ROANOKE, VA -
Virginia
Western Community College's Lindsey Narmour, a second-year student from
Ferrum, has been named a 2013 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, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Gold
Scholar receives a $1,500 scholarship and a special medallion.
Narmour
was one of approximately 1,800 students from across the nation nominated for
award. The accolade is not her first, though, she is also one of only 10
students in the state to be named a Valley Protein Scholar by the Virginia
Community College System and she earned the Judy Hackworth Memorial Annual
Scholarship from the Virginia Western Educational Foundation. She is also the
president of Virginia Western's Honors Institute, vice president of scholarship
for Phi Theta Kappa and a Virginia Western Ambassador.
"When
I found out that I was named a Coca-Cola Community College scholar, it was a
little bit overwhelming. I knew I had been nominated, but never assumed I would
be honored," said Narmour. "It is a tremendous recognition and I am very
appreciative to receive it."
Narmour
is completing her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and plans to transfer to a
four-year university to study English. She is interested in Radford University,
Roanoke College and the College of William & Mary among others. Her career
goals include teaching at the collegiate level. As part of her Valley Proteins
Fellowship, Narmour has worked to develop a childhood education literacy
program at the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
"I'm
really passionate about literacy, and I feel there's really a home for an
outreach program in the Roanoke Valley," she said.
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.
"Lindsey
is the first Virginia Western student to ever be named a Gold Scholar, and we
couldn't be more proud," said Dr. Robert H. Sandel, Virginia Western President.
"Through her dedication to academics and community service, she has become a
shining example for all our students."
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.
"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.
