Codie Fleming named ‘Student of the Block’ for Fourth Block

Mike Verna, left, nominated Codie Fleming, at right, for “Student of the Block” honors at Tusculum College because of not only his hard work for the college’s Information Systems Department but also his dedication to the school.

Codie Fleming has been named “Student of the Block” for Block Four of the fall 2013 semester at Tusculum College for his hard work in the Information Systems Department and his dedication to the college and being part of its community.

Fleming, a senior from Bradenton, Fla., who is majoring in business administration with a concentration in general management, was recognized Friday, Jan. 31, in a brief ceremony in the Niswonger Commons. The “Student of the Block Award” is presented by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs and was established to recognize individuals who excel in their academic endeavors, campus involvement and/or athletic performance. The award is selected from nominations made by faculty and staff members, and plaques telling about the honorees are displayed in the Niswonger Commons and other campus buildings.

Mike Verna, computer systems administrator at Tusculum, nominated Fleming for the award. Fleming has worked for the Information Systems Department for four years and has been a conscientious and hard worker for the department. He has also been of significant assistance to the department in its efforts to install wireless servers across campus, Verna continued.

Although Fleming’s work for the department is deserving of recognition, Verna said, he also nominated Fleming because of his dedication to Tusculum and becoming part of the college community.

During his time at Tusculum, Fleming has been active on campus. He has served as president and vice president of the Anime Club, one of the largest student organizations on campus, and as vice president of the Student Government Association. He has also been a member of Student Support Services.

Working in Information Systems, Fleming is close to his fellow staff members and has come to know many people across campus. “Faculty and staff have been kind to me since I’ve been here. I have talked to everyone on campus at least once since I’ve been here, and they were always helpful whenever something needed attention,” he said.

Fleming was drawn to working with Information Systems because of the skill and knowledge he already had about computers and software installation. However, working in the department has given him new perspective about his knowledge and work ethic. “Working in the Information Systems department has shown me how bad my work ethic was my freshman year,” he said. “They have been lenient with teaching me new skills and improving what I already knew.”

After graduating in May, Fleming’s ultimate objective is to attend graduate school, earn a master’s degree in computer science and become a chief technology officer. In addition to his professional aspirations, he also wants to become a connoisseur of blacksmithing, leatherworking, improving his origami skills, and someday becoming a professional gamer.

His best advice for incoming students at Tusculum College is to persevere no matter how many times you may not succeed at something. He said that all his professors have made a significant impact on his life and his most memorable course was Renaissance Arts because of the opportunities to travel to Italy, Germany and Sweden.