Annual Access Awards ceremony features keynote address from Ben Glenn
By: Kurt Oberreither
News Editor
STLCC-Meramec students, faculty and staff were honored at the 20th Annual Access Awards Ceremony in the theatre Friday, April 27.
The Access Office recognized 240 students and 30 faculty and staff members. Students nominated faculty and staff for the awards and instructors nominated students.
Student Emily Burke received an award for earning a 3.0 GPA at the ceremony. Burke said her English 102 professor Todd Roman nominated her for the award because of her effort to raise her grade.
Burke has received the award in the past but said she could not believe she was nominated again.
“Even though I’ve won awards in the last few years, it was pretty exciting,” Burke said.
The ceremony was preceded by a keynote address from “The Chalkguy,” Ben Glenn. Glenn was diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities while in grade school.
“The message [Glenn] sends is universal. We all have things we struggle with; we all have mountains to climb and we may find it impossible,” said Manager of the Access Office Linda Nissenbaum. “The community college is a perfect example. Everyone faces challenges but everyone has an opportunity to succeed.”
Glenn began his presentation by drawing a mural on a canvas with chalk. Later he made a dark mark through the drawing to show the impact a disability has on people’s lives. Then he used the mark to add another dimension to the drawing.
The chalk drawing was donated to the school.
