FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC STUDENT RECEIVES NATIONAL COCA-COLA SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

DANVILLE, VA, September 26, 2007 – Michelle Verdi’s academic success at Danville Community College and participation in community

Danville Community College Michelle Verdi, center, received a scholarship award from The Coca-Cola Two Year Colleges Scholarship Program. She is shown with Buddy Rawley, DCC Director of Development, left, and Vickie Taylor, Assistant Professor of Sociology, and a co-sponsor of DCC’s Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

 activities through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has paid off. Verdi of Danville was recently recognized for her achievements with a $1,000 scholarship from The Coca Cola Foundation.

Through The Coca-Cola Two Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the Foundation awards a total of 400 scholarships annually to students attending higher-education institutions that grant two-year degrees. The criteria for the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program are based on academic success and community service.

Verdi was among 350 students nationwide who received the $1,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola through the New Century Scholars Program of the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year college students.

“The Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program gives support and encouragement to an underserved population of college students,” says J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “This program is an extension of our long-standing commitment to college education throughout the United States. These fine students, who often juggle school, work and family, continue to give back to their communities through volunteer service.

Verdi, who will graduate from DCC in Spring 2008 with three Associate of Applied Science Degrees, is completing three specializations - Computer Programming, Networking and Microcomputer in the Information Systems Technology program. She has been named to the President’s and Vice President’s Honors Lists while enrolled at DCC.  

In addition, Verdi serves as president of the DCC’s Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and she is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.  As president of Phi Theta Kappa, Verdi has participated in several events, including fundraising for the Danville Cancer Association, and volunteer projects with the Homeless Shelter and Habitat for Humanity.

 “When I received a letter of invitation to be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society), I was excited because I wanted to get the full college experience,” recalls Verdi. “This also meant that my academic achievements were being recognized.  Once I realized that Phi Theta Kappa was involved in so many volunteer activities, I could not wait to get involved so I could help make a difference in the community.”

Vickie Taylor, Assistant Professor of Sociology, and a co-sponsor of DCC’s Upsilon Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, says Verdi plays an important role in the organization. Taylor notes Verdi has attended every meeting, opened her home to the group to work on the memory book project, and participated in every Phi Theta Kappa event. Taylor says Verdi received second place honors as the Outstanding Member for Virginia Region in March 2007

“Michelle (Verdi) is helping us to follow the tradition,” says Taylor. “Michelle is a go-getter. It is good to have her directing things.”

This mixture of academics and community service makes Verdi an ideal choice for the scholarship, says Buddy Rawley, DCC’s Director of Development.

“The Coca Cola Two-Year College Scholarships go to students who have demonstrated academic success as well as community service,” Rawley explains. “We are very proud of Michelle and thank Coca Cola for recognizing her as one of their scholarship recipients.”

Verdi says coming to DCC was no accident, and that she had plenty of support and encouragement to enroll at the institution.

“One of my friends enjoyed attending DCC and later became an adjunct faculty member at the college,” Verdi says. “Also, my great-grandmother bought me a computer. So, I decided to get as much as I can out of school. This was great encouragement.”

She says she is “impressed by what DCC offers.  Its convenient location and helpful staff and faculty have enabled Verdi to challenge herself and set goals for her future. Verdi plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the networking or computer science fields through Old Dominion University’s Distance Learning program located on DCC’s campus.

 “DCC has excellent teachers. Steven Carrigan (DCC Assistant Professor of Information Systems Technology) has greatly influenced me,” Verdi says. “His teaching style is easy to understand. He is exciting. He does not just teach from the book, but allows his students to have projects which call for the application of the book knowledge. I really enjoy DCC.”