Mighty and powerful were the themes of the evening as Northampton Community College (NCC) held its annual Student Awards Convocation Ceremony on April 28, 2022 to recognize top-performing students for their academic achievements over the past year.
For the first time in two years, the event was held in-person with a virtual option for those wishing to join remotely. The excitement was felt as students, faculty and students gathered in Lipkin Theatre to celebrate and honor these exceptional students.
“To every student who is being honored today, you’re leaving an indelible mark on this institution. We are successful when we see you achieve your dreams and goals.” Dr. Karen Bearce, interim vice president of academic affairs, said at the beginning of the program.
Melenese Sivells, associate professor of early childhood education and last year’s recipient of the Christensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, gave the convocation address with a powerful message reinforcing the strength of the students who have overcome the challenges brought forth by the last two years. “Perseverance is persistence despite what struggles you are facing. You are stronger, sharper and more able than you think. You have managed to live with masks, hand sanitizers, living within your bubble, and still you made your mark.”
Each individual presenting the awards echoed Sivells’ sentiment, describing how mighty, powerful and resilient their departments and their students have been throughout a difficult two years.
Dr. Erickson beamed with pride as he addressed the audience at his final Awards Convocation at NCC, “I look forward to this ceremony every year. Congratulations to all of our students, with such grace and poise, they truly are amazing.” He recognized four students, Rebecca Ashdot, Rebecca Docteroff, Kiondre Kenner, and Thandi Jussu, who were named to the PTK All-PA Academic Team based on academic excellence and leadership in our college and community.
Kenner, who was also this year’s student speaker, told the audience to, “Take the leap and absorb as much as you can from NCC classes and experiences. The reality is many family, friends and faculty have contributed to my success. You never know the affect you have on someone’s growth, until you plant the seeds.”
NCC is proud of the accomplishments of the student award-winners this past academic year.
The awards and their recipients include:
2022 Award Recipients
Coca Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar Award – Rebecca Docteroff American Advertising Federation/Greater Lehigh Valley
Ad Club Creative Achievement Award – Quoc Doan
Award for Excellence in Academic Writing – Faith DeGroat
Bethlehem Women’s Club Nursing Award – Michelle Stiansen
Commuter Transfer Scholarship – Chris Devlin, Jared Larson
Drs. Edward & Arnold R. Cook Award for Academic Excellence in Dental Hygiene – Alyssa Martin
The Friends of Gregory Purdon Memorial Award for Excellence Art -Jazmyn Moore
Global Studies Academic Award – Sarah Szulborski, Ryan Wright
Global Studies Global Citizen Award – Angel Villeda Perez
Heart of Hospitality Award – Kiondre Kenner (Discover Lehigh Valley)
Heart of Hospitality Award – Melanie Padilla (Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau), Josephine Milanzi
Hites Family Foundation Higher Education Endowment Scholarship – Angel Villeda Perez, Kelly Sulca Hernandez
Honors Program Award – Teofolo Filingo, April Marti
Institute of Management Accounting Award – Ruby Brown
Just Born Business Award – Nate Sattizahn
The Lehigh and Northampton Chapter of PennAEYC (The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children) – Raghad Alisaleh
Liberal Arts Award – Alysha Johnson, Alicia Valladares
Marconi Award for Radio/TV – Logan Desris
Marketing Insight Award – Dawn Brown
Nancy A. Taylor Endowed Scholarship – April Marti, Nolla Morawiec
NCC Service Learning Award – Victoria DeLande, Jessie Scott
Northampton County Bar Association Award – Leah Humes
Pan African Caucus Educational Scholarship (PACES) – Mercedes Artis, Ariann Adams
Awards Received at Previous Ceremonies
All Pennsylvania Academic Team:
Bethlehem campus – Rebecca Docteroff , Kiondre Kenner
Monroe campus – Rebecca Ashdot, Thandi Jussu
Newman Civic Fellows Award – Andreina Fatima Sarmento Da Costa
Irvine Freshman Leadership Award – Crystal Koch
Outstanding Funeral Service Education Student of the Year – Jaclyn Sivak
Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association Award – Karissa Montgomery
Practical Nursing Clinical Performance Award/September 2022:
Bethlehem campus – Molly Bourdon
Monroe campus – Anna Vernacchia
Eastern PA Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Award – Alexandria Hoats, Joseph Brown
