The fifth annual “River’s End” Incentive Award winner is Pocahontas resident Brandy Jones. She completed her AAS degree in Administrative Services in December.  Hers was one of ten names included in the drawing for a new car, a Chevy Cobalt, presented by Universal Asset Management CEO Steve Manley of Memphis. Manley drew Jones’ name at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony in Randolph County Development Center May 14.

The “River’s End” is a unique award program established by Manley as way to encourage BRTC students to complete their programs of study. The names of five eligible finalists had been drawn at the December graduation, with another five names of eligible finalists from the May graduating cohort drawn immediately prior to the ceremony.  All ten names were placed in the box from which Jones’ name was drawn.

Jones, who is a single parent, currently works for Home Instead in Jonesboro, an agency which provides care for the elderly who live at home. She is taking summer classes and working on prerequisites for the nursing program. She plans to continue her work in Geriatrics once she has obtained her nursing license.

Jones said she is “dumbfounded” to have won the car. “It’s great. Since I work in Jonesboro and go to school, it helps with gas costs. I’m so excited about the car,” she said.

BRTC President Richard Gaines expressed his appreciation to Manley and to UAM for his generosity and novel idea for promoting degree completion and for supporting BRTC in many ways over the last several years.