Columbia newsmakers

Meritorious Service Medal

Army Master Sgt. Donald M. Thomas has been awarded his second Meritorious Service Medal.

He earned the medal for outstanding performance as public affairs supervisor for the 5th U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. His many accomplishments included creating an Army-wide marketing campaign to attract soldiers to fill critical 5th Army training vacancies, and supervising military public affairs during the Army's deployment to support suppression of western wild fires during the summers of 2000 and 2001.

Thomas has been reassigned to the Los Angeles branch of the Army's Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, where he will act as a technical advisor to Hollywood for movie and television productions that involve Army elements.

He is the son of Vernon C. Thomas Sr. of Appling.

The master sergeant was a 1976 honor graduate of Harlem High School, Ga. In 1981, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia, Athens.

Evans High grad gets Ranger tab

Second Lt. Daniel Rivette, 1997 Evans High School and 2001 West point graduate, graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School on July 19 at Fort Benning, Ga.

Ranger school is the most physically and mentally demanding course in the Army and prepares soldiers to be small unit leaders proficient in airborne, air assault, small boat and river crossing operations while conducting raids, ambushes and reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines.

Lt. Rivette will now join his unit, the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colo.

Columbia County resident wins American Legion award

Jim Whelan was named Legionarie of the Year for Georgia at the 2002 American Legion Department Convention in Macon in June. He also received a congressional award for it from Charlie Norwood's office on July 13.

Whelan has been a member of American Legion for 23 years and served the Department of Georgia Sergeant at Arms for nine years.

He is currently a member of Post 192 in Evans, where he has served as commander, finance officer, first vice commander and executive committee member and is now judge advocate for the post.

Whelan has won Legionarie of the Year in 1985 as well as many other awards.

Whelan retired after 22 years in the Army and now works at Fort Gordon as a recreational specialist.

Evans High grad earns Ph.D.

Henry G. Giesber III, son of Laverne and Henry G. Giesber II of Martinez, earned his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Clemson University.

He graduated from Augusta Technical College in 1992 with an associate's degree in Environmental Engineering Technology and from Georgia Southern University in 1997 with a bachelors degree in chemistry.

While at Clemson, Geisber was named 2001 winner of the Kriedle Award from the Glass and Optical Division of the American Ceramic Society.

Giesber will move to Charlotte, N.C., to start a company that synthesizes new optical materials for laser and non-linear optical applications.

Louise Henry assumes curator position

Louise Lockhart Henry, of Evans, recently assumed the role f curator of the 7,000-member Georgia Society National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Henry, who will serve a two-year term, has been a DAR member since 1978 and is a member and former Regent (president) of the College Hill Chapter in Augusta.

As a member of the GSDAR Meadow Garden Museum Board of Directors in Augusta, Henry is a NSDAR Museum Correspondent Docent, which serves on the DAR Speakers staff.

Martinez native graduates from John Hopkins

Alex Mammen, of Martinez, graduated from Johns Hopkins University this spring majoring in biology.

Mammen is the son of Thampy and Anna Mammen and attended Lakeside High School.

Augusta Prep grad makes deans's list

Vandna Jerath, of Martinez, was named to the dean's list at Johns Hopkins University for the spring 2002 semester.

Vandna is pre-majoring in arts and sciences is expected to graduate in May 2005.

Vandna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ravinder Jerath and attended Augusta Preparatory Day School.

Augusta native earns Ph.D

Debra Beazley, of Augusta, recently earned a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences from Walden University.

She is an associate professor of business at Southern Wesleyan University.

Beazley has a bachelor of Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia and a Masters of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University.

Local student

Rachel Barkie recently attended the International Summit of Young Technology Leaders in Austin, Texas, from July 7-16.

The summit introduces high-achieving young people to career opportunities and new developments in the technology industry.

YTL summit participants were greeted by Michael Dell, CEO and chairman of Dell Computer Corporation, who encouraged the students to use wisdom and creativity in paving their career paths.

Local native completes Navy training

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Steven N. Sangston recently completed the Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit course at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, S.C.

Sangston was taught about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security. After graduation, Sangston was designated a nuclear propulsion plant operator.

Sangston is a 2001 Evans High School graduate and son of Rosetta Joslin, Trenton, S.C., and Richard Sangston, Martinez.

Grovetown student named to honor roll

Patricia Harris, of Summerfield Circle, Grovetown, was recently named to the honor roll list for the 2002 spring semester at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C.

To make the list, Harris had to maintain a 3.75 or higher grade point average and not have any failures or incompletes.

Evans native makes dean's list

Brenda Harrell Taylor, of Marshall Court in Evans, was recently named to the dean's list for the 2002 spring semester at Limestone College.

Taylor earned a 4.0 grade point average for that semester.