Four SCC Students Among 29 Honored for Academic Achievement
[Photo: Southeast Community College students honored during the April 22 All-Nebraska Academic Team Recognition Day are, from left: Micha Fullerton, Erin Smith, Kayla Damrow and Scott Muhle. ]
Four Southeast Community College students were among the 29 honored April 22 during the annual Phi Theta Kappa All-Nebraska Academic Team Recognition Day at the Capitol and at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.
Kayla Damrow of Max, Micha Fullerton of Lincoln, Scott Muhle of Leigh and Erin Smith of Wymore are SCC's 2009 honorees.
Students were presented medallions during a ceremony inside the Warner Legislative Chamber at the Capitol. State Sen. Mike Flood presented the awards.
Fullerton, who attends SCC's Lincoln Campus, was one of the six student speakers. During her talk at the luncheon inside the Lancaster Room at the Marriott, she credited several SCC personnel for helping her get through school, including the Financial Aid Office; Rachel Mason, her advisor and director of student activities; Jeanette Volker, vice president for student services and Lincoln Campus director; and Tracy Corr, instructor in the Business Administration program.
"Southeast has given me the confidence and a stepping stone to the next part of my life,"Fullerton said."Everybody has meant so much to me, and I'm so happy to be here."
Other student speakers were Laura Gregoski of Central, Jamey Swanson of Mid-Plains, Susan Wingfield of Metropolitan, Jared Sporleder of Northeast, and Deborah Rosentrater of Western.
Following is a capsule look at SCC's four honorees:
Kayla Damrow
Program: Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Campus: Milford
December 2008 graduate
Parents: Rod and Teresa Damrow
Involvement: Treasurer, Society of Manufacturing Engineers student chapter; intramural sports; math tutor
Honors/Awards: Dean's List; Student of the Quarter once
Why SCC? - "First, it is affordable. I didn't want to leave postsecondary school with debts to be paid back years down the road. Second, I was attracted to SCC because of its technical school environment. I knew I would learn through hands-on teaching. The final reason is that it's quick. I graduated after only a year-and-a-half with a quality education and a good base of knowledge to enter the workforce."
Micha Fullerton
Program: Business Administration
Campus: Lincoln
Parents: Leanne and Tom Haefner and Todd Fullerton
Involvement: Vice president of Student Senate; various Student Senate events; volunteer for Houses of Hope of Nebraska, Inc.; Student Ambassador
Additional education: Fullerton received her cosmetology and barbering licenses in 2004. She maintains a small clientele. Her goal is to open a salon.
Why SCC? - "It was convenient and affordable. I knew going back to school was going to be a financial burden. But at SCC, I feel that I get an equal education to those attending a larger, more expensive school at a much lower cost."
Scott Muhle
Program: Electromechanical Technology
Campus: Milford
December 2008 graduate
Parents: David and Sandy Muhle
Involvement: Intramural sports, campus improvement projects that related to electronics
Honors/Awards: Outstanding Math Student Award in 2007, Electromechanical Technology Student of the Quarter in 2008
Why SCC? - "I chose SCC because it seemed to be the perfect fit for me. I toured the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and it didn't seem to be the right place for me because of the career path I wanted to follow. I am a very hands-on type of person, and sitting behind a desk for eight hours a day just does not interest me."
Erin Smith
Program: Academic Transfer
Campus: Beatrice
Parents: Kevin and Tessie Smith
Involvement: Member of Student Senate, SCC Choir, SCC TRIO program
Why SCC? - "I like the Academic Transfer program because I can experience college education on a smaller scale before I transfer to a bigger school. I continued attending SCC because of the teachers who work here. Their influence and encouragement helped me go after my goals and to not be afraid of anything."
Erin's goal is to become a forensic anthropologist.
The 2009 All-Nebraska Academic Team. Students are listed by college and by campus within that college:
Central Community College - Robert Baer (Columbus Campus), Danielle Brown (Hastings), Melissa Dill (Grand Island), Laura Gregoski (Columbus), Apollo Stack (Grand Island), Lindsay Swanson (Hastings).
Southeast Community College - Kayla Damrow (Milford), Micha Fullerton (Lincoln), Scott Muhle (Milford), Erin Smith (Beatrice).
Mid-Plains Community College - Magan Dolan (McCook), Amanda Klug (North Platte), Andrew Lambing (McCook), Jamey Swanson (North Platte).
Metropolitan Community College - Patricia Barone (Elkhorn), Lula Bartee-Smith (Omaha), Allison Ehite (Omaha), Ilias Gibigaye (Omaha), Amy Matt (Omaha), Tina Richardson (Omaha), Chantalle Vicich (Omaha), Susan Wingfield (Omaha).
Northeast Community College - Lisa Sanders (Norfolk), Jared Sporleder (Norfolk).
Western Nebraska Community College - Jeanne DeCoste (Scottsbluff), Kara Glenn (Scottsbluff), TaeHyun Park (Sidney), Deborah Rosentrater (Alliance), Christine Stolz (Sidney).
For more information, contact:
Stu Osterthun
Administrative Director of Public Information and Marketing
(402) 323-3401
sosterthun@southeast.edu
