This year’s Student Government Association officers received plaques at the Student Recognition Ceremony. Pictured from left to right are Madelyn Luethje, Jeannine Cone, Hannah Rhodes, and Dyllan Cardoza. (Courtesy photo)
GOLDSBORO — Wayne Community College held its 16th annual Student Recognition Ceremony to honor its top students of the 2023–24 academic year. During the event, 100 students were recognized.
Outstanding Student Curriculum Awards
Each year, WCC faculty members select one student from their degree and diploma programs whose academic accomplishments best represent that program. Those students receive Outstanding Student Curriculum Awards.
Following are the students honored with Outstanding Student Curriculum Awards and the program recognizing them.
Allied Health and Public Services Division
Sarah Apthorp, Associate Degree Nursing
Bracey Outlaw, Dental Assisting
Taylor Gainey, Dental Hygiene
Desiree Cutshall, Early Childhood Education
Sandra Palmer, Human Services Technology
Nalleli Vega-Huerta, Medical Assisting
Ashlyn Disney, Medical Laboratory Technology
Daniel Jeffers, Practical Nursing
Applied Technologies Division
Leeann Powell, Agribusiness Technology
Trenton Weaver, Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
Jasmin Caceres-Williams, Applied Animal Science Technology
Tim Keller, Automotive Systems – General Motors Automotive Service Education Program
Adrian R. Whitley, Automotive Systems – Automotive Technical Education Program
Timothy J. Dillon, Aviation Systems Technology
John Greene, Business Administration/Operations Management
Jessica P. Guerrero, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
David Jackson, Computer-Integrated Machining Technology
Katie Ashmore, Forest Management Technology
John T. Lassiter III, Industrial Systems Technology
Mary Varnell, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Luis A. Rodriguez, Mechatronics Technology
Cole Tisdale, Sustainable Agriculture
Fredy Vallejo, Swine Management Technology
Nebraska Parker, Turfgrass Management Technology
Dylan Baker, Welding Technology
Arts and Sciences Division
Dominick Wormely, Associate in Arts
Presley Gray, Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation
Cooper Emory, Associate in Science
Business and Computer Technologies Division
Casey Sasser, Accounting and Finance
Jerry D. Arnette, Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Brian Hawes, Business Administration
Jeannine Cone, Cybersecurity
Jared Owens, Entertainment Technology
Brooke Sauls, Game Art and Animation
Diamond Griffin, Game and Automation Programming
Ian Miller, IT Business Support and Services
Harley Hamrick, Medical Office Administration
Bobbie Smith, Office Administration
Autumn Heath, Risk Management and Insurance
Chase Edmiston, Software Development
Public Safety Division
Dustin B. Neal, Criminal Justice Technology
Karen J. Taft, Criminal Justice Technology/Forensic Science
Kyree Williams, Emergency Management
Academic Excellence Award
The Academic Excellence Award recognizes a student based on not only academic achievement but also community service and leadership activities.
Academic Excellence Award Finalists
Harley Hamrick
Christopher Hyde
Veronica McCotter
Academic Excellence Award Winner
Gracie Hinnant
Honors Program
The Honors Program of Wayne Community College focuses on academics, leadership, and service as integral components of a well-rounded education. Students must have a 3.5 GPA to be admitted to the program and must maintain a 3.2 GPA to continue the course of study.
Following are the students in WCC’s Honors Program for 2024.
Daniel Avila-Calderon
Morgan Bass
Leah Blevins
MacKenzie Boswell
Tara Anne Burnham
Hannah Hercules
Catherine Jordan
Sara Kathryn Lewis
Cianna Lostal
Alex Perez-Sanchez
Susan Santos-Diaz
Karen Compean Throm
Rocio Vazquez-Lopez
Dominick Wormely
Andree Yepez-Barradas
Phi Theta Kappa Awards
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an internationally recognized honor society serving students in over 1275 community colleges around the world. Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to recognize and encourage academic achievement of two-year college students and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship activities.
The Phi Theta Kappa Golden Opportunity Scholarship recognizes the scholastic achievements of eligible PTK members and helps offset the cost of membership. As a Phi Theta Kappa Golden Opportunity Scholar, the following students received a scholarship waiver to cover the international and regional fees of membership into the organization.
PTK Golden Opportunity Scholarship Recipients
Heather Barrow Lane
Dominick Wormely
Bison Opportunity Scholarship
The Bison Opportunity Scholarship recognizes the scholastic achievements of eligible members of WCC’s Upsilon Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and helps offset the cost of membership. As a Bison Opportunity Scholar, the following students received a scholarship waiver to cover the international and regional fees of membership into the organization.
Bison Opportunity Scholarship Recipients
Desiree Cutshall
Samantha MacKlin
Maria Siquina
Karen Taft
Scholars of Global Distinction
The Scholars of Global Distinction program at Wayne Community College is a partnership with UNC World View. Students complete at least 15 credit hours of globally intensive courses, participate in eight international activities and dialogues, gain 30 hours of global experience in a study abroad or domestic intercultural experience, and complete a capstone presentation related to their global learning experience.
