2024
Distinguished
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR DONNY VAN SLEE , DC
The annual Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award honors a Pasco-Hernando State College graduate for exceptional professional achievements and service to the college , students and community . The 2024 award was presented to Donny Van Slee (‘ 14 , ‘ 18 ) during the annual Distinguished Alumni and Student Life and Leadership Recognition Ceremony .
Raised in Weeki Wachee , Donny , also known as Dr . Don , discovered his love for music at a young age . After graduating from Central High School in 2011 , he began performing locally around Hernando County .
Donny earned his Associate in Arts degree from PHSC in 2014 and went on to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management in 2018 . He then pursued chiropractic studies at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Daytona Beach , where he was elected president of the business club and received the prestigious Virgil Strang Philosophy Award .
While traveling to begin an internship in Colorado , Donny discovered Nashville , Tennessee , where he later relocated and enrolled in Tootsie ’ s “ Honky Tonk School ,” refining his performance skills . His growing online fanbase led to an appearance on NBC ’ s The Voice , where he turned the chairs of country music stars Dan and Shay and Reba McEntire .
Today , Donny resides in Nashville , where he continues to perform , write music and practice chiropractic care .
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