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FRCC student named to All-Colorado Academic Team

Contributed by: FRCC on 3/4/2008

WESTMINSTER, Colo. - About three years ago, Theresa Strong divorced an alcoholic husband and quit a job that just wasn't working out.

That's when she showed her true character as it is reflected in her last name: Strong.

Add courage, too. She walked into Front Range Community College. That can be hard to do when you're 47 and, as she says, "I had no idea what I was going to do for the rest of my life."

What she discovered was "a passion for education." She had made the best decision of her life.

Now, as she majors in English literature and minors in psychology, she wants to become a college professor. She has the ability.

And she has membership on the 2008 All-Colorado Academic Team, too.
Strong is scheduled to be among the honorees from Colorado's community colleges at the state Legislature and a luncheon March 12 in Denver.

"Theresa is an amazing ambassador for FRCC," said Andy Dorsey, vice president of the Westminster Campus. "She reaches out to new students after orientation to make sure they are adapting to college. She is an excellent speaker and is always willing to share her experience in coming back to school in midlife."

"It has been some time since I have had the pleasure of teaching a student who so clearly understands that the true goal of education is transformation," said John Sullivan, chair of the Communications and Mass Media Department. "Her clarity of thought, her emotional sensitivity, the patience she brings to class discussion bespeak genuine intellectual gifts. She is possessed of one of the two or three best minds I have encountered as a teacher."

Outside the classroom, Strong's "enthusiasm for college and her belief in the potential of people she works with have been invaluable," said Mike Coste, chair of Humanities. Coste is referring to Strong's participation as a Student Ambassador and as chair of the aptly named Leadership on Campus Club.

As a Student Ambassador, Strong volunteers for College 101, the new student orientation. She gives tours to potential and new students. The Leadership on Campus Club focuses on leadership development for students.

At home, Strong cares for her disabled mother. She also has supported her ex-husband to sobriety.

"Being a Student Ambassador provides me with the opportunity to share my success story and help students on their own journey to self-discovery through education," Strong said. "Education is essential to being the best person one can be, which leads to the best society, and eventually the best of possible worlds."

Strong was nominated in a national competition for consideration for membership on the All-USA Academic Team. Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community colleges; USA TODAY, and the American Association of Community Colleges sponsor the All-USA Academic Team program annually.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

John Eisel

Denver , COLORADO

John Eisel has posted 2865 stories and 12 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. John Eisel's average story rating is 4.39.
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