Daytona State College honors students, employees, alumnus at awards convocation

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (April 12, 2012) – More than 130 students were honored during Daytona State College’s annual outstanding student awards convocation held Wednesday, April 11, on the Daytona Beach Campus, along with three employees and an accomplished alumnus. The awards convocation is the preceding event to the college’s commencement exercises that will take place on Monday, May 14, at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Center.
 
Students were recognized for their academic, community service and athletic achievements. Among the award winners, 14 were named to the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges Program and 14 were inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame – the highest honor the faculty can bestow upon a student.
 
Induction into the college’s Hall of Fame is based on the highest standards of excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship. The 2012 inductees are: Cheryl Anne, Joan Burnette, Chloe D. Finocchio, Dantrell Johnson, Ingrid Laas, Kimble Medley, Toni Palumbo, Zena Remal Jennifer Sciarrino, Evan Shows, Elizabeth Strople, Lisa Swearingen, Peyton Walsh and Lindsay Workman.
 
Selection to the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges program is based upon academic excellence as well as contributions to the college and to the community. Students selected for 2012 are: Margaret Brescia, Kimberly J. Burgin, Erika Carlson, Lindsay Eatman, Maika Fernandez, Margaret Haller, Denise Hayes, John Hilton, Kimble Medley, Sharon E. Merwin, Toni Palumbo, Zena Remal, Lisa Swearingen and Michael Taylor.
 
Students honored for athletic or scholastic achievement or for their service to the college are:
 
Intercollegiate Athletics
Men’s Baseball - Peyton Walsh
Men’s Basketball - Warren “Theo” Plowden III
Men’s Swimming - Dominic Walter
Women’s Basketball - Danisha Green
Women’s Golf - Erin Selfridge
Women’s Softball - Gina Figliolia
Women’s Swimming - Sara Akoubian
 
Division of Co-Curricular Activities
Student Government Association - Cathy Webb
Intramural Sports - Women’s Soccer - Christine Golez
Student Publications - Denise Hayes
Phi Theta Kappa - Doug Miller
 
School of Management
Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management - Howard L. Lowe, Jr.
 
School of Applied Business
Economic & Business General, AA degree - Viktoria Kantor
Business Administration, AS degree - Michelle Milligan
Paralegal Transfer Option, AS degree - Kelly J. VerStraete
Office Management; Legal Option, certificate - Kelly J. VerStraete
Accounting Technology, AS degree - Tonia Barton
Business Administration, AAS degree - Yifat Israeli
Office Administration; Medical Transcription Option, AAS degree - Abbagail Wallace
Office Management; Medical Option. certificate - Abbagail Wallace
Office Administration; Administrative Assistant Option, AAS degree - Nicole DeHart
Paralegal Studies; Career Option, AAS degree - Rachel E. Stewart
Tax Preparation, certificate - Suzanne Wason
Accounting Application; Computerized - Norma E. Donahue
Business Operations; Entrepreneurship - David Hamlin
Business Management, certificate - Willis McDuffie
Office Management, certificate - Susan Caponera
Office Support, certificate - Jennifer Abolafia
 
College of Hospitality & Management
Hospitality Management, AS degree - Ryan Moore
Food and Beverage Management; Culinary, AAS degree - Steven Fetterolf
Culinary Management, AAS degree - Ingrid Laas
Baking and Pastry; Culinary, certificate - Jennifer Sciarrino
 
College of Education
Exceptional Student Education, Bachelor of Science - Michael D. Rosen
Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science - Alana E. O’Neal
Secondary Mathematics Education,  Bachelor of Science - Brandon M. Comeau
Science Education, Bachelor of Science - Margaret J. Conforto
Educator Preparation Institute, Bachelor of Science - Maria M. Esquivel
Teacher Education Major, AA degree - Alton G. Ogden
 
