MxCC Students Named “All Connecticut Academic Team” Award Winners

May 16, 2016 Two Middlesex Community College students were recognized for their academic and leadership achievements during the annual All-Connecticut Academic Team awards ceremony held at the state capitol building in Hartford on Friday April 29. Michael Stielau, a MIS major student from Middletown, and Ceara Wettemann, a General Studies student from Killingworth, were among the group of 17 students from eight community colleges and St. Vincent’s College to receive the awards.

The All-Connecticut Academic Team recognizes the outstanding scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in Connecticut’s community and junior colleges. The students chosen for the state team also represent Connecticut in the All-USA Academic Competition, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and USA Today.

Michael and Ceara are members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society at MxCC, and both were nominated by PTK advisors Dr. Lin Lin, Dr. Eva Jones and Ms. Landi Hou. Michael is also the current president of MxCC’s Robotics Club.

“Each year, MxCC is asked to nominate students deserving of this honor and we are always fortunate to have many in our PTK chapter to consider,” said Ms. Hou.  “Michael and Ceara stood out among other exceptional students at MxCC because of their consistency, dedication and dependability.  We congratulate them and are happy they received this recognition.”

The ceremony was sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, Northwestern Connecticut Community College, and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

“This award is an honor that will remain with me for the rest of my life,” Michael said after the ceremony. “I feel very fortunate to have been a student at MxCC, and truly feel the faculty and staff are very supportive and really care about each student’s success. They have contributed to my own success by providing knowledge, guidance, and opportunities to explore new areas of interest. My two years at the college seemed to go by very quickly, and I feel that I have experienced a good deal of personal growth during my time there.”

Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (mxcc.edu) is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. In all it does, Middlesex Community College strives to be the college of its community. By providing high quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, the college enhances the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. MxCC, recently named a “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education, offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs at the main 35-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and online.