Assistant District Attorney and Southeastern Community College Alumnus Heath Nance will deliver the graduation speech at SCC’s commencement on Friday, May 11.

“We are thrilled to welcome Heath back to SCC to address our graduating students,” said Dr. Tony Clarke, SCC president. “As a graduate of SCC and now a prominent member of the District Attorney’s office, he is an excellent example of how an SCC graduate can achieve great things and serve Columbus County.”

Nance is currently an Assistant District Attorney in the Thirteenth Prosecutorial District, which includes Bladen, Columbus, and Brunswick counties in southeastern North Carolina. He is a 1998 graduate of Southeastern Community College, received his Bachelor of Science in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2001 and immediately began working at UNC Hospitals after graduation. While working in administration at UNC Hospitals, Heath earned his Masters of Business Administration from Elon University in 2005. Later that year Heath enrolled in law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law, eventually earning his Juris Doctor in 2008. At that time, Heath returned home to southeastern North Carolina to begin practicing law. Heath began his law practice with another attorney, but he soon decided to open his own practice and serve the citizens of his home county, as well as surrounding areas, in both civil and criminal matters. Heath quickly established a thriving practice and grew his business to include two employees. Once Jon David was elected as the first republican District Attorney in the Thirteenth Prosecutorial District, he invited Heath to join him as an Assistant District Attorney. Since 2010, Heath has served as an Assistant District Attorney in district court, then in superior court. During this time, Heath has prosecuted cases ranging from DWI offenses to first degree murder cases. He is comfortable and competent in the courtroom, and handles himself with confidence gained through his experience and training.

Heath is dedicated to public service and to the people of North Carolina. His father was an educator for his entire career and served as the Superintendent of Columbus County Schools for 15 years. During his upbringing, Heath witnessed the importance of public service and serving the needs of his community. Heath was raised in Cerro Gordo, NC, located in western Columbus County, and now resides just outside of Whiteville with his wife of 15 years and their daughter. He is an active member of Piney Forest Baptist Church. His is also on the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America, Cape Fear Council and is the former president of the Thirteenth District Bar. He currently serves as an advisor for Columbus County Teen Court.

The SCC Commencement Exercises will be held Friday, May 11 at 9 a.m. on the front lawn of A Building.