Seibert and Winkler receive SCC's Academic Excellence Awards

SYLVA - Sandra Seibert of Sylva and Jessica Winkler of Webster were selected as Southwestern Community College's Academic Excellence Awards recipients for the 2000-2001 school year.

Each year, Academic Excellence Awards are given to two students from each of the 59 colleges within the North Carolina Community College System (NC CCS). Of the more than 700,000 students in the NC system, only 118 received the honor each year. Recipients are chosen based on grade point average and a written essay detailing their “community college” experience.

All recipients are invited to attend the Academic Excellence Awards Luncheon held on May 15 in Raleigh. In addition to the award recipients, members of the General Assembly and college officials will attend the luncheon.

Seibert, who is double-majoring in Computer Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology, wrote an essay entitled, “The Subtleties of Achievement.” In her essay, Seibert explains how Southwestern exceeded her expectations.

“ . . . I was behooved by the progress I was making in subject areas that had been alien to me only a short time earlier.,” wrote Seibert, who holds a 4.0 GPA. “Knowing my efforts were paying off provided a sublime satisfaction. Upon graduation from Southwestern Community College, a tremendous volume of knowledge will accompany me wherever I go. I expect to compete well in an exacting occupation . . .”

Winkler, an Electronics Engineering Technology major, wrote an essay detailing her journey in determining her career field with the help of SCC instructor Ron Poor.

“I enrolled and began classes that fall,” wrote Winkler, who has earned a 3.74 GPA. “I found the subject matter engrossing and Ron’s enthusiasm contagious. I discovered that I wanted to teach.”

The North Carolina Community College System is one of the three largest in the country. It is the primary source for job training, literacy and adult education in NC.