Hopkinsville Community College presented the Spirit Cup Award and recognized two Academic All-Stars during commencement exercises Friday, May 5, at the college.
The Spirit Cup, given to an outstanding student leader every year since HCC’s first graduation in 1967, was awarded to Esther Ebbay, of Oak Grove, who earned an associate in science degree among 345 graduates, the college announced in a press release.
Ebbay served as HCC student government president, Round Table Writers’ Group president and the student representative on the HCC Board of Directors.
“Esther has been president of the Round Table Writers’ Group for two years and has rarely missed a meeting,” two faculty members stated in their nomination of Ebbay. “She is consistently welcoming to new and returning students and is everything you would want the Spirit Cup Award winner to be.”
Faculty and staff choose the Spirit Cup recipient from nominations submitted by employees and students. To be eligible, a student graduating with an associate’s degree must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and be actively involved in the college.
The Spirit Cup is given by the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at HCC. The tradition dates back to Bethel College, the Baptist-affiliated private college in Hopkinsville that remained in operation until HCC opened.
Also recognized Friday, as Academic All-Stars, were Jaylan Renna, representing transfer associate degree students, and Andrew Greene, representing technical/occupational program degree students.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
