At the N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Awards banquet held April 16, 2008 in Raleigh Matt Lemmens of Franklin and Emily Stroot of Sylva represented Southwestern Community College.

“And, as examples of our best and brightest, they represented us well,” said Gene Couch, SCC vice president for instruction and student services. “But beyond the best and the brightest, this distinguished awards ceremony honors students who work to improve not only themselves, but also their communities. For this reason, too, we were so proud to have Matt and Emily represent us.”

Each of the state's 58 community colleges selected two award recipients to be recognized at the event held at the Hilton North Raleigh. Lemmens, who maintains a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average, will receive his early childhood education/teacher associate degree May 6. Stroot, who also has an impressive 4.0 GPA, will receive her associate in arts college transfer degree.

Matt Lemmens’ story

Matt Lemmens, Recipient of N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award

“The main commonality among all of us being recognized for our achievements seemed to be a sense of appreciation for the chance we have been given to learn and grow through the community college system,” said this Franklin resident. “I was struck by the shared passion for learning that was expressed in a room full of students, instructors and administrators. Each of us owes our thanks to the other for helping create a community of learning.”

Lemmens, who described himself as a “cloth lifter” at the Rabun plant, took pride and contentment in his job and the security it provided for his family.

“When they announced the plant was closing, I suddenly lost that sense of security; it felt like I was cut off at the knees,” said Lemmens, who pushed forward to “navigate through the fog of uncertainty.”

“I always knew I was capable of more than lifting heavy objects, but when you build your life on the ability to provide a safe and secure environment for your family, pursuing higher education and personal goals can feel like unrealistic indulgences.”

He pushed through the fog and into the unknown at Southwestern where he pursued a degree in early childhood education. “I believe the middle school age is a vital period in a person's development. If I can be a part of the experience of these young people and help them turn the corner toward their own personal fulfillment, then my aspirations will be complete,” said Lemmens, who plans to attain his teaching accreditation.

“Matt is authentic, sincere and unassuming. I am sure that he does not realize how inspirational he is to other students and to the faculty who taught him,” said Linda Aiken, SCC early childhood associate instructor. “His constant quest for knowledge, paired with his dedication to use this knowledge to achieve his highest potential, inspired me to be an even better teacher.”

Lemmens still remembers one of the first classes he took- English 111 at the Macon Annex. “There were 15 of us in the class,” he recalled. “Among us were several like me- factory workers looking to take an opportunity to fulfill our true potential. There were also young people, not old enough to have seen the fall of the Berlin Wall. Still others were experienced enough to have been alive for its creation. Somehow this group found a balance in our diversity that created more than a class, but a community.”

Lemmens said there was “a joy and value in our lessons that transcended the necessity of the class. It was here that I discovered just how valuable and unifying a classroom experience could be.

“That was my introduction to the SCC community. But since then I have taken 25 courses at SCC and I have been met by instructors who are experienced, knowledgeable and qualified. However, the distinct quality that makes the instructors at SCC of particular value is their passion and their dedication to the value of the lesson beyond the grade.
“They equaled my desire to expand knowledge for the sake of wisdom. They presented me with a value of education that goes beyond the community of learners at SCC and extends to our ability to operate in the community at large. By allowing education to be the rising tide that carries all who participate to a level beyond their assumed potential, a community is created that is wiser and stronger as a result. I am proud to be a part of that process.”

Emily Stroot’s story

Stroot’s story is as different from Lemmens as night and day. A much younger student, Stroot’s family always valued education and she went to college on a ‘full ride.”

Emily Stroot , Recipient of N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award

However, the 22-year-old said after her first semester she realized that she had a call “to something more profound than my path at that time could offer.”

In the spring of 2005, when she was just 19, Stroot made what she calls “the biggest decision in my life.” She entered a religious convent.

“My years in the convent were fulfilling and provided me with time to reflect on life. After two years, I found that God was calling me to do something great, but in another place,” said Stroot, who lives on Macktown Road in Sylva.

“I have always felt that everything happens for a reason. I learned so much as a sister, but the time came for me to continue my learning in another atmosphere and so I came to SCC,” she said.

“Although many things have impacted my outlook on life, I feel that my most notable experience since the convent was my biology class this past fall with SCC instructor Eddie Lunsford. He completely transformed the way I thought about learning. His class was incredibly mind-changing. His technique and personality was fun, rejuvenating and magnetically captivating.”

At first she was scared to take the course because she hadn’t done too well in high school biology. But Lunsford completely dispelled all her fears, she said, and made her want to learn and understand things “like never before.”

Lunsford altered her whole outlook on school, she related. “My main goal has always been to get good grades. But he encouraged me to ask questions and inspired me to acquire knowledge, not just for the test, but for my own edification. In the end it is not going to matter what grades you got, but how much you learned. It is phenomenal to me that I now view my studies this way; school is so much more meaningful.”

Lunsford influenced her so profoundly that Stroot changed her career goals. “After observing him, I realized that the more passion you have for your subject, the better teacher you will be. I love math and science and started pondering the idea of following in Mr. Lunsford’s footsteps. Because of him, I now want to teach math to seventh or eighth graders.”

“Emily is one impressive young lady,” said Cheryl Contino-Conner, SCC director of student support services. “Wise well beyond her years, she carries a maturity with her that is often times very hard to find in young adults. A true positive spirit, she offers up service and support to all those who are fortunate enough to cross her path.”

“We think something very special happens in our classrooms, laboratories and student support services across our Southwestern campuses,”said Couch. “It starts with the excellence of our highly-qualified instructors but it goes beyond that- it’s the care and support they give their students. Our instructors are genuinely concerned with students’success in reaching their educational goals. We are so proud that Matt and Emily, who both say they owe their academic success to the encouragement and dedication of these instructors, are following in their educational footsteps. I am so confident they will both make inspiring and community-minded teachers.”

###