College of Arts and Sciences
Chemistry, AA degree - Matthew Miller
Physics, AA degree - Chad M. Hengstler
Psychology, AA degree - Natasha N. Weiler
Honors College, AA degree - Dantrell Johnson
Mathematics, AA/AS degree - Kelvin Power
Dan Stout Award for Mathematics - Patrick Moo
Dance; Performing Arts, AA degree - Megan Lowe
Theatre, AA degree - Alejandro Guevarez
Music Production Technology, AS degree - Kyle Perkins
Studio Arts, AA degree - Sara Elizabeth Nardandrea
Music/Voice, AA degree - Coral Pitter
Photographic Technology, AS degree - Toni Palumbo
QUANTA - Roman Balmakov
Writing:  Literature Analysis, 1st place - Lori Barnard
Writing:  Narrative,  1st place - Bethany Meade
Writing:  Argumentation, 1st place - Kayla Gussman
Writing:  Poetry,  1st place - Lawrence H. Grimm
Writing:  General Research, 1st place - Kenneth Lamar
 
College of Health, Human, and Public Services
Practical Nursing, certificate - Michael Engel
Dental Hygiene, AS degree - Chloe D. Finocchio
Dental Assisting, certificate - Sophia Silva
Surgical Technology, certificate - Suzan DeFeo
Health Information Management, AAS degree - Laurinda Diehl
Early Childhood Education, AS degree - Michael Davis
Radiography, AS degree - James William Cook, Jr.
Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS degree - Milena Fields
Respiratory Care, AAS degree - Lola Casi Crews
Massage Therapy, certificate - Nancy Farmer
Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS degree - Cheryl Anne
Medical Assisting, certificate - Emily Durst
Human Services Addictions Specialization, AS degree - Jennifer R. Bagshaw
Human Services Addictions Studies Specialization, certificate - Frances S. Kidd
Human Services Assistant Specialization, certificate - Mistia L. Deemer
Nursing; Transition,  AS degree - Jenny Nettles
CNA Patient Care Assistant - Amanda Carbuccia
Nursing,  AS degree - Lindsay Workman
Criminal Justice Technology Bridge,  AS degree - Christopher Geren
Basic Correctional Officer Recruit Training, certificate - Sara Radford
Basic Law Enforcement Recruit Training,  certificate - Calvin Swann
Firefighter,  certificate - Christian S. Giraldo
Fire Science Technology, AS degree - David A. Kennedy
Paramedic, certificate - Tanner St. James
EMS,  AAS degree - Jamie Roberts
EMT, certificate - Lindsay Perna
 
Academic Support Center
SI Leader of the Year - Adriana Paiva
 
College of Technology
Computer Specialist, certificate - Annerose Elliott
Computer Information Administration, AS degree - Annerose Elliott
Information Technology Administration, certificate - Scott Bond
Information Technology Analysis, certificate - Theresa Fanelli
Network Communications (LAN), certificate - Theresa Fanelli
Information Technology Management, certificate - Jacob Kirkland
Information Technology Support Specialist, certificate - Caroline P. Vo
Computer Programming and Analysis, AS degree - John Rodriguez
Information Technology Technician, certificate - John Rodriguez
Web Development Specialist,  certificate - John Rodriguez
Computer Programming, certificate - John Rodriguez
Network Services Technology, AS degree - Evan Shows
Microcomputer Repairer/Installer, certificate - Evan Shows
Network Communications, certificate - Evan Shows
Network System Developer, certificate  - Ahmad Baradaran
Cable Installation, certificate - Clayton Lantzy
Wireless Communication, certificate - Aaron Scott
AUTO CAD Foundation; Engineering, certificate - Charles H. Moore
AUTO CAD Foundation; Architecture,  certificate - Kyle Hockenberry
Network Services Tech, AS degree - Joseph Goddard
Electronics Engineering Technology,  AS degree - Joseph W. Forney
Internet Services Technology, AS degree - Brian Mastrianna
Computer Engineering Technology, AS degree - Buddy Stringfellow
Simulation and Robotics Technology, AS degree - Stefano V. Hoffman
Engineering Technology,  Bachelor of Science - Joseph Johnson
Engineering Technology; Information Systems Technology-Concentration, Bachelor of Science - John Riddle
Electrical Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science - Kevin Hotchkiss
Kitchen and Bath Specialization, certificate - Joan Burnett
Interior Design Technology, AS degree - Sylvia Strother
Architecture and Building Technology, AAS degree - Brigitte Keafer
Drafting and Design Technology, AS degree - Mark Miller
Drafting and Design Technology, AAS degree - Charles Flake
 
Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education
Child Care Apprenticeship, certificate - Ashley Rosso
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, certificate - Kevin Herndon
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic, certificate - Joseph Ditullio
Cosmetology, certificate - Shannon Goodrich
Cosmetology, certificate - Johnny Felton
Machining, certificate - Robert Lyons
Automotive Collision and Refinishing, certificate - Henry Whites
Automotive Service Technology, certificate - Bobby D. Sherman
Performance Engine Technology, certificate - Rafael A. Valle
Welding, certificate - Donald R. Sprague
 
Advanced Technology College
Service to Advanced Technology Center - Kathryn M. Russell
 
Flagler/Palm Coast Campus
Service to Flagler Palm Coast Campus - Kimble Medley
Associate of Arts - Elizabeth Strople
 
DeLand Campus
Business Administration, AAS degree - Jill Hoblick
Dental Hygiene,  AS degree - Danielle Behanna
 
Deltona Campus
Associate of Arts - Deborah Olsen
Associate of Science - Jessica Espinoza
Cosmetology, certificate - Brittany Puckett
Cosmetology, certificate - Heather Stephens 
 
New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater Campus 
Associate of Science - Mark Howard
Associate of Arts - Eric Wise
 
In addition, three employees and an alumnus were recognized for their dedication to the college and its students. 
 
Since 1999, a faculty member has been selected to receive the Presidential Teaching Excellence Award. This year’s recipient has been with the college for 16 years and is a product of the Florida College System. With extensive teaching and practical experience in her field, she has served as an advisor and a mentor to both students and faculty alike. Pamela Ridilla has served as department chair since 2001, and has successfully steered the program to re-accreditation and boasts an outstanding clinical program that not only benefits students but also the community by providing affordable dental hygiene care. Receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, she also earned her master’s degrees from UCF while simultaneously battling a life-changing illness. As a 10-year breast cancer survivor, she is currently training for a 60-mile walk over the course of three-days to raise funds for breast cancer awareness.
 
Representing professional employees, Stephen Thomas received the first of two employee excellence awards; the Presidential Sterling Award for Professional Excellence is presented to two employees each year to recognize them for their positive contributions and exemplary service to the college. A native of Daytona Beach, Thomas graduated from Mainland High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he gained experience in the electronics field. He joined Daytona State College in 1991 after working for several local electrical contractors. Having received his associate of science degree in industrial management technology in 2003, he oversees the electrical department as well as the building maintenance area. He is known as an innovative problem solver and one who looks for ways to save the college money. Among outstanding examples, he saved the college thousands of dollars in parts and labor by converting the fire-alarm system to a more generic system.
 
Representing career employees, the second recipient of the employee excellence award, David Tatum, is known to his co-workers as an unsung hero. He has been with the college since 2006, first as a student worker and later as a full-time employee. He earned his associate of arts degree and bachelor’s of applied science in supervision and management at Daytona State, graduating from both programs with honors. As an information systems assistant, he has been sent to almost every nook and cranny of the college to solve technical problems. His versatility can take him from authoring a "best practices" for technology uses, to implementing enterprise-wide application deployment strategies for desktops.
 
Also announced, the Margaret Crumley Award for Distinguished Achievement in Science was presented to John M. Kunzer. The annual award, first presented in 2001, honors an outstanding alumnus who achieved an associate degree from the College of Science at Daytona State College. Mrs. Crumley established this award to honor her son, John, and husband, Thomas. Kunzer came through Daytona State College in the 1990s, earning an associate of arts degree with honors in the spring of 2000, and an associate of science degree in photographic technology with honors in 2001. He transferred to the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor of science degree in biology/botany, and is employed as a park ranger at Tomoka State Park, where he directs interpretive programs, and where he has recently launched an ambitious initiative to rid the park of invasive plant species. As a student and a work-study employee for the Science Department, he was vital to the development of the college’s Marine Institute. He curated all of the college’s marine mammal specimens and assembled the only herbarium collection in existence of the maritime plants of Volusia County. Kunzer is the only person ever to be nominated for the Margaret Crumley Award who has contributed materially to the development of new teaching resources for the Science Department and the college. Award recipients are nominated and selected by faculty of the Science Department and must be working in (or retired from) a science-related field, used scientific knowledge to improve their community, and have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of science.