Austin Dean Barefoot of Rockwell graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville Dec. 14, 2013, with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Earth Science.
A 2009 graduate of East Rowan High School, he is the son of Steve and Cheryl Whitley of Rockwell and Alan and Sharon Barefoot of Salisbury. He is the grandson of Ken and Joyce Ingram of Salisbury and Frances and the late Willie Barefoot of Whiteville.