PVCC’s Awards Convocation
Olivia Stevens, staff writer
On Thursday, April 20, 2017, in the Dickinson theatre, the rows of seats were filled with award recipients and their families. On the stage, seats were filled with faculty members who had nominated students for awards. The students, dressed in their best clothes, were excited and nervous about the awards they would receive. To begin the ceremony, President Frank Friedman went up to the podium and welcomed everyone in the audience and congratulated the students who had won their respective awards and scholarships.
The receiving students had smiles on their faces and appeared ecstatic to be honored for all the work they had done for Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) and for their courses.
One by one, students were called and to the stage to receive their awards and students shook hands with the faculty member that nominated them and then shook Dr. Friedman’s hand. Some students gave the faculty member a warm hug; Abbi Traaseth and Steve McNerney did an elaborate handshake. Many students received multiple awards, and each time they came back on stage, their smile became larger and there was more vigor in their stride.
Assistant Professor of Political Science Connie Jorgensen walked to the podium and began to give her speech; the audience listened attentively as she advised students. She reminded the audience of the things they learned in kindergarten, because those are lessons everyone still remembered and carried with them throughout life.
During her speech, Jorgensen shared things from the work: All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten: “When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”
Brandi Rey, who received awards for her work in the French club, the Student Government Association, and for her academic work in French, said, “It is an honor to be in the presence of the best of the best of PVCC. I’m so thankful to the faculty and staff here that push me to exceed my own expectations. For the first time in my life, I am confident that I am on the right track.”
Many students were grateful for the awards that they received. Skye Scott, who also received multiple awards including the awards for The Forum, dance club, and Who’s Who award, said, “I’d like to thank Dr. Whyte for nominating me because she nominated me for the Who’s Who award and also for the newspaper award. And also Michelle Cooper who is the Dance Club faculty advisor.”
Wadah Al Mulhim, who won the award for Student Government Association and received the highest award at PVCC, the Distinguished Student Award, said, “PVCC is filled with outstanding and overachieving students. The award ceremony has shown the community what PVCC students are capable of. Receiving the distinguished student award encouraged me to work harder and give back to the community.”
