The 2nd Annual Student Recognition Ceremony was held April 26 in the Randolph County Development Center. The purpose of the event, according to BRTC President Dr. Wayne Hatcher, is to recognize BRTC students, faculty and staff who have achieved beyond that which is normally expected—with students being the focus. “The primary purpose is for the BRTC family to gather and celebrate the achievements of the students,” Hatcher explained, “ because of the part you [faculty/staff] played in their lives”
Thomas Fielder, Fine Arts Instructor on the Paragould Campus, served as Master of Ceremonies, giving the opening remarks and introducing the presenters.
Awards presented to students were Technical and Gen Ed Department Awards, Top 15 Student Awards, Online Student Award, Career Pathways Award, Student Organization Awards, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Kelly Grooms was chosen by Dr. Hatcher to receive the President’s Award of Excellence for Excellence in Leadership. The award read as follows: “Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible.”
For the PLC Students’ Choice Awards, students selected one faculty and one staff from each of the campuses. Receiving the award from the Pocahontas campus were Sissy Gray, instructor, and Dana Clay, staff member. From the Paragould campus was Daniel Lee, instructor, and Cyndi Rudi, staff member. These individuals were selected because students felt “they helped them in a special way towards the accomplishment of their academic and professional goals.”
Teresa Shepherd and Lee Smith each received the President’s Award of Distinction, while Lisa Inman, Elizabeth Collins, and Laddie Hunter received awards for Enhancing Student Engagement/Outstanding Student Activity. All of these recipients were selected by Dr. Hatcher.
Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) awards were also announced. Staff Award – Trent Ingram; Faculty Award – Laddie Hunter; and Academic All-Star – Jamie Weeks of Walnut Ridge. The Academic All-Star Award provides Weeks with free tuition to any Arkansas four-year college where she chooses to complete her Bachelor’s degree.