Hudson Valley students receive honorable awards
Hudson Valley hosted the annual Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges ceremony on Monday, Feb. 17.
In order to be nominated and receive this academic honor, students must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Students must also have spent a significant amount of time doing volunteer or community service work.
Hudson Valley’s nominated students had an average GPA of 3.68, which surpassed that of some other colleges.
Nominations are made by the faculty, administration and student body.
If students are nominated, their GPA, along with their credentials, are sent to be examined by the Who’s Who Center in Alabama. Only 1 percent of the country’s college population are chosen.
In 1934, Pettus Randall, an undergraduate from Alabama University who wanted to enter law school started the Who’s Who award. Although Randall achieved high recognitions for his academic accomplishments, each one was turned down due to his financial situation. Later on, Randall made it into an honor’s program in which no dues or fees had to be paid in order to achieve such merit.
Because of this program, Randall came up with the idea of creating the Who’s Who award for individuals of seeking higher education.
Randall ultimately accomplished his goal and the Who’s Who program was created.
Alexander J. Popovics, vice president for enrollment management and student development, said, “It’s highly honorable to achieve this goal and respect is earned from professors.”
“By far Hudson Valley Community College’s class was the largest of Who’s Who,” said President Drew Matonak.
“The involvement you’ve had in your community and in the school is absolutely remarkable. Being able to see these students contribute to society, and the tremendous amount of growth they’ve had is truly worth praising and celebrating,” said Matonak.
After a series of speeches, the 73 students sat in the first three rows and waited to receive their awards.
Honor students Marlena Piper and Anna Myers, criminal justice majors, were nominated by Shawna-Kay Addison, a professor of introduction to investigations.
After accepting their nominations Piper and Myers both had to fill out resume type forms in which they wrote down all the activities they participated in and their grades.
Myers said, “I did the whole process without knowing exactly how prestigious this all was. I only found out afterwards when I looked up what Who’s Who exactly was.”
“[Students should] study. Any little bit that you do makes a difference. You should be the change you want to be. Advocate for involving yourself with the school,” said Piper and Myers.