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.
