Two Baylor School of Education alumni were honored recently by Waco ISD. Debbie Pence Luce, BSED ’76, was named a Distinguished Alumna and Diann Dillon, MSED ’97, EDD ’04, was named Distinguished Retired Faculty.

Debbie, a lifetime Waco resident, graduated from Waco ISD’s Richfield High School in 1972. She taught at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School and substituted in Waco ISD.

Debbie is a community volunteer focusing on projects dealing with children. She served 12 years as an elected member of the Waco ISD Board of Trustees with two terms as president. She is also past president of the Junior League of Waco, the Waco McLennan County Bar Auxiliary, Moutainview PTA, Lake Air PTA, and The Art Center Associates. She has served on numerous community boards, including the Baylor School of Education’s Advisory Board and the Waco ISD Education Foundation, and has taught kindergarten Sunday School at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for 30 years. Debbie is married to Darrel Luce, BA ’75, JD ’80, and they have two grown sons and three grandchildren.

Diann started her career in Waco ISD as a fifth-grade teacher and worked in the district for 26 years. She served as an instructional specialist at Doris Miller Elementary and as the assistant principal at Viking Hills Elementary, North Waco Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, Sul Ross Elementary, and Cedar Ridge Elementary schools.

The program for the Legacy Luncheon said of Diann, “Her dedication and passion for her job has impacted the lives of countless numbers of children. . . . She mentored and encouraged many new teachers and served as an inspiration to them.”

Debbie and Diann were honored at a luncheon on May 16 at the Waco Convention Center. For more information on all honorees, a photo album, and a video, visit the Waco ISD site.