Alicia Webber

Mary Lou Thibodeau

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College for ME-Androscoggin Excellence Awards

December, 2009

  Two CMCC students were honored recently at the College for ME- Androscoggin annual awards luncheon.   They were selected for their great success in overcoming odds and excelling in their college studies.
 

Alicia Webber of Lewiston was described by her nominator as “an engaged and motivated student . . . who has an enduring thirst for knowledge.”  While in her teens, Alicia was homeless for a time before becoming a resident of New Beginnings in Lewiston.  While there she pursued completion of her high school diploma so she could apply to college.
 

While at CMCC Alicia has blossomed and has successfully balanced her academic load with work responsibilities.  A liberal arts student who has been awarded high honors in four of her eight semesters at CMCC, Alicia is modest about her achievements.  She helps other students in the college’s TRiO support program, and has convinced her advisors that she will continue to “grow personally, academically and professionally.”  
 

Mary Lou Thibodeau of Auburn is a second year student in the Medical Assisting program.  A first-generation college student in her family, she is described as an “extremely dedicated and hard working student . . . who went from being poor and unemployed to being an outstanding college student.” 
 

Before coming to CMCC, Mary Lou worked at a telemarketing firm but was laid off due to the slowing economy.  When she enrolled at CMCC, she had to count every penny and struggled to find enough money for her studies and household expenses.  Despite these challenges, she earned honors in her first semester and has since become very active with the TRIO Program and currently works as a student mentor and tutor in Medical Terminology.  Her advisor describes her as “a very caring person who has become a role model to many students.”