2008 President's Report
Alumnus is a ‘GEM’ in Information Technology
A 2006 Jones graduate, Chris Hill is making a name for himself in his academic and professional career. He was remembered for his outstanding efforts on the football field and in the classroom at Laurel High School and at JCJC. However, after graduating from Laurel High School in 2000, he decided to put his academic and football career on hold to join the U.S. Marine Corps for four years.
Upon returning to Laurel, he re-enlisted into the U.S. Navy Reserves and went to JCJC. While at Jones, Hill served as the Student Government Association President, was inducted into the Hall of Fame, was involved in Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, made the national Dean’s List, Who’s Who Among Junior College students, and was a member of Phi Beta Lambda professional business leaders organization, while also playing football for Jones.
He transferred to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina on a full athletic scholarship with his eyes still on his career. Excelling on the football field, “The ‘Mighty Vikings’ were CIAA Eastern Division Champions in 2006, and for the first time in school history, they were selected for the NCAA Division II playoffs and were undefeated in conference games with the best school record of 9-2,” stated Hill.
Academically, Hill also fared well, receiving the 2nd highest GPA in the Technology Department and making the Dean’s, Vice Chancellor’s and Chancellor’s Lists.
While trying to finish his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology, specializing in Computer Networking, Hill continued looking forward with aspirations of earning his doctorate degree. In his pursuit, he was selected for the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Conference in New York and became a Thurgood Marshall Leadership Scholar. This opened the door to an internship with BMW.
While interning with BMW, Hill was also taking 12 credit hours through distance learning, earning a 4.0 GPA. He was also the recipient of the Hercules Scholarship for $2,500.
Hill is preparing for his third internship, moving to California to work with Intel, the world’s largest leading microprocessor corporation.
Hill recently learned that he has been selected for the National GEM Fellowship program, fulfilling a dream. The non-profit corporation’s core business is providing graduate fellowships in the areas of engineering and science to highly qualified individuals.
“I attribute my career preparation and industry education solely to Jones because I have built everything off of the solid and concrete academic and professional foundation that was established through the curriculum, the challenges, the camaraderie, and the close knit family network that I shared with everyone and learned about while I attended Jones.”
After graduation from ECSU in the fall of 2009 and the completion of his internships, this GEM Fellow will enroll in one of the 169 GEM partner universities, such as Harvard, Mississippi State, or Florida State, and begin his Master’s degree with the goal of earning a doctorate degree in Information Technology. The determined JCJC grad hopes to specialize in Network Security and start his own IT Consulting Agency. “I have the passion, commitment, fortitude, and determination to see all my dreams come to pass,” said Hill.
There’s no doubt in Hill’s mind that the Jones family inspired him to reach his goals.
President's Report >> Inspiring Students
