Simmons Names 2010 HCC Spirit Cup Award Winner

The Spirit Cup Outstanding Hopkinsville Community College Graduate Award, given by the Alpha Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, is presented annually at HCCs Commencement. At the colleges 44th Commencement held Friday, May 7, at the James E. Bruce Convention Center, Ernest Ernie Simmons was named the 2009-10 Spirit Cup honoree. He was among more than 500 HCC graduates in the Class of 2010.

Mr. Simmons graduate Friday night with an associate in arts degree. He plans to transfer to Eastern Kentucky University in the fall to pursue a bachelors degree. During his time at HCC, Ernest served as the Student Government Association Vice President, a member of the Minority Student Union, and as a Student Ambassador, as well as working third shift at a part-time job.

Simmons received numerous nominations from both faculty and staff for this years honor. I could always count on Ernie to keep my class light and positive. He was a class celebrity without being a class clown. He knew how to enjoy the academic environment and learning challenges, but he also knew when to be respectful and get to work. I have really enjoyed having him in class. I doubt there are many people who spend any amount of time on our campus who are not familiar with Ernie, said one nominator. A second nominator echoed the sentiments for Simmons, Ernie is always the student who I can depend on to be there when I need assistance with events on and off campus. Consider just some of the events he has assisted with: Health Education Expo at Christian County Middle School, HCC Foundation Golf Scramble, HCC Foundation Gala, HCC Advocacy Day in Frankfort, Back to School and End of Year Bashes, transfer fairs, Circle of Love When he gives tours at the college, he seems to have a great connection with the high school students who visit our campus. He wants to be a high school science teacher, and I think his ability to make connections with these students will make him a valuable asset as a teacher. He will be greatly missed. His smiling face and his willingness to always help when called upon will be missed. His shoes are going to be hard to fill.

SPIRIT AWARD BACKGROUND: The local HCC chapter of the international honor society maintains a mission to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. Presentation of the Spirit award is a tradition that began at Bethel College and has continued at Hopkinsville Community College since 1967. The purpose of the award is to recognize the most outstanding graduate of HCC. Faculty and staff nominate students and a committee of faculty and staff chooses the recipient.

To be eligible for the Spirit Cup, the student must meet exacting criteria including, be graduating with an associate degree, be actively involved in the college, have at least a 3.0 GPA, have demonstrated leadership ability, and be positive and enthusiastic about HCC.