All-Kansas Academic team members chosen
November 8, 2007

Lacy Adams
Crusader staff

Seward County Community College has named two sophomores to the All-Kansas Academic Team.

Jacob Elder and Erica Herrera will represent SCCC. These students were chosen not ony because of the high marks they have received, but also by how they have gone above and beyond what is required. When being considered, these students were recognized by the challenging courses they have taken and how they have excelled.

Also, student involvement in the community and college was a factor in the decision being made. This is the 12 year this award has been given at SCCC.

Dr. John Loucks convened a grop of panelists to decide which student applicants would qualify to be on the academic team.

The panel consists of instructors slected by the division chairs each year. There are approximately 18 other community colleges in kansas who also participate in selecting students for the All-Kansas Academic Team.

On Feb. 3, Elder and Herrera will attend a luncheon in Topeka where representatves from junior colleges and universities of Kansas will be present. Also in attendance will be members of the Board of Regents, different community college boards of trustees, members of the state legislature and representatives from the state and local chapters of Phi Theta Kappa.

Elder and Herrera are required to send in a packet of information by Nov. 31 and an essay to the regional Phi Theta Kappa offices and to the Phi Theta Kappa Center for Excellence, in Jackson, Miss.

The Academic All-USA team is a panel composed of people chosen by USA Today.

Elder is involved at the college and in the community. He works at the Wellness Center so students or athletes may have become familiar with Elder.

Last year as Seward County, he was a yell leader and was inducted to Phi Theta Kappa in the spring. This year, he holds the position of the treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa.

During the time SCCC was considering candidates for a dean, Elder was on a committee that interviewed Celeste Donovan and others who had applied before Donovan was hired as dean of student services. Elder will attend K-States next year and major in bio-chemistry.

He will receive a $500-$1,000 added on to his scholarship from K-State for next year.

"I feel honored to receive this award. It caught me at a little bit of a surprise," Elder said.

Herrera is a sophomore from Lubbock, Texas, and is a member of the woman's tennis team. She is a spring 2007 inductee of Phi Theta Kappa.

Herrera was honored with this distinction. "I honestly was just shocked. It feels like such a big honor for the school to trust you with such a nomination," Herrera said.

After completing her time at SCCC, Herrera intends to finish her schooling at Texas Tech University.