The Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation honored twelve P&HCC graduates as distinguished alumni at an awards dinner on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Chatmoss Country Club.
Each year, P&HCC recognizes alumni who have brought distinction to themselves through academic achievement, career success and community involvement. Alumni who have graduated with a degree or certificate or have completed a minimum of twenty-four credit hours at P&HCC, have demonstrated success within their field of expertise, and have provided significant service in local, state, or national organizations are eligible for nomination.
This year’s award recipients are: Stuart Bowman; Edwin Paul Clark, Jr.; Dr. Colin Ferguson; Jeff Gauldin; James B. Lovell; Christopher Meeks; Lucas Prillaman, CPA; Careen Rodgers, BSN, RN; Michael Taylor; Sherry Vestal, RN; Kathy Whitley, MSN, RN, FNP; and Paula Wood, MSN, RN, FNP-C.
Bowman earned his associate’s degree in business administration, education, and general studies from P&HCC in 1987. He continued his education earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Averett University in 1989 and a Master of Business Degree in 1998. He also trained as a National Registered Paramedic at the College of Health Sciences in 1990 and earned a certificate in Safety and Health Technology at East Tennessee State University in 1995. Bowman is the Health & Safety Manager at Press Glass. A graduate of Fieldale-Collinsville High School, he has served as an Environmental, Health & Safety Manager at Howmet Aerospace, Safety Specialist at Solutia, and held several management positions at Sara Lee Corporation. Appointed by the Henry County Board of Supervisors, Bowman serves as the Chairman on the Henry County Public Service Authority Board of Directors. He has been an active member and volunteer of the Fieldale Collinsville Rescue Squad since 1978. As a National Registered Paramedic, Bowman provides advanced medical care for critical and emergent patients. He is also on the Henry County Planning Commission and the Western Virginia Critical Incident Stress Management Team of the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council. Bowman previously served on the Board of Directors of the Martinsville-Henry County Crimestoppers and maintains active membership in the American Society of Safety Professionals. He is an American Heart Association Instructor Trainer and an adjunct professor at P&HCC in the OSHA General Industry courses.
Clark, Jr., earned his associate’s degree in general studies from P&HCC in 2009. He continued his education earning a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Licensure from Virginia Intermont College in 2012. Clark serves as a Criminal Investigator/Digital Forensics Examiner with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. A graduate of Bassett High School, Clark was an elementary school teacher before he completed the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Academy and joined the Martinsville City Police Department as a Patrol Officer. While with the City Police, Clark was awarded the Lifesaving Award in 2018, the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Award and the Officer of the Year Award in 2021. He then transferred to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and was promoted to an Investigator in the Criminal Investigations Division. He received the Crimestoppers Investigator of the Year Award in 2024. Clark has completed multiple specialized trainings during his time in law enforcement to include NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Criminal Patrol Drug Interdiction, General Instructor Development, Internet Crimes Against Children Investigative Concepts, and Basic SWAT School. He is an instructor at the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Academy serving as the lead for NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and holds over a dozen Certifications as an instructor, operator, and analyst. Clark recently received a Valor Award from the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association for demonstrated bravery, disciplined decisionmaking, and commitment to protecting others under life-threatening circumstances. Clark, his wife April, and their three sons Everitt, Easton, and Evan are active members of Stanleytown Amazing Grace Baptist Church and serve in the children’s ministry.
Ferguson completed credits toward an associate’s degree in general studies from P&HCC in 1992. He continued his education at Emory and Henry College earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science in 1995, a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2001, and a Doctorate in community college leadership in 2013 from Old Dominion University. Ferguson is the Assistant Vice President of Workforce & Technical Programs at Patrick & Henry Community College. A graduate of the Carlisle School, he previously served as the Dean of STEM, Health and Allied Programs, the Director of Enrollment Management, and the Accelerated Career Pathways Coordinator/Perkins Grant Administrator/Tech Prep Coordinator at P&HCC. Ferguson has served the Virginia Community College System on committees for long range planning, tech prep, career coaching, and Perkins advisory oversight. He has represented the college with SACSCOC on multiple occasions. In addition to his published work and numerous conference presentations for National Tech Prep Network, National Career Pathways Network, and HIRE Ed, he also serves as a conference proposal reviewer for NACEP. Ferguson is a member of First United Methodist Church, the Hooker Educational Fund Corporate Scholarship Evaluations Committee and has served as a Piedmont Youth Soccer League Coach and volunteer.
Gauldin graduated from P&HCC in 2015 with his associate’s degree in science. He continued his education at Old Dominion University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2017 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2020. Gauldin is the Public Works Director and County Engineer for Franklin County. A graduate of Laurel Park High School, he was an Electronics Technician in the United States Navy for six years. Gauldin previously served as the Public Works Director, Industrial Coordinator, and Wastewater and Water Plant Operator for the City of Martinsville, and a Water Superintendent for the Town of Rocky Mount. He holds licenses as a Class 1 Water Operator, Class 1 Wastewater Operator, and Class 2 Waste Management Facility Operator. Gauldin is a Board Member for the Ferrum Water and Sewer Authority, a voting member of the Virginia Rural Water Association, and volunteers as a regional science fair judge for the Virginia Water Environment Association and the American Water Works Association.
