Students honored with SE ceremony
by Brian Shults, se news editor

    SE Campus Student Awards Ceremony last week commemorated students’ academic, extracurricular and community achievements, presenting over 200 awards.

   Despite violent weather and tornado sightings, family members, faculty and students came to see the ceremony in the North Ballroom.

   “Students who see the incredible value of education and recognize how much more there is to know understand the click,” Dr. Leonard McCormick, keynote speaker and humanities division chairperson, said.

   The click McCormick spoke of is a term he attributes to the students with genuine focus and ambition, when full responsibility is taken for one’s academic career. He maintains that students who have experienced the click do not necessarily need the awards because they have already made the commitment to a successful education.

   “If you realize the click, you know it happens way down deep in your psyche and lets everyone know ‘get out of my way I’m coming through!’” he said.

   The students were not the only people to receive praise at the ceremony; professors and parents were included as well.

   “The faculty members help set the pace for students to excel. The students here tonight are leaders and achievers. Students also inspire and set the pace for themselves,” Dr. Judith Carrier, SE president, said.

   McCormick added that many of the parents have contributed to the students’ success by providing midnight food runs and proofreading essays they had no genuine interest in.

   Numerous awards were presented in each academic discipline.

   Students were also presented awards for being recognized by Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa- Beta Delta Omicron Chapter Shining Star Award, All-USA Academic Team for Community and Junior Colleges, Outstanding Student Leadership, Spirit of SE Award and Outstanding Community Service Award.

   The Outstanding Community Service Award was presented to Shauna Houp and Jennifer King.

   Pert Durapau, awards and student services director, presented Houp with the award,

   “When Shayna was asked why she is so willing to help she said, ‘because I can.’ And that is reflective of the kind of person she is,” she said.

   King has been an active participant in several groups including assisting the elderly at Town Hall State’s monthly birthday parties, Arlington night shelter dinner, women’s shelter egg hunt and campus collection of hug bears for abused children. She received four awards, including Who’s Who, Phi Theta Kappa, Academic Team and Community Service, Durapau said.

   Houp’s diligence in community theater and stage managing the Multicultural Martin Luther King Celebration were among the reasons she received the awards.

   “Being able to stage manage and getting to do my craft, while helping others, is something I’ll do anytime,” Houp said.

   Therese Kerfoot also received two awards: Outstanding Student Leadership and Spirit of SE Award. Kerfoot was credited with single-handedly starting SE Campus’ first College Republicans chapter, as well as holding offices in several other student groups.

   “I am glad to be of service to the campus. It means something to get an award with so many students doing good work,” Kerfoot said.

   “Therese should also be commended, not only for her extracurricular work, but also her outstanding work in the Cornerstone Honors Program,” Chuck Hope, assistant professor of history and College Republicans sponsor, said.

   “Representing the College Republicans in such a distinguished school as TCC is an honor,” Kerfoot said.

   Tahita Fulkerson, dean of instruction, and Rusty Fox, dean of student development and educational services, closed out the evening.

   Fulkerson offered an anecdote about a SE Campus student success.

   After failing his first semester in college, a young man without direction came to SE Campus in 1996. He realized college life was about leadership and service for colleagues and the community.

   After graduating TCC, he received a full scholarship to SMU. His story demonstrates the effectiveness of SE Campus, Fulkerson said.

   Fox applauded the successes SE Campus students have achieved while balancing jobs, children, families and community service.

   The student services staff, including Durapau, Nita Haliburton and Linette Tucker, organized the ceremony.

   The dietetics and hospitality department provided food and refreshments.