Students Recognized in Recent Ceremony

With 42 students being recognized nationally for their work in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges ceremony, one of those students would not have been able to achieve the dream of going to college if it was not for a move to New York.

“We came from California where there is more competition with the availability of school programs. The help here is extremely welcoming,” said Kara Gilmore, a member of the entrepreneur’s club and a representative at the Viking Child Care Center for CEO in Troy. Her husband added, “Years ago she never thought she’d get back to school and study. The great State of New York has given us this opportunity.”

Hudson Valley’s Vice President of Enrollment Managment and Student Development, Dr. Alexander Popovics opened the ceremony welcoming everyone and listing the achievements of the students selected for the award. Students were nominated for off-campus volunteering at churches, schools, nursing homes, veterinary and humane societies as well as cancer and AIDS foundations.

“These students are the best of the best, of the best. We are proud of everything they have done inside and outside of the classroom,” said Hudson Valley’s President Andrew Matonak. He added the students who had shown academic excellence, leadership and community service represented one third of one percent of Hudson Valley Community College’s students.

The nominees were called up to stage one at a time by Director of Student Life, Louis Coplin and were given a certificate to recognize their achievement. “This college takes pride in your perseverance, your dedication, and spirit to excel in all you do,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs, Carolyn Curtis. “It is incumbent upon you to give something that is of value back to the community and society.”

“I didn’t expect so much from [the ceremony]. I got nominated by Mr. Coplin and I just thought it was a simple thing,” said Jacqueline Sofia, a 20 year old math and science major. “What they said made me a little teary.”

Who’s Who Among Students is a national honors program, in which college faculty nominate students based on their GPA, participation and leadership within school organization and extracurricular activities, as well as community involvement and their future leadership ability. The staff and faculty nominating committee includes Louis Coplin, director of student activities, Nancy Cupolo, department chairperson of teacher preparation, Jay Deitchman, coordinator of international student services/PDSO & director of international education, Dr. Alexander Popovics, vice president for enrollment management and student development, Thomas Reinisch, director of athletics, Dorothy Reynolds, department chairperson of fine arts, theater arts and broadcast communications, Dr. Kathleen Sweener, director of student development and Brian Vlieg, department chairperson of Individual Studies and Liberal Arts.

Sarah Popovics, a 19 year old Liberal Arts major said, “It’s great that everyone has contributed to the community. I was honored to be nominated.”