Jimmy Smith Jr. and Karla Stephanie Rodriguez receive Student of the Year awards
Rep. Leonard Bembry honored as “Friend to the College”
North Florida Community College’s brightest students were honored during the college’s Honors Convocation ceremony in April. Students from various academic areas and student organizations received recognition for outstanding achievement and character during the 2010-2011 academic year. NFCC faculty and staff announced each award recipient as NFCC President John Grosskopf and Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Erle presented the awards.
Jimmy Smith, Jr. of Madison and Karla Stephanie Rodriguez of Live Oak both received NFCC’s prestigious “Student of the Year” award. Smith serves as the Student Government Association (SGA) President and is also as a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. Rodriguez is Vice President of SGA, President of PTK, and a member of the NFCC Brain Bowl Team. NFCC Director of Student Services Kim Halfhill announced the awards and shared insight into why these two outstanding students were selected as Student of the Year.
“At the beginning of the fall semester we launched many new student events and initiatives,” said Halfhill. “I could always depend on one person to enthusiastically participate, but more importantly to bring others along with him. He [Jimmy Smith Jr] is a model Sentinel for his peers and is respected by the College’s faculty, staff, and administrators for his maturity and commitment.”
Madison County residents receiving awards at NFCC’s Honors Convocation are, left to right, Jacob Connell, Selena Phillips, Leona Murfin, Jimmy Smith Jr., Steven Godfrey, Andrew Tillman and Caleb Tuten. Not pictured are Thomas Cheek, Alfa Hunt, Lauren Maultsby, Arielle Prevot, Taylor Rykard and Kayla Sapp.
Halfhill described Rodriguez as charismatic, articulate, and enthusiastic. “These qualities combined with a true compassion for her peers and a heart for service make her an integral part of our student body,” said Halfhill. “Through her roles as Vice President of SGA, President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a member of the Brain Bowl Team, she has promoted the importance of involvement in campus life.”
In addition to recognizing outstanding students, NFCC also named its 2010-2011 “Friend to the College.” Representative Leonard L. Bembry was recognized for his continuous support of education and NFCC. Rep. Bembry is a Greenville resident and NFCC alumnus who serves District 10 in the Florida House of Representatives. “Representative Bembry knows that this college and the communities we serve are worth fighting for, and he has not been afraid to do so,” said Grosskopf.
NFCC’s Honors Convocation ceremony is held annually in April to recognize outstanding students and celebrate student achievement prior to NFCC’s Spring Term commencement ceremony in May.
