April 25, 2014
Northeast Texas Community College students Matthew Jordan of Pittsburg and†Stephen Milburn of Mount Pleasant were recently awarded Jack Kent Cooke†Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships. This prestigious award†covers up to $30,000 annually at the university of the student's choice†for up to three years. Only 85 students were selected from more than 3,500†applicants for this national honor.
† † † †This is the first time that two NTCC students have received the†scholarship in the same year. Previously, Stephani Calderon received the†scholarship in 2013 and Clara Ramirez in 2010. Scholars were selected†based on high academic ability and achievements, persistence, leadership†and financial need.
† † † †"The Jack Kent Cooke is one of the most coveted scholarships in the†nation. That our relatively small college received two of these 85 attests†firstly to the conscientious work of Presidential Scholars like Matthew†and Stephen. They are marvelous young men," Dr. Andrew Yox, NTCC Honors†Director, said.
† † † †Both Jordan and Milburn are Presidential Scholars in the NTCC Honors†program and are active members of the local Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi†Theta Kappa, the national honors society for two-year colleges.
† † † †Jordan is the son of Sandra Jordan and the late Timothy Jordan of†Pittsburg. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 2012. He plans to†transfer to either Texas A&M University-College Station or Texas Tech†University this fall to pursue a degree in petroleum engineering.
† † † †"The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship has relieved the economic hurdle of†transitioning to a four-year institution. With the remaining years of my†bachelor's degree covered, the opportunity has been granted to pursue†graduate school while being debt-free," Jordan said. "My time at NTCC has†provided a solid educational foundation that has firmly prepared me for†university studies. I feel quite fortunate to have attended NTCC while the†engineering program has gained so much traction and momentum."
† † † †Jordan pointed out that he would like to thank Yox, Dr. Mark Bouwens, and†Dr. Mary Hearron for their support and effort in assisting him with†attaining the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship.
† † † †Milburn is the son of Tonya and Doug Milburn of Mount Pleasant. He†graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 2012. He plans to transfer to†Texas A&M-College Station or Cornell University in the fall to major in†physics.
† † † †"This scholarship gives me the ability to focus on school instead of†finances. It vastly increases my chances to receive a doctorate," Milburn†said. "Attending NTCC has helped me become an individual instead of†someone who fades into the background after a while. I am beginning to†realize my potential that I was blessed with."
† † † †Milburn would like to thank his parents, Dr. Melissa Weinbrenner, Yox,†Rico Willis, Phi Theta Kappa, and all of the many others who have†touched his life throughout the years.
† † † †"The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has long been committed to helping†outstanding community college students transfer to and succeed at the†nationπs top colleges and universities," said Emily Froimson, vice†president of programs at the Foundation. "Since the program started in†2002, the Foundation has supported 643 community college students†directly, and thousands more through the
Foundationπs grant-making initiatives."
† † † †NTCC was the only Texas college to have two Jack Kent Cooke Scholars†selected in 2014. Students were also selected from Lee College, Southwest†Texas Junior College and Tarrant County College.
