Student Awards Night At OCC

As reported by RoseAnn D'Urso, Ocean County College Public Relations staff:

Ocean County College presented awards to outstanding students at its 45th Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 23, in the Arts and Community Center, OCC Main Campus, College Drive, Toms River, NJ.

The awards recipients are:

Career, Employment & Counseling Services Award (Donated by the Career, Employment & Counseling Services Department): $200 is awarded to a graduating student who diligently worked on their career, academic, and life goals.  Recipient: Katlyn P. Heid (Toms River)

Charles J. Abeles Memorial Award: $100 is awarded to a student demonstrating outstanding aptitude in Languages, Literature, or Philosophy.  Recipient: Rebecca M. Roberts (Lanoka Harbor)

John Morrison Memorial Scholarship Award (Donated by Dr. Beth Brierley): $200 awarded to a graduating student transferring to a four-year institution who has been an active participant of the Speech and Theatre Club and/or participated in OCC’s Performing Arts programs.  Recipient: Danielle Wittman (Brick)

Judith A. Laurie Memorial Award for excellence in Spanish (Donated by Judith Laurie’s sister, Joan Herder): $200 is awarded to a student demonstrating excellence in the pursuit of the Spanish language.  Recipient: Arianne M. Cruz (Manchester)

Dr. Mary Jean McGivern Memorial Award: $100 awarded to a graduating student for outstanding study in the field of Biology.  Recipient: Van H. Pham (Jackson)

Janet G. and Thomas H. Brown Memorial Science Award (Donated by Dr. Jim Brown, in honor of his parents who inspired their sons and an entire generation of Cub Scouts from Pack 14 in Beachwood to enjoy learning about science and nature): $200 awarded to a graduating student transferring to a four-year college or university.  Recipient: Gregory T. Lightner (Howell)

The Heather Muser Phi Theta Kappa Memorial Scholarship: $200 is awarded by the Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa of Ocean County College in memory of Heather Muser, past officer of the Tau Iota chapter, to a member of Phi Theta Kappa who has made significant contributions to the programs and activities of the chapter.  Recipient: Edward Day (Lakewood)

Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Award: $200 is awarded by the Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa of Ocean County College to a member of Phi Theta Kappa who has made significant contributions to the programs and activities sponsored by Tau Iota chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  Recipient: Nicole DePasquale (Beachwood)

Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity Award: $1,100 total is awarded to students who best exemplify the ideals of the Phi Theta Kappa fraternity, making significant contributions to the work of the Tau Iota chapter, promoting intellectual and cultural growth.  Recipients: Jaclyn Caffrey (Jackson), Edward Day (Lakewood), Nicole DePasquale (Beachwood), Katelyn Iveson (Barnegat), Matthew Meyer (Brick), Lauren Staub (Point Pleasant), Nick Vargovic (Beachwood), and Ariel Velicky (Forked River)

Phi Theta Kappa Longevity Award (Sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. William Rickert): $200 is awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to the activities of Tau Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa for at least two academic years. The recipient must exemplify the ideals of Phi Theta Kappa as set forth in the four hallmarks, namely: Leadership, Scholarship, Service and Fellowship.  Recipient: Jaclyn Caffrey (Jackson)

The Dr. Albert Socol Memorial Scholarship Award: $600 total awarded to outstanding students in Mathematics.  Recipients: Rebecca M. Roberts (Lanoka Harbor) and Kaitlyn Scrudato (Manchester)

Associated Students of Ocean County College Awards in memory of Thomas J. Brady (Donated by Student Life): The Student Government presents $200 each to graduating students displaying consistently strong records of involvement in the co-curricular program.  Recipients: Marissa S. Colagrosso (Toms River), Nicole DePasquale (Beachwood), Shelby Griffiths (Cedar Run), Katelyn Iveson (Barnegat), Rachel Meagher (Toms River), and Danielle Wittman (Brick)

The Commencement Speaker Award (Donated by Student Life) $200 is awarded to the Student Commencement Speaker.  Recipient: Joseph Hathaway, Jr. (Barnegat)

