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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Athens State University's Phi Theta Kappa to Sponsor Holiday Bazaar

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

October 21, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State University’s Phi Theta Kappa to Sponsor Holiday Bazaar

               

                ATHENS, Ala. - The Athens State University Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association is planning a Holiday Bazaar to raise money for the honor society’s scholarships and other civic projects.  The event will be held on Tuesday November 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and Saturday November 9 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  The bazaar will be located in the Sandridge Student Center on the Athens State University campus and is open to the public.

                The Holiday Bazaar will feature vendors offering gift items and baked goods.  The society is currently in search of vendors for the bazaar, those interested should contact Club Sponsor Dr. Kim LaFevor at 256-216-5359 or Chapter President Hannah Kilpatrick at hkilpatr@my.athens.edu. 

                The mission of the Athens State University Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association is to support the people, programs and priorities of the Phi Theta Kappa Society.  Alumni have valuable contributions to make to Phi Theta Kappa.  Through alumni support, the integrity of the Society’s programs and service will be protected and new programs and services can be developed and offered in the future.

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Athens State Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Honored at International Convention

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

April 10, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Honored 

at International Convention

ATHENS, Ala. - The Athens State University Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Alumni Association recently received the “Most Outstanding University-Based Alumni Association Award” at the International Phi Theta Kappa Convention in San Jose, California. Each year at this convention one alumni association is recognized in both Regional and University-Based Associations, with one also receiving the Alumni Award of Merit.

This is the second time in the last three years that the Athens State chapter has received the award.  In 2011, the chapter also received the Alumni Award of Merit.

“It was undoubtedly the exceptional level of business planning and student engagement that resulted in this terrific accomplishment by the Athens State Phi Theta Kappa Alumni officers and members,” states chapter advisor Dr. Kim LaFevor.  “As the primary mission of Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students, the aim is to provide robust opportunities for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.” 

To receive the Outstanding Association classification, the top chapter must demonstrate exceptional contributions to Phi Theta Kappa at an International, Regional, University, and Community Level with specific focus on service, fellowship, leadership, and scholarship of all competing entries.

This past year, the Athens State chapter selected 10 primary objectives, 33 associated initiatives, and conducted 11 fundraisers to support the implementation of these strategic society projects that resulted in the winning entry.

LaFevor continues, “Using these ideals as our central aim, the work done by our Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association has proven to be successful on all counts.”

Athens State University Phi Theta Kappa officer team include Hannah Kilpatrick, President; Ruby Sayki-Addo, VP of Membership, Lillie Parker, VP of Fellowship and Service, and Joanne Pearson, VP of Leadership.

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Pictured, left to right:  Ruby Sayki-Addo, Vice President; Hannah Kilpatrick, President; Kim LaFevor, Advisor.

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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