Lovell earned his associate’s degree in administration of justice from P&HCC in 2008. Lovell is the Deputy Chief of Police for the Martinsville City Police Department. A graduate of Martinsville High School, he previously served as Captain of Operations, Lieutenant over the Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Lieutenant, Sergeant, Investigator, and Patrol Officer. Lovell has also been on the department’s SWAT team where he was assigned the Team Leader position, Honor Guard, Motor Unit, Accreditation Team and is a highly regarded Field Training Officer. He has served on the ATF Task Force and the Southwest Virginia Fraud Investigators Group and has earned over eighty certifications during his twenty-seven-year career in law enforcement. Lovell has also been an instructor at the Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Academy and is a Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Certified Law Enforcement Command Executive completing the VACP Professional Executive Leadership School through the University of Richmond. He has held leadership positions with the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, the Horsepasture Volunteer Rescue Squad, and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #73 of which he was a founding member. Lovell is a member of the Martinsville Elks Club and President of the Martinsville Police Department Benevolent Committee. Lovell is an active member of Horsepasture Christian Church where he serves as a Deacon and Head of Security.
Meeks completed credits towards an associate’s degree in business management, a certificate in welding, and a certificate in auto body repair from P&HCC in 2007. Meeks is the Corporate Manager/Owner of Meeks Recycling, Meeks Pic & Pull, and Meeks Roll Off. He completed the Grow MHC and Leadership MHC program with the Chamber of Commerce and Patrick & Henry Community College. Meeks has been in the winner’s circle consecutively at the Fast Track Trade Show for the past three years securing Best In Show honors in 2024 and 2025. His businesses contribute donations and sponsorships to numerous organizations, events and athletic teams including the Bassett Cruise In, The Boys & Girls Club Duck Race fundraiser, the Virginia Valor baseball team, the Lady Cyclones softball team, Henry County Parks & Recreation baseball teams, Charity League, and Bassett High School Teacher Appreciation. Meeks serves on the Board of Directors for the Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
Prillaman earned his associate’s degree in general studies from P&HCC in 2014. He continued his education at Guilford College, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics in 2016 and a Master of Science in Accountancy from Wake Forest University, School of Business in 2017. Prillaman is a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina and the Chief Operating Officer at Broward Grove, LLC. A graduate of Bassett High, he began his career as a Budget Analyst Intern with Martinsville City Public Schools. Prillaman then worked in the Private Client Services Tax Group at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He started as a Manager of Tax and Accounting at Broward Grove, LLC and advanced to the Director of Family Office Services prior to his current position. Prillaman received several awards as a soccer player at Patrick & Henry Community College including All Region 10 as a midfielder and defender and was named Male Patriot of the Year by the Athletic Department. While at Guilford College, he received an Academic All ODAC for maintaining a high GPA while playing Varsity Soccer along with achievements in Outdoor and Indoor Track and Field. Prillaman was the student speaker at the P&HCC Inauguration of Dr. Angeline Godwin. He is an Assistant Coach for Let Me Run, mentoring elementary school boys in character development, leadership, and healthy living. Prillaman is a board member of Monroe Road Advocates supporting community engagement and neighborhood improvement initiatives. Additionally, he serves on the Alumni Council for the Wake Forest School of Business and is a Guest Speaker in graduate tax courses. An avid runner, Prillaman has a goal to run fifty marathons in fifty states having already completed eleven marathons in ten states with plans to run in Honolulu at the end of this year.
Rodgers earned her associate’s degree in nursing from P&HCC in 1998. She continued her education at Radford University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 2024. Rodgers is the District Nurse Epidemiologist, Senior at the Virginia Department of Health/ West Piedmont Health District. A graduate of Laurel Park High School, she started her 28 year nursing career as a Charge Nurse and Anemia Manager at Gambro Healthcare Dialysis Center, then worked at Greensboro Surgical Center as a Post Anesthesia Care Unit Staff/Charge Nurse before serving as the Outpatient Services and Endoscopy Supervisor at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. Rodgers went to work for the Health Department in 2010. She was named Public Health Nurse of the Year for Southwest Virginia in 2019. Rodgers played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic evaluating lab results and training staff and contractors in contact tracing and case management. In 2024, Rodgers along with her husband Patrick started the Henry County based nonprofit, All Vets and serves as the Event Coordinator and Public Information Officer. With the mission to Honor the Fallen & Strengthen the Living, All Vets organizes the yearly Memorial Day Ruck with a team that rucks twenty miles across Henry County and the City of Martinsville. They also held the first 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb that took place at Martinsville Speedway where hundreds of participants climbed 2,071 steps on the grandstands with all the proceeds going back to Henry County’s volunteer EMS and Fire Departments. All Vets also organized the first Henry County Veterans Honor Trail. She is on the Board of Directors for the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA. Rodgers is a four-time marathon finisher.
