MCC's Best of the Best!
Top honors were doled out last night to dozens of MCC's finest during the annual Leadership Recognition Ceremony held at MCC's Lowell campus.
This year's awards night theme was "Celebrating Great Moments in Leadership," intended to make the connection between the great dedication, commitment and efforts of student leaders with those same attributes found in the highest leadership position in the country - that of President of the United States.
The event is engineered annually by the folks in Student Activities, who worked tirelessly to collect recommendations from across all walks of the college's curriculum and activities groups to highlight the top students on campus.
Special props to Rebecca Newell, Melissa Welch, Rae Perry, Jonathan Crockett, and Dean of Students Pam Flaherty, who pulled everything together for another flawless night of awards!
Here's a quick overview of the night's big winners:
The James E. Houlihan Jr. Award for Student of the Year went to Thang Thai of Lowell. This is the highest award a student can receive at MCC, in recognition of exemplary participation in MCC activities and support for the quality of student life at the college. Thai maintained a 4.0 GPA, made the Dean's List every semester, and served as the student representative to the MCC Board of Trustees. Said President Carole Cowan in presenting the award: "As an academic scholar, Thai is determined to succeed and has set his sights on incredible goals within the business field to influence economic, social and political change on a grand scale. Resiliency, humility, and perseverance are three words used to describe him."
The Dorothy O'Connell Unsung Hero Award went to Jennifer Muth of Lowell. Vice President and Provost Mary-Jane McCarthy said Buth engages in a slew of MCC programs "because they are important initiatives and she cares deeply about people and the community. She does not seek recognition or a pat on the back for all of her good deeds."
The Core Commitments Service Award went to Victor Balala of Lowell. Balala volunteers with the Minutemen Senior Services Organization in Burlington, and delivers meals and visits the elderly. In the summer, he works as a park ranger for the Lowell National Historic Park. He is also active with the African immigrant community in Lowell. He was initiated into the Phi Theta Kappa organization at MCC, and boasts a 3.96 GPA as a biotechnology major. He plans to graduate from UMass Lowell and apply to medical school.
The MCC Student Spirit Award went to Michael Doherty of Lowell. He was described by one of his professors as "the essence of school spirit and committed to MCC in every way." Dean of Students Pam Flaherty said Doherty's "spirited and supportive nature for everything MCC has to offer will be sorely missed when he graduates in a few weeks." Doherty also won the Multicultural Achievement Peer Mentor Program award.
Jay Crosby of Townsend won the MVP award. Jaime Moriconi of Tewksbury won the Student Success award.
The Student Life All-Star Award, presented to an MCC staffer who goes above and beyond to reach out to students and improve campus life went to Patrick Cook, the Executive Director of Public Affairs.
Winning outstanding Club Members of the Year were Christopher Mulenga of Lowell (African Student Association), Jon Paul O'Connor (Bowling Club), Michael J. Doherty of Lowell (International Club), Jeffrey Paulino of Lawrence (Latinos Unidos), Marlena Connors of Bedford (MAC), Sarah Odell of Billerica (Spectrum), Ian Moloney of Lexington (SUGA), Gissel Urena of Bedford (New Life Discovery Group), Lawrence McMahon of Lowell (Veterans Club), Justin Durso of Chelmsford (Business and Economics), Robert Searle of Maynard (Business and Economics), Sovanna Sor of Lowell (Dental Assisting), Tara Kirby of Nashua, N.H., (FGDA), Nick Myres of Belmont (Performing Arts), Nancy Curran of Dunstable (Nursing), Lisa Mezher of Andover (Radiography), Laura Barlow of Dracut (SADHA), and Maria Christina Gonzales of Acton (STEM). Outstanding sports team awards went to Jay Crosby of Townsend (basketball), Joshua Silberberg of Tewksbury (hockey), and Wendeckson Wanderley and Jasmin Patel, both of Lowell (soccer).
Named as this year's MCC emerging leaders were Rosie Austin of Randolph, Navil Bonilla, Jose Disla, Jefelin Faria, Jecelin Faria, Kirrsi Gonzalez, Doris Heredia, Amy Maldonado, Jeffrey Paulino, and Diana Regus, all of Lawrence, Rattha Bun, Izabela Kaczynska, Catherine Mbony, Maithao Nguyen, Kevin Oviedo, Vladimir Saldana, and Leakana Sorn, all of Lowell, Marlena Connors of Bedford, Doreen Deshler, Angela Marks, and Jennifer Martino, all of Chelmsford, Melissa Jackson of Tyngsboro, Meghan Maguire of Dracut, Ian Moloney of Lexington, Bryan O'Keefe and Kevin White of Billerica, and Danillo Sena and Misuzu Yamanaka, both of Acton.
Making it onto the list of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities were Nada Almoujahed of Burlington, Victor Balala, WIlliam Brunelle, Maithao Nguyen and Thang Thai, all of Lowell, Laura Barlow and Rupal Patel of Dracut, and Valerie Joncas of Maynard.
Winners all, as far as we're concerned! We look forward to watching their careers unfold in the years ahead!