April 19, 2021

MCC Announces Student Excellence Awards Recipients

Fort Morgan, CO 4/19/2021.  Seven Morgan Community College (MCC) students have been recognized by the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) for their academic excellence, leadership, and community service. MCC’s winners are Chase Bennett and Yadira Garcilazo (Rising Star awards); Anna Ruiz (Inclusive Excellence Champion); and Reine Dayouh, Bruce Dietz, Bronwyn Kalcevic, and Ashley Wilkins (Phi Theta Kappa All-Colorado Academic Team members).

“MCC is so proud to be represented by this year’s Student Excellence Award winners. They’ve put their heart and soul into their education and made it their purpose to promote excellence in all they do,” said Dr. Curt Freed, President of Morgan Community College.  “I offer my most sincere congratulations to each of them for their achievements.” 

MCC’s Rising Stars, Chase Bennett and Yadira Garcilazo, were selected for their outstanding leadership on campus and in the community.  Bennett will graduate from MCC in the spring of 2021 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology. After graduation, he will transfer to Colorado Mesa University (CMU) to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business with the goal of owning his own business. Yadira Garcilazo is a first-generation student and 2020 MCC graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Media Design, Marketing, and Advertising. She is continuing her education at MCC and expects to graduate in the spring of 2022 with an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Business.

Anna Ruiz was selected as MCC’s Inclusive Excellence Champion. This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on their campuses. Ruiz will graduate with her Associate Degree in Nursing in the spring of 2021 and plans to continue her nursing education at MCC through the college’s RN-BSN program.

Reine Dayouh, Bruce Dietz, Bronwyn Kalcevic, and Ashley Wilkins were selected to represent MCC on the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Colorado Academic Team, a group of high-achieving students from the thirteen community colleges throughout the Colorado Community College System.

Reine Dayouh is pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in Accounting at MCC. After completing her degree at MCC, Dayouh plans to transfer to the University of Northern Colorado to pursue a bachelor’s degree.  Her goal is to become an accountant, preferably in the food industry. Bruce Dietz will graduate from MCC in the spring of 2022 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology. After graduation, he plans to find employment in northeast Colorado as a Radiologic Technologist and pursue a certification in computed tomography. Bronwyn Kalcevic will graduate from MCC in the spring of 2021 with an Associate of Arts degree. Her long-term goal is to become a teacher or start a preschool or daycare program. Ashley Wilkins will graduate from MCC in the spring of 2021 with an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice. Wilkins plans to transfer to the University of Wyoming to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management. Her goal is to pursue a career as a law enforcement officer or park ranger.

Morgan Community College’s award winners will be honored with award medallions and certificates, memorabilia from CCCS and MCC, digital recognition on the CCCS and MCC websites, and mention in a CCCS press release and social media.

To learn more about educational opportunities at MCC, visit www.morgancc.edu or call 1-800-622-0216.  For more information about CCCS, visit www.cccs.edu/.

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