Calhoun Community College President Marilyn C. Beck today presented the college’s “Top Ten Students” for 2003 during a 10:00 a.m. reception in their honor held in the lobby of the Aerospace Training Center (ATC) on the Decatur campus.   

The ten students honored were selected from the 8900 students enrolled this year at Calhoun and were chosen on the basis of their college service, community service and academic achievements.  Calhoun’s Top Ten Students for 2003 are as follows:  Allison Paige Calhoun, Peter Thanh Duong, Benjamin Hogan, Kimberly Holladay, Jessica Hovis, Jason R. Jones, Jennifer Michelle Laxson, Andrew Warren Lynn, Susan A. Stewart, and John “Tollie” Williams.

Allison is a Computer Science major from Decatur, Alabama.  She is a 5-Star Phi Theta Kappa member, a member of Sigma Kappa Delta National English Society, and serves as a tutor for Student Support Services. She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and the National Dean’s List. Allison has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Volunteer Center of Morgan County’s Salvation Army Bag-A-Thon and Paint the Town. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree with a Computer Science major and a Sociology minor and would like to work as a Computer Programmer or Systems Analyst. She has a GPA of 3.59.

Peter is an Electrical Engineering major from Huntsville, Alabama. He is a Gold Star Phi Theta Kappa member, a member of Baptist Campus Ministries, and participates in intramural basketball. He was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and the National Dean’s List.  He is an Engineering Apprentice for ARMDEC on Redstone Arsenal and serves as a Math tutor.  Peter plans to transfer to UAH and would like to obtain employment with an innovative and progressive company upon completion of his Engineering degree. He has a GPA of 3.78.

Benjamin is a Biology major from Danville, Alabama. He serves as treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa, is a member of Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society, and is a tutor for Student Support Services.  He was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and has been awarded a transfer scholarship to the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Ben volunteers at Huntsville Hospital in Outpatient Surgery and participated in the American Heart Association’s America Heart Walk. Ben plans to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiology and attend Medical School, specializing in Pediatric Cardiology. He has a GPA of 3.80.

Kimberly is an English major from Madison, Alabama. She serves as Historian of Sigma Kappa Delta National English Honor Society and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and received the Wendy Williams Memorial Scholarship for Most Outstanding English Student. Kimberly participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and raised money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. After graduation from Calhoun, she plans to enroll in Technical Writing classes at UAH. She plans to seek employment as a technical writer after her children are older. Kimberly has a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Jessica is from Huntsville, Alabama and is majoring in Family Financial Planning and Counseling. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, and served as Student Editor of Muse, Calhoun’s literary magazine. She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and is the recipient of a Calhoun Business Scholarship. Her volunteer activities include the Huntsville Rescue Mission and the Annual Angel Adoption Program at Christmas. Jessica plans to attend the University of Alabama to purse her Bachelor’s Degree and, after a few years of work experience, return to school to obtain her MBA. Jessica’s GPA is 3.94.

Jason is a Biology Education major from Moulton, Alabama. Jason serves as president of Calhoun’s Centurion’s Club, a Calhoun Warhawk, and is a member of the SGA and Phi Theta Kappa. He was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, the All-Alabama Academic Team, and was one of Calhoun’s nominees for the USA Today Academic All American Team. He received the Betsy J. Cantrell Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership and the Golden Kiwanis Scholarship. He plans to transfer to a four year college to pursue a Bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in Biology. Jason has a 3.66 GPA.

Jennifer is an Art and Secondary Education major from Florence, Alabama. Jennifer serves as SGA president and previously served as Art Club president. She is a member of Baptist Campus Ministries, Photo Club, and Phi Theta Kappa. She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and was named to last year’s Calhoun Top Ten Students. Jennifer’s community activities include Habitat for Humanity, Make a Wish Foundation, and International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She plans to transfer to a four year school to pursue a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree and would like to work as a graphics artist and teach graphic arts. Jennifer’s GPA is 3.22.

Andrew is a Pre-Pharmacy major from Athens, Alabama. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta. He is the recipient of a 3M Scholarship and a Solutia Scholarship and has been consistently named to Calhoun’s President’s list. His community activities include participating in the Cell Phone  Drive for Victims of Domestic Violence, judging the Athens Convalescent Center Beauty Pageant, and reading to a 3^rd grade class at Athens Elementary School.  He is a certified pharmacy technician at Athens Pharmacy and plans to transfer to four year college to pursue a degree in Pharmacy.  He has a perfect 4.0 GPA. 

Susan s a Collaborative Education major from Decatur, Alabama. Susan serves as President of Phi Theta Kappa, and is a member of Sigma Kappa Delta and the Centurions Club. Susan was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, the National Dean’s List, and the All-Alabama Academic Team. She was one of Calhoun’s nominees for the USA Today Academic All American team and is the recipient of the C. Wilson Taylor Memorial Scholarship. Susan has an extensive list of community volunteer activities, including United Way Day of Caring, Morgan County Volunteer Center’s Paint the Town, BFI Recycling Share Day, Water Watch, and helping at Lincoln and Somerville Road Elementary Schools. She plans to transfer to a four year school to obtain an Education degree and her career plans are to work with at-risk students.  Susan’s GPA is 3.87.

John “Tollie” is a Physics Education major from Somerville, Alabama. Tollie serves as a Calhoun Warhawk, tutors for Student Support Services, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Baptist Campus Ministries.  He was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and is the recipient of the Golden K Kiwanis Scholarship. Tollie’s community activities include Somerville Public Library Book Drive, Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April, and he also returns to his Alma Mater, Priceville Junior High School, to assist with their robotic competition and track and basketball programs. Tollie plans to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and become a High School Physics teacher and a Youth Minister.  Tollie has a GPA of 3.67.

Coverage of this release:

• Calhoun College names top 10 students of 2003, The Decatur Daily, Sunday, April 27, 2003 issue, p. B5
• Calhoun to hold Reception to Present/Recognize "Top Ten" Students for 2003, Who's Who in Huntsville Magazine, May/June 2003 Newsletter.