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Gwinnett Tech Recognizes Top Students at Annual Awards Ceremony
Melissa Johnson, Radiologic Technology, Named 2009 Distinguished Student

Lawrenceville - June 08, 2009

Gwinnett Technical College honored more than 300 students for academic excellence and achievement at the college's recent annual Awards Ceremony.

The Gwinnett Tech Foundation awarded 62 scholarships totaling $43,700 at the ceremony, recognizing students for various achievements in academic, vocational and occupational skills, as well as overall leadership and teamwork.

"We had a record number of students receiving academic and service honors this year. It's a great pleasure for us to be able to honor their outstanding efforts and achievements, and to award much-deserved scholarships to support their educational goals," says Sharon Bartels, president, Gwinnett Technical College.

The culmination of the Awards Ceremony was the naming of Gwinnett Tech's 2009 Distinguished Student.

Honored for excellence in her field of study and for her leadership and volunteerism on campus, Melissa Johnson was recognized with the 2009 Distinguished Student Award.

Johnson is graduating this month in the Radiologic Technology program. A member of both National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa, she has 3.89 GPA. Johnson helped create a student-to-student mentoring program and tutors fellow students after hours, on weekends and even on her spring break. She served the college as a Student Ambassador and participated in a host of community service projects, both on and off campus.

Radiologic Technology Program Director Jim Sass, who nominated Johnson for this honor, noted, "Since she began her program of study, she has evolved into a participatory leader who encourages all her fellow students and the staff.  She has a great personality, is an outstanding academic student, and is always willing to help other students and faculty as needed."

Johnson was selected from a group of five finalists which included Jimmie Dominy, Commercial Construction; Vanessa Jatho, Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management; Darcie Johnson, Business Management; and Mary Stoklas, Early Childhood Care and Education.

 Gwinnett Tech offers more than 45 degree, diploma and certificate program options that can be finished in two years or less. For more information, call 770-962-7580 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community.  The college offers more than 45 associate’s degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training.  It is also the county's largest provider of corporate training programs.  Gwinnett Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.