Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has named 15 students as finalists for the 2018-19 Student Excellence Awards.

They were selected on the basis of academic excellence, leadership and character through a process that included written essays and personal interviews.

“We are extremely pleased to recognize these exceptional students, who embody the best of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College,” said college President Carol S. Spalding. “Their extraordinary academic achievement, leadership, courage and perseverance parallel the values of the college and the work we do every day.”

The finalists are:

• Tammy Blackburn

• Hawke Blust

• Rachel Duquette

• Addam Flynn

• Jessica Jacobsen

• Troy Kennedy

• Susana Saucedo Mata

• Jacob Mohammad

• Manfred Obisui

• Damola Ogunyomi

• Xcaret Cruz Ramirez

• Abu Sirleaf

• Adrian Stallings

• Jason Stover

•Zaccheus Williams

The finalists, who are eligible for three state awards, were selected from nearly 400 candidates that included Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation scholarship recipients, faculty and staff nominees, and student organization leaders.

Nominees were invited to write a 500-word essay to be reviewed by a committee and, of nearly 100 submitted essays, 15 finalists were selected for personal interviews.

“The committee was beyond impressed by these finalists and their incredible accomplishments,” said Natasha Lipscomb, vice president of student success. “As we learned about their life experiences, personal victories and goals for the future, we were both inspired and very proud of each of these exceptional students.”

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222).