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Commencement 2021: Graduates of Excellence

 

Provost’s Graduates of Excellence is a prestigious distinction that recognizes hard work, commitment and selflessness. One student is selected from each school and General Studies. Many students apply to receive this honor. These are students with excellent  GPAs who typically have received scholarships and awards for their academic achievements. They have demonstrated leadership skills and a dedication toward serving others, in addition to other notable achievements related to the creative arts, athletic excellence or involvement in SLCC beyond the classroom. We present to you the 2021 Graduates of Excellence.


Graduates of Excellence 2021


Manisha Adhikari 


Major/Program: Nursing 

School of Health Sciences 

GPA: 3.56 


Influential Faculty: Beverly Anderson 


Plans: Passing national exam for licensure as a registered nurse, working in the surgical unit of a hospital and possibly later in a labor and delivery unit and completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Utah.


Quote: “Fate brought me and my family to Utah. I came to the USA with an American dream of building a good life for myself and my family while also making them proud. 

Ever since, I have been giving my best, whether in my academics, my social life or at my workplace. My educational journey at SLCC wasn't the easiest because going to school here is so different. The assignments, quizzes, group projects and the way of teaching were so new to me, but I never gave up and kept learning and adapting. Whenever I get the chance, I have been participating in many cultural events like the Asian Festival, Living Traditions and even at events at SLCC to showcase my country's culture through dance and other kinds of volunteer work. I also did some community service work as part of my nursing journey and doing it brings joy in my life.”


Samuel Aguirre 


Major/Program: Business 

School of Business 

GPA: 3.78 


Influential Faculty: Jeff Davis and Dennis Watson 


Plans: Admitted to the Huntsman School of Business and will attend Utah State University, double majoring in business and business management and hoping to someday work in international logistics.


Quote: “Most people like a good comeback story, and there is no better setting for one in Utah than at SLCC. Although SLCC's welcoming policies have attracted students from all backgrounds and ages, they have captured the hopes of one main group: the quiet yet resilient investors. These people don't seem to have leadership experience or other highly desired academic attributes that you'd put on paper, but one would be wrong in virtually every sense to presume that. These people have already majored in grit, in fulfilling unrealistic expectations and in experiencing adversity. They have and are leading the way for others in their lives not only so that they can survive, but so that they can live and enjoy what has been always out of their reach. I am among the many of these SLCC students in this group, and I am honored to represent them.”


Prabin Pandit 


Major/Program: Mathematics 

School of Science, Mathematics & Engineering 

GPA: 3.86 


Influential Faculty: Suda Satcunasingam and Aart Kyle Costello 


Plans: Has transferred to the University of Utah and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and plans to earn his PhD in that subject.


Quote: “I think about children in emerging countries where they did not even have access to good paper to write on. I was one of them. I have sunk into deep melancholy thinking about this matter. I believe quality education is a fundamental right of every human being in the 21st century. Directly or indirectly, humanity has contributed to my knowledge ranging from family and village to country and the world. When I am able to do something, I must give back to society. After completing my education, I plan to start an organization that will help underprivileged children worldwide. I feel and see myself in those innocent eyes. After arriving at this present time, I somehow learned to turn my adversity into opportunity and found meaning in life by almighty's grace.”


Rachel Santizo 


Major/Program: Criminal Justice

School of Applied Technology and Technical Specialties 

GPA: 3.92 


Influential Faculty: Anna West 


Plans: Continuing employment with Odyssey House of Utah and using her education to create improvements within the medical, homeless and corrections settings.


Quote: “I started college with the assumption that I didn't amount to any type of educational excellence, due to my troubled past and being over the age of 40. I feel that true academic excellence is not only the grades you work hard for but also the knowledge you spread to the world. I can honestly say that I am not fully convinced of my excellence per se; however, I know I set an incredible example in my community in a pursuit of finding excellence to change the world we live in today. Throughout my addiction and homelessness, the odds of me being seen were invisible to none. Today, I celebrate almost nine years of sobriety. With that, I have incredible passion to create change in my community.”

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