SSCC students earn state, national honors Wotsa Klu, Angel Souther named to academic teams

SSCC students earn state, national honors

Wotsa Klu, Angel Souther named to academic teams

 

                Southern State Community College students Wotsa Klu of Hillsboro and Angel Souther of Washington Court House recently earned All-Ohio Academic Team status and will be honored at the 14th annual All-Ohio Academic Team Recognition Luncheon April 27 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.

                Shortly after Klu was notified of her selection as a First Team All-Ohio member, she received word that she also had been selected as a 2010 Coca-Cola National Finalist which was based on scores she earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. Klu will receive a cash scholarship for her All-Ohio honors, and a $1,000 cash scholarship for her All-USA honors. Souther was selected as a Third Team All-Ohio member and will receive a cash scholarship

                Graduating in June with an associate’s degree in office information technology, Klu serves as Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Her goal is to transfer to a four-year institution to earn her business administration degree, leading to a career with an international organization.

                Klu has served as a work study in Southern State’s Office of Student Services since her arrival on campus in summer 2009.

                “I am often pleasantly surprised by Wotsa’s knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and her ability to enhance campus projects,” said Karen Davis, SSCC Central Campus Director and Dean of Instruction. “She is a valued asset to me and Southern State Community College. Wotsa has proven her abilities to be a leader and an activist for the community.”

                A member of the All-Ohio Academic Third Team, Souther is President of SSCC’s chapter of PTK honor society, and has also served as Vice President of Service. She graduated last June with an associate’s degree in business administration and this fall will complete dual bachelor’s degrees in human resources management and business administration. She plans to begin her master’s of business administration by the end of fall quarter.

                Souther juggles life as a student, a single mom and a full-time employee of Southern State. Through it all, she has maintained honor roll status. She also volunteers at a community domestic violence shelter to raise awareness and funding, and visits correctional institutions to speak to men convicted of domestic violence. Last year she was nominated to represent SSCC at the One Voice Legislative Summit in Columbus.

                “I have watched firsthand as Angel has grown from an insecure, homeless mother of three to a strong, confident leader,” said Davis. “I am often awed by her strength and dedication to the endeavors she values in life. First and foremost she is a loving mother determined to make a better life for her family. Second, she is committed to helping other women better their lives. Third, she is a leader to students through her guidance as President of the Alpha Omicron Eta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Any one of these endeavors requires one to devote countless hours of precious time.”

The All-Ohio Academic Team program provides statewide recognition and cash scholarships to outstanding two-year college students. Cash scholarships totaling $185,900 have been provided to 353 outstanding two-year college students since 1997. An additional 249 students have received recognition through the program. The All-Ohio Academic Team program is co-sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. Funding has been made possible through the generous support of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and the KnowledgeWorks Foundation.

To be eligible for the All-Ohio Academic Team, students must be nominated by their college president. Nominees must be eligible to graduate during the current academic year and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25. The rankings for the All-Ohio Academic Team are determined by the scores nominees receive in the All-USA Academic Team judging. Winners are selected on the basis of academic performance, demonstration of leadership, and community service involvement.

 Southern State Community College students Wotsa Klu of Hillsboro and Angel Souther of Washington Court House recently earned All-Ohio Academic Team status and will be honored at the 14th annual All-Ohio Academic Team Recognition Luncheon April 27 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.

         Shortly after Klu was notified of her selection as a First Team All-Ohio member, she received word that she also had been selected as a 2010 Coca-Cola National Finalist which was based on scores she earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. Klu will receive a cash scholarship for her All-Ohio honors, and a $1,000 cash scholarship for her All-USA honors. Souther was selected as a Third Team All-Ohio member and will receive a cash scholarship

Graduating in June with an associate’s degree in office information technology, Klu serves as Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Her goal is to transfer to a four-year institution to earn her business administration degree, leading to a career with an international organization.

Klu has served as a work study in Southern State’s Office of Student Services since her arrival on campus in summer 2009.

“I am often pleasantly surprised by Wotsa’s knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and her ability to enhance campus projects,” said Karen Davis, SSCC Central Campus Director and Dean of Instruction. “She is a valued asset to me and Southern State Community College. Wotsa has proven her abilities to be a leader and an activist for the community.”

A member of the All-Ohio Academic Third Team, Souther is President of SSCC’s chapter of PTK honor society, and has also served as Vice President of Service. She graduated last June with an associate’s degree in business administration and this fall will complete dual bachelor’s degrees in human resources management and business administration. She plans to begin her master’s of business administration by the end of fall quarter.

Souther juggles life as a student, a single mom and a full-time employee of Southern State. Through it all, she has maintained honor roll status. She also volunteers at a community domestic violence shelter to raise awareness and funding, and visits correctional institutions to speak to men convicted of domestic violence. Last year she was nominated to represent SSCC at the One Voice Legislative Summit in Columbus.

“I have watched firsthand as Angel has grown from an insecure, homeless mother of three to a strong, confident leader,” said Davis. “I am often awed by her strength and dedication to the endeavors she values in life. First and foremost she is a loving mother determined to make a better life for her family. Second, she is committed to helping other women better their lives. Third, she is a leader to students through her guidance as President of the Alpha Omicron Eta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Any one of these endeavors requires one to devote countless hours of precious time.”

The All-Ohio Academic Team program provides statewide recognition and cash scholarships to outstanding two-year college students. Cash scholarships totaling $185,900 have been provided to 353 outstanding two-year college students since 1997. An additional 249 students have received recognition through the program. The All-Ohio Academic Team program is co-sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. Funding has been made possible through the generous support of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and the KnowledgeWorks Foundation.

To be eligible for the All-Ohio Academic Team, students must be nominated by their college president. Nominees must be eligible to graduate during the current academic year and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25. The rankings for the All-Ohio Academic Team are determined by the scores nominees receive in the All-USA Academic Team judging. Winners are selected on the basis of academic performance, demonstration of leadership, and community service involvement.