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A Message from Jefferson’s Alumni Development Officer
Autumn is upon us, sneaking slowly up as the days shorten and the air gets crisp. Many times we think of the
autumn season as a time of harvest, a time when life begins to retreat, a time to prepare for the long barren
days of winter in the North Country. However, here at Jefferson Community College, autumn is when new life
abounds!
New beginnings, new challenges, new faces! New ideas to explore, new friends to make, new experiences to
share. As alumni, we often look to the past … back to our days at JCC, back to our carefree college days. But
at this time of year, as we begin a new academic year, it is time for alumni to look forward by making a new
commitment to ‘pay it forward’ through our gifts of funds and mentorships. Every college depends on their
alumni to help keep costs down for students, and Jefferson Community College is no exception. But, for our
alumni, it’s not just about making college affordable and making important opportunities available for today’s
students. It is also about passing along the experiences that shaped our lives. By sharing of our experiences
through mentoring, we give insight and vision to students at the very beginning of their college path.
Jefferson alumni share a strong commitment to JCC, giving of themselves to enrich the lives of new students,
which is truly an investment in the future of our community!
Edie A. Roggie
Alumni Development Officer
Jefferson Community College 2015
Distinguished Alumni
Bauer, Class of 1988, who received the Jeffersonian Award for her
volunteerism, civic involvement, and humanitarian undertakings.
Congratulations to these extraordinary individuals!
To see a complete list of all of the JCC Distinguished Alumni recipients
honored through the years, visit our website at http://www.
sunyjefferson.edu/alumni-friends/past-distinguished-alumni.
Left to Right: Renee Bowers, Michael Steele, Courtney Bauer
Jefferson Community College held its annual Distinguished
Alumni and Cannoneer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on
Thursday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Watertown Elks Lodge.
Three distinguished alumni were recognized for their professional
achievement and exemplary commitment to their community and
Jefferson Community College.
The 2015 Distinguished Alumni honorees are: Renee E. Bowers,
Class of 1982, who received the Professional Achievement Award
for her significant professional growth and leadership abilities; Michael
D. Steele, Class of 2000, who received the Rising Star Award
for exhibiting a promise for continued success; and Courtney A.
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 22
Alumni Advisory Council
Highlight
Philip James ’14, knew that he wanted
to go into either business administration
or accounting, but didn’t exactly know
which one to choose. Philip looked at
multiple universities and colleges, private
and public, in an effort to decide. He had
not considered JCC because he thought
he wanted to attend a four-year school,
getting a bachelor’s degree and a job all in
a matter of four consecutive years. On the
advice of his parents, he decided to look at
JCC to see what was offered there.
Philip started attending JCC as a full-time student in the spring of
2012. In an effort to learn more about the field of accounting and
on the advice of his accounting professor, Philip transferred into
the A.A.S. in Accounting in the fall of 2013. During his tenure as a
student at Jefferson, Philip was involved in multiple committees,
clubs, events, and campus activities. The most important role that
he held was the student representative on the Board of Trustees,
which governs the College. In this position, Philip served as the
voice of the entire student body, working with administration,
faculty and most importantly, the students. Philip also enjoyed