ACHIEVEMENTS
TCC Computer Club named Honors Laureate
The Tidewater Community College Computer Club received its gold medallion on June 4 for being named a 2012 Honors Laureate by the Computerworld Honors Program. The Computerworld Honors Program recognizes individuals and organizations that create and use information technology to promote and advance public welfare, contribute to the greater good of society and change the world for the better. More than 500 entries from over 25 countries competed in 10 categories. The medallion awarded is inscribed with the words, “A Search for New Heroes.”
Professor Gary Noah attended the black-tie awards gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., where the student club was recognized in the top 20 of the Digital Access Category. Other competitors included Microsoft Corp., Skype, the City Council of San Francisco and Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth.
“I am very proud to represent the club and all its dedicated members,” said Noah, the faculty advisor to the TCC Computer Club who is a professor in information systems technology. “This award is testimony to the hard work all of the students have put in to help those in need.”
Through TCC’s Computers for Student Success program, club members rehabilitate and update older or in need-of-repair PCs and laptops donated by companies and individuals, ultimately placing them in the hands of deserving students.
Club members have refurbished more than 2,000 computers with 400 awaiting monitors. Recently the club has supplied 20 computers to deserving families from Campostella Elementary School, 10 to Seton Youth Shelters and 10 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. In addition, Sentara, a regular donor, has offered to supply 3,000 additional computers to the club.
“We need to say a special thanks to the Virginia Beach Student Government Association, which has supported this program from the beginning, and thank you to Dr. (Michael) Summers for his continued support,” Noah said. “I am also grateful to our executive staff for providing funding for outfitting our new space and staff.”
Special Achievement Award
Virginia Beach resident Gary Noah, professor of information systems technology, received this peer award from the TCC Faculty Senate on June 17, 2011 to recognize accomplishments that go above and beyond the call of duty. Seeing a student need and meeting it head-on, Noah launched the Computers for Student Success program with the TCC Computer Club in late 2009. Since then Noah and club members have distributed over 400 re-furbished home computers to students in need. Under Noah’s direction, club members work diligently to clean and repair donated systems and teach recipients how to use and care for them. The effort gives TCC students the opportunity to hone troubleshooting and repair skills, while providing an invaluable service for students.