Northeast Community College students named to All-Nebraska academic team

Northeast Community College students named to All-Nebraska academic team

LINCOLN – Four Northeast Community College students were recognized recently in Lincoln for being named to the 2016 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Nebraska Academic Team.

Cedric Biteghe Bi Ndong, Libreville, Gabon, Africa, Ada Buenrostro, Sioux City, IA, Brooke Gettman, Norfolk, and Ron Nichols, Norfolk, joined 25 other all-state team members from Nebraska’s five other community colleges in a ceremony at the Cornhusker Hotel.

The all-state academic team is sponsored by PTK – an international honor society for two-year colleges – and the Nebraska Community College Association, to honor students for academic achievement, leadership and community service.

 (from left) Ron Nichols, Ada Buenrostro, Brooke Gettman and Cedric Biteghe Bi Ndong. (Courtesy Photo)
(from left) Ron Nichols, Ada Buenrostro, Brooke Gettman and Cedric Biteghe Bi Ndong. (Courtesy Photo)

Governor Pete Ricketts told the honorees that they have received a great education from Nebraska’s community colleges and they should be proud of their accomplishment.

“Our community colleges do a wonderful job of adapting to the local environment and create education systems that are most responsive to residents in their areas. It is especially exciting to see this all come together during this ceremony and recognize our award winners.”

Ricketts congratulated the honorees and their families.

“While you students certainly went through all the coursework and studied a lot, you also had a lot of support from your parents, families and teachers. Please take a moment to thank them for all they have done to help you get to this point. This is a wonderful achievement. This is a fantastic recognition of the great academic work that you have achieved here. We are all very proud of the accomplishments you have made.”

Biteghe Bi Ndong is an accounting major at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. He plans on transferring to a four-year university to obtain his bachelor’s degree in accounting and become a certified public accountant (CPA).  Biteghe Bi Ndong is a Teammates mentor and a math tutor at West Point High School. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is on the Dean’s List.

“I live to serve my significant others and improve my community,” Biteghe Bi Ndong said. “God chose me, and put a calling on my life. It’s to be a CPA, a dad for my two children, and a faithful husband to my wife.”

Buenrostro is a business major at Northeast Community College in South Sioux City. She plans to further her opportunities through her current employer and eventually work for the city of Sioux City while still serving as a volunteer.

She is a volunteer at Sunnybrook Community Church and the Sioux City Gospel Mission as well as a participant in the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. She is on the Dean’s list and President’s list.

Buenrostro said, “In order to succeed you must work hard for what you want. I tell my children that education is extremely important and I want to do the best that I can do to continue to be an honor student and graduate with honors.”

Gettman is a graphic design major at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. She plans to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Gettman is a member of the Norfolk Noon Optimist Club, Northeast Community College Student Appeals Board, peer mentor, traffic safety advocate for the National Organization for Youth Safety, and gymnastics instructor at the Norfolk “Y.” She is on the President’s List, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and National Safety Council Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award.

Nichols is a nursing major at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. He will pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a preference of working in orthopedic care and ultimately, become a nurse practitioner.

Nichols said, “I am a non-traditional student who returned to college following a life threatening accident. After becoming very familiar with hospitals and rehab, I knew that I wanted to pursue a nursing degree and assist others striving to improve their health. My education at Northeast Community College has helped me tremendously and allows me to continue to help others and influence them in their journey to stay healthy.”

Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition programs in 32 states. All-State Team members receive special recognition including medallions, certificates, and oftentimes stipends and scholarships.

Each two-year college in Nebraska may nominate two students per campus to the All-USA Academic Team. Students from Nebraska nominated to the national team comprise the All-Nebraska Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.

Northeast Phi Theta Kappa sponsors are Colleen Barnes, criminal justice/sociology instructor, Glen Lammers, wind energy instructor, Danny Whitlock, CAD/drafting instructor, Andrea Suhr, physical therapist assistant instructor, and Pam Miller, dean at Northeast Community College in South Sioux City.