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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


Amie Schaeffer 


Major/Program: Journalism and Digital Media 

School of Arts, Communication and Media 

GPA: 3.80 


Influential Faculty: Matt Merkel, Marcie Young Cancio and Alison Ardnt-Wild 


Plans: Taking another theatre course to “round out my skill set” and focusing on radio and podcasting.


Quote: “Professor Matt Merkel encouraged me to apply for a position at The Globe in fall 2019, and I have been editor-in-chief since spring 2020. I feel fortunate for the ongoing support from this department, especially with the uncertainty of the last year. When campuses closed for in-person classes, I was unsure of The Globe's fate. I felt strongly the paper was needed as a student resource. The pandemic was costing jobs, did students know about the Bruin Pantry? Did they know about the counseling services? Our role of communicating important SLCC information became vitally important. Also just as important, was reminding students they were still part of the Bruin community. My position with the paper has afforded me great opportunity and it is a role I will always keep close to my heart.”


Lindsay Simons 


Major/Program: General Studies 

GPA: 4.00 


Influential Faculty:  Elisa Stone, Andrea Malouf, Chris Blankenship, Craig Ferrin, Will Green, Linda Jemmett


Plans: Transfering to the University of Utah or Brigham Young University and completing a physician’s assistant program.


Quote: “If you told me in 2006, when I first started at SLCC, that I would eventually get a 4.0 grade point average and actually graduate, I would have thought you were crazy! Yet here I am, 15 years later, and I did it! My journey has been untraditional to say the least, but it has been incredible. I was scared to come back to college, but I was welcomed so warmly. My professors taught me how to love and respect myself, they showed me I was smart and worthy of the hard work it took to get through classes. This was an incredible experience that I will never forget.”


Brock Smith


Major/Program: Social Work 

School of Humanities and Social Sciences 

GPA: 4.00 


Influential Faculty: Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II, Dr. Juone L. Kadiri, Stephen Neiner, Juanita Bushman, Mary Keinz, Shayne Vargo, Terrianne Webster, Rachel Lawyer, Dr. Bradley Kramer


Plans: Transferring to the University of Utah, earning PhD and developing a substance abuse program to help those suffering from addiction.


Quote: “I now know that ‘good’ is not ‘good enough’ if I can do better. I have put in the work to help my fellow students make a difference in a nation that severely needs it. By putting our interests aside and working together, we can make a better sociopolitical tomorrow, for both our lives and the coming future generations. The field of social work has provided me with a purpose beyond measure. That purpose is no longer just ideological but achievable as I take action to impact the underserved people of our community outside of class. I have accomplished these things while overcoming extremely harsh living conditions and behaviors by which the statistics for success are stacked against me. My message is if I can do it anyone can, all you need is an academic aspiration and a supportive educational institution like SLCC.”

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