KOKOMO, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region will recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and leadership during its commencement ceremony May 10.
Genevieve Phillips of Noblesville, who is graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting, will be honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence.
Phillips was selected from those students nominated for the Dean’s Award in each program who have a 3.75 GPA or higher. Other considerations for this award include leadership, community service, and school involvement.
In nominating Phillips for the honor, Kathy Bunker, the chair of the Medical Assisting program, described her as a leader in class, always willing to assist classmates and professional in interacting with instructors. She outlined Phillips’ many activities, including service as president of Ivy Tech Kokomo’s Alpha Pi Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honorary for community colleges, and as student representative on the Medical Assisting Advisory Board. Phillips also was one of two students who represented Ivy Tech Kokomo at the Indiana Academy of Science annual meeting this spring where they presented their microbiology research.
Outside of the classroom, Phillips has been active in her community, as a member of the Noblesville Adult Swim Team and a USA Swimming official for club-level swimming. She has served as a team parent for a son’s baseball team, volunteered for a daughter’s youth theater program, and been a volunteer grant writer for several school corporations. She credits Ivy Tech for offering the support she needed to successfully balance her educational life with her personal life that includes a husband and four children who range in age from 13 to 23.
Dean’s Awards honor students who are selected by the faculty chair for each program as the program’s outstanding graduate. Recipients of the Dean’s Award for 2019, and hometowns, are:
Accounting
Tricia Lease, Peru
Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology
Alex Surber, Russiaville
Agriculture
Lani Lewis, Kokomo
Automotive Technology
Douglas Blackburn, Marion
Biology
Kyaw Thu, Logansport
Business Administration
Shaina Hawkins, Peru
Business Operations, Applications and Technology
Christena Welcher, Peru
Criminal Justice
Cierra Grubbs, Star City
Dental Assisting
Heidi DeBard, Kokomo
Early Childhood Education
Jshanien Minor, Kokomo
Education
Erica James, Tipton
Engineering Technology
Luke Shepherd, Greentown
General Studies
Laurie Dowell, Galveston
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology
Drew Jameson, Kokomo
Human Services
Silvia McVay, Logansport
Industrial Technology
Brady Turner, Peru
Information Technology
Adam Gibbs, Logansport
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Fredy Santamaria, Logansport
Machine Tool Technology
Bechel Crew, Franfort
Medical Assisting
Genevieve Phillips, Noblesville
Nursing
Kari Totten, Noblesville
Paralegal Studies
Sheila Haynes, Peru
Practical Nursing
Jodee Perry, Rochester
Professional Communications
Cara Dawalt, Denver
Software Development
Nathanael Sumpter, Peru
Surgical Technology
Danielle Wagoner, Wabash
Visual Communications
Janette Sanchez, Logansport
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region