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 April 21 at Chatmoss Country Club. This year's recipients are:
Kelly Adkins ('02, '04)
Kelly Adkins earned her associate degree from PHCC in general studies in 2002 and in nursing in 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Old Dominion University in 2014.
She currently serves as the unit director of Telemetry at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. Adkins previously worked for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital as the unit director of the Medical Cardiac Progressive Care unit and eight years in other positions at Carilion earning the “Healthcare with a Human Touch” award. She is an advocate of blood drives and participates in heart walks along with volunteering with the Kiwanis Club of Bassett.
Teddy Anderson ('12)
Teddy Anderson earned his associate degree from PHCC in emergency medical services - paramedic in 2012.
Anderson is the Chief of the Martinsville City Fire Department and an adjunct faculty instructor in Paramedic and EMS at Patrick Henry Community College and an instructor at the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy. He also serves as an instructor with Patrick County Emergency Services and Franklin and Henry County Public Safety Departments. He was previously employed by the Liberty Volunteer Fire Department, Bassett Rescue Squad and multiple positions with the Martinsville City Fire Department. Anderson has earned multiple lifesaving awards and medals of merit and serves on the Martinsville Fire and EMS honor guard.
Lori Handy ('92)
Lori Handy graduated from PHCC in 1992 with an associate degree in nursing. She continued her education at Old Dominion University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in teaching from Averett University in 2005. Handy is currently enrolled in the Virginia Department of Education Teacher Leadership Program at Longwood University.
She is employed as the Science Department Chair at Martinsville High School. She was previously employed at Magna Vista High School and as a Registered Nurse at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County in the operating room, home care and medical surgical units. Handy serves as an advisor for the local chapter of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), is an active member of CrossPoint Church and volunteers with Martinsville High School JV athletics, Henry County Parks and Recreation Department, West Piedmont AIDS Taskforce and the American Red Cross.
Jennifer Hollyfield ('98)
Jennifer Hollyfield earned her associate degree in general studies from PHCC in 1998. She continued her education at Old Dominion University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in human services counseling and psychology and earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology and human relations from Liberty University in 2004.
Hollyfield is the Chief Transfer Officer and Student Support Services Counselor and Coach at Patrick Henry Community College. She previously served as a career coach, Workforce Investment Act representative, peer tutor, and coordinator of MHC After 3 program at Patrick Henry Community College. She is an active member of Stone Memorial Christian Church as a pianist.
Ann Huffman ('82)
Ann Huffman completed credits towards an associate degree in business in 1982.
Huffman is employed by Martinsville Smiles, PLLC as the Business Administrator. She is the executive secretary for the Piedmont Dental Society, practice administrator for the Piedmont Virginia Community Dental Clinic and the secretary/treasurer of the Piedmont Virginia Dental Health Foundation. In 2016 she was named as a Fellow in the American Association of Dental Office Management. She has volunteered with the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross.
Perry Hughes ('87)
Perry Hughes graduated from PHCC in 1987 with an associate degree in education. He continued his education at Radford University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in marketing and at Virginia Tech earning a master’s degree in career and technical education along with various certification and licensure courses at the University of Virginia.
Hughes is employed as the Director of Workforce Development at Wytheville Community College and serves as the chairperson of the Workforce Development Services Advisory Council Credential Policy and Tracking Committee. He was previously employed as Department Chair of Career and Technical Education and Program Coordinator of General Occupational Technology at Rockingham Community College. Hughes also worked in the Patrick County Public School system as director of Career and Technical Education, assistant high school principal and elementary school principal and an adjunct faculty member at Patrick Henry Community College. He is an active member of Middle Cross Missionary Baptist Church and supporter of Patrick County youth activities and athletic programs.
Susan Martin ('93)
Susan Martin earned her associate degree in nursing from PHCC in 1993. She continued her education at Jefferson College of Health Science earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at Radford University earning a doctorate in nursing practice – family nursing practitioner in 2013.
Martin is employed as a nurse practitioner and hospitalist at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount. She previously worked in the Emergency Department Carilion Franklin Memorial, several departments at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and in the Emergency Department at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. She is an active volunteer with American Cancer Society, American Red Cross and co-hosts the Brenda Riggins Memorial Blood Drives.
Scott Prillaman ('87)
Scott Prillaman completed credits towards an associate degree in general studies in 1987. He continued his education at Radford University earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1990.
Prillaman is employed as Vice President of Casegoods Operations at Hooker Furniture. He serves on the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation Board of Directors and on the Southern Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority Board. He was a former president and campaign chairman for the United Way of Martinsville and Henry County.
Sammie Seaton ('00)
Sammie Seaton graduated from PHCC in 2000 with an associate degree in administration of justice.
Seaton is employed as the security supervisor at Patrick Henry Community College. He served our country for twenty years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft and missile security specialist in North Dakota and as a White House honor guardsman in Washington, DC. He was a flag bearer for the Nixon and Carter presidential inaugurations and on the pallbearer team for the Truman and Johnson Presidential funerals. Seaton is a member of the PHCC C-CERT Campus Community Emergency Response Team and an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Collinsville.
Jan Turner ('88)
Jan Turner earned her associate degree in education from PHCC in 1988. She continued her education at Longwood University through the New College Institute earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2016.
Turner is employed as a preschool paraprofessional at Axton Elementary School and a part-time florist at Simply the Best. She was previously employed as a dental assistant with Dr. Wheless and floral manager with Harris Teeter. She is an active member of Chatham Heights Baptist Church as a vacation bible school craft teacher, intersection service nursery worker, flower committee member, co-chair of the kitchen committee and monthly free meal organizer. Turner is an instructor with the Basket Weavers Guild and volunteers at Dyers Store Fire Department.
Shirley Wells ('97, '01)
Shirley Wells earned her certificate in early childhood education in 1997 and associate degree in teacher preparation in 2001. She continued her education at Averett University earning a bachelor’s degree in teaching in 2011.
Wells is employed as the director of early childhood education at Solutions that Empower People - STEP, Inc. in Franklin and Patrick counties. She was previously employed by STEP Inc. as a head start teacher, Loving Care as a child care teacher/director intern and Sara Lee Textiles. She is an active member of Mount Sinai Holiness Church in Axton as a Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school director and teacher and the church finance member and bookkeeper.
Roberta Wright ('96, '97, '09)
Roberta Wright earned her diploma in CADD technology and a certificate in drafting and design technologies in 1996, associate degree in general engineering technologies, computer assisted manufacturing in 1997 and a certificate in medical transcription in 2009. She continued her education at Old Dominion University earning a bachelor’s degree in occupational and technical studies, training specialist.
Wright is employed as facilities director at Patrick Henry Community College. She previously worked in the budget and facilities office and as a switchboard operator at Patrick Henry Community College. She also worked at American of Martinsville and Stanley Furniture in the engineering departments. Wright is a trainer and member of the PHCC C-CERT Campus Community Emergency Response Team, active member with Granbery United Methodist Church and volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, Infinity Acres Ranch, and the Henry County Parent Teacher Organizations.
