Jeanean Bustamante, 2016 Piedmont Community College (PCC) graduate, was honored by the PCC Alumni Partnership as the 2017 Alumnus of the Year during an event held at the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex in April.
Bustamante received her Associate in Arts and Associate in General Education degrees from Piedmont Community College and is now a student at Averett University, double majoring in Environmental Science and Bio Medical Science.
A student leader at PCC, Bustamante continues this trend as an Averett University scholar, participating in opportunities through The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC), an organization that links students and faculty with community partners and volunteer endeavors.
Bustamante is also interning with the Dan River Basin Association, overlooking the Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program where water is tested for E.coli growth.
Prior to attending Averett University, Bustamante was recognized with a community leadership award for her activities at PCC and in her community. Among her achievements are:
• Spearheading a team to raise funds for Autism awareness
• Assisting with a successful “Rockin’ in Roxboro” fundraiser for the Kirby Rebirth project
• Raising awareness of the Connect NC Bond Referendum in Caswell County
• Grant writing to earn “Get Out Movement” funds for outdoor exercise equipment for the Caswell County Parks and Recreation system
• Representing PCC at various civic events
• Leading the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society as Vice President of Communications, Vice President of Leadership, and President for the Alpha Upsilon Theta Chapter at PCC
“Jeanean has created personal relationships with the communities of Person and Caswell counties to propel our [Alpha Upsilon Theta] chapter forward,” commented Academic Success Center Coordinator and former PTK Advisor Edna Brown. “Jeanean has a bright future ahead of her because of her self-persistence and her outlook to help other succeed.”
Bustamante was also awarded the Honors in Action award and the Learning Resources Centers Award of Distinction while a student at Piedmont Community College.
“The greatest investment one could ever make for themselves is in the pursuit of knowledge,” Bustamante shared. “Not because you want to know as much as possible, but because you are willing to learn as much as possible. It’s the one thing that has the most potential to provide you the greatest return in any aspect of life depending on how you choose to use it. Choose wisely, while maintaining humility, and a deep respect for all that you gain and where it comes from. Then freely offer what you know to others, because it serves no purpose holding onto it. After all, the knowledge you seek will be given to you by someone else as well.”
Nominees for the PCC Alumni Partnership Alumnus of the Year award must have completed a degree, diploma, or certificate program at PCC; demonstrated support to the College through monetary contributions and/or volunteer service, have achievement in their profession, and have outstanding service in civic/community affairs.
To learn more about the PCC Alumni Partnership, visit www.piedmontcc.edu/alumni or contact Patti Clayton at (336) 322-2105 or alumni@piedmontcc.edu.
Photo: Shirley Deal, Alumni Partnership Chair; Jeanean Bustamante, 2017 Alumnus of the Year Recipient; and Edna Brown, Academic Success Center Coordinator and former PTK Advisor
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