MCI HONORS GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

[USMC]

_Division of Public Affairs, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps,
Washington, DC 20380-1775_
_Commercial: _(703) 614-1492/4/5_ DSN: _224-1492/4/5_ FAX: _(703)_
_697-5362

_Date: _05/16/97_ Release #: _314_ Byline: _Lance Cpl. Mathew Schafer,
Marine Barracks, 8th & I

_Headline:_ _MCI HONORS GRADUATE OF THE YEAR_

[1][LINK]

IMAGE CAPTION -- 20MCI.JPG -- Sgt. Shawn C. Hughes, MCI "Graduate of
the Year."
(Photo courtesy of Jim Jenkins, PAX River Tester)

MARINE BARRACKS 8TH & I, Washington -- The Marine Corps Institute
presented the "MCI Graduate of the Year" award to Sgt. Shawn C. Hughes
April 9 during an assembly at the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C.

Col. David G. Dotterrer, commanding officer of Marine Barracks,
Washington, D.C., presented the award to Hughes, a helicopter crew
chief at NAS Patuxent River, Md., who completed 17 MCI courses in
eleven months during 1996.

According to Hughes, completing the courses gave him a boost of
self-confidence in advancing his education.

"Because of my fear of failure, I never allowed myself to be
academically challenged. Using the study techniques recommended by
MCI, I successfully completed several courses and increased my self
confidence. I realized I was not limited to a high school diploma,"
Hughes said.

While completing the MCI courses, Hughes was also a student at
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he completed 33 credit
hours and made the Dean's List twice.
Hughes' efforts at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his 17
completed MCI courses were merely the beginning in determining his
eligibility for the award.

According to Mr. Chris Dionis Jr., an instructional systems specialist
at MCI, the selection process for the MCI Graduate of the Year focuses
on how the student applies the
knowledge gained from MCI courses towards leading service members.

"The person has to be a well-rounded individual to receive the award.
For example, you can complete 70 courses, but if you're not applying
them to your daily schedule, you may not get the award," Dionis said.

Dionis said MCI has recognized an outstanding graduate each year since
1984. In order to do this, MCI takes applications every September to
determine the winner for the previous fiscal year.

They screen the applicants, and narrow the list down to the top three
enlisted individuals. Two of the applicants receive certificates as
honor graduates, and the one who is most qualified receives the award.

"Sgt. Hughes met all the standards where all the other applicants fell
short," Dionis said.

Hughes uses his knowledge to help other Marines prepare for promotion
boards, recognize terrain and conduct aerial navigation when flying as
an air crew member, and troubleshoot problems as an aircraft mechanic.
He designed balanced diets and workout schedules to help his unit's
Sailors improve their Physical Readiness Test scores.

He also taught five "Navy Rights and Responsibilities" classes on
various subjects, including sexual harassment and fraternization.

Hughes has also received the award for "Marine of the Year" in his
unit for two consecutive years. He received the Navy/Marine Corps
Achievement Medal, and has been recently accepted for the Meritorious
Commissioning Program as well.

In addition to receiving the MCI Graduate of the Year award, Hughes
was recognized by the Distance Education and Training Council, the
accrediting organization for MCI. Michael P. Lambert, the executive
director of DETC, presented Hughes with a certificate recognizing him
as one of the outstanding DETC graduates in 1997.

Hughes thanked his wife for supporting him in his efforts, and he
thanked the Marines at MCI for their work
assembling the courses. (Lance Cpl. Mathew Schafer, Marine Barracks,
8th & I)
-USMC-

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References

1. http://www.usmc.mil/mcnews/30a6/20mci.jpg
2. http://www.usmc.mil/