News Release

IWV Campus

CCCC Students named to Phi Theta Kappa All-California Academic Team

March 20, 2007

Cerro Coso Community College students Michelle Arnts and Michael Garrison have been named to the 2007 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 Phi Theta Kappa and were nominated for this award by Cerro Coso Community College Interim President, Dr. Mary Retterer. "Both Michelle and Michael exemplify Cerro Coso Phi Theta Kappa students. We are very proud of their academic achievements and community involvement", stated Dr. Mary Retterer, Interim President, Cerro Coso Community College.

Arnts and Garrison have been invited to attend a luncheon in Sacramento on March 29 where the state's top community college students will be formally recognized for their academic achievements, community service, and for the example set for their fellow students. Prior to the awards luncheon, the 69 members of the All-California Academic Team will be honored on the Senate and Assembly Floor. Arnts and Garrison have also been invited to meet with Senator Roy Ashburn, who will deliver a Senate Certificate of Recognition; and with Assembly Member Jean Fuller, who will present an Assembly Scholastic Achievement Award to these deserving students to commemorate their outstanding achievements.

Michelle Arnts has a 3.93 GPA at Cerro Coso Community College. Her goal is to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and become a Child Life Specialist. She currently works as an Emergency Room Technician and enjoys caring for children. Since Cerro Coso first received its Phi Theta Kappa chapter in May 2006, Arnts has served as its Fellowship and Service Officer. She spearheaded the Phi Theta Kappa effort to collect goods and money for Give2TheTroops, a non-profit-political organization aimed at supporting U.S. deployed and wounded troops through letters and packages, was the co-captain of Phi Theta Kappa's Relay for Life team, and worked to deliver meals to families and toys to children at the holidays.

Michael Garrison has a 4.0 GPA at Cerro Coso Community College. He plans to transfer to UC San Diego or UC Berkeley in the fall as a Chemical Engineering major and to attend graduate school to become a molecular biologist. Garrison volunteers for the Rose Varga Discretionary Fund in Ridgecrest, an organization that lends at no cost medical equipment to the physically disabled, and donates a few nights a week to care for an Alzheimer's patient. In addition, Garrison has participated in research projects in the Chemical Division of Michelson Laboratory at China Lake. Cerro Coso faculty named Garrison the Math Student of the Year and the Physical Science Student of the Year in 2006. Furthermore, Garrison received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Chemical Society for obtaining a perfect score on the standardized ACS Organic Chemistry Exam.

Last year Cerro Coso Community College became a part of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors society for community colleges nation wide, through the efforts of Professor of English, Dr. Christine Swiridoff who continues her service to the society.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230