Rising Star Young Alumni Awards

These awards are presented to young alumni (graduates of the past decade) who have enjoyed considerable early career success and are an inspiration to current students. Nominations come from faculty, staff, and alumni. Selection is made by President Murphy.

2010 Recipients

Sarah Greene with Ellen Hill (left) and Barb Lougee (right)Sarah Greene, Class of 2003
After earning her degree in health sciences from JSC in 2003, Sarah continued her education at the University of New England, earning a B.S. in medical biology in 2005. She spent her final semester completing a research internship at a medical school in Brussels, Belgium. She completed her dissertation and other doctorate requirements at the Boston University School of Medicine (Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology) in May and will receive her Ph.D. this month. Sarah's long-term goal after leaving JSC was to teach gross anatomy and neuroscience to medical and healthcare students. After completing her dissertation, Sarah accepted a position as a lecturer in the anatomy and neurobiology department at the University of Vermont. ("It has been my dream to someday return to Vermont. This dream has now come true," she writes.) Another feat, accomplished this year, was completing both the Boston Marathon and the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington.

Patrick Rogers, Class of 2005
Patrick Rogers and his motherAs associate director of admissions at JSC, Patrick speaks from his heart when introducing prospective students to Johnson State or talking with high school students during recruitment visits. He has a passion for higher education — particularly Johnson State College — and is steadfast in his  belief that JSC will inspire and change students' lives for the "He is loyal, hardworking, modest, a 'big picture thinker' an organizer, problem solver and a leader" notes Penny Howrigan, JSC's associate of enrollment management. Those qualities, combined with his charismatic nature, have earned him the respect of JSC faculty, staff students. Patrick recently received a scholarship to attend a regional meeting of admissions counselors and was named chair of the Consortium of Vermont Colleges. An active rugby player, he advises the men's rugby club on campus in his spare time.


Jeff Simone, Class of 2001
Jeff Simone and his wife, KateNominated by JSC environmental sciences professors Tania Bacchus and Les Kanat, Jeff has had an interesting and fast- paced career since gaining his B.S. in natural resource management from JSC. He began his with the Lamoille County Planning Commission, where he served emergency management planner and assistant transportation planner. During that time, he was appointed by Gov. Howard Dean to the Emergency Response Committee (SERC). His next position was scientist for Ross Environmental Associates in Stowe. He quickly to a project manager and, in 2006, was promoted to senior scientist overseeing complex contaminated-site remediation work in Vermont New Hampshire. In 2008 Jeff became operations manager for ENPRO Services Inc., a 24 hour chemical and oil emergency-response company Williston, and a year later he was named general manager.  "The education I obtained from JSC has been instrumental in my career, and the support of the JSC faculty shows an ongoing commitment to students," writes Jeff, who lives with his wife and two children in Morrisville.