By Daniel Yanez

Managing Editor, The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College?s newspaper, The Eagle, once again took home more than 20 awards from the annual Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) conference.

Last†month, the journalism staff traveled to Dallas to represent The Eagle and the college?s literary magazine, Lagniappe.

This year, the journalism staff won a total of 22 awards including seven first place awards, a number of second and third place awards as well as honorable mentions in several other categories and two award

The Northeast Texas Community College Student Government Association (SGA) recently recognized two student organizations on campus. The Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Mu Chi chapter was awarded Outstanding Student Organization for the 2015-2016 school year. To be eligible for this award an organization must exhibit how it has contributed to the college, community, and the development of its members.Rico Willis, Director of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs, is pictured presenting the award to the†Alpha Mu Chi Chapter.

Northeast Texas Community College will hold its spring commencement in two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Whatley Center Saturday, May 14. Dr. Kim Wommack will be the speaker at both events.

The†9 a.m. ceremony is for Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts in Teaching and Associate of Science graduates. Mary Smith of Gilmer will give the student response at this ceremony.

The†11 a.m. ceremony is for Associate of Applied Science and Certificate of Competency graduates.

Northeast Texas Community College student William Austin Jones was recently named the winner of the 2015-2016 Chitsey Award, granted annually to the student of Honors Northeast who most exceeded expectations. Jones has impressed all four of the first-year honors seminar professors for his proactive academic work, and commitment to excellence. He was the winner of the freshman-sophomore division of the Great Plains Honors Council poster contest in the Behavioral Sciences for his poster on quasi-criminality.

• Read more about NTCC Faculty Senate hosts annual Student Awards Ceremony

Do you know a student who will be graduating from high school in 2016? If so, please let them know about our exciting new Summer Success Program. This is a unique opportunity for high school graduates to earn college credit, stay on campus with us and learn strategies to help them transition into life as a college student. Click here for more information and the application.

The Northeast Texas Community College Foundation is participating in East Texas Giving Day Tuesday, May 3.

East Texas Giving Day is a 24-hour day of giving that provides critical funding for our area nonprofits. East Texas Communities Foundation is partnering with area nonprofits to give thousands of donors from every community in East Texas a chance to raise funds for local needs.

Registration is underway for May Intersession, Summer and Fall 2016. As you register, don't forget that we offer a wide variety of course offerings to help you†fit the classes you need into your busy life. These include evening, online, hybrid, afternoon, and fast track courses. Beginning this Fall, NTCC is also expanding the number of eight-week courses offered.

Offered online, these classes cover the same amount of material as a traditional semester in only eight weeks.