A Night of Awards for OCC Students

The Awards Ceremony for the 44th Commencement at Ocean County College was an evening filled with top honors for graduates.

Check out our gallery for the evening, along with a complete list of the awardees:

Career, Employment and Counseling Services Award – Bonnie S. Richmond –Donated by the Career, Employment and Counseling Services Department, $100 is awarded to a graduating student who diligently worked on his or her career, academic and life goals.

Charles J. Abeles Memorial Award – Kaely A. Prior – $100 to a student demonstrating outstanding aptitude in languages, literature, or philosophy.

John Morrison Memorial Scholarship – Rachel L. Gill – $200 to a graduating student who has been an active participant in the Speech and Theatre Club and/or OCC’s Performing Arts programs and is transferring to a four-year institution.

Judith A. Laurie Memorial Award – Nicole M. Mulvaney – Donated by Judith A. Laurie’s sister, Joan Herder, $200 to a student demonstrating excellence in the pursuit of the Spanish language.

Dr. Mary Jean McGivern Memorial Award – Ikechukwu E. Okeke – $100 to a graduating student for outstanding study in the field of biology.

Chemistry Club Scholarship – Nicole A. Lloyd and Ikechukwu E. Okeke– $100 each to active members of the Chemistry Club, a student affiliate of The American Chemical Society, for recognition as invaluable members who demonstrate qualities of teamwork and leadership while maintaining good academic standing.

The American Chemical Society Award – Janet A. Duncan, Nicole A. Lloyd, Ikechukwu E. Okeke, Anna A. Szczekutowicz and Timothy P. Tennis – $150 each awarded to student affiliates of the American Chemical Society who have demonstrated academic excellence and are currently enrolled in Organic Chemistry II. Students will be pursuing a degree in chemistry or a related field.

Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Award – Kelli Hyslop – Awarded by the Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa Alumni of OCC, $200 to a member of PTK who has made significant contributions to the programs and activities sponsored by PTK’s Tau Iota Chapter.

Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity Award – Corrine A. Anderson, Gregory V. Callanan, Jose D. Arroyo, Matthew R. Solomon and Nicole A. Stella – $200 each to students who best exemplify the ideals of PTK, made significant contributions to the Tau Iota Chapter and promote intellectual and cultural growth.

Phi Theta Kappa Longevity Award – Melissa M. Dickens – Sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. William Rickert, $200 to a student who has made a significant contribution to the activities of PTK’s Tau Iota Chapter with participation during two or more academic years.  The recipients must exemplify the ideals of PTK as set forth in the four hallmarks of leadership, scholarship, service and fellowship.

The Dr. Albert Socol Memorial Scholarship Award – Anna A. Szczekutowicz, Justin W. Allen and Melissa V. Cimer – $600 total to outstanding students in mathematics.

Associated Students of Ocean County College Awards – Corinne A. Anderson, Allison A. Baricko, Michelle A. Callas, Joseph G. Gonzalez, Sydney A. Newland, William F. Pivetz, Kaely A. Prior, Francis E. Toriello, Isadore Wisse and Trevor Woolley – Donated by Student Life, student government, in memory of Thomas J. Brady, $200 each to graduating students displaying consistently strong records of involvement in the co‑curricular program.

Who’s Who Among Students at OCC – 29 recipients – $100 each to graduating students nominated for Who’s Who Among Students at OCC in 2011 making significant contributions to OCC regarding scholarship and leadership.

The Commencement Speaker Award – Matthew R. Solomon – Donated by Student Life, $200 each is awarded to the student Commencement speaker.

James Inman Award – Allison A. Baricko, Lysette M. Reid, Michael C. Stout and Anna A.

Szczekutowicz – $250 to students demonstrating outstanding qualities of schol­arship, loyalty, citizenship and contribution to extra-curricular activities.

Dr. Judith Icklan Memorial Award – Diane N. Mattia – Donated by the Ocean County Community Education Advisory Council in honor of Dr. Icklan, a long time member and supporter of the organization, $250 awarded to an outstanding student.

Community Services Inc. of Ocean County Award  – Krystal J. Johnson – In honor of Virginia and Jack Lamping, $250 to a graduating student interested in pursuing a career in public affairs, policy or government.

Virginia & Jack Lamping Memorial Award – Leanna P. Soden – $250 to a graduating student interested in pursuing a career in public affairs, policy, government or the arts.

Computer Science Award – Vincent M. Gonzalez – Donated by the Computer Science Department, $275 to a graduating student in the Computer Science Program.

Clayton Sterling Award – Raymond J. Brophy – $200 to the student demonstrating greatest aptitude in real estate.

Laverne Weigold Memorial Scholarship – Diane N. Mattia – $500 to an outstanding student demonstrating scholarship abilities and an interest in English or the humanities.

Cornelia Wismer Memorial Award for Criminal Justice – Mitchell L. Remig – Donated by Cornelia Wismer’s  family, $300 to an outstanding graduating student completing at least 64 OCC credits, with a 3.0 GPA or better, in the field of criminal justice.

