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Students and administrators from nearly two dozen community colleges came to Onondaga Community College for the annual Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State ceremony. The event was held April 13 in the SRC Arena.

OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill served as master of ceremonies. She was joined on stage throughout the event by Guttman Community College President Dr. Larry Johnson. The OCC Singers, under the direction of Dr. David Rudari, DMA, performed the National Anthem and the PTK song. And OCC student Katie Sullivan led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Three Onondaga Community College students are being honored with SUNY Chancellor's Awards this year, including one who is the only student in the entire SUNY system to receive the "Special Award for Overcoming the Odds."

OCC's honorees are: 

Onondaga Community College student Damon Gilstrap will receive two major awards from SUNY this month. He's one of a very select group who will receive the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence, given annually to students in the Educational Opportunity Program who exceed academically while overcoming personal obstacles. And Gilstrap is the only SUNY student in the entire system who will receive the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence - Special Award for Overcoming the Odds. “Just being here is a gift from God.

Esteffany Lorena Castillo-Patino's first year at Onondaga Community College was extremely challenging. During her freshman year Covid was in full bloom and she didn't feel she was getting the total college experience. This year has been much different. "My first year I didn't do much outside of class because of the pandemic and I didn't have many friends. Things have gotten much better. I've gotten the whole experience of being a student here and have made a lot of friends."

They've done it again!

Onondaga Community College’s chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is ranked third in the world! This is the fourth year in a row OCC's chapter, named Alpha Sigma Zeta, is ranked in the top ten out of nearly 1,300 international chapters. “We’re so excited! The students have worked so hard and are very deserving,” said PTK Faculty Advisor Dr. Annie Tuttle. The rankings were unveiled during the annual international conference, “PTK Catalyst,” which was held this past weekend in Denver.

Three Onondaga Community College students have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team for their distinguished academic achievements and leadership accomplishments. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of all community colleges.

Their accomplishments, along with the achievements of all of New York State's honorees, will be celebrated during an event Wednesday, April 13 at 12 p.m. in the SRC Arena.

OCC's All-State Students are:

The OCC campus community came together April 11 for the celebration of Holi. The South Asian festival welcomes spring and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

As part of Holi participants are given brightly colored powders to put on themselves, others, or simply throw into the air.