Published: October 27, 2009 09:40 pm      

Excellence in Education

• Matthew Ryan Dolan of Forest has been selected to receive the Big and Ham Sanders Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $1,000 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the Sanders Family. Mr. Sanders initiated this endowment by requesting his family make contributions to the college rather than give him birthday, Christmas and Father’s Day gifts. Mrs. Sanders completed the endowment after his death in 1991.

Dolan is a 2008 honors graduate of Leake Academy, where he received the Best Leadership Award and Most Outstanding Senior Award. At MCC, he has been named to the Dean’s List.

Dolan is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program. He is pursuing a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

• Whitney Richelle Drachenberg has been selected to receive the first Keli Breanne Brown Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College. This $300 award is funded through the MCC Foundation by family and friends. In October 2008, 16-year-old Keli Breanne Brown died in an automobile accident. She was an intelligent, popular girl who loved life. Her motto was Live Your Life…and Smile. She had planned to attend Meridian Community College to pursue a degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Ryan Brown initiated this scholarship in memory of his precious sister.

Drachenberg was valedictorian of the 2006 Clarkdale Attendance Center graduating class. She was a member of the three-time State AA Championship Softball Team at Clarkdale and continued her softball career with two years for the MCC Eagle’s. A President’s List scholar, Drachenberg is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students.

This spring she was recognized as the top student in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program by receiving the Jason Marshall Award. Drachenberg was also recognized as a NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American.

• Antwan Leshard Altman has been selected to receive the Mattie D. Hart/Emma Donald Music Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $500 award, designated for music supplies, is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the Matinee Philharmonic Music Club. The ladies for whom this scholarship is named were founding members of the two music groups which combined several years ago.

Altman is a 2007 graduate of Meridian High School. He is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program studying music. Altman is a member of the MCC Chorus, MCC Jazz Band, and Dimensions, an auditioned performance group on campus. He has also participated in theatrical productions on campus.

Altman is pursuing a degree in electronics and hopes to continue performing on the saxophone.

• Mattie Gordon Hatter has been selected to receive the Alexander Ott Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $500 award is funded through the MCC Foundation by employees of The Crossings.

Hatter is a 1981 graduate of Meridian High School. She was a member of the 1981-83 Eagle Softball Teams that captured the regional championships. In addition to working full time at The Crossings, Hatter is a member of the W.C. Griffin Singers, serves as youth director at her church, and an officer in the Mission Ministry.

Hatter is in the University Transfer Program at MCC studying to become a social worker.

• Bailey Renae Dorman has been selected to receive the D.P. and Ruby Self Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $1,000 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Daniel P. Self, Jr. in memory of his parents. The local attorney and his wife Barbara, and Anne Self Dowdle continue to build the endowment through their annual gifts to the Foundation.

Dorman was the salutatorian of the 2008 graduating class of Northeast Lauderdale High School. A President’s List scholar, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students.

Dorman is taking courses in preparation for the Associate Degree Nursing Program at MCC. Her career goal is to become a nurse anesthetist.