Outstanding Alumnus 2012

Did You Meet Curtis Washington?

Curtis Washington was named Jefferson State's Outstanding Alumnus for 2012.

This year’s recipient was truly unique… from the life he lived and also by being the only recipient of this award who has attended Jefferson State only in the Community and Corporate Education Program.

He was born in Birmingham and graduated from Parker High School in 1946. After high school, he served in the Army medical corps in Tokyo, Japan until 1950. During this time, he also played the clarinet and saxophone in a band.

After the Army, he received his bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Tennessee State University in Nashville. He later received his doctor of dental surgery degree from Meharry Medical College. He worked more than 40 years as a dentist in New York City before retiring.

As people in motion tend to stay in motion, he soon realized retirement wasn’t for him. He enrolled in a computer class at Jefferson State and then discovered Jefferson State’s Phlebotomy Program. He enrolled and excelled.

His instructor, Sally Cofield, mentioned he always had initiative and was very determined. He had a strong desire to help people and remain active. He was loved by his classmates and he loved them.

He passed the registry exam and is working now as a registered phlebotomist at Princeton Hospital. He is 83 years young and is doing what he loves… helping people.