John C. Stennis (CVN 74) sailors and Marines, 248 of them, were recognized by Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Kuzmick, during a John C. Stennis University dean’s list ceremony Sunday.
The sailors made the dean’s list by earning an “A” in their classes.
Twenty-seven students earned an “A” in multiple classes, and Senior Chief Hull Technician (SW/AW) David Conduff was recognized for earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“It is always important that students get recognition for their hard work,” said Stennis’ Educational Advisor Susan Epstein. “Unlike a lot of their civilian counterparts, military personnel are not allotted the normal time it takes to adequately apply themselves to their classes. When you have 248 sailors finding that time, it lets you know how dedicated they are and it makes me proud.”
Kuzmick personally presented each honoree with a certificate of scholastic achievement as Education Services Officer Ensign Victor Vasquez read their names.
“I’m very proud of the sailors who made the dean’s list,” Kuzmick said. “Education is important in the lives of every sailor, whether they decide to stay in the Navy and make it a career or get out when it is time.”
JCSU students were not the only group of individuals to receive honors. Kuzmick also recognized JCSU coordinators and professors for their dedication and service to the crew.
“This is my first time taking classes through JCSU and I am very impressed with them,” said Electronics Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Michael Simmons, a dean’s list honoree. “They are very flexible when it comes to schedule conflicts and they understand the hardships we deal with as sailors who are trying to pursue our education while continuing to perform our military duties.”
JCSU is currently in its third term with 541 Stennis sailors and Marines enrolled in classes.
“Educational pursuits of excellence should carry on past deployment,” Kuzmick said. “It is imperative that sailors continue to strive to get to the next level and become who they wish to be.”
As Stennis’ 2009 deployment nears its end, Kuzmick encouraged Stennis sailors to continue to take advantage of educational opportunities offered by JCSU and the Navy.
