Campus & Community

Palm Beach State College Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College student John Stella has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar. He will receive a $1,250 scholarship and a commemorative medallion.

Stella, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was one of 50 chosen to be named a silver scholar, along with 50 gold and 50 bronze scholars across the country through the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).

Stella, who plans to attend medical school in the future, graduated from Chapel Field Christian High School in Pine Bush, N.Y., and was nominated for the academic team by PBSC’s PTK advisors. An independent panel of judges then selected honorees based on academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service.

“I was very surprised and honored to receive this scholarship,” said Stella, who is pursuing an Associate in Arts degree. “I really appreciate my PTK advisors nominating me and all the opportunities that have been available to me at PBSC. I really have found a sense of community here.”

Stella and the other scholars will be recognized in local and statewide ceremonies and internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held in Columbus, Ohio, April 20 – 22, 2023.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner added:

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures. Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Palm Beach State College
Founded in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State College has been an integral player in the growth and prosperity of Palm Beach County. Our graduates impact every industry and are community and business leaders. With more than 130 programs of study, PBSC offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, professional certificates, career training and lifelong learning. More than 40,000 students enroll annually in face-to-face, online, live online and hybrid classes at five convenient locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves. Learn more at www.palmbeachstate.edu.