Following are students who have earned their Scholars of Global Distinction Certificate.
Lindsay Harper
Loren Shimel
Dominick Wormely
Following are students who will earn their Scholars of Global Distinction Certificate in the Spring ’24 semester.
Dyllan Cardoza
Oscar Lugo
James Holden Ridgle
Susan Santos-Diaz
Rocio Vazquez-Lopez
Work-Based Learning Student of the Year Award
The Work-Based Learning Student of the Year Award was created to recognize students who have demonstrated extra effort and achievement in their Work-Based Learning experience. In addition to a superior work ethic and a strong command of employability skills, this year’s recipient has demonstrated innovation and a passion for their field of study.
Work-Based Learning Student of the Year Award Recipient
Tarina Ciotti
Student Government Association
The 2023–2024 Student Government Association Officers were recognized for their leadership and service to the College and student body.
President: Madelyn Luethje
Vice President: Jeannine Cone
Secretary: Hannah Rhodes
Public Information Chairperson: Dyllan Cardoza
Student Club and Organization Awards
Several clubs and organizations on campus were recognized for their achievements.
Wayne Community College Ambassadors are an honorary group of students who were nominated by faculty and staff to represent the College at special events on campus and within the community for one academic year. These students maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher and full-time status for the whole year.
2023–2024 Wayne Community College Ambassadors
Mayra Herran
Anna Hines
Catherine Jordan
Sara Lewis
Oscar Lugo
Kaylee Martin
Amber Shumate
Karen Throm
Dominick Wormely
The Student Ambassador Advisor Award is given to a student ambassador who is always willing to help at various activities and events on campus and within the community.
Ambassador Advisor Award Recipient
Oscar Lugo
Each spring, campus clubs submit a Presidential Report to the Student Government Association to become eligible for the Presidential Club Award. In the report are campus fundraisers, on- and off-campus service learning projects along with community and campus events that each club participated in throughout the year.
Reports are reviewed by the Student Government Association officers, and winners were chosen based on their service to the College as well as the community.
Student Government Association Presidential Club Award Recipients
1st Place: WCC Science Club
2nd Place: Phi Theta Kappa
3rd Place: Student Multicultural Club
The Student Government Association Advisor Award is given to a student leader who goes above and beyond the call of duty, leads by example, and never expects to be recognized or rewarded.
Student Government Association Advisor Award Recipient
Madelyn Luethje
Dallas Herring Achievement Award
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award recognizes a student who embodies the philosophy of Dr. Herring, one of the fathers of the community college system. The winner of the College’s award became WCC’s nominee for the award at the state level.
Dallas Herring Achievement Award Finalists
Makaya Artis
Sean Hammon
Joshua Mozingo
Erica Tasker
Dallas Herring Achievement Award Winner
Jeannine Cone
Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award
The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award recognizes outstanding student leadership and service. The winner of the College’s award became WCC’s nominee for the award at the state level.
Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award Finalists
Shalon Dunlap
Ryan Gilmore
De’Rontae Lee
Michael Rarick
Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award Winner
Mario Lopez
Renaissance Awards
Renaissance is WCC’s annual creative arts magazine for campus writers and artists. The publication features students’ creative work, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction essays, and visual art in various media.
Each year, Renaissance recognizes student artists and writers who contributed the images selected for the publication covers, one artist whose work merited special recognition, and the writers who submitted the best poetry and prose.
Renaissance Cover Award Recipient
Breone Coley
Renaissance Art Award Recipient
Belle Daingerfield
Renaissance Poetry Award Recipient
Anna Sidle
Renaissance Prose Award Recipient
McClelland Williams
The Beatrice K. Balkcum Renaissance Literary Award was established to honor the life of Beatrice K. Balkcum, her contribution to the Goldsboro community, and her love for the written word. Balkcum taught English at Goldsboro High School for 15 years before teaching at WCC for an additional 20 years. After retirement, Balkcum continued to serve the College on the board of trustees for several years.
This award gifts $1,000 to a college transfer student and emerging writer whose work is selected by the Renaissance editors as the most outstanding piece of writing in the magazine.
Beatrice K. Balkcum Renaissance Literary Award Recipient
Grace Evans
Who’s Who among Students at Wayne Community College
Who’s Who is a local chapter that honors WCC’s leading students for their academic excellence and the contributions they make to the College and community. Only one percent of the students who attend WCC are selected for this honor annually.
Taima Alkanshli
Katie Ashmore
Dyllan Cardoza
Lisa Clay
Jeannine Cone
Kelly Edwards
Jessica Hernandez
Mayra Herran
Anna Hines
Catherine Jordan
Michelle Kranz
Sara Lewis
Madelyn Luethje
Oscar Lugo
Haley Martin
Kaylee Martin
Devin McEntire
Kelsey Millard
Hannah Rhodes
Gabriela Rivera
Tyler Schantz
Amber Shumate
Maria Siquina
Hayleigh Stocks
Karen Throm
Dominick Wormely
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.
