By Staff
DOWAGIAC -- Ryan Fedore of Cassopolis and Virginia Dickman of Galien are Southwestern Michigan College's nominees for the All-USA Academic Team.
The All-USA Academic Team is a prestigious competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (the international honor society for community colleges), the American Association of Community Colleges and USA Today.
This program recognizes scholarly achievements of students enrolled in community, technical and junior colleges.
A total of 60 community college students throughout the world are chosen annually for the All-USA Academic Team.
The winners are featured in a special 2004 section of USA Today, receive cash stipends of $2,500 and are automatically placed on the All-State Academic Team.
Additionally, the highest-scoring All-USA applicant from each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar.
Each New Century Scholar will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Dickman and Fedore will represent SMC in the All-USA Academic Team competition and become members of the All-Michigan Academic Team.
The All-Michigan team members will receive statewide recognition and be honored at a special awards ceremony in March in Lansing, where they will receive their All-Michigan Academic Team medallions.
Fedore is a 2002 graduate of Ross Beatty High School and is currently completing an associate in science degree majoring in physical/occupational therapy at SMC and plans on pursuing his doctorate in physical therapy.
Fedore lives across from Edward Lowe's Big Rock Valley Farm in Cassopolis. He has a brother Ivan, 15, a ninth grader at Ross Beatty High School in Cassopolis.
His sister Jordan 21, studying at Michigan State University to be a vet, like their father Garry, who co-owns Bergman's Veterinary Medical Center on State St. in Cassopolis. His step-sister, Emily Larsen, 18, the daughter of Garry's wife Connie, is at Central Michigan. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, has been on the President's List for his first two semesters at SMC and has been a recipient of the Award of Distinction full ride academic scholarship.
On campus he is an active member of SMC's fitness and wellness center.
Off campus he volunteers by assisting with the Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School wrestling team.
Dickman is a 2002 graduate of River Valley High School and is currently completing an associate in arts degree at SMC majoring in business administration.
She plans on pursuing a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis in international business. Dickman is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, has been on the National Dean's List and has been a recipient of Southwestern Michigan College's Award of Distinction full ride academic scholarship.
She has been involved in the SMC jazz and show choir, dance ensemble and campus blood drives.
Dickman also works as a tutor at SMC.