TCC Computer Club named Honors Laureate

Professor Gary Noah attended the black-tie awards gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., where the student club was recognized in the top 20 of the Digital Access Category. Other competitors included Microsoft Corp., Skype, the City Council of San Francisco and Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth.

“I am very proud to represent the club and all its dedicated members,” said Noah, the faculty advisor to the TCC Computer Club who is a professor in information systems technology. “This award is testimony to the hard work all of them have put in to help those in need.”

Through TCC’s Computers for Student Success program, club members rehabilitate and update older or in need-of-repair PCs and laptops donated by companies and individuals, ultimately placing them in the hands of deserving students.

Club members have refurbished more than 2,000 computers with 400 awaiting monitors. Recently the club has supplied 20 computers to deserving families from Campostella Elementary School, 10 to Seton Youth Shelters and 10 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. In addition, Sentara, a regular donor, has offered to supply 3,000 additional computers to the club.

“We need to say a special thanks to the Virginia Beach Student Government Association, which has supported this program from the beginning, and thank you to Dr. (Michael) Summers for his continued support,” Noah said. “I am also grateful to our executive staff for providing funding for outfitting our new space and staff.”

The Computerworld Honors Program recognizes individuals and organizations that create and use information technology to promote and advance public welfare, contribute to the greater good of society and change the world for the better. More than 500 entries from over 25 countries competed in 10 categories. The medallion awarded is inscribed with the words, “A Search for New Heroes.”