News
SCC student David Evans named top community college student in Kentucky
Dr. Jo Marshall, the President and CEO of Somerset Community College, was notified on Thursday, Feb. 14, that SCC student David Evans had been named New Century Scholar for Kentucky, by Phi Theta Kappa, the academic honor society for two year colleges. In effect, the honor makes Evans the top community college student in Kentucky.
In notifying Marshall, Heather Johnson, the Director of Scholarship Programs for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Center for Excellence, said, “This is an amazing accomplishment and speaks to the quality of education at your school.”
The honor brings with it a $2,000 stipend from Coca-Cola, recognition at the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society join convention to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in April.
As a New Century Scholar, Evans is one of 60 All-USA Academic Team members who will receive national recognition through coverage in the USAToday newspaper. Evans and the other New Century Scholars will also be featured in the AACC College Times newspaper and in the Phi Theta Kappa publication Golden Key News Briefs.
Evans will also be honored at the Kentucky Community and Technical College Systems’ Student Achievement Dinner, which is also held in April.
Marshall, in her e-mail to the SCC faculty and staff wrote, “In simple terms, we can say that, based on the applications of students who applied for the AACC-USAToday Academic Team, David is the top community college student in Kentucky. This recognition is further confirmation of the excellent job the faculty and staff at SCC are doing.”
At SCC, Evans’ extra-curricular activities include being the editor of the SCC student newspaper, The Bridge, and the secretary and treasurer of the SCC Student Government Association.
Evans, who was born in London, England, is seeking his Associate in Arts Degree from SCC. He plans to transfer to Western Kentucky University in August, 2009, where he will be seeking a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science with an emphasis in Environmental Science.
“I want to thank the SCC faculty for their tremendous support during my time here,” Evans said.
“I had no problem as an international student at SCC,” he recalled. “It was very easy to get involved.”
Prior to coming to the United States, Evans had attended university in England. He said he had not had a good experience and had dropped out. He met his girlfriend, Jacklyn Atwell of Somerset, on the Internet. She went to England to meet him and he followed her home and began attending SCC.
“SCC was a good option for me,” Evans explained. “It was close to Jacklyn, it offered the fundamental courses I needed, and it was reasonably priced.”
Evans said the Marshall and Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor Johnna Atkinson-Bigalow had both encouraged him to apply for the All-USA Academic Team honor.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “I’m a little overwhelmed. The Coca-Cola stipend is really going to help when I transfer to WKU. I really appreciate it.”
Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey and Russell Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.
KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.
