Buterbaugh Represents North Carolina as National New Century Scholar
Connie Buterbaugh of Jamestown, a student at Guilford Technical Community College, was among 51 community college students across the nation who received $2,000 each as New Century Scholars.
Buterbaugh was named the North Carolina winner in the scholarship program sponsored by Coca-Cola Refreshments, Coca-Cola Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa and American Association of Community Colleges.
Buterbaugh is scheduled to graduate from GTCC next month, and hopes to earn a four-year degree at N.C. State University. She is an honors student who has participated in many organizations at GTCC.
Last summer, Buterbaugh participated in the N.C. Community College Student Leadership Development program, a six-day program at Peace College in Raleigh.
The New Century Scholars program and All-USA Community College Academic Team, which is presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa and sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group, share a common application and together recognize outstanding community college students.
More than 1,720 students were nominated from more than 860 community colleges for recognition. Judges consider grades, leadership, activities and most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.
New Century Scholars are the highest scoring students in each state, plus one student from Canada and one additional student chosen from among one of the remaining seven sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa is represented internationally. Each scholar will be recognized in the April 23 edition of USA TODAY.
“We appreciate the support of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and Coca-Cola Refreshments to recognize the academic achievement and leadership accomplishments of these outstanding community college students,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s executive director Dr. Rod Risley in Jackson, MS.
“These scholarships provided by organizations like Coca-Cola make the goal of college completion possible – especially during these challenging economic times,” Risley said.
