Name: Derrick Devon Henderson Jr.
Age: 23
Hometown: Compton, California
High school: Ganesha High School
Major: Criminal justice
Expected graduation date: May 2017
Why did you choose Dalton State? Coming from California, I really wanted to be at a small quiet school. I decided this was the school for me because once I visited, I fell in love with the landscape and the trees. I wanted to focus on school and nothing else, even though, I got more than an education here.
What do you plan to do after graduation? Once I graduate I will be entering the United States Navy for intelligence, law enforcement and security, or aviation.
What activities are you involved in on campus? I am involved in a couple of things around campus. First, I am a peer mentor, and I am head resident of residential life. I am also heavily involved in intermural sports. Our flag football team earned third in the state.
What are some of your biggest achievements or accomplishments at Dalton State? My biggest achievement or accomplishment at Dalton State College will be once I walk across that stage and graduate with my bachelor’s degree.
Where is your favorite study spot? My favorite spot to study is in Residential Life’s conference room.
What is your best memory so far as part of the Roadrunner Nation? So far my best memory is the day school was closed because of the snow. A couple of friends and I built a snowman and then bulldozed it.
Favorite comfort food? Mac and cheese
Favorite line from a movie? “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
What do you feel most proud of? I feel most proud of myself, because I came from nothing and made something of myself.
What is a skill you’d like to learn and why? I would love to learn how to sing; I would like to learn this because I love to sing. I love music, it is a part of me and it brings another part of me out that nothing else can. It’s like I have a new personality or another person inside of me.
What cheers you up? Music and photography cheer me up every time.
What is your favorite book? The Harry Potter series
Who is your hero? My hero is my mother, and will forever be.
If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet? I would love to meet Adolf Hitler
Where is your favorite place to eat? In and Out
What did you want to be when you were a kid? When I was a kid, I wanted to be a doctor because I loved helping people. However, I changed it to help people by going into the Navy.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Roadrunner Nation? When I first came to this school from California, all I wanted was to get my degree. Once I started getting involved in Residential Life everything changed for me. Being part of this school brings me joy and happiness. Knowing that I have changed so many people’s lives just by being the person I am has changed me and that’s something that cannot go away. The students, teachers, faculty, and the leaders have played a big role in my life. Yes, most people do not know who I am, however, the people who do know me can tell you I am a person you should know. Being part of this school is very important to me, graduating from Dalton State is something I will be proud of and never will I degrade anything I have learned from this school.