COD Names All-USA Team Nominees

The College of DuPage Office of Student Life recently announced the College's two nominees for the 2011 All-USA College Academic Team.

Students Elizabeth Wauer of Downers Grove and Abdul Aziz Syed of Glen Ellyn were selected by the College to compete at the national level with the chance to win $2,500, an obelisk and a medallion in recognition of their outstanding work at the community college level.

The annual competition seeks to honor 400 community college students from around the world and highlights those who excel academically, demonstrate leadership and use their community college education to better themselves, their school and their community. Eligible students must complete a 500-word essay, have completed at least 36 college-level credit hours, carry a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA and provide two letters of recommendation.

Wauer carries a 3.63 GPA and hopes to teach biology at the college level. She is a recording secretary for the College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and is president of Alpha Mu Gamma – The Foreign Language Honors Society.

Originally planning to attend the University of South Carolina Upstate, she decided on College of DuPage to save money on her first two years.

“I couldn't have been more surprised with the faculty and programs at COD,” she said. “I am positive that it was the best decision I have made. COD has provided me with an exceptional educational experience and helped me increase my leadership skills by being involved with academic organizations without putting a major dent in my pocketbook.”

Syed carries a 4.0 GPA and plans to become a doctor. He is majoring in psychology and pre-med and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Muslim Student Association and the Human Services Network.

After emigrating from Saudi Arabia, Syed originally intended to enroll at the University of Illinois at Chicago, but came to COD to complete some general education requirements and acclimate to the new culture.

“My community college education in various disciplines has helped me better know American culture and its people,” he said. “I have learned to understand and communicate better with others around me even though my cultural heritage and my religion are different from theirs.”