Student Receives Presidential Coin

According to Wikipedia, a challenge coin (aka military coin) is a small coin or medallion bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and is carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. The tradition of military coins is said to have started with the United States Air Service (now the United States Air Force)during World War I and then spread to all other branches of the military. Some argue that they began earlier and some say later. Whatever the true origin, military coins have become quite significant to the modern U.S. military.

With this background in mind, it is no surprise that our President, Randy Wooten, also known as Retired Air Force Colonel Wooten, has minted his own Presidential coin. President Wooten does not bestow this award to just anyone, and it's especially rare for a student to receive one. Today, Alyssa Langford became the 3rd TSTC Marshall student to receive this honorable token from the President. She was given her coin in front of Wooten's Presidential Council for her graphic design contributions to the college. Some of these designs include computer wallpaper, various student activities and most recently, the new banners that hang from our campus lightpoles.

Alyssa just started her fourth semester here as a full time Multimedia Publishing student. She actually began taking classes with us as a dual credit student and was able to finish most of her academic requirements while still in high school. Her contributions to our campus are definitely worthy of recognition and we know she'll be successful in whatever she decides to do after obtaining her degree. And as a side note, this author is especially proud of her because she is my daughter! Congratulations Alyssa!