Two
Illinois community college students named to academic first team
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[APRIL
29, 2004]
SPRINGFIELD -- Two Illinois
community college students were named to USA Today's All-USA
Community and Junior College Academic First Team. The students were
among 20 selected from 1,528 associate's degree candidates nominated
by their schools, and they each received trophies and $2,500 cash
awards. The judging was administered by Phi Theta Kappa, the
international honor society for two-year colleges, at an awards
ceremony in Minneapolis during the annual convention of the American
Association of Community Colleges.
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The two Illinois students are David
Grinsdale, 21, who attends Malcolm X College in Chicago, and Urouj
Shah, 22, who attends Oakton Community College in Des Plaines.
According to USA Today, Grinsdale is a
psychology major with a 4.0 grade-point average. He works on the
school's newspaper and is involved in many volunteer activities as
well as being president of his school's honor society.
Shah emigrated from Pakistan in 2000
with her parents. Carrying a 3.85 grade-point average, she is
involved with many student activities at Oakton and plans to be a
dentist.
"We are so proud that these two
products of Illinois community colleges have been chosen for this
incredible honor," said Guy Alongi, chair of the Illinois Community
College Board.
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"The selection of these students speaks
volumes for the quality of education one can expect from our
community colleges," said Geoffrey Obrzut, president and chief
executive officer of the Illinois Community College Board.
The board is
the coordinating agency for the 48 Illinois community colleges. The
state's community colleges serve a million Illinois residents a year
in academic, occupational, work force development and personal
growth programs, as well as those who receive training with various
job skills enhancement courses through employee-employer training
programs. The board also administers the Adult Education and Family
Literacy programs in Illinois.
[Illinois Community
College Board news release]

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