Barr, Owens among those honored with RCC academic awards

Shawn Barr of Asheboro was chosen as Randolph Community College’s Academic Excellence Award winner for 2022, while Devin Owens of Randleman was RCC’s nominee for the 2022 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.

Barr, who is studying Advertising and Graphic Design and graduated in May, was one of 58 students from each community college in North Carolina who were recognized in April for academic excellence. AEA selection requirements are consistent with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society criteria. Students must be currently enrolled, must have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program, and must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.25. A committee at RCC selected the final recipient based on faculty recommendations.

Barr’s interest in Advertising and Graphic Design started when he was little, spending endless hours drawing. When he was in eighth grade, he discovered an illustration program on his science teacher’s laptop that sparked him to create designs for his friends and family. The program and watching how-to videos built a strong foundation but made it so he had to unlearn a lot of what he thought he knew once enrolled in RCC’s program during his senior year in high school. Still, he persevered and took off, not only in the classroom (and the youngest person in the class to boot), but also in his work as a contract designer at Vintage Church. Hard-working, respectful, and reliable, Barr took time at the end of the Summer 2021 semester to learn a new design program the class would be using the next semester. That extra effort meant that Barr graduated just one year after finishing high school.

“Under piles of work and stress, Shawn remained adaptable, empathetic, and genuine,” a classmate said in a recommendation letter. “He was never willing to sacrifice his relationship with his team for a more comfortable position in a project. Shawn was always willing to share knowledge and translate constructive criticism with humility and respect. To be talented is one thing, but to be talented and have good character is what makes a leader.”

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the System. The award is given annually to a current or former community college student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy.

Owens is a third-year apprentice with Apprenticeship Randolph, working toward his Manufacturing Technology/Mechatronics degree, while also working full-time at Energizer. As if that wasn’t enough, Owens secured financial aid last summer to take online Information Technology classes in addition to his already heavy load. Owens’ goal is to graduate with an associate degree in both departments.

“He is able to do this through hard work, determination, and long hours completing online assignments,” Owens’ recommendation letter said. “Devin gets rave reviews from his mentor at Energizer, who says his work ethic is second to none. He is a leader among his apprentice peer group – always jumping in to help others in need.”

RCC also recognized student achievement with its annual Academic Awards and Curriculum Awards.

The Academic Award is based on the highest GPA in the degree and diploma program of study. Students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms; have completed at least 40 credit hours at RCC in a degree program, 10 of which are major courses in their current program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program; and have a program GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Curriculum Award goes to a student in each degree and diploma program who is both outstanding in their academic achievement and has potential for success in the field they have chosen. To be eligible, the students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms; have completed at least 40 credit hours at RCC in a degree program, 10 of which are major courses in their current degree program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program; have a program GPA of 3.0 or higher; have demonstrated expertise in their field of study; and have participated in departmental, campus, and community activities that promote the College.