TRiO Holds 6th Annual Achievement Ceremony

 

 
On Thursday, April 21 TRiO/Student Support Services (SSS) hosted its 6th

Annual Achievement Ceremony. This event was open to all TRiO/SSS students and recognized graduates, high achievers and scholarship recipients.

Each year SSS brings in a guest speaker to motivate and encourage graduates and continuing students. This year’s speaker was Mr. DeMarco Culberson, a 2007 Electrical Automation Technology graduate who is currently an electrician for the City of St. Louis. Other guests who addressed the students were Crystal Herron, dean of academic affairs and John Wood, vice president for student success.

Annually, TRiO/SSS also recognizes one outstanding faculty member and student and name them Instructor and Student of the Year. The instructor of the year is nominated by students and TRiO/SSS staff. This is someone we feel has gone above and beyond to contribute to the success of TRiO/SSS students. This year’s recipient of the Instructor of the Year was Mr. Roy Gillespie from the Electrical Automation Technology Department. Roy received a certificate and a TRiO/SSS goodie bag. The following instructors received honorable mention certificates: Charles Corrigan, IT; Pat Duchinsky, IT; Mark Malcinski, EAT; Jeff Scott, INT and Steve Swenson, EAT. The Student of the Year is selected from the group of previous Student of the Month recipients. Students are selected based on being an active TRiO participant AND at least one of the following:

• High academic achievement

• Significant improvement in grades

• Impeccable character

• School, community or church involvement

• Community service

• Leadership

• School, academic, athletic or community accomplishment

• Outstanding behavior

• Perfect attendance

• Positive attitude towards others and/or learning

• Overcoming adversity

This year’s recipient is Victor Pope, a 2011 ESDT graduate. Victor also received a certificate and TRiO/SSS goodie bag which included items to help keep him warm during the mean Chicago winters as he was also recently hired to work at Sargent and Lundy, LLC in Chicago, IL. During his time at Ranken, Victor has worked as at tutor in the SAC, a Student Ambassador, served as a Peer Mentor for various TRiO/SSS workshops and completed TRiO’s Emerging Leader’s Institute.