Current Featured Alumni

 

Dennis and LaDonna Wallace

By: Linda Jerke and Foundation Staff

 In celebration of its 40th year Barton Community College has honored visionaries, donors, community leaders and alumni for their contributions to the history and growth of the college. As part of this celebration of remembrance and recognition, Dennis and Ladonna Wallace were chosen to present the 38th commencement address to Barton graduates.

Dennis is a 1973 alum and met his then future wife LaDonna VanScyoc in 1971 in a class at Barton. The Rev. Dennis and Ladonna Wallace have been married for 36 years because of that chance meeting almost 40 years ago.

On Thursday, May 13th, they came back to Barton to give the commencement address to the graduating class of 2010. Since their time at Barton, they have taken the steps to follow their goals. Dennis now serves as senior pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Wichita and Ladonna teaches preschool at the church.

Ladonna spoke about the changes that have taken place at Barton since the time she walked the campus as a student. She said dirt and mud are not the predominant landscape today as they were 40 years ago. “And the trees are now taller than I am,” she quipped.

She is amazed at how Barton has grown, she said, and over the years she knows the College has influenced thousands of lives and produced not only leaders, but many followers, who in the language of today are called “supporters.” She challenged the 2010 graduates to rise to the challenge to become either leaders or supporters.

“Leaders are visionaries,” she said. “They get the ball rolling. Supporters keep the ball rolling.”

Dennis challenged the graduates to take the steps necessary to make a difference in the world. “Steps are important because they take us places, to new challenges,” he said. “Or sometimes we need to step out of a difficult situation.”

His advice was to take steps that will help not hurt; take steps that tap potential. “It’s easy to get off focus; it’s easy to drift,” he said. “You chose your degree, now take control of your life. Don’t just measure your steps for your own success. You can change your world.

“Take the steps you need to take to know your destiny. Destiny is a vision, in picture form, but it’s not enough to look up. You must step up and claim your destiny. Follow the footsteps God gave you and make them count.”

 

 

 

 

Barton has so many wonderful alumni - as a matter of fact each and every one of you, that we have chosen to share them with everyone. You may want to check out the stories featured in Hilltopics to learn about the people and events at Barton.  If you would like to be the featured alum or you know of someone who should be, just send me a picture (electronically if possible) and a short Bio and we will feature them as soon as we can.  Please send the information to Coleen Cape at capec@bartonccc.edu.

 

 

 

Go to Sidebar Content