Chairman of NCI, Kimble Reynolds Jr. honors faculty member

Dr. Patricia Grant receives the Lula White Johnson Distinguished Teaching Award from Kimble Reynolds Jr., chairman of the New College Foundation, during graduate recognition ceremonies Tuesday night at the former Henry County Courthouse. Earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration through the New College Institute (NCI) deepened Joyce Barton’s sense of self-worth. Barton, whose degree was conferred by Averett University of Danville, was one of 34 students honored by NCI during the graduate recognition ceremony Tuesday. She noted that attending NCI helped her gain useful skills such as being able to speak in front of a group. “I realize I have much more to offer” the business world than she originally thought, she said. Barton said NCI provides students with “a can-do environment” where they feel supported in their efforts to earn degrees and are “ready to move forward.”