Taylor Erdman
In Motion Staff Writer
Greeted by the majestic music of Daytona State College’s Symphonic Band, students and faculty – many of whom were not aware they were receiving an award at all – waited eagerly on April 12 for the annual Awards Convocation to start.
With a brief address by DSC President Tom LoBasso, numerous speakers congratulated the 189 recipients, which included staff and faculty members as well. LoBasso, Faculty Senate President Richard Vollaro and members of the Board of Trustees began by leading the crowd in the Pelage of allegiance.
Vollaro noted that there were 183 awards being handed out that afternoon to honor not just college students on the main campus, but those from each of the other five satellite campuses, including Flagler/Palm Coast, Deltona, the Advance Technology College, Deland, Deltona and New Smryna Beach/Edgewater. In addition, dual-enrolled students from Flagler Palm Coast and Mainland high school were represented.
During the presentation of awards, many like Jimmy Lane had the auditorium on its feet applauding. Lane, a staff employee at DSC, oversaw cleanup and repairs to the Daytona Campus after the destruction of Hurricane Mathew. Without Lane, the DSC campuses would not have been back up to speed as quickly as it was.
Like Lane, many were surprised that they were receiving an award. Dr. Doug Peterson, Chair of the Mike Curb Collge of Music, Entertainment and Art and conductor of the Daytona State College Symphonic Band, was one of them.
“I’m surprised, honored, humbled,” said the beloved professor, chair and conductor, who has nobly served the College for more than 30 years. “It is a distinct honor to be singled out this way, I had no idea.”
With family and friends in the audience looking on, he bowed and accepted his award from President LoBasso.
Others like photography student Teri Benzia were stunned. She received two awards, one for the College’s Hall of Fame and another for the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.
“It’s an honor and validation,” said Benzia, looking a little stunned. “The work and what you do gets noticed, people do see when you go the extra mile.”
Induction into the DSC Hall of Fame is based on the highest standards of excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship. The 2017 inductees are: Theresa Benzia, Kassandra Carstens, Gilarys Giselle Garcia Milan, Galyna Khramova, Ryan Kirby, Seoyon Kwon, Megan Lawson, Nashad Mackey, Laura Michel, Wendy Morris, Julia Osterhout, Alistair Sammy, Robert Sluman, Brendan Tackney and Michael Tirpak.
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 the community.
Students selected for 2017 are: Robin Banks, John Barnes, Claire Becker, Christian Beidler, Jenieveb Beltran, Theresa Benzia, Michael Brown, Amber Butler, Phaleisa Canidate, Jonnelle Carnegie, JoAnn DeMarco, Haleigh Delligatti, Amanda Emerick, Melissa Gasparini, Gilarys Giselle Garcia Milan, Thomas Heath, Alexander Hendricks, Kinsey Hutcherson, Landon Hutchinson, Kelli Johnson, Alston Jones, Holli Jones, Galyna Khramova, Seoyon Kwon, Megan Lawson, Nashad Mackey, Laura Michel, Dorothy Minor, Amanda Nikhazy, Julia Osterhout, Amanda Pearce, Sofia Rivas, Antonio Rodriguez, Chloe Rosa, Jake Rothwell, Alistair Sammy, Katherine Sanchez, Samantha Scheffler, Robert Sluman, Austin Smith, Matt Swiderski, Annika Thomas, Olivia Thomas, Bailey Thompson, Mary Thompson, Megan Woodson and Tyler Vest.