Calhoun Student Named 2015 Coca-Cola Gold Scholar

April 1, 2015

CALHOUN STUDENT TAYLOR PETERS NAMED 2015 COCA-COLA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACADEMIC TEAM GOLD SCHOLAR

Ms. Taylor Peters, a student at Calhoun Community College, has been named a 2015 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars nationally and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. As a Gold Scholar, Peters will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a special medallion.

With a perfect 4.0 grade point average, Peters is very active in a number of student organizations and activities at Calhoun.  She currently serves as Huntsville campus SGA president, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, as well as a member of the Warhawks, Calhoun’s official student ambassadors.  She was also selected from over 11,000 students at the college to serve as a student representative on Calhoun’s Presidential Advisory Search Committee.  Peters also serves as a mentor/tutor for first-time freshmen at Calhoun and is very involved in various activities within her community.  While at Calhoun, she has been listed numerous times on the President’s List for top academic achievement and is the recipient of several academic scholarships.

“As one of the nation’s Top 150 Community Colleges, we know that many of our students at Calhoun are among the top community college students in the country.  This recent honor which Taylor has very deservedly earned is further evidence of the quality of our students,” commented Calhoun President Dr. James Klauber, Sr.

“I know that I speak for the entire Calhoun family when I say how very proud we are of Taylor’s recognition.  Her award adds to the growing list of Calhoun students who have been honored on the national level for their academic accomplishments,” Klauber said.  

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes Coca-Cola Community College scholars during All-State Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremonies held in 38 states. Student scholars also receive recognition locally during ceremonies held on campus and internationally for those who are able to attend Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention.

Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit no more than two nominations per campus for this award. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for their vote of confidence in community college students by investing in their futures,” said Dr. Rod Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa. “Their support is especially welcome during this challenging economic climate, as more and more community college students need additional resources to help them complete their degrees.”

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually.

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Calhoun Students, Faculty Member and President Receive National Recognition

April 30, 2014

Calhoun Students, Faculty Member and President Receive National Recognition

Students honored among nation's top two-year college students as Coca-Cola Scholars

Calhoun Community College students Savannah McCullough, Tiffany Merryman, and Andrew Jordan were recently named 2014 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Scholars. McCullough was selected as a 2014 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar, receiving a $1500 scholarship and special gold medallion. Merryman and Jordan were both selected as Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholars, with each receiving a $1000 scholarship and bronze medallion.

Each year, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars nationally, and providing nearly $187,500 in annual scholarships. Students namedCoca-Cola scholars were selected from the more than 1,700 applications submitted this year. Funding for the scholarships is provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

McCullough is a Mathematics major from Madison, Alabama, with a 4.0 GPA.  She serves as a Calhoun Warhawk student ambassador and is active in the Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies.  Savannah was one of the four nominees from the college for the 2014 All-USA Academic Team.  She serves her community through volunteering for the American Red Cross and serving as a Top Soccer Peer Coach.  Her goal is to eventually obtain her Ph.D. and become a college math professor.  She would like to empower females to seek out careers in math, science and technology-related fields.  

Merryman is a Pre-Med/Biology major from Huntsville, Alabama, who also holds a 4.0 GPA.  She is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, serving as Vice President of Leadership.  Tiffany was also one of four nominees from Calhoun for the 2014 All-USA Academic Team.  She is active in her community through volunteering her medical expertise at a local doctor's office, serving meals at the Downtown Rescue Mission, and ministering to and visiting local prisoners.  As a brain surgery survivor, her goal is to complete medical school and specialize in the fields of neurology and oncology in order to conquer the disease that changed her life.  She will continue her studies this fall at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where she has been offered a $3000 Transfer Merit scholarship.

Jordan is a General Education major from Valhermosa Springs, Alabama.  He is an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies and was one of four Calhoun nominees for the 2014 All-USA Academic Team.  He is active in his community through his involvement in Manna House at his church and serving as a youth group leader and has also volunteered his time through tornado relief for victims of tornados in the past.  His goal is to finish his education at UA Huntsville, specialize in the field of computer science, and start his own business providing innovative and technological solutions for companies in the North Alabama region.  His GPA is 3.961.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes Coca-Cola Community College scholars during All-State Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremonies held in 38 states. Calhoun's student scholars will receive local recognition during ceremonies to be held on campus this week for the college's 45^th Annual Honors Day Convocation, Friday, May 2.

"We are so excited and extremely proud to have three of our very outstanding student leaders recognized as Coca-Cola Scholars this year," commented Calhoun President Marilyn Beck. "This recognition of Tiffany, Savannah and Andrew adds to the growing list of Calhoun students who have been honored on the national level for their academic accomplishments," Beck added.

Community college presidents or their designated nominators submit nominations for the Coca-Cola Scholars awards. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

"The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges," said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals."

