ACC Student Receives President's Award
As the nation and the region struggled to deal with the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alvin Community College student Eberechi Onye-Franklin jumped at the opportunity to help the college prevent the spread of the disease.
“It’s not every day you get an opportunity to serve on campus,” Onye-Franklin said.
Onye-Franklin signed up to assist with the screening station on campus and over the course of the pandemic, she helped take temperatures and screened campus visitors. This was in addition to her time as a Student Ambassador, serving on the Student Government Association and the Black Student Association.
For all of her efforts and hard work, Onye-Franklin was named the 2021 President’s Award winner. President Dr. Christal M. Albrecht made the announcement during the virtual Awards Day ceremony released in April.
“I never expected it would be me,” Onye-Franklin said. “I cried when all of the accomplishments were read out.”
She received the award not just because she worked as a screener, but she also coordinated the schedules of other screeners, Albrecht said. At times she would take phone calls at all hours to ensure that the screening stations were covered. If someone was not available, Onye-Franklin would cover the shift herself.
When the campus hosted special events, Onye-Franklin volunteered to do the screenings for the guests and participants.
“She takes pride and ownership in her work and is well respected as a leader by her colleagues,” Albrecht said.
While she was vital to the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Onye-Franklin was active with other organizations on campus including serving as president of the Black Student Association, vice president of the Student Government Association while being named to the President’s List and maintaining a GPA above 3.5.
“Eberechi has earned this honor through her hard work and dedication both as a student, on campus and as a valuable member of the community.” Dr. Albrecht said.
She graduated in May with an Associate Degree and will attend the University of Texas-Tyler to pursue a Nursing degree to become a nurse anesthesiologist.
Onye-Franklin said she is appreciative of the faculty and administration at ACC for recognizing her accomplishments.
“I felt very appreciated and that my hard work was seen,” she said. “I feel as though my hard work was finally showcased.”