BY WENDY HARRISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
WHarrison@pdc.edu

FRANKLIN—About 200 co-workers, friends and family gathered on April 27 to honor Dr. Patsy R. Joyner, who retired as vice president for Institutional Advancement at Paul D. Camp Community College in January after 31 years of service.

A reception was held at the Regional Workforce Development Center.

Dr. Paul Wm. Conco, college president, shared some of Joyner’s background with the college.

Working a full-time job, Joyner attended classes at PDCCC at night and during her lunch breaks. She earned a degree in pre-teacher education in the first graduating class at the college.

Joyner was hired at the college in 1980 as the president’s assistant and adjunct teacher. Four years later, she was working as director of community and continuing education. In 1995, she was named director for Institutional Advancement, which later evolved into the vice president position.

She also served as the

PDCCC Foundation’s executive director.

Joyner continued her education while working full time, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, plus a master’s in humanities from Old Dominion University, and a doctorate in higher education administration from The College of William and Mary.

Dr. Ed Barnes, former

PDCCC president; Charles Modlin, former foundation board member; and Pattie Lee, Joyner’s daughter, shared remarks and memories about her accomplishments.

Joyner referred to her retirement as bitter sweet, citing her tenure at PDCCC as one of the most significant phases of her life. She added that while she welcomes more time for her family, she will miss seeing her beloved colleagues on a consistent basis.

Conco presented Joyner with a PDCCC print signed by faculty, staff and administrators, and a copy of a resolution from the Virginia General Assembly.

She received a glider rocker as well, which she has donated to The Children’s Center in Franklin.

In addition, Conco made a surprise announcement that the college and foundation boards, in tribute to Joyner, have approved naming the Franklin conference room to the Patsy R. Joyner Board Room.

Besides her daughter, she was joined by her husband, Tommy, and granddaughter, Mary Beth Lee.