University of Mount Olive CFFA Receives State and National Recognition at 2012 FFA Convention
MOUNT OLIVE – University of Mount Olive’s Collegiate FFA (CFFA) members and club received recognition during the recently held 84th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh. With over 2000 FFA members, advisors and guests present at the convention, University of Mount Olive CFFA was recognized for its membership, service, and support of FFA and Agriculture Education.
For the fourth year in a row the CFFA was awarded the membership growth award for exhibiting an increase in the number of members involved in CFFA at University of Mount Olive. With over 40 members CFFA continues to reach out to all students on campus to join this active, community service oriented organization. Students in all curriculums are invited to join and help continue this tradition of growth.
The MOC-CFFA was also recognized as a Gold Finalist for The National Chapter Award and will be recognized again in October at the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The National Chapter program is designed to award FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the FFA organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using a Program of Activities that emphasize student, chapter and community development. Quality standards have been developed in each area as minimum requirements for recognition in the National Chapter Award program.
MOC-CFFA Vice-President David Thomas, a junior in agribusiness from Timberlake NC, accepted this prestigious award during the second general session of the convention and stated, “The recognition of University of Mount Olive Collegiate FFA as a gold national chapter recipient is a great honor. This national level award as a premier CFFA chapter recognizes our commitment to service and leadership at a whole new level and could only be accomplished with an active and involved membership.”
In addition, two University of Mount Olive CFFA members and Agriculture Education students were recognized as recipients of the State FFA Degree. The students are Joshua Wisniewski of Mount Olive, NC and Reva Orr of Gray’s Creek, NC. The degree is awarded to members who have shown exemplary efforts in FFA and is the highest commendation a state association can bestow upon its members. Three other CFFA members and Agriculture Education Students were also recognized and recommended to receive the American Degree to be awarded at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October. The students are Heath Brittain a sophomore in agriculture education from Catawba, Hannah Singleton a junior agriculture education major from Goldsboro, and Melissa Mayo a senior in agriculture education from Smithfield, NC.
The American Degree is awarded to less than one percent of all FFA members nationwide and it is representative of members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to service, leadership and FFA.
University of Mount Olive CFFA also served as a sponsor for the Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award which was awarded to Danielle Baker of the North Stanly FFA Chapter. Collegiate FFA was also instrumental in the sponsorship of a much sought after NC FFA state convention lapel pins that were a new item each and every FFA member received. “University of Mount Olive Collegiate FFA’s continued commitment to service and leadership through their sponsorship of regional and state level FFA programs is to be commended and is recognized by the agriculture education community statewide,” stated advisor Dr. Sandy Maddox.
University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.
Picutred at top, Left to right: Hannah Singleton of Goldsboro, Heath Brittain of Catawba, Melissa Mayo of Smithfield.