Registration for Discover orientation is now open. Go to http://www.virginiawestern.edu/discover/ to register. Learn about college resources and get a jump start on registering for fall 2013 classes.

Virginia Western Community College’s Lindsey Narmour, a second-year student from Ferrum, has been awarded a 2013 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The scholarships were awarded to 73 of the nation's best community college students who seek to complete their bachelor's degrees at selective four-year colleges and universities. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program, the largest private scholarship for community college transfer students in the country, provides up to $30,000 per year for up to three years to community college students who are nominated by their schools based on a number of factors including academic excellence and financial need.

Narmour was one of only two recipients from Virginia, the other hailing from Northern Virginia Community College, and she is the first ever from Virginia Western. Narmour, who will be the student speaker at Virginia Western’s 47^th Commencement Ceremony on May 10, plans to attend Hollins University to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree.

“Lindsey has been a true inspiration to her fellow students and a joy for our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Robert H. Sandel, President of Virginia Western. “Her great achievements have been a result of hard work and tremendous dedication, and we can’t wait to see where she goes from here.”

In addition to the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, Narmour has been honored as one of only 50 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholars in the nation. She also was the first Virginia Western student to be named a Valley Proteins Fellow by the Virginia Community College System, and she earned t

In the 2013 Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship application cycle, the Foundation received 769 nominations from 377 community colleges in 45 states and the District of Columbia. A highly selective scholarship, the final 73 recipients represent just 9.5% of the total applicant pool. The chosen Scholars stood out for their exceptional academic ability and achievements, financial need, persistence, leadership, and desire to help others. They were selected by a prestigious committee made up of 37 admissions professionals and professors, mostly from selective four-year institutions, as well as from community colleges.he Judy Hackworth Memorial Annual Scholarship from the Virginia Western Educational Foundation.

"The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has long been committed to helping outstanding community college students transfer to and succeed at the nation's top colleges and universities," said Ms. Dana O'Neill, program manager of the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. "Since this program started in 2002, the Foundation has supported 558 students directly, and thousands more through the Foundation's grant making initiatives."

The application cycle for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program runs from September to early December each year. The Foundation encourages eligible rising sophomores and recent community college graduates (within the last five years) to consider applying for this scholarship.

Narmour is completing her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and plans to transfer to Hollins University to study English. Her career goals include teaching at the collegiate level.

 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 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.