Campus & Community

Tarruck Wheeler, a Palm Beach State College Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College graduate, is among 100 selected nationwide to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s prestigious Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The highly competitive scholarship, which this year drew 1,200 applicants from 332 community colleges, provides students with up to $55,000 per year for up to three years to complete the upper division coursework for their bachelor’s degrees.

Wheeler is the College’s 2021-22 Student Trustee and will be graduating summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree on May 12. PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. surprised him with the news during her president’s report at the District Board of Trustees meeting May 10.

Wheeler has applied to several Ivy League schools. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science and international relations.

During his time at PBSC, Wheeler has been the Honors Student Advisory Council President and is one of four student representatives for the Florida Collegiate Honors Council. He is also a member of the Return to Campus Task Force team and represented the College on the COVID Campus Coalition, an organization created to educate students on COVID-19 myths and misinformation.

“We all saw something special in Tarruck from the very beginning, so it’s no surprise that he has won this prestigious scholarship,’’ said Marcella Montesinos, PBSC Honors College manager. “He has been an excellent example and inspiration to not only students in the Honors College but to students overall as the student trustee.”

In addition to financial support, new Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising from the foundation to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year university and preparing for their careers. They will have opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of nearly 3,000 Cooke Scholars and alumni.

In the rigorous selection process for the 100 recipients, the foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence and leadership. For more information, visit www.jkcf.org.