On February 26, 2024, Mt. San Jacinto College held its second-ever in-person President’s Honor Roll reception, to celebrate its students’ academic achievements. Over 1,300 students were invited to the ceremony, each receiving a letter of congratulations signed by our President/Superintendent, Roger W. Schultz. The letter explained the honors program. to the students who received this award, and also informed us that the academic award would be denoted on our official transcripts.
On the day of the ceremony, it was an amazing 66-degree cloudy day. The reception was held between the 700 and 800 buildings at the Menifee Valley Campus at 10:30 AM. The reception was covered by a white tarp, with over 100 chairs, and multiple tables scattered throughout the reception. The reception provided different types of breakfast bread, a variety of fruits, parfaits, and a few great beverages. Before the reception started, I was able to catch up with our superintendent, Dr.Roger Schultz, and he left us with an encouraging message that states, “Nothing replaces effort, nothing comes easy, so whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. That doesn’t mean it has to be perfect, but to the best of your ability commit to that. Opportunities will arise, and keep your eyes and ears open to the opportunity because I never planned on being a college president. I planned to be a broadcast journalist, but opportunities arose. Just whatever you do, do it well, and don’t worry about other people, you control yourself. Like I said, focus on you and doing your best, not what somebody else does at the next desk or the next lane is doing”.
At the start of the reception, President Dr. Shultz called those who attended up to receive a glass mug that said Mt. San Jacinto College and President’s Honor Roll. Rounds of applause were given to every student whose name was called, and sincere congratulations were given. The event featured speeches from Superintendent Dr. Schultz, Dean Donnhauser, Honors Program Leader/Professor Erik Ozolin, and three exemplary students from the honors program. After many inspirational quotes, Dean Donnhauser left us with a great quote saying, “ There will come a time where you will struggle. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down. It only matters how many times you stand up”. After the reception, students could talk and take pictures with each other and faculty members. Despite a sudden rain shower prompting some to depart early, the event was well attended and highly regarded.
I also wanted to talk a bit about my perspective because I was one of the students who received the president’s honor roll, but my grades were never all that great. Throughout high school and my first year of college, I received average grades and failed numerous times. I’ve never been the smartest student, and I don’t think I will ever be, but I’m here to tell everyone that effort will take you farther than you imagine. I’m a student who has to read things two, three, and sometimes even four times to understand what I’m reading, but the work has to get done, and it has to be done correctly. To those who received the award for president’s honor roll, congratulations. To those striving to better their grades, you will, but remember you have to put the work in, and, most importantly, believe in yourself and why you’re here in the first place.
