Thursday, February 20, 2014

Four receive All-Arizona academic scholarships

From left: Federica Interrante, Krista Lawless, President
Linda Lujan, Linzey Leinart and Joe Schiavo.
At its 19th Annual All-Arizona Academic Awards Luncheon yesterday, the Phi Theta Kappa organization honored 73 academic all-stars from Arizona Community Colleges including four from Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

To be eligible for the award, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working toward an associate's degree, demonstrate leadership, and interact with their community as a college ambassador. Students selected as Academic All-Stars in their state are also eligible to be chosen as a national scholar, which includes a feature in the USA Today each spring and eligibility for additional scholarships.

FIRST TEAM
Lisette Borja - Estrella Mountain Community College
Shawnie Cahuya - Rio Salado College
Cristian Castro - South Mountain Community College
Michelle Kemeny - Mesa Community College
Sona Malakyan - Gateway Community College
Heather Smyth - Mesa Community College
Kibreab Solomon - Phoenix College
Rebecca Velez - Glendale Community College

SECOND TEAM
Roberta Albinda - Rio Salado College
Sarah Hernandez - Phoenix College
Federica Interrante - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Linzey Leinart - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Megan Oleno - Paradise Valley Community College
Jeremy Russeau - South Mountain Community College
Joe Schiavo - Chandler-Gilbert Community College

THIRD TEAM
Nathan Barba - Estrella Mountain Community College
Bryeanna Kelley - Glendale Community College
Krista Lawless - Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Cristian Martinez - Glendale Community College
Ryan McConnaughy - Mesa Community College
Mykaela McFall - Glendale Community College
Zachary Mihalevich - Paradise Valley Community College
Krystal Moody - Scottsdale Community College
Lindsay Tabit - Gateway Community College
Cortni Yorba-Moore - Mesa Community College
Loren Zillman - Scottsdale Community College

About Phi Theta Kappa
The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage
scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose,
Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of
leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of
ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for
stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. For more
information, visit www.ptk.org.

Six key findings about going to college

A new Pew Research Center report on higher education contains a number of findings about the rising value of a college degree (as well as the rising cost of not going to college). College-educated millennials are outperforming their less-educated peers on virtually every economic measure, and the gap between the two groups has only grown over time. Here are six key findings that provide a compelling answer to the question: Is going to college worth it?
(excerpted from Pew Research Center's Fact-Tank, news in the numbers)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Scholarship event raises more than $34,000


Guests to Champagne, Chocolate and all that Jazz
bid on more than 50 baskets, raising $11,000.
Sponsors and guests helped Chandler-Gilbert Community College raise more than $34,000 for student scholarships at the fourth annual Champagne, Chocolate and all that Jazz event on Friday, Feb. 7. More than 250 guests enjoyed champagne and both savory and sweet tastings from local restaurants including Brio Tuscan Grille, Florodino Pizza and Pasta, Kona Grill, Paradise Bakery & CafĂ©, Robert’s Catering, Salerno’s Catering, Schnepf Farms and The Groves Bar & Grill.

CGCC President Linda Lujan recognizes the four
scholarship recipients at the event.
College employees and community donations provided more than 50 baskets for the silent auction, which raised $11,000. From sports suites to handmade guitars, there was something for everyone to bid on.

The evening’s program, which was emceed by Wally Delecki and Erich Weber ’13, recognized four scholarship recipients who were introduced on stage and shared their personal stories while mingling with guests.  Faculty musicians Ted Goddard, Josh Gottry, Ken Hales and Randy Wright provided the evening’s entertainment.

Local restaurants provided savory and sweet samplings
from their menus.
Sponsors of the event also contributed greatly to its success. Walmart was the lead (Jazz) sponsor with Dignity Health, Orbital and Wells Fargo at the next (Champagne) level. Grainger, International Minute Press of Gilbert and New Adventures in Learning fell into the Chocolate category. Instrumental sponsors included Air Products, Caliente Construction, Chandler Education Foundation, Circle G Companies, di Sciacca, The DC, Doug Bullock, East Valley Partnership, Follett, Higley Unified School District, Linda Lujan, Maria Wise, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Professional Staff Association of Maricopa County Community College District, Queen Creek Olive Mill, Southwest Airlines, Sundt, Thorobred Chevrolet of Chandler, TrustBank and W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU.

Faculty musicians provided the evening's entertainment.

CGCC baseball player Peterson named Player of the Week

Chandler-Gilbert Community College baseball player Jordan Peterson was selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association as Division II Player of the Week for Jan. 31-Feb. 9.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Student leaders report to governing board on highlights of an active year

CGCC students, including members of the Hands Enriching
Life Program, joined with employees to serve Thanksgiving
 dinner at the Boys & Girls Club in Chandler.
Several Chandler-Gilbert Community College student leaders from the Hands Enriching Life Program (HELP) told the governing board about a fall semester filled with activities at their Jan. 28 meeting. Julie Nguyen, Wendy Suarez and Whitney Vazzini shared that they had educated fellow students about the existence of hunger in their community and, among other activities, served a Thanksgiving dinner to people who otherwise would have had less to eat. They also participated in construction of a house in Phoenix while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.