Outstanding Alumni for Fall 2019 Announced
DSCC honored Burt and Jeri Chandler of Dyersburg and Laurie Gamble of Humboldt with Outstanding Alumni Awards Oct. 11 inside the Student Center on the Dyersburg campus.
Danny Walden, president of the DSCC Alumni Association, and Dr. Karen Bowyer, president of DSCC, presented the awards in front of over 200 faculty and staff during the College’s annual fall conference.
Gamble earned an Associate of Science degree in Business at DSCC in June 1982. She continued her postsecondary education at Union University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance.
She began her career working as a loan officer at People’s Bank in 1985. During that same year, she transitioned to the position of executive vice president for the Bank of Humboldt. In 2013, she became the senior vice president of Centennial Bank in Humboldt. Gamble is president of the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival and in the past was recognized as the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival Honoree. She was honored as the Gibson County Outstanding Banker for 2017, 2018 and 2019. Laurie is a member of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and the Humboldt Industrial Development board of directors. Gamble serves on the Humboldt Business Association board of directors and is a member of the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival advisory board. She is also a Leadership Gibson County Alumni.
While attending DSCC, Gamble was a cheerleader and was named homecoming queen in 1982. “The sense of community was strong,” stated Gamble about her time at DSCC. “The students were highly encouraged to be a thriving part of the campus. Our instructors went above and beyond to make certain their students were successful.”
Gamble resides in Humboldt with her husband Jeff. She has two sons, Tyler and Chase, and three grandchildren.
Husband and wife Burt and Jeri Chandler are the current owners of City Liquor in Dyersburg. Jeri graduated from DSCC with an Associate of Science degree in Allied Health in 1993, while Burt graduated in 1994 with a degree in Business. Jeri continued her education at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene in 1995. Burt continued his education at Bethel University in 1998 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
After graduation, Jeri worked as a dental hygienist for Dr. Randy Prince from 1995 until 2007. Burt started his journey as the director of sales for United Liquor Company in Memphis from 1999 until 2010. In 2010, Burt and Jeri became the owner and co-owner of City Liquor in Dyersburg.
While attending DSCC, Jeri was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a part of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. “I loved being able to stay local while fulfilling all of the prerequisites needed to apply for the dental hygiene program at UT Memphis,” stated Jeri Chandler. “All of the health science instructors at DSCC fully prepared me for the next step of my college path.”
“DSCC prepared me for my next step at Bethel,” stated Burt Chandler. “I loved the small class size and the great education I received, all while being able to live at home and work.”
The Chandlers currently reside in Dyersburg with their children, Emma and Ellie.
Each year, DSCC presents the Outstanding Alumni Award to nominated individuals who have excelled in their field, given back to the community, and served as positive role models. Alumni interested in joining the DSCC Alumni Association should contact Constance Clay at 731-286-3349 or clay@dscc.edu.