Southern Miss Administrator to Serve as Academic Team Judge
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 03:02pm | By: Van Arnold
Dr. Julian Allen, director, Special Operations and Public Safety Technology & Training Programs at The University of Southern Mississippi, will serve as a judge in final-round selections for the 2012 All-USA Community College Academic Team.
Final-round judging will take place Tuesday, Jan. 31 at USA Today headquarters in McLean, Va. The All-USA Community College Academic Team is jointly sponsored by USA Today, the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
“Without a doubt my opportunity to serve as a judge to select the 20 members of the 2012 All-USA Community College Academic Team was greatly influenced by the fact that I work for the University of Southern Mississippi,” said Allen, a retired Air Force Colonel and Command Pilot.
“Southern Miss students' high academic performance in a myriad of undergraduate degrees ranging from K-12 education to PhDs in polymer science and engineering, along with campus and community service activities, results in an ultra-quality workforce for America. Those standards are what I bring to the judging process … not to mention, it's a great recruiting opportunity.”
The 20 winners, chosen from a pool of approximately 1,600 nominations, each receive a $2,500 stipend and medallion. They will also be featured in the April 23, 2012 issue of USA Today and presented at Phi Theta Kappa's Presidents Breakfast held during the American Association of Community Colleges Convention in Orlando, Fla., that same day.
In addition, 52 students will be named New Century Scholars and will receive $2,000 stipends; 50 students will be named Gold Scholars, receiving $1,500; 50 students will be named Silver Scholars, receiving $1,250 and 50 students will be named Bronze Scholars, receiving $1,000. All scholars will receive special medallions and be listed in the April issue of USA Today.