Necia Nicholas, Biology department chair at Calhoun and an advisor for the college's Sigma Lambda Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, was among 30 PTK advisors internationally who honored with the 2014 Distinguished Advisor Award. The Distinguished Advisor Award recognizes advisors who have served at least four years and have made significant contributions to the growth of the individual chapter members, served as the chapter's advocate on campus, and encouraged the chapter to be involved on the local, regional, and/or international level of the organization. Advisors were nominated by their chapters through the Hallmark Awards application process and were selected by a panel of judges from over 75 nominees worldwide.

Calhoun President Marilyn Beck was honored with Phi Theta Kappa's Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, named in honor of PTK's longest serving Board Chair and founder and long-time President of Highline Community College in Washington.  College presidents and campus chief executive officers, nominated by their local Phi Theta Kappa chapter, are selected for this award, which is based on their outstanding support of Phi Theta Kappa.

All awards were presented last week during PTK's International Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,280 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.

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Calhoun’s Student Recognized as Alabama’s 2013 Coca-Cola New Century Scholar

N E W S  R E L E A S E

March 22, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:  

Janet Kincherlow-Martin

Public Affairs, Community Relations and Special Events

(256) 306-2561

 jkm@calhoun.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calhoun's Conn Recognized as Alabama's 2013 Coca-Cola
 New Century Scholar

State's Top Scoring Student is among 50 New Century Scholars to Share in $100,000 in Scholarships

Calhoun Community College  student Karen Conn is among the 50 community college students from the United States, Canada, and the Federated States of Micronesia to be named 2013 New Century Scholars – receiving a total of $100,000 in scholarships. The New Century Scholars Program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges.

New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state, plus one student from Canada and one additional student chosen from among one of the remaining seven sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa is represented internationally. Selection is based on the score earned by the students in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition, for which more than 1800 applications were received this year.  

Each scholar will receive a $2,000 scholarship and plaque and will be presented on April 23, 2013, at the American Association of College Presidents (AACC) Convention in San Francisco.  New Century Scholars will also be recognized April 5-6 during the annual convention of Phi Theta Kappa to be held in San Jose, California.

A resident of Athens, Alabama, Conn is a Nursing student at Calhoun with a current GPA of 3.985.  She will graduate this May with her associate's degree and plans to continue her education at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She aspires to be an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Recently recognized as a member of the 2013 All-Alabama Academic Team, Karen 's academic accomplishments have landed her on the President's List in the Fall of 2010, Spring of 2011, and the Fall of 2012 at Calhoun.  She was also named Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 2012.

Karen is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, currently serving as president of Calhoun's Sigma Lambda Chapter.  She is also an active member of the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA) chapter of Calhoun, where she serves at the Student Government Association Representative.  

"I know I speak for the entire Calhoun family when I say how very proud we are of Karen's accomplishments," commented Calhoun President Marilyn Beck. "To be recognized as the top scoring student in Alabama is truly a significant achievement, and one for which Karen has worked very hard to earn," Beck added.

The New Century Scholars program and All-USA Community College Academic Team, which is sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group and presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa, share a common application and together recognize outstanding community college students. More than 1,800 students were nominated from more than 800 community colleges for recognition. Judges consider grades, leadership, activities and most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.

"We appreciate the support of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize the outstanding academic achievement and leadership accomplishments of these outstanding community college students," said Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director, Dr. Rod Risley. "These scholarships provided by organizations like Coca-Cola make the goal of college completion possible – especially during these challenging economic times."

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.

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Calhoun’s Williamson Named 2013 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar

N E W S   R E L E A S E

March 19, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:  

Janet Kincherlow-Martin

Public Affairs, Community Relations and Special Events

(256) 306-2561

jkm@calhoun.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calhoun's Williamson Named 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar

Andrea Williamson, a student at Calhoun Community College, has been named a 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Silver Scholar receives a $1,250 scholarship and a special medallion.

A native of Hartselle, Alabama, Williamson currently holds a 4.0 GPA at Calhoun, and will graduate this May with her associate's degree from the college.  Following graduation, she plans to transfer to the University of North Alabama to pursue her Bachelor's degree in public communications.

Williamson is actively involved in  both college and community activities, which include serving as Vice President of Scholarship for Calhoun's Sigma Lambda chapter of Phi Theta Kappa; a member of Calhoun's Student Government Association and a former Calhoun Warhawk student ambassador.  She will be among the students honored later this week in Montgomery as a member of the 2013 All-Alabama Academic Team and has been recognized as the Most Outstanding Student in Calhoun's History and Speech departments.

"We are so excited and extremely proud to have Andrea recognized as Coca-Cola Scholar this year," commented Calhoun President Marilyn Beck.  "This recognition adds to the growing list of Calhoun students who have been honored on the national level for their academic accomplishments," Beck added.   

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes Coca-Cola Community College scholars during All-State Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremonies held in 38 states. Student scholars also receive recognition locally during ceremonies held on campus and internationally for those who are able to attend Phi Theta Kappa's Annual Convention.

Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit no more than two nominations per campus for this award. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

"We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for their vote of confidence in community college students by investing in their futures," said Dr. Rod Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa. "Their support is especially welcome during this challenging economic climate, as more and more community college students need additional resources to help them complete their degrees."

"The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges," said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals."

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.

        

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