Who’s Who Among Students at Ocean County College: $100 each is awarded to graduating students nominated in 2012 making significant contributions to Ocean County College regarding scholarship and leadership.  Recipients: Christian Alexander (Point Pleasant Bearch), Erin Andrews (Toms River), Nicholas Brow (Brick), Jaclyn Caffrey (Jackson), Jillian Cantor (Toms River), Alexander Daudier (Brick), Edward Day (Lakewood), Nicole DePasquale (Beachwood), Brittany Desch (Brick), James DiPiazza (Bayville), Mary Kate Geisinger (Lanoka Harbor), Chelsea Griffin (Toms River), Shelby Griffiths (Cedar Run), Nicole Haines (Jackson), Joseph Hathaway, Jr. (Barnegat), Frank Kellogg (Little Egg Harbor), Melissa Meagher (Toms River), Rachel Meagher (Toms River), Lauren Morone (Brick), Michael Palmerson (Toms River), Kimberly Rutledge (Toms River), Kaitlyn Scrudato (Manchester), Joanna Simonovich (Brick), Rosanna Sotomayor (Lakewood), Craig Stalowski (Bayville), Lauren Staub (Point Pleasant), Rebecca Tray (Brick), Nick Vargovic (Beachwood), Ariel Velicky (Forked River), Lynn Wells (Jackson), and Danielle Wittman (Brick)

James Inman Award: $250 each is awarded to students demonstrating outstanding qualities of scholarship, loyalty, citizenship, and contribution to extra-curricular activities.  Recipient: Edward Day (Lakewood), Brittany Desch (Brick), Neal McHale (Brick), and Kimberly Rutledge (Toms River)

Community Services Inc. of Ocean County Award (in honor of Virginia & Jack Lamping): $250 awarded to a graduating student interested in pursuing a career in Public Affairs, Policy, or Government.  Recipient: Melissa M. Meyer (Toms River)

Virginia & Jack Lamping Memorial Award: $250 awarded to a graduating student interested in pursuing a career in Public Affairs, Policy, Government, or the Arts.  Recipient: Kimberly Rutledge (Toms River)

Clayton Sterling Award: $200 awarded to the student demonstrating greatest aptitude in Real Estate.  Recipient: Mei Lin (Toms River)

Computer Science Award (Donated by the Computer Science Department): $300 is presented to a graduating student in the Computer Science Program.  Recipient: Joseph G. Pelkey (Toms River)

Laverne Weigold Memorial Scholarship: $500 awarded to an outstanding student demonstrating scholarship abilities and an interest in the area of English or the Humanities.  Recipient: Ariel Velicky (Forked River)

Cornelia Wismer Memorial Award for Criminal Justice (Donated by her Family): $300 is awarded to an outstanding graduating student completing at least 64 OCC credits, with a 3.0 GPA or better, in the field of Criminal Justice.  Recipient: Gabriel N. Madigan (Brick)

Patrick Carroll Award: $400 and a plaque are awarded to a male student who has excelled academically, whose influence has been most constructive in the field of Athletics, and has exhibited satisfactory scholarship, sound citizenship, and loyalty to the college.  Recipient: Nick Vargovic (Beachwood)

Julie Foukarakis Memorial Award: $400 and a plaque is awarded to a female student who has excelled academically, whose influence has been most constructive in the field of Athletics, and has exhibited satisfactory scholarship, sound citizenship, and loyalty to the college.  Recipient: Elizabeth M. Lawler (Forked River)

The Viking Spirit Scholarship: $300 each awarded to graduating EOF students who exemplify leadership, service, and character.  Recipients: Prashit M. Desai (Brick) and Janie L. Foley (Toms River)

The ITC Scholarship Award: $400 awarded to a student for excellence in one of the Sciences.  Recipient: Melissa Meagher (Toms River)

Ciba-Geigy Award (Donated by Ciba-Geigy): $300 is awarded to a graduating student majoring in one of the Sciences.  Recipient: Catherine E. Marino (Jackson)

Faculty Association of Ocean County College Award (Donated by the Faculty Association of OCC): $500 each is awarded to outstanding students transferring to four-year institutions.  Recipients: Jaclyn Caffrey (Jackson), Nicole DePasquale (Beachwood), and Lauren L. Morone (Brick)

FAOCC William Kanouse Memorial Scholarship in honor of past FAOCC President, Bill Kanouse (Donated by the Faculty Association of OCC): $600 is awarded to an outstanding student transferring to a four-year institution.  Recipient: Edward Day (Lakewood)

New Jersey Alpha Delta Kappa Lambda Chapter Award: $750 is awarded to a female student from Ocean County College continuing her education at a four-year institution in the field of Education.  Recipient: Ariel Velicky (Forked River)

The American Chemical Society Award: $750 awarded to a Student Affiliate of the American Chemical Society who has demonstrated academic excellence and currently enrolled in Organic Chemistry II.  Student will be pursuing a degree in Chemistry or a related field.  Recipient: Melissa Meagher (Toms River)

