Sinclair360

Jeff Gerken, a Surgical Technology student at Sinclair Community College, was recently named Ohio’s 2010 New Century Scholar. Gerken is one of 49 students nationwide to receive the honor from the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa. As a New Century Scholar, Gerken was then selected as a 2010 Top 20 Community College Student in the country by USA Today.

The New Century Scholar program recognizes top community-college students for academic excellence, leadership and community service. While at Sinclair, Gerken has organized and participated in several service projects, including:

• Organizing a river-cleanup effort that gathered more than 3,500 pounds of recyclables and trash from the Great Miami River
• Creating Videos for Vets, a program that has donated more than 3,500 movies to 20 United States Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in eight states
• Participating in the rehabilitation of a local cemetery, including landscaping and cleanup

Gerken attended the award ceremony for New Century Scholars and Top 20 Community College Students in May in Seattle, Washington. Gerken was honored again during session on the floor of the Ohio House of Representatives later in the month.

“[Seattle] was a great experience,” said Gerken. “Even after the ceremony, people on the street were stopping me to tell me congratulations. I had a great time.

“I’m just ecstatic about my experience at Sinclair,” continued Gerken. “The professors really seem to care about student success, and I enjoy the small classes and the learning environment here.”

When he graduates from Sinclair in June, Gerken plans to attend nursing school at the University of Cincinnati.

By Meghann Heft

Meghann Heft recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Dayton. She can be reached at meghann.heft@gmail.com.