Carroll Community College
Commencement 2013, No. 65




Contents

Former Dean Returns to Deliver Commencement Address

President’s Column

Student Speaker Anna Cook to Address Graduates

A.A.T. Graduates Credit Carroll for Their Success as Educators

Graduate Selected as Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar

“Advice and a Slice” Provides Real-world Career Guidance

Info

 

Graduate Selected as Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar

Carroll Community College graduate Christina Ceary has earned national recognition as a 2013 Coca-Cola Gold Scholar. Her selection was based on scores earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition. More than 1,800 applications from across the country were received this year. This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Phi Theta Kappa recognized the 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Scholars at this year's Annual Convention, April 4-6, in San Jose, California. The scholars were celebrated at a special reception on Friday, April 5th and then recognized on stage during the fourth general session of the convention on Saturday, April 6th.

Coca-Cola Gold Scholars are granted a $1,500 scholarship funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. In addition, winners receive a gold medallion.

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 a total of nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually.

The criteria for the award, granted by an independent panel of judges, include outstanding academic rigor and grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service. Ceary completed her associate degree at Carroll with a 4.0 G.P.A. She received an award for Staff Reporter of the Year for outstanding service to The Quill student newspaper. She was a founding member and editor of The Well student literary magazine. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Psi Beta national honor society in psychology. Ceary was a tutor of English, Biology, and Reading while she was a student at Carroll. Her extracurricular activities included Worship Band, a fundraiser for Feed the Need, and Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

“I am exceedingly proud of Christina for her outstanding accomplishments,” said Carroll President Dr. Faye Pappalardo. “She exemplifies a well-rounded community college student who excels in academics and activities outside of the classroom.”

“Christina has earned a very high honor as a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar—one of only 50 in the nation,” said Carroll Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. James Ball. “She brings great distinction to herself and to the college. We are very excited for Christina and her family.”

“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 is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918.

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