Andrew T. Baran Scholarship: $750 is awarded to a graduating student who becomes enrolled in a four-year college pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Recipient: Christopher M. Scheper (Brick)

Ocean County Probation Officers Association Scholarship (Donated by the Ocean County Probation Officers Association): $500 is awarded to a graduate of the Criminal Justice program pursuing a four-year degree in Criminal Justice.  Recipient: Jaclyn M. Simonson (Point Pleasant Beach)

Carleen Sterling Orsi Memorial Award: $500 is awarded to a graduate transferring to a four-year college or university. (Renewable for the second year)  RECIPIENT: Elizabeth M. Lawler (Forked River) RENEWAL: Anna A. Szczekutowicz (Toms River)

Sheldon Linz Memorial Award (Donated by the family of Jennifer Linz Cooper): $500 is awarded to an outstanding Photography student.  Recipient: Shawn B. Smith (Toms River)

Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission Art Award (Donated by the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission):  $500 and certificate are awarded to an outstanding student in the field of Art.  Recipient: Lauren L. Morone (Brick)

Pauline S. Miller Award (Donated by the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission): $500 and certificate are awarded to an outstanding student in the field of History.  Recipient: Lauren Staub (Point Pleasant)

Organization for Black Unity – The Nelson Mandela Freedom Award: $500 awarded to a graduating student actively involved in OBU.  Recipient: Amanda Mason (Toms River)

Soroptimist Club of Toms River Award: $500 awarded to a graduating female student continuing her education at a four-year college.  Recipient: Victoria Wells (Jackson)

Dr. Marshall R. Boggio Award: $500 awarded 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.  Recipient: Daniel Septon (Lakewood)

Donald W. Smith Scholarship (Donated by D.W. Smith Associates): $500 each awarded to graduating students pursuing education in Civil Engineering, Surveying, Planning Landscape Design, and/or Environmental Services.  Recipients: Nicholas A. Brow (Brick) and Andres J. Otero (Toms River)

 Ocean County Society of Professional Engineers Award: $500 each awarded to students for outstanding achievement in Engineering.  Recipients: Reuben S. Doyley (Browns Mills) and Ryan J. MacNeill (Beachwood)

The Paul Family Scholarship (in memory of Joyce Previte): $525 awarded to a student who demonstrates aptitude in the study of Nursing with intent to pursue a career in Nursing.  Recipient: Matthew A. Buenvenida (Toms River)

Support Staff Association of Ocean County College (Donated by the Support Staff Association): $500 is awarded to a graduating student who has been on the College Work-Study Program.  Recipients: Nicole DePasquale (Beachwood) and Nick Vargovic (Beachwood)

Foundation Computer Science Award (Donated by an Anonymous Donor): $1,000 is awarded to an outstanding graduating female student in the field of Computer Science.  Recipient: Amber Comer (Union Beach)

Robert J. Novins Scholarship for Continued Study: $1,000 awarded to a graduating student continuing in a four-year institution, majoring in Political Science and Government Studies with a 3.0 GPA or better.  Recipient: Craig Stalowski (Bayville)

Michael D. Vena Memorial MUAA Scholarship Award (Donated by the Municipal Utilities Authorities Association of Ocean County): $1,000 each is awarded to two graduates transferring to a four-year college or university and majoring in Environmental Sciences or directly related fields.  Recipients: Kelly D. Collins (Barnegat) and John K. Haugh (Little Egg Harbor)

Dollie & Harry David Sussna Scholarship (Donated by Dollie & Harry David Sussna): Initial award is $1,500 each to two outstanding students transferring to four-year institutions.  $2,000 is renewable upon re-enrollment.  INITIAL RECIPIENTS: Frank Kellogg (Little Egg Harbor) and Rebecca Tray (Brick) RENEWAL RECIPIENTS: Nicole A. Stella (Toms River) and Matthew R. Solomon (Bayville)

William T. Hiering Scholarship: $2,000 awarded to an outstanding student who has completed 64 credits at Ocean County College and maintained a 4.0 grade point average.  Recipients: Gabrielle A. Coco (Barnegat).

Ocean County College Board of Trustees Award (Donated by the OCC Board of Trustees): $1,000 each awarded to three graduating students who have achieved outstanding academic performance at Ocean County College and who will continue their education in the Kean-Ocean program.  Recipients: Michael Palmerson (Toms River), Malkah B. Safren (Lakewood), and Matthew J. Tatur (West Creek)