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May 13, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke

The Rev. Dennis and Ladonna Wallace, Wichita, met while both were students at Barton Community College almost 40 years ago. They have been married for 36 years because of a chance meeting in a class at Barton in the fall of 1971.

On Thursday evening, 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.”

Ethan Deckert and Eddie Grier, who were named Barton’s 2010 Outstanding Graduates, received their awards and addressed their fellow graduates during the commencement ceremony.

Dean of Student Services Angie Maddy introduced the Outstanding Graduates and spoke about the individual qualities that led them to earn the distinction of Outstanding Graduates.

Deckert is a very focused and dedicated individual, she said. His nominators for this award commended his dedication to healthy living, physical training, his determination on the tennis team and his spirituality. As Student Senate president, he has focused on students’ needs and making living on campus easier, she said.

Speaking to his classmates, Deckert told them to work hard, persevere and stick to their principles. “Set goals and strive to achieve them,” he said. “Keep pressing forward and never give up. No dreams are too big. Always learn, improve and persevere, and always be true to yourself,” he advised.

A pre-medicine major at Barton, Deckert participated in tennis, Bowl for Kids’ Sake, America’s Promise and Campus Christian Fellowship. He served as vice president of Phi Theta Kappa and president of Student Senate. He was recognized as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Kansas Academic Team.

Deckert grew up on a farm in Pawnee County where he attended Larned Public Schools. During his high school years, he participated in football, power-lifting, wrestling and tennis. He earned membership in the National Honor Society and served as president of the Larned High School Student Body. Also while in high school, he attended Boys’ State in 2007 and created and coached a summer tennis clinic for area youth.

He plans to continue his education in pre-medicine and hopes to attend the University of Kansas Medical School. He is the son of Andrea and Richard Deckert.

Maddy quoted Grier’s track coach David Schenek, who said Grier “gives 100 percent in everything he does.” Grier’s nominators for this award said he has improved academically each semester at Barton and he could be seen in the tutoring lab on a daily basis not only studying but also helping other students, Maddy said.

In speaking to his fellow graduates, Grier gave heartfelt thanks for their friendship and support in his two years at Barton. He also expressed appreciation for his instructors and Student Support Services staff members who helped him along the way. “Now it’s time to celebrate our accomplishments,” he said.

At Barton, Grier has been a member of the nationally recognized men’s track and field team and Campus Christian Fellowship. With CCF, he served on two mission trips to Texas on spring breaks. He came to Barton to participate in track and is an automotive technology major.

Grier’s successes at Barton are reflected in the awards he has earned. He received the Mid America Opportunity Program Professionals Adult Student Leadership Award and the Barton Student Support Services Traditional Student of the Year Award. Representing Barton, Grier also was honored as Best Student Leader in his region at the Adult Student Leadership Conference in St. Charles, Ill. Grier plans to continue his education at Kansas State University.

As he grew up, Grier lived in many places before eventually settling in the Palm Coast, Fla., area where he attended Seabreeze High School. He is the son of Marie and Eddie Grier Sr.

The Rev. Dennis and Ladonna Wallace each spoke to Barton’s 2010 graduates in the keynote address during the commencement ceremony May 13.


Outstanding Graduate Ethan Deckert addresses his classmates to keep pressing forward and never give up on their dreams.


Outstanding Graduate Eddie Grier thanks his classmates and Barton staff and faculty for their friendship and support during his time at Barton.