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students Al Azhar Al Shukaili, Denise “Dani” Hood, and Natlija Kavgic were named to the 2019 PTK All-Virginia Academic Team. In the summer of 2018, Brianna Adamo, an engineering design technology student, was selected for a paid research experi ence at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The initiative called STEM Takes Flight was a 10-week, hands on experience sponsored by the VCCS and was available for 23 students, one from each community college in the system. In the fall of 2019, Vicki Horn and Susan

2019. Recipients included Cecile Newcomb, Joshua Wilson, Ammon “A. J.” Miller, Shane Haupt, and Allison Caudill. Haupt was also named to the 2015 PTK Top Ten All-Virginia Academic Team. In addition, the PTK chapter and its members received awards at the 2017 West Virginia Regional Convention. The chapter received a first-place award for the “Honors in Action Project Award” in recognition of volunteering each Friday at the YMCA Head Start program in Pulaski. In addition, the students took first place in the “Commit to

Estes were named Davenport Institute Early Childhood Development Fellows. Each received up to $7,500 for college expenses and travel related to professional development. Horn and Estes participated in legislative advocacy to promote early childhood development

Completion Award” for their work with the Community College Complete Corps program, which encouraged students to pledge to finish their degree in two years. One hundred forty-two (142) NRCC students signed the pledge

I t ’ s a pleasure and a privilege to work at an institution that cares so much not only about students and employees, but about the greater community as a whole. I realized New River Community College was a special and unique place very soon after being hired. That was the case then, and it is probably even more so today. My time at New River has been a wonderful experience and a true blessing. The people here are the reason. TED FARMER Associate Professor of History/Political Science Employment at NRCC: Full-time 2006-present

spring semester 2017, which was

education and completed 20 hours of volunteer community service. In 2019 BAE Systems, an aerospace, defense, and information security company, partnered with NRCC to establish a high power rocket club. The company provided funding for the club, helped students build rockets, and served as mentors. Students had several successful rocket launch events which were attended by faculty, staff, students, and community members. In 2019 NRCC student Jody Freeman brought national attention to NRCC when he competed on American Ninja Warrior (Season 11). At the age of 19 and only 115

the most of any chapter in Virginia or West Virginia. The chapter was also recognized as a “Five Star Chapter,” for the highest ranking of involvement of activities or events by members and received the PTK Travel Award for traveling the greatest distance and bringing the largest delegation to the PTK convention. In 2018 PTK students William McClellan and Brooke Quesenberry were named to the All-Virginia Academic Team. Sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and PTK, Isaac Motley was named a 2019 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar and received a $1,250 scholarship. Motley, along with PTK

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