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Darton honors outstanding students

Joshua Brown

ALBANY — As a 23-year-old mother of one, receiving Darton College’s Academic Recognition Student Award Tuesday came as a timely inspiration for Amanda Faircloth.

“I think it’s awesome. It’s really a motivational step that I needed at this point,” she said before the college’s 40th annual awards ceremony Tuesday evening. “Because I’m a mom, because having to do this (school) and be a mom, juggling all that ... it was the right motivation at the right time.”

Faircloth, a nursing major who just completed her first year of the two-year program, is “representative of outstanding scholastic achievement,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Joan Darden. Faircloth’s name will be read in the next session of the General Assembly as part of the recognition.

After graduating from Darton, Faircloth said she hopes to continue her education at Albany State University while working weekend rotations at a local hospital and to “one day have my master’s,” though she plans on taking things “step by step.”

Edwin Nyambi, a Cameroon, West Africa native, was given several honors Tuesday, including the Ken Allen Rodgers Outstanding Student Leader Award and nominations to the All-USA and All-Georgia Academic Teams by the college.

Because the honors ceremony recognizes only a select few high achievers from the school, Nyambi said the night was particularly meaningful.

“I feel honored to be here today. This day is even more (special) than graduation because on graduation everyone is recognized,” he said. “It is special. I feel special.”

Nyambi, a pre-pharmacy major scheduled to graduate tonight, said he planned on attending a pharmacy school in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Guest speaker Jason Lewis, a 1992 alumnus of Darton, advised the students to build their relationships as they go through life.

He told several stories about his way up the corporate ladder. All of his opportunities came as the result of relationships he had developed, he said.

“Everything I did focused on building friendships, building relationships, treating people the right way,” he said.

Lewis, who recently undertook two separate business ventures, gave four “equations” for the students to remember.

First, energy equals equity, he said. The more energy a person invests in someone else, the more equity will result.

Second, equity equals access.

“They’ll answer your phone call,” he told the packed Darton theater. “It not only gives you access to the person, it gives you access to their ideas.”

Thirdly, access equals influence. And finally, life equals the people you meet and what you create together.

“I encourage you to enjoy the people you meet,” he said. “And not only to (enjoy them), but to find out ways to create opportunities together.”

The college also recognized several faculty and staff members during the event. Awards to college employees included:

• Outstanding Staff Award: Sherry Koster, nursing division senior administrative assistant.
• Advising Award: Linda Parks, health information technology program director.
• College Service Award: Anthony Williams, cardiovascular technology program director.
• Community Service Award: Jeff Kluball, music department director.
• Teaching Award: Laura Blackwell, girls basketball coach.

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