Dr. Dorsey L. Kendrick, president of Gateway Community College (GCC), delivered a heartwarming speech May 8 during the annual Student Government Association (SGA) Award Night, encouraging students to be the best that they can be and to aim high.

“Soar above the clouds,” Kendrick told the students.

Kendrick was the recipient of two awards, a Lifetime Achievement award and a Distinguished Leadership Award. 
This SGA award night awards students, clubs, associations, and faculty for their outstanding show of excellence throughout the academic school year. The evening also starts the new term for the newly elected SGA officers, who are sworn into office in front of the student body and faculty.

Marc Hartmann, director of Student Activities and Leadership, started the evening by congratulating the newly founded clubs: Anime Club, Gateway Outdoors, Smash Gym, News Haven Podcast Club and the Radiology Club. Awards were then handed out to Student Employee, Fundraiser, Student Leader, and more. Below is the complete list of the awards and recipients:

Following the award portion of the event, the newly elected SGA officers were inaugurated for the upcoming academic school year. This portion of the event was led by the Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Wilson Luna.

The first officer to be sworn was President Abdur Wali, followed by Vice President Mitch Lillard, then Secretary Christina Richardson. Preceeding the swearing, each individual received a pin to complete the inauguration process. As part of his speech, SGA President Wali encouraged the student body to get involved in student life at GCC as much as possible. As part of his position, he will appoint a number of senators to help the SGA while it tackles the upcoming school year.