Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release January 24, 2006
Contact: Misty Moore 503-338-2350

From left - Zachary and Nathan Wiegardt

Clatsop Community College is proud to announce the Outstanding Student Scholars for 2006, Nathan Wiegardt and Zachary Wiegardt. Nathan and Zachary are brothers, and their parents are Erik and Ann Wiegardt of Ocean Park. Faculty and staff nominate students whom they believe are most outstanding in terms of excellence in the classroom, general intellectual curiosity, evidence of substantial development of their talents, and the ability to share their talents with others. The two finalists will be honored with a trip to Salem in April, joining students selected by the other state community colleges to have lunch with Governor Kulongoski. The governor will meet each scholar individually and present them with a plaque, noting their academic accomplishments. They also receive $1,000 Oregon transfer scholarships and a chance for national recognition by becoming a member of the “All-USA Academic Team.”

Nathan Wiegardt received his Associate of Arts, Oregon Transfer Degree from CCC December of 2005 and is currently attending Washington State University, majoring in engineering. He is a member of the Pi Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and in 2004 he was placed on the National Dean’s List, in recognition of his academic achievements at CCC. He is a recipient of the National Association for the Self-Employed Scholarship. In 2005 Nathan participated in a CCC robotics team that placed 4th among 26 schools in a National Marine Advanced Technology Education Competition.
Nathan’s community leadership activities include a church mission trip to Mexico, where he helped a church and families in need by helping to build a basketball court and install indoor plumbing. He plays the piano and sings for a choir that performs for churches, parades, and nursing homes. For a week each summer since 2002 he has participated in the Dunes Bible Camp, counseling boys and leading music.

"For me, community college is an ideal bridge to university for several reasons. It served to familiarize me with a classroom setting and working on group projects. As a high school senior I enrolled in CCC classes, which included basic, analytical and research writing as well as calculus and physics. Up until that year I had been home schooled, and although I didn’t lack socialization because of all the church, soccer, and home schooling group activities provided me, I was used to learning on my own – even teaching myself math. Also, I am very close to my family, and I’ve been able to earn college credits while enjoying the security of my family.” -- Nathan Wiegardt

Zachary Wiegardt also received his Associate of Arts, Oregon Transfer Degree from CCC, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Pi Phi chapter. He is currently attending Washington State University, majoring in engineering. In 2004 Zachary was placed on the National Dean’s List, in recognition of his academic achievements at CCC. He is a recipient of the Alexander and Anna Cody Foundation Scholarship.

Zachary’s community leadership activities include working with AmeriCorps to design and paint a mural for the children’s section of the Astoria City Library, and participating in Helping Hands Ministry to help the elderly and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to needy families. Zachary participated in a mission trip to Mexico, and serves on his church’s Youth Leadership Team.

"I feel that CCC has successfully bridged the gap between my earlier years of education and four-year institutions. From first grade through my sophomore year in high school I was home schooled. I attended CCC in my junior and senior years through the state of Washington’s Running Start Program, and I have been able to accumulate college credits while in high school. When I attend Washington State University, I will be free to focus on mechanical engineering courses upon arrival.” -- Zachary Wiegardt

The Advisors of CCC’s Phi Theta Kappa student honor society, Liz Hylton and Debbie Kaspar, coordinate the Outstanding Student Scholar competition, which is sponsored by the Oregon Community College Association.