercises May 4, 2008. She received a Master of Education in Literacy and graduated with 4.0 Distinction. Ansley was given her diploma by Lieutenant General John W. Rosa, college president, and her father, Thomas Keith Stewart, a 1978 Citadel graduate. Ansley is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She teaches at Flowertown Elementary in Summerville and was chosen “Rookie Teacher of the Year.” Ansley is the daughter of Keith and Brenda Stewart of Marion.

King wins MVP
Dustin King, first baseman for the Mullins Auctioneers, won most valuable player for varsity baseball.
King is the son of Rocky King and Paulette King.

Williams makes dean’s list
Students, who were named to the dean’s list for spring semester at Columbia College, have a grade point average of 3.50. Chiquita Alana Williams, daughter of Mr. Mrs. Johnnie L. Graves and Charlene A. Williams-Graves of Gresham and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Williams has made the Dean’s list.

Holmes makes Dean’s List
Taylor C. Holmes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Holmes of Mullins has been named to the Furman University dean’s list for spring term 2008.
Furman’s dean’s list is composed of full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade-point average 3.4 or higher on a four-point system. The list is compiled at the end of each of Furman’s three terms.