Harford Community College Honors Student Named Portz Award Winner

George (TJ) Strawbridge, one of Harford Community College’s Honors students, was named the Two-Year College Portz Award recipient for Maryland in 2021 by the Maryland Collegiate Honors Council (MCHC). The Portz Award carries a stipend of $500.

The three parameters of Portz Awards for Outstanding Honors Students are 1) initiative and leadership in the honors program, the institution, and/or the community; 2) grade point average (overall and in honors courses); and 3) academic excellence as illustrated by a project submitted for honors credit. Each Maryland Collegiate Honors Council member institution may nominate one Honors student who embodies the hallmarks of scholarship, lasting impact on their institution, and leadership among their peers.

According to Harford Community College Professor Chris Jones, “TJ embodies what the Portz Award is designed for: to recognize an exceptional student leader, scholar, and mentor to his peers. He is a fantastic example of a student that elects to use his talents to leave a lasting impact on his peers as well as our institution. To be selected as the Portz recipient from a pool consisting of the top honors students from two-year colleges across Maryland is an incredible accomplishment. It’s been a privilege to work with TJ for the past two years and to know him as a hardworking, energetic, and compassionate student leader.” Professor Jones is the Coordinator for the Honors Program and Dr. Tony Wohlers is the Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Harford Community College.

TJ, along with four other HCC students, conducted research and presented at the MCHC conference, which was held virtually February 26 and 27, 2021. TJ’s research was titled “Kazimir Malevich’s Suprematism and Its Three-Stage Evolution.” The other HCC students who participated, along with the titles of their research, were Madison Alley, “Screen Time: Is it Really Worth It?;” Damian Ambrozewicz, “Film Adaptation and Evolution;” Olivia Borkowski Johnson, “The Impact of Animal-Assisted Therapy: Veterans Who Have Experienced PTSD Symptoms;” and Jonah Lever, “How a Major League Batter’s Height Impacts Their Performance.” The students’ research was reviewed by a panel of honors directors and students.

This is the first time a Harford Community College student has been named a Portz Award recipient.

Harford Community College’s Honors Program

The Harford Community College Honors Program is intended for students who seek an enriched academic experience. Courses include greater intellectual and experiential opportunities and challenges, providing enriched learning and greater depth of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of material. Honors classes are smaller than most other courses at the College; they are limited to 15 students. In order to be part of the Honors Program, students must complete an application and meet and maintain eligibility criteria.

For more information about Harford’s Honors Program, contact Chris Jones at cjones@harford.edu or 443-412- 2055.