Karla Sorto
The annual President’s Honors List Reception will take place Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in the Music Quad. Pierce President Robert Garber will be awarding student Trish Lougnane with the All-USA Academic Team award. The certificate is a collaboration of Phi Theta Kappa and USA Today.A total of 620 students will also receive medallions in recognition for their academic achievements. The reception will be limited only to students who made the President’s List in the Spring and Fall of ’07.Curtis Smith, Student Services specialist, commented that the President’s List consist of students who have appeared on the Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters.According to the Pierce Web site, students who have passed 12 or more units each semester, and completed classes with a 3.5 GPA or better, make it to the Dean’s List.”Last year’s reception was too massive,” Smith said. “Therefore, this year’s reception is an improvement. Before, it was called the Dean’s Tea, [and] it consisted of awarding the part-time, full- time Dean’s List and the President’s List.”Students who have made it to the part-time and full-time Dean’s List will not be awarded at the reception. They will receive a certificate given to them by CopyTech.”The Dean’s List is to raise recognition,” Garber said. “This is the first time we’ve narrowed it down only to the President’s Honor List.”Refreshments will be available, and professional photographers will be taking pictures for students to purchase, provided by Chapel Studio.In addition to Smith, Shelley Gerstl, dean of Admissions and Records, and Phyllis Braxton, dean of counseling, are part of the committee in charge of the reception.Members of the committee agree that the event is a good way to motivate students, and a notation of the award will appear on the student’s transcripts. “I’ve had fun preparing for this event,” Gerstl said. “Phyllis and Curtis have been great to work with.”The reception will be available to the awarded President’s List students. Family members and the public are welcome.”I want to share my encouragement and enthusiasm toward the student’s success,” Garber said. “I’m looking forward to recognizing and getting to meet these outstanding students and their families who have stood by their achievements.”