News Release
All Campuses
Cerro Coso Honor Students Honored
April 29, 2008
Cerro
Coso Community College students Samuel Irving and Iryna Putilina have been
named to the 2008 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Academic Team, a state-wide
competition co-sponsored by the Community College League of California and
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Both students are members of
the college's Honors Program and are officers of Phi Theta Kappa, an
international honor society for two-year colleges that encourages academic
excellence and promotes community service. Samuel and Iryna were nominated
for this award by Cerro Coso Community College President, Dr. Mary Retterer,
and were selected for their outstanding academic work, community service,
and research projects.
Irving and Putilina attended a luncheon in Sacramento on March 27 where the
California Community College League recognized the state's top community
college students for their academic achievements, community service, and for
the example they set for their fellow students. Prior to the awards
luncheon, Irving and Putilina met with Senator Roy Ashburn, who presented
them with a Senate Certificate of Recognition, and with Assemblywoman Jean
Fuller. Kern Community College District Chancellor, Dr. Sandra Serrano,
attended the awards luncheon to support the district's All-California
Academic Team members from Cerro Coso and Porterville College.
In addition to being named to the All-California Academic Team, Samuel is
part of the 2008 All-USA Academic Third Team, an honor officially announced
in the April 7 USA Today. Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, Dr. Christine Swiridoff,
said, "This is a huge honor for us and an amazing accomplishment for Samuel.
The All-USA Academic Team recognizes outstanding two-year college students,
selecting 20 students for each of the three academic teams, so out of all of
the students nominated, Sam is one of the top sixty community college
students nationwide. We know Sam is good, but it is wonderful to see such
talent recognized at a national level."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760)
384-6230