May 3, 2011 Kenneth Colangelo

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Tunxis dental hygiene student Sorimar Carrero (center) accepted the award on behalf of the group of over 30 dental hygiene students and faculty from Higher Education Commissioner Michael P. Meotti (left) and William R. Dyson (right), chair of the Connecticut Commission on Community Service. Photo courtesy of Premier Portraits Studio.

Tunxis Community College dental hygiene students and faculty received an award for serving as models of leadership in community service on April 12 at a Connecticut Higher Education Community Service Awards ceremony held at the Mark Twain House and Museum.

The students and faculty were among five recipients from Connecticut colleges who received awards for their projects. Recipients were selected based on their ability to create projects which distinctly serve a community; incorporate originality and unique approaches to community service; substantially raise student participation; and address community problems.

The Tunxis Community College dental hygiene students and faculty received the award for providing dental services and education to underserved populations in community clinics and by participating in service projects in Connecticut and beyond.

Those Tunxis dental hygiene students who participated in the community projects and are among the group honored are:

Sorimar Carrero (Meriden)

Amanda Chamberland (Cheshire)

Eliana Clements (Vernon)

Jennifer Gagnon (Ellington)

Kimberly Guenther (Bristol)

Stephanie Guilmette (Bristol)

Jessica Henrick (Waterbury)

Marcela Karnas (New Britain)

Beata Kurkowski (New Britain)

Susan Lackman (Unionville)

Erica Lagueux (West Hartford)

Sara Malenfant (Clinton)

Jacqueline Maliga (Somers)

Anna Nadolski (Southington)

Tracey Oberg (Meriden)

Katelyn Randlov (Colchester)

Megan Rheaume (Oakdale)

Gianna Ricci (Springfield, Mass.)

Heather Riediniger (Plantsville)

Katherine Robert (Waterbury)

Kelly Seymour (Hamden)

Lauren Simard (Bristol)

Eleanor Sutton (Suffield)

Karolina Szydlowska (Naugatuck)

Tracey Wilson (Colchester)

Krystyna Zalewski (Burlington)

During the presentation, 64 other nominees were recognized for their commitment to service and leadership, among them a group of Tunxis students who traveled to a Navajo Reservation in Monument Valley, Utah to examine the long-term environmental effects of uranium mining and contamination and interview tribe members.

Hosted by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, the awards recognize volunteer service in the higher education community completed during spring and fall semesters 2010.

Tunxis Community College, which first opened for classes in October 1970, is celebrating 40 years of education in the Farmington Valley and beyond. From fine arts, health, and technology to liberal arts & sciences programs, Tunxis offers over 60 associate’s degrees and certificates, providing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that prepare students for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and employment in areas with industry need. Tunxis is located at the junction of Routes 6 and 177 in Farmington. Visit Tunxis on the Internet at tunxis.commnet.edu.