Taylor earned an associate’s degree in general studies and a certificate in general education from P&HCC in 2015. He continued his education at Radford University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Sciences and Systems in 2018 and a master’s degree from James Madison University in Computer Science Information Security in 2022. Taylor is an Information Security Engineer at Bassett Furniture Industries. A graduate of Bassett High School, he previously worked as a Web Developer and Information Technology Specialist at Bassett and at NET Developer building websites and database systems. Taylor was also a co-founder and previous owner at Scuffle Hill Brewing Company with Jake Abell managing technology systems, digital marketing, e-commerce, and operations. He holds multiple Microsoft Office Certifications. While at Radford University, he received the prestigious Dean’s Scholar which is only awarded to a single graduating student in each major per year and is chosen on faculty votes. While completing his master’s at JMU, he was inducted in the Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor society for computing and information disciplines. Taylor started training at Gym 24 and ran in many Miles in Martinsville races and completed his first full marathon in 2025 in Richmond. He is a strong advocate for the Dick & Willie Trail and encourages others to pursue long term health goals and enjoy the outdoors.
Vestal graduated with her associate’s degree in nursing from P&HCC in 1987. Vestal is the retired Nurse Coordinator for Henry County Public Schools. She is also a Community Outreach Nurse for Connect Health & Wellness, a Henry County School Board member for the Blackberry District, and Owner/Operator of Babbles Bakes, LLC. A graduate of Bassett High School and the Martinsville and Henry County School of Practical Nursing, Vestal began her nursing career at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County as a staff nurse on the Med-Surg unit. She then went to work with Henry County Public Schools as a school nurse before moving into the Nurse Coordinator position. Through Stanford University, Vestal became a Master Trainer for Chronic Health Conditions and Self-Management Diabetes, and a Pain Management Conditions Instructor. Appointed by the Henry County Board of Supervisors, she served on the Blue Ridge Regional Library Board of Trustees. Vestal is an active member of the Bassett Library Expansion Steering Committee. She is a volunteer with the Greater Bassett Area Community which sponsors the Bassett Cruise-In and Rhythms by the River. Vestal serves a secretary for Children’s Primary with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and volunteers at Stuart Elementary School. She is a certified EMT and a Basic Life Support Instructor as well as a “For the Bleed” Instructor and a Naloxone (Narcan) trainer.
Kathy Whitley earned her associate’s degree in nursing from P&HCC in 1977. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Averett University in 1988 and her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Old Dominion University in 2000. Whitley is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner from the Virginia Department of Health/West Piedmont Health District. A graduate of Fieldale-Collinsville High School, she started her nursing career as a Clinic Nurse at Hawaii Planned Parenthood. She then became a staff nurse at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County in the maternal-child unit. Whitley served as an Office Nurse for several local physicians, Director of the Practical Nursing Program for Henry County Public Schools, Adjunct faculty for Old Dominion University, a Family Nurse Practitioner for the Martinsville Free Clinic and Children’s Medical Center, and an Associate Professor of Nursing at P&HCC. She received the Outstanding New Faculty Award at P&HCC in 2001 and the Virginia Community College Association Faculty Showcase Award in 2006. Whitley has been an American Red Cross volunteer, CPR & First Aid instructor, and board member. She has also been a Preceptor for Radford University, Bluefield University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Whitley has served on the boards of Theatre Works Community Players, Smart Beginnings, American Red Cross, P&HCC Nursing Advisory Board and is presently serving on the boards of Safetynet and Henry County Parks & Recreation. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, and the Virginia Nurses Association.
Paula Wood earned her associate’s degree in nursing from P&HCC in 2004. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Radford University in 2008 and her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Old Dominion University in 2013. Wood is the Executive Director of the Pregnancy Care Center of Martinsville & Henry County, Owner/Supervisor Provider at Outshine Medspa, and an Independent Nurse Practitioner at Bon Secours Urgent Care. A graduate of Fieldale-Collinsville High School, Wood started her nursing career at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital as a high-risk Labor & Delivery nurse, then a nurse in the birthing center at Morehead Memorial Hospital, and a nurse at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital in the operating room and in hospice care. She served as a Nurse Practitioner at Carilion Clinic Hospice, Carilion Obstetrics & Gynecology, Piedmont Access to Health Services, Inc., and Dr. Jon’s Urgent Care. Wood was also an adjunct Clinical Instructor at P&HCC. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the Virginia Nurses Association. Wood is Community Lay Director and board chair of the Dan River Emmaus Community. She is an alumna and former board member of the Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County. She participated in the Dancing for the Arts fundraiser for Piedmont Arts. Wood is an active member of Rich Acres Christian Church and supports Young Life Martinsville-Henry County and the Good News Global Jail Ministry.
For more information about the Patrick & Henry Community College Distinguished Alumni Awards program, please contact the P&HCC Foundation at 276-656-0250.