At a glance
In recognition of their excellence both inside and outside of the classroom, three Alfred State College students were recently honored with Outstanding Adult Student Awards.
In recognition of their excellence both inside and outside of the classroom, three Alfred State College students were recently honored with Outstanding Adult Student Awards.
Presenting the awards to 130 bright and highly motivated adult students was the Rochester Area Colleges Continuing Education (RACCE), a consortium of area colleges that promotes and advocates for continuing education to adult and other non-traditional students in the greater Rochester area. RACCE’s extensive network of college administrators provide information about educational programs to students and fosters collaboration and professional development opportunities among its membership.
Alfred State’s own Joseph Greenthal, chief financial officer, served as the keynote speaker for the 36th Annual Outstanding Adult Student Awards Banquet, which was held at the Double Tree Inn in Henrietta.
The Outstanding Adult Student Award recognizes adult students who have excelled academically while successfully combining their college education with other commitments to family, job, career, and service to the community. Receiving awards from Alfred State were Travis Randall, a construction supervision major from Horseheads; Rob Orton, a business administration student from Wellsville; and Jared Wielkie, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning major from Yorkshire.
Randall, who maintains a 3.9 GPA, has maintained his job as a union electrician during the summer breaks and teaches night classes at a local union hall for electricians. He is also a veteran and is very active in a veterans support group called, “Got Your 6,” which assists veterans who are transitioning out of service to civilian life. This group participates in fundraisers and community activities to support fellow veterans find success.
Orton, who maintains a 3.8 GPA, takes great pride in his studies and strives to get the best out of his education. He was hired as an intern in the Office of Student Engagement to work on leadership programs during the summer of 2018. Orton helps to build the schedule for the “Week of Welcome” and worked for Orientation to provide presentations to commuters and non-traditional students. He is also active in his son’s Boy Scout group as a den leader, his children’s karate classes, and his church as a leader of multiple groups and a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Wielkie, who maintains a 3.9 GPA, is a student tutor, works part-time jobs through a staffing service, and is active in the Boy Scouts of America. He drives more than one hour to get to school each day and is dedicated to his studies. Wielkie also assists an elderly family member, as well as a local fire department.
