Nine from SCC Recalled to Active Duty

SYLVA - Two SCC staff members spent a couple of hours last week tying 24 yellow ribbons to the trees that line the College's campus. Army PFC Joseph Dwan was one of eight students at Southwestern who recently traded in textbooks for artillery due to the war in Iraq.

His intermediate algebra class recently packed two boxes full of cookies for him and members of his squad, saying it was the least they could do.

"He was always cutting up and making us laugh," said classmate Stephanie Brown. "He was really late to class one day, so when he finally showed up wearing an Army T-shirt that was literally full of holes, he looked at Mrs. Hartman and said, 'Sorry, but I just couldn't find a thing to wear today.'"

The whole class just burst out laughing.

Moments later Brown's face lost expression.

"He spoke very highly of his kids. He's got two. I think one is just 2 years old. I know he hated leaving them, but I know he's very proud of what he does."

Brown recently received e-mail from Dwan saying that for the moment he is still in the States, but the word is the Middle East may be in the near future.

"Before I heard from him, I kept looking at [the soldiers'] faces on CNN for him, but now I know he's not there. I was sort of relieved--at least for the moment."

Toni Knott, SCC expository writing instructor, said Dwan was missed in her class, too.

"We really bonded as a class. Joe called last week and we passed the phone around the classroom so everyone could have a turn talking with him," said Knott.

Dwan spent five years serving as a U.S. Marine, and last year enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve to help pay for his education. He is currently attached to the 841st Combat Battalion in Fort Stewart, GA, and is awaiting orders to the Middle East.

"The word 'community' in Southwestern Community College is especially resonant at a time like this," said Chris Cox, SCC's dean of arts and sciences. "We really are a community, and we feel the absence of any of our members in a very real and palpable way."

Eight SCC students and one faculty member have recently been recalled to active duty, leaving behind classmates and instructors filled with heavy hearts. Their names are:

Jason Coggins
Joseph Dwan
Garry Green
Michael Hagan
Sarah Herrin
Juan Jaimez
Shane Jones
Chet Milkey
Stephen Speed

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