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