|
Heather Jordan, 2000 graduate of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, joined with 368 other graduates in the commencement ceremony Sunday.
But she nearly had another alma mater.
Jordan, a 21-year-old Salisbury native, received a degree in radiography along with the rest of her class Sunday.
Radiography is a high-demand program that trains students to take X-rays and make a preliminary assessment on whether a doctor needs to see the patient.
Jordan will prepare to take the state board exam in July while working at NorthEast Medical Center’s radiology department this summer.
In August, Jordan will start classes at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem to work toward a second degree, this time in radiation therapy.
The second degree will allow her to take a job with more patient contact. Radiation therapists work with patients for months while X-ray technician simply render images for physicians.
When Jordan began at Rowan-Cabarrus in 1997 she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life, but she got on the waiting list for the radiography program. At the beginning of the second year, the program was filled and her name remained at the top of the waiting list. Disappointed at the prospect of having to wait another year, she began plans to transfer to a four-year college the following year.
Two weeks into the semester, Jordan received a call saying two students had withdrawn from the department. Although she was behind, Jordan plunged in, trying to catch up with the other students.
“She’s one of those people that never really gets shook up about anything... (and) who’s really got it together,” said Terry Chapman, director of the radiography department.
Jordan has received two scholarships while at Rowan-Cabarrus. As a senior at West Rowan High School, she was awarded the Rowan-Cabarrus Endowment Scholarship, a full ride for her first year. The following year, she received another full academic scholarship that provided tuition, books and a fee waiver.
Jordan worked a part-time job with the college’s department of student services during all three years at Rowan-Cabarrus.
Eddie Myers, vice president of students, sees Jordan’s personality as her biggest strength.
“She rolls with the punches,” he said . “It’s just hard these days to find people like that.”
Jordan drew inspiration from counselors at Rowan-Cabarrus as well as from her parents. She watched the staff help students start in the right direction and says: “I hope to do that with my patients.”
|
Today's News