Public

Every April, OCC holds a ceremony called Curriculum Honors during which we recognize the top student in each of the College’s majors. It’s one of the highlights of the year. During the ceremony a faculty member introduces each student and details his or her accomplishments, the student receives a certificate and a light blue stole to be worn at commencement, and the student is photographed with OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill. Due to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we were unable to hold our ceremony this year.

Dr. Frank Skurpski's daily life looks very different than it did three months ago before coronavirus. Now his days consist of triaging patients in tents outside of the hospital, struggling with shortages of PPE (personal protection equipment),  and dealing with the harsh realities of the coronavirus. But for doctors like Skurpski, it's a fight they've been trained for and something he considers a personal duty as health professionals.

What do you miss about being on campus? OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill asked that question in her Monday email to colleagues. She reflected on what she missed - “the noise outside my window as buses drop off high school students for campus visits, an entire semester of delicious lunches at Stonewalls thanks to our Hospitality Management students, and the opportunity to get blown over on the bridge by the fierce winds of Onondaga Hill.” She asked faculty and staff to email her what they missed about being on campus. The reply was overwhelming!

• Major: Music with a specialization in Voice
• High School: Vestal, class of 2018

Lily Woughter knew since middle school she wanted a career in music. Figuring out what exactly that career would look like took a little longer. "During high school I wasn't sure which branch of music to pursue. By the time I had to audition I didn't feel quite ready for a four-year school. I heard really good things about the Music program at OCC and decided to come here."

Every April, OCC holds a ceremony called Curriculum Honors during which we recognize the top student in each of the College’s majors. It’s one of the highlights of the year. During the ceremony a faculty member introduces each student and details his or her accomplishments, the student receives a certificate and a light blue stole to be worn at commencement, and the student is photographed with OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill. Due to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we were unable to hold our ceremony this year.

Onondaga Community College received some amazing news late Friday night. The College’s chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), known as Alpha Sigma Zeta, was named 5th best in the world! This is the second year in a row OCC’s PTK chapter had been ranked among the top five internationally.

• Major: Criminal Justice
• Home: Tehran, Iran

Four years after leaving his home country of Iran for a better life, Murtaza Khawari is feeling at home in the United States and on the Onondaga Community College campus. "I chose OCC because there are a lot of refugees here like me. I hoped I would feel comfortable here and I do."

Beth Eischen is a modern-day superhero. By day she teaches Microbiology to Onondaga Community College students. By night she makes masks for healthcare workers. “It makes me feel amazing to be able to help. I know how important is to be properly masked. I used to work with HIV in Silicon Valley. I understand personal protective equipment.”