College students capture coveted scholarships
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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 Mr. Jordan and Mr. 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.
Mr. 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,” he 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.”
Mr. 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.
Mr. 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,” Mr. 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.”
Mr. 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 as long been committed to helping outstanding community college students transfer to and succeed at the nation¹s 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 foundation’s 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.
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