2025 Distinguished Alumni
Dawn R. Ramsey, AS
General Studies, 2017
Mayor, City of South Jordan
Dawn Ramsey experienced SLCC at two very different points in her life. The first time, she was just a few years out of high school, and later, after raising six children, she returned to the College as a nontraditional student. "I chose to take a break from my education that unexpectedly lasted 20 years," says Dawn. "I cannot imagine there ever was a nontraditional student as excited as I was to be back in school."
As she began attending SLCC for a second time, Dawn recalls the dedication of a SLCC academic advisor who combed through her transcripts to create a learning roadmap for her. "His time and effort were an immense gift—it allowed me to re-engage with my education and determine a path forward."
She also recalls an SLCC anatomy and physiology professor who encouraged and supported her. "She recognized things I could do that I might not have been fully aware of at the time," says Dawn. "She was helping me see who I could become."
In 2017, just a few months after graduating from the College, Dawn was elected as South Jordan's first ever female mayor. "That SLCC degree instilled confidence in me that made me feel like I belonged on that ballot," she says. Soon after, Dawn completed a bachelor's degree at Brigham Young University in Family Science with emphasis in Political Science and Civic Engagement Leadership. She is currently serving in her second term as mayor of South Jordan City.
Daniel Barney Stirland, M.Ed.
General Studies
Principal, Kearns High School
Danny Stirland has been a part of the Kearns High School's community for 25 years, first as a student, then as a basketball coach, then as a history teacher, and now as the school's principal. He has also worked for the Granite District as a School Leadership Director, where he supervised high school and junior high school principals.
"I'm just lucky and blessed to be here; there's something special about being where you grew up," says Daniel. After high school, Daniel attended SLCC his general education requirements.
While at the College, Daniel cherished the small class sizes and the teacher attention. "The small, intimate nature of the community college really worked for me," says Daniel, who credits two SLCC professors for turning him on to history. "They had their views but also taught from a balanced approach, pulling in different perspectives. I appreciated this; it helped inform me as I started making my own decisions in life."
After his time at SLCC, Daniel attended the University of Utah, where he earned a bachelor's in Health with a minor in History, as well as a teaching degree. He later returned to the University to earn a master's degree in Educational Leadership.
Danny was voted secondary principal of the year in 2014 by his Granite District peers and received the Granite Education Foundation Excel Award as a principal in 2017. Even with all his public accolades, Danny considers a shift in the culture at Kearns High School as his greatest professional achievement. "We are a very diverse school in every aspect, where there is a lot of mutual respect, acceptance and inclusion. This results in a positive learning environment that makes us all want to be here."