Patrick Carroll Award – Daniel J. Wroblewski – $400 and plaque to a male student who has excelled academically; whose influence has been most constructive in the field of athletics; and who has exhibited satisfactory scholarship, sound citizenship, and loyalty to the college.

The Julie Foukarakis Memorial Award – Lysette M. Reid – $400 and a plaque to a female athlete who has excelled academically; whose influence has been most constructive in the field of athletics; and who has exhibited scholarship, sound citizenship, and loyalty to the college.

The Viking Spirit Scholarship – Monica L. Zabroski – $300 to a graduating EOF student who exemplifies leadership, service and character.

The Labpaq Chemistry Award – Samuel Y. Safren – $500 awarded to a student for excellence in distance learning chemistry studies.

Dr. Marshall R. Boggio Award – Kyle C. Rauth – $500 to a student in an engineering or engineering technology program.  The recipient should be a “non-traditional” student who represents the ideals of continuous lifelong learning.

Ciba Geigy Award – Alexis M. Cruz – Donated by CIBA Geigy, $500 to a graduating student majoring in one of the sciences.

Faculty Association of Ocean County College Award – Corinne A. Anderson, Kelli Hyslop and Nicole A. Stella – Donated by the Faculty Association of OCC, $400 each to outstanding students transferring to four-year institutions.

FAOCC William Kanouse Memorial Scholarship – Anthony Melillo – In honor of former FAOCC President Bill Kanouse and donated by the Faculty Association of OCC, $600 to an outstanding student transferring to a four-year institution.

NJ Alpha Delta Kappa Lambda Chapter Award – Tonilyn M. Mattia – $750 to a female student continuing her education at a four-year institution in the field of education.

Andrew T. Baran Scholarship – Joseph G. Gonzalez – $750 to a graduating student who enrolls in a four-year college in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Sheldon Linz Memorial Award – Leslie Wood – Donated by the family of Jennifer Linz Cooper, $500 to an outstanding photography student.

Ocean County Probation Officers Association Scholarship – Mark J. Austin – $500 to a graduate of the criminal justice program pursuing a four-year degree in criminal justice.

Carleen Sterling Orsi Memorial Scholarship – Anna A. Szczekutowicz – $500 to a graduate transferring to a four-year college or university. (Renewable for the second year.  Renewal: Martha Molinini.)

Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission Art Award – Leanna P. Soden – Donated by the Ocean County Cultural & Historical Commission, certificate and $500 to an outstanding student in the field of art.

Pauline S. Miller History Award – Matthew R. Solomon – Donated by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, certificate and $500 to an outstanding student in the field of history.

Organization for Black Unity:The Nelson Mandella Freedom Award – George M. Lindsey –

$700 awarded to a graduating student actively involved in OBU.

Soroptimist Club of Toms River Award – Nicole A. Stella – $500 to a graduating  female student continuing her education at a four-year college.

Donald W. Smith Scholarship – Mandeep R. Desai and Matthew J. Riley – $500 each to graduating students pursuing education in civil engineering, surveying, planning, landscape design, and/or environmental services.

Ocean County Society of Professional Engineers Award – Dennis Jenzer and Yosef Portnoy – $500 each to students for outstanding achievement in engineering.

Michael D. Vena Memorial MUAA Scholarship Award – Katelyn A. Smithbauer and Monica L. Zabroski – Donated by the Municipal Utilities Authorities Association of Ocean County, $1,000 each to two graduates transferring to a four-year college or university and majoring in environmental sciences or directly related fields.

The Paul Family Scholarship – Heather Kuhmichel – In memory of Joyce Previte, $525 to a student who demonstrates aptitude in the study of nursing with intent to pursue a career in nursing.

Foundation Computer Science Award – Bonnie S. Richmond – Donated by an anonymous donor, $1,000 is awarded to an outstanding graduating female student in the field of computer science.

Support Staff Association of OCC Award – Elisa M. Jacob, Lindsay M. Rassman and Trevor Woolley – Donated by the Support Staff Association, $500 each to graduating students who have been in the college work-study program.

Robert J. Novins Scholarship for Continued Study – Isadore Wisse – $1,000 to a graduating student continuing on to a four-year institution, majoring in political science and government studies with a 3.0 GPA or better.

Toms River Township Police Foundation Scholarship – Chad T. Anthony and Ashley E. Lefevre – $1,000 each to two graduating students who are continuing on to a four-year institution and majoring in law enforcement.

Dollie and Harry David Sussna Scholarship – Matthew R. Solomon and Nicole A. Stella – Donated by Dollie and Harry David Sussna, $1,500 each to two outstanding students transferring to a four-year institution.  Renewal: Charis Chambers and Kevin Rutz– $2,000 upon re-enrollment at a four-year institution.

William T. Hiering Scholarship – Matthew John Brandsema – $2,000 awarded to an outstanding student who has completed 64 credits at Ocean County College and maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

Ocean County College Board of Trustees Award – Melissa M. Dickens, Anthony Melillo and

Raymond Micallef – Donated by the OCC Board of Trustees, $1,000 each to three graduating students who have achieved outstanding academic performance at OCC and who will continue their education in the Kean Ocean program.