Eighteen students, who have distinguished themselves and are representative of the top scholars at Fullerton College, were honored at the annual Students of Distinction awards banquet on Friday, May 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the College Center Dining Hall.
Aaron Untiveros and Corey Lamb were named Students of the Year.
Recipients were selected through a nomination process involving faculty, staff, and fellow students. The awards are divided into four achievement categories: Academic, Competitive, Personal and Service.
The recipients of the 2019 Students of Distinction Award are:
Academic Achievement
Hannah Avalos
Steven Benken
Ileana Mao
Madison Panzino
Quynh Truong
Competitive Achievement
Germaine Baltazar
Maceo Coleman
Ryan Sheatz
Personal Achievement
Desiree Dotterman
Alexander Hebert
Erin Kraemer
Corey Lamb
Sandra Ocampo
Service Achievement
Sasha Dotterman
Joshua Kazarian
Manushi Laheri
Karina Navarro Alvarez
Aaron Untiveros
History of the Program
Students of Distinction has a rich history at Fullerton College. In 1957 the Associated Women Students recognized women of distinction and in 1959, the Associated Men Students also began to recognize men of distinction. Each group held separate scholarship recognition ceremonies called “Women of Distinction” and “Men of Distinction.” During the next four decades, the two scholarships were merged together and became “Men & Women of Distinction” until 2016 when a transitioning transgender student at Fullerton College was nominated as a Man of Distinction and accepted the award as a Woman of Distinction.
“In our commitment to model leadership and excellence at Fullerton College through the lens of being just, equitable, and inclusive, the Office of Student Activities changed the name of this historic scholarship program in 2017 to Students of Distinction,” said Naomi Abesamis, director of student activities.
The change in name and program structure was endorsed and supported by Associated Students, Faculty Senate, Classified Senate, and District Management Association, she added.
“In alignment with the college’s mission, we will continue to celebrate all students through this annual scholarship program, embrace the value of diversity that each student brings, promote respect and inclusiveness, build community, and transform lives,” Abesamis said.
(Updated May 13, 2019.)
