Three students honored with Outstanding Adult Student Awards

The Rochester Area Colleges of Continuing Education (RACCE) recently presented three Alfred State College students with Outstanding Adult Student Awards during a banquet held at the Doubletree Inn Henrietta in Rochester.

RACCE is 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 provides information about educational programs to students and fosters collaboration and professional development opportunities among its membership.

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 Helen Dean (business administration, Whitesville), Eric Eddy (culinary arts: baking, production, and management, Olean), and Cassandra Robbers (business administration, Almond).

Dean maintains a 4.0 GPA in her current major, and has been on the dean’s list each semester. She was chosen as an award winner due to her drive to achieve not just success, but to achieve excellence. She thanks her multifaceted support system for helping her achieve her goal of a college education.

Dean successfully has been balancing school, a household with her immediate family, taking care of her aging father, community service obligations, and a job. Professor and Department Chair Danielle Green noted that Dean has demonstrated not only an aptitude for business, but that she excels in all of the classes she has taken. Dean sees this award as an outward symbol of her hard work, drive, authenticity, and commitment to excellence.

Eddy maintains a 3.93 GPA in his major, and has been on the dean’s list for several semesters. He was chosen as an outstanding adult student award winner due to his ability to juggle school, a small catering business, a household, and community service.

Eddy is a veteran who is active at his local American Legion and belongs to a group called the Allegany County Vietnam Veterans Organization to assist other veterans. Professor and Department Chair Deb Burch mentioned that Eddy excelled so much in his program that he was allowed to begin a third year of the program in January. She also stated that he is a role model to the younger students.

Robbers maintains a 4.0 GPA while juggling a household, a job, and community service projects. She describes her college experience as humbling, rewarding, and empowering.

Robbers has been inducted into the National Society for Leadership and Success and makes the dean’s list each semester. As a mother of four, she has to coordinate a lot of schedules, all while participating in community service at the Almond Library, Alfred-Almond Central School theater productions, and at St. James Mercy Hospital in the gift shop. Professor and Chair Danielle Green noted that Robbers is a positive influence and role model for all of her peers.

Jeffrey Stevens, interim dean of Alfred State’s School of Applied Technology, said, “Alfred State is honored to have these adult student leaders as part of our campus community. Their accomplishments are fine examples of the dedication and heart of a true Alfred State Pioneer. I was proud to announce their names and share words of respect and admiration from their nominating professors. We offer our support to these incredible students and their families as they pursue their dreams.”