VU students and programs receive multiple Awards for Excellence - External Relations
VU students and programs receive multiple Awards for Excellence
February 27, 2019 / VU students and programs receive multiple Awards
for Excellence
LINK to photo of award recipients, click
HERE
PHOTO CUTLINE: Vincennes University recipients of the Award for
Excellence are, from left, Ryon Allbaugh, Indianapolis; Dustin James
Anderson, Indianapolis; Jared Whitaker, Evansville; Deondra McQueary,
Dubois; Samantha Marcotte, Fishers; Paula Rodriguez Duran, Evansville;
and William Scott, Monroe City. ###
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Vincennes University students and programs
are the recipients of Indiana College and Career Readiness Awards for
Excellence. The awards were presented at a Feb. 26 ceremony at the
Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
Seven VU students were honored in addition to two programs,
VU’s Agribusiness Partnership and VU’s Pharmacy Technology program.
The Indiana Career and Technical Education Awards for
Excellence Program recognizes exemplary programs, students, and
partnerships that benefit the state. The program is supported by a
grant through the Indiana Department of Education and by contributions
from the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development, VU, Ivy Tech
Community College, and the Indiana Association of Career and Technical
Education Districts.
VU students receiving awards include Ryon Allbaugh,
Indianapolis, Professional Aviation Flight; Dustin James Anderson,
Indianapolis, Aviation Maintenance; Paula Rodriguez Duran, Evansville,
Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Samantha Marcotte, Fishers,
American Sign Language/Deaf Studies; Deondra McQueary, Dubois,
Culinary Arts; William Scott, Monroe City, Advanced Manufacturing
Technology; and Jared Whitaker, Evansville, Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing.
In the partnership category, VU’s Agribusiness program
partnership with Farm Bureau, Inc., was cited for providing students
with opportunities for involvement in real-life state and national
ag-related events. This participation provides a unique environment
where students can expand their personal networks to include experts
in the field; increase their communication skills; broaden their
vision from a local to a national perspective; and gain valuable
skills to help them be more successful when starting their careers
within the agriculture Industry.
The award for VU’s Pharmacy Technology program noted that
students receive a robust combination of didactic, simulated lab, and
on-the-job clinical experience. Upon completion of the program,
students are licensed pharmacy technicians, having sat for the
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board national certification exam.
Students are also eligible to take the PTCB’s national sterile
compounding exam once they have met they work experience timeline. The
program is fully accredited through the American Society of
Health-System Pharmacists and boasts the first and only accredited
early high school site at the associate degree level in the nation.
STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
Ryon Allbaugh, Indianapolis, Professional Aviation Flight
One instructor noted that “Ryon’s personal work ethic continues to
inspire those individuals around him, and one of the reasons for his
success is his enthusiasm for always doing the best that he can in
anything he’s involved in.” Ryon has successfully completed more than
487 hours of flight experience, leading him to holding certifications
and ratings for Certified Flight Instructor, Commercial Single and
Multi-Engines, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Fist Class Medical
Certification, FCC Radio Operators Permit, and endorsements for
Complex and High Performance aircrafts. Ryon is now a flight
instructor for Vincennes University.
Dustin James Anderson, Indianapolis, Aviation Maintenance
Dustin has previously been a member of the 38th Combat Aviation
Brigade holding a position as a U.S. Army Aviator, and is presently a
member of the Indiana National Guard. A nominator stated, “Dustin
maintains high levels of integrity, a positive attitude always, and a
care for others. His infectious smile and ability to see the best in
any situation brings a team together better than the assigned leader
has the ability to do.” Dustin’s leadership has been on display by
being a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and an active
member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Paula Rodriguez Duran, Evansville, Advanced Manufacturing
Technology
Paula continues to display her enthusiastic energy as
a skilled maintenance team member working for Toyota Motor
Manufacturing Indiana. One instructor described Paula as, “A punctual,
meticulous student who is absolutely not afraid to get her hands dirty
in lab. Her cheerful, positive attitude at times belies the serious
pupil beneath the surface. She is helpful to the students around her
and regularly participates during all classes to help others.” After
graduating, Paula plans to further her education, indicating that
‘knowledge is power,’ and the power to change her community for good
is an opportunity she cannot pass up.
Samantha Marcotte, Fishers, American Sign Language/Deaf
Studies
One instructor states that Samantha is a natural at
learning ASL and is enthusiastic about interpreting and becoming a
deaf advocate/ally. She loves to volunteer at sporting events at the
Indiana School for the Deaf, working the ticket window or concessions.
In her free time Samantha coaches trampoline and tumbling at a local
gym and travels on the weekends judging gymnastics events. She was
nominated for the student ambassador position within her program as
well as selected for the National Honors Society and Phi Theta Kappa
Scholarship programs. Samantha plans to continue her education at
IUPUI in the Interpreting program, and then to pursue a career in
interpreting, specifically law or medical interpreting.
Deondra McQueary, Dubois, Culinary Arts
One Professor
stated, “Deondra is a glass-half-full person - no tasks are looked at
as monstrous; there is no gloom and doom for her; and challenges are
always tackled with a positive outlook.” The same instructor
mentioned, “She is a natural leader and her fellow students look to
her when an instructor has not appointed a student leader. Upon the
completion of her degree she plans to continue her education at
Johnson and Wales University in Denver, Colorado, where she will
pursue a baccalaureate degree in Culinary Science. She plans to to
work as a test kitchen developer for an organic food company.
William Scott, Monroe City, Advanced Manufacturing
Technology
William’s ability to thrive in any environment where
decision-making, self-motivation, and first-rate communication skills
are required are some key characteristics that separate him from his
peers. One instructor noted that Will often took the lead on many
projects involved with the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program
classes. William also was a fixture as serving as a volunteer to
assist his classmates with their studies. After completing his
associate degree, he plans to work at Toyota full time seek a
baccalaureate degree from Purdue University.
Jared Whitaker, Evansville, Auto Collision Repair and
Refinish
One instructor stated that, “Jared has tremendous
leadership potential and has many positive qualities that will be
valuable assets to any organization he’s a part of.” Jared currently
works at Lefler’s Collision Repair and plans to obtain more
certifications as well as to get his baccalaureate degree in business.
He strives to give back to the community and volunteer at local
charities throughout southern Indiana.
###
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