Frederick Culp Jr. is Project Strive/TRiO's December Student of the Month
Frederick Culp Jr. of Mililani, Hawaii, has celebrated many accomplishments during his four years at Chadron State College. The most recent recognition came as he was named the Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for December. A few days later, he received his bachelor’s degree as part of the first graduating class to experience commencement in the Chicoine Center.
The benefits of the Project Strive TRiO program fostered Culp’s success in several ways.
He said the staff members have provided positive reinforcement in addition to textbooks and tutoring. One of his favorite Project Strive/TRiO outings was to Custer State Park when the van took a wrong turn and the group had an adventure getting turned around and back on their route.
“I learned a good college work ethic in this program. I picked up study skills and got all my homework done. I see myself as a leader now,” Culp said.
Culp, known by most students as Freddy C, is recognized as a talented musician. In 2013, he won the Voice contest hosted on campus which qualified him for trip to Nashville to audition for the national television show. He lent his voice to many campus events including the annual spring Release concert. He often performed the national anthem before games and became a popular and entertaining DJ for campus dances, according to Billie Knifong, residence life manager.
"I volunteered my first year when they needed a DJ. I liked it and just got better and better,” Culp said.
Culp ran the 400-meter dash for the CSC men’s track team and anchored the 4x400 relay team which won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship in 2013 and 2014. The relay team also set two school records, indoor in 2012 and outdoor in 2014. The CSC track team, overall, placed 16th in the nation in May 2014.
“I wanted to get off the island (after a year of community college). Coach Baily offered me a scholarship and we just clicked. He will always be one of my all-time favorite coaches,” Culp said, referring to Ryan Baily, former CSC head track coach.
Culp’s work ethic extends beyond the microphone and the track. In addition to his studies in business administration information systems, he also worked in The Pit – the pool and pong-pong table section of the Student Center – for four years.
The Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month award recognizes outstanding students who are members of the organization. Each month during the academic year, a participating student is selected for the award based on her or his work in Project Strive/TRiO and other activities on campus or in the community.
Award winners receive a plaque from Project Strive and their photo is placed on the Project Strive/TRiO 2014-15 Student of the Month achievement recognition board located in the Project Strive/TRiO Learning Center.
Category: Campus News, Project Strive