Owensboro Community and Technical College

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OCTC Student Earns National PTK Scholarship

Brooklyn Knight

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/05/2019) — Across the United States this year only fifteen Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members are named as Guistwhite Scholars. Owensboro Community & Technical College's Brooklyn Michelle Knight was one of the students selected from more than 2,000 applicants. She and each of the recipients will receive a $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies.

Knight is an Early College student in OCTC's Discover College program. She currently serves as Vice President of the OCTC Student Government Association and as Vice President of Scholarship of the college's Phi Theta Kappa chapter. She completed her first OCTC class in ninth grade, and in her six semesters thus far, has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. She is one of two National Merit Semifinalists from Apollo High School, is an OCTC Hager Scholar, and one of only 32 students statewide nominated for the KCTCS All-Academic Team. Brooklyn plans to attend the University of Kentucky after graduating from OCTC in May 2019 as a Biology and Pre-Med major.

"We are excited that Brooklyn has been selected for this honor. She is a great example of what can happen when students take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented. PTK is a great organization and we try to encourage all eligible students to participate" added Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President.

The 2019 Guistwhite Scholars are:

• Erin Cox, York Technical College, South Carolina

• Chesney Davis, Northeast Texas Community College, Texas

• Cam Do, Bunker Hill Community College, Massachusetts

• Lauren Eccles, Walters State Community College, Tennessee

• Victor Garnica, Miami Dade College, Florida

• Citlali Gutierrez, Chipola College, Florida

• Amanda Hatch, Northland Pioneer College, Arizona

• JaelAnn Hoover, Cloud County Community College, Kansas

• Christopher Hunt, Mesa Community College, Arizona

• Sharon Jang, Tacoma Community College, Washington

• Brooklyn Knight, Owensboro Community & Technical College, Kentucky

• Tyler McKenzie, Redlands Community College, Oklahoma

• David Parker, Collin College, Texas

• Brooke Sherman, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Arizona

• Dylan Yee, Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Winners were selected based on academic excellence, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs. They will also receive a commemorative medallion. This is the second-highest scholarship offered by Phi Theta Kappa. It is named in honor of the late Margaret and Dr. Jack Guistwhite, who established the first transfer scholarship designated exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members to Florida Atlantic University in 1975.

"What Dr. Guistwhite started more than 40 years ago has become a transformational force in the lives of PTK members and has resulted in more than 750 colleges and universities designating transfer scholarship for our students," said Phi Theta Kappa's President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. "It is fitting that we continue to honor our students who excel in scholarship and leadership as Guistwhite Scholars in celebration of Jack and Margaret."

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations. Learn more at ptk.org. OCTC's award winning PTK Chapter is led by Dr. Tim Dick and Connie Johnson, for more information please contact connie.johnson@kctcs.edu.

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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC

Media Attachments

Across the United States this year only fifteen Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members are named as Guistwhite Scholars. Owensboro Community & Technical College’s Brooklyn Michelle Knight was one of the students selected from more than 2,000 applicants. She and each of the recipients will receive a $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies. Knight is an Early College student in OCTC’s Discover College program. She currently serves as Vice President of the OCTC Student Government Association and as Vice President of Scholarship of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. She completed her first OCTC class in ninth grade, and in her six semesters thus far, has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. She is one of two National Merit Semifinalists from Apollo High School, is an OCTC Hager Scholar, and one of only 32 students statewide nominated for the KCTCS All-Academic Team. Brooklyn plans to attend the University of Kentucky after graduating from OCTC in May 2019 as a Biology and Pre-Med major.

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