Skip to main content
ToggleMenu

Computer Information Systems student receives GRCC’s Andrews Award

April 12, 2019 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. A Computer Information Systems student received Grand Rapids Community College’s Arthur Andrews Award during a dinner Thursday honoring members of Delta Pi Alpha.

Daniel Cruzan received this year's award, which goes to the Delta Pi Alpha student with the highest cumulative GPA and the greatest number of honor points.

“When an industry partner, US Signal, came to us looking for internship candidates, and Daniel took the initiative to apply, I was delighted to recommend him,” CIS professor Andrew Rozema said. “He’s been over there learning about their networks in the real world this semester.”

As part of his coursework, Cruzan took four classes through GRCC’s partnership with Cisco Networking Academy and then passed a rigorous exam to become a Cisco Certified Network Associate. This spring, he will receive an Associate of Applied Arts and Science degree and will work toward a bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University.

Cruzan said his pathway to success was longer and more challenging than expected. He worked in a factory after losing his father to cancer.

“I was doing a grind, working 40 to 60 hours a week, and I was using that time to recover and save up,” Cruzan said. “I had no idea when I quit my job and started to go to college that I’d do so well or what I was capable of. I’m so thankful to everyone here for bringing me into your lives.”

The Arthur Andrews Award is given in memory of Grand Rapids Junior College's second president.

"This award recognizes students’ outstanding academic achievement and personal investment in their academic success,” said Tina Hoxie, associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “It reflects the value that Arthur Andrews and GRCC have always placed on academic excellence.”

While the Andrews Award recognizes the student with the highest GPA, being a member of Delta Pi Alpha is itself an honor. That recognition goes only to students with excellent academic achievements from the top 5% of the graduating class. This year, 80 students were inducted into Delta Pi Alpha.

Cruzan was among 13 students who were honored during the ceremony for achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA. The other students are: Elizabeth Aronica, Sara Dokter, Parzinder Ghavri, Jennifer Kober, Jamey Limbers, Rashmeer Mangat, Nicole Meredith, Sydney Mrozik, Mackenzie Omness, Derrick Place, Katelyn Sparks, Cody Zokoe,

Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.

 

Transfer