Galyean named as Coca-Cola Community College National Academic Team Silver Scholar

Press release
from A-B Technical Community College

Galyean Named To Coca-Cola Community College National Academic Team

Sixth-grade dropout, mother of five and A-B Tech Community College student Stella Galyean has been named a 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program, recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Silver Scholar receives a $1,250 scholarship and a special medallion.

Galyean, who was encouraged in her youth to not attend school, is in the Human Services Technology program earning her associate’s degree with certification in Substance Abuse Studies. “This scholarship means to world to me. I know it is such an honor to receive it and it is very important to me and my future,” she said.

Galyean was spurred to take the GED test at A-B Tech when her oldest daughter was getting ready to graduate from high school. “It was the New Year and I decided I would get my GED. I told her I was going to beat her and I did. I finished in May and she finished high school in June,” she said.

She took College Bridge classes at A-B Tech with the intent to continue her education. A college preparatory class solidified her program of study. “Ms. (Cheryl) Blackburn (Academic Related Instruction Coordinator at A-B Tech) talked to me about my background. I come from a very addictive family where many members have problems with drugs and alcohol. We talked about the obstacles and she suggested I use them as stepping stones instead of letting them get in the way. I wanted to help people with the same problems. I started classes that very same week,” Galyean said.

Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit no more than two nominations per campus for the 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.

“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 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.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Miss., 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 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.