Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Press Release - Caldwell Early College senior wins 2018 Academic Excellence Award

Caldwell Early College senior wins 2018 Academic Excellence Award

Caldwell Early College High School senior Lucas Price of Hudson has always enjoyed the outdoors. He grew up hiking, fishing and camping in the mountains of Western North Carolina, which led to a strong interest in studying science during the last five years as a student at Caldwell Early College and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.

CCC&TI Wins Top Campus

“When I first started high school I said I wanted to study business, but looking back on that now, I don’t see how I was interested in that,” Price said, adding that his experience with biology and chemistry courses at CCC&TI helped shape his plans for the future. “I never thought of going into a science field, but once I started taking classes, my interest increased and I think that taking the courses here helped that. If I had not been able to take classes on this campus, I highly doubt that I would have gone into a scientific field.”

Price’s love of science, along with his hard work as a student and various extracurricular activities, has resulted in him being chosen as CCC&TI’s 2018 Academic Excellence Award winner. He was presented a medal and plaque at the April 18 CCC&TI Board of Trustees meeting on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson. The winner of the annual award, which is presented by each of the state’s 58 community colleges, is chosen based on faculty nominations and academic achievement.

For the committee, it was a combination of his academic record and his extracurricular service that vaulted him to the top of the list of nominees.

“I think he exemplifies the commitment to excellence in his studies and to development of his full intellectual potential,” said Michael Leonowicz, an instructor of Chemistry at CCC&TI. “He is very worthy of the CCC&TI Academic Excellence Award.”

Along with his high school diploma, Price will earn two college degrees – an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science – from CCC&TI in May. This fall, he’ll begin his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, where he is one of two students to receive the prestigious Elizabeth McRae Scholarship.

Price’s advice for current and future college students is to get involved on campus.

“Without that, you’re just coming to class and going home,” he said. “When you’re involved and you’ve gotten to know instructors outside of class, it creates a sense of accountability and makes your instructors more approachable.”

During his time at CCC&TI, he has worked as a biology tutor in the Academic Support Center, was a member of the Science Club and Science Olympiad team, was a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success, served as Parliamentarian in the Student Government Association, volunteered as a CCC&TI Ambassador, participated in the CCC&TI Global Students Club and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Outside of school he has volunteered at the Lenoir Soup Kitchen, Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care and earned the rank of Eagle Scout after building a covered picnic shelter at Happy Valley Elementary.



Contacts

photo of Edward Terry
Edward S. Terry
Public Information Officer


Technology & Instructional Support Services
Caldwell - E - 200
828.726.2202
eterry@cccti.edu
Credentials for Edward Terry
photo of Amy Bowman
Amy Bowman
Media Director


Technology & Instructional Support Services
Caldwell - B - 117
828.726.2209
abowman@cccti.edu
Credentials for Amy Bowman