NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Craig Threlkeld 205.391.5838
cthrelkeld@sheltonstate.edu
TWO SHELTON STATE STUDENTS MEMBERS OF ALL-ALABAMA ACADEMIC TEAM
BIRMINGHAM --- Shelton State Community College students Courtney Cloud (Guntersville) and Brittany Lee
(Wilsonville) were included on a list of 51 students from the state’s community and technical colleges who were
honored April 2 at the All-Alabama Academic Team Recognition Program in Birmingham, Ala. One award was
given posthumously.
Both sophomores serve as officers in the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Lee also serves as the
outgoing regional vice president for the Alabama Regional PTK. Lee also serves as a Shelton State Ambassador.
Cloud plans to attend either Jackson State University or The University of North Alabama to major in social work.
Lee will attend Mississippi State University and major in medical technology.
Austin Miller’s family tearfully accepted the award on her behalf. Austin, who passed away last November, was a
student at Jefferson State Community College majoring in broadcast journalism. She was an active member of Phi
Theta Kappa, the honor society serving two-year colleges, and she was an intern at Fox 6 News in Birmingham.
Suzanne Kornegay of Snead State Community College in Boaz, AL was named the New Century Scholar. The New
Century Scholar is chosen as the top student for their state based on his or her score for the national All-USA
program. ‘‘It is such an honor to represent not only Snead State but also the State of Alabama,’’ she said. ‘‘Snead
State and the two-year college system have helped so much in all of my academic endeavors.’’ She plans to attend
The University of Alabama and earn a degree in industrial engineering. Her goal is to work with the Space Program.
New Century Scholars will represent their state this year at the opening session of the American Association of
Community Colleges Convention in Seattle, WA on April 17.
The All-Alabama students, representing 25 colleges in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), were
honored for their scholastic achievement. Students selected must possess a minimum GPA of 3.25, be involved in
campus activities and have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours at the institution. All have plans to further
their education. They were recognized for their academic achievement and distinguished leadership.
The students were honored before an audience that included their parents and families; college presidents, deans
and faculty from throughout the ACCS; and representatives from several universities.
‘‘These students and this occasion represent the real reasons we do what we do every day,’’ ACCS Chancellor Freida
Hill stated. ‘‘They will go on to do phenomenal things with their lives and for the state. When students succeed, the
state succeeds.’’
Alabama State Board of Education vice president emerita Dr. Ethel Hall, representing District IV, brought greetings
from the board and encouraged the students to continue working hard toward their goals. She also thanked the
parents and other supporters of the students and urged them to continue because their jobs were not over yet.
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‘‘As our two-year schools succeed, so does Alabama and the nation,’’ Dr. Hall stated.
Community colleges allow students to stay close to home, get a strong academic foundation in a student-focused
environment with small classes, and benefit from flexible class schedules, much lower tuition rates and an
articulation agreement that guarantees their coursework will transfer to any public college or university within the
state.
Several members of this year’s team were also honored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, which in 2009
established the Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team Program. The program provides up to
$450,000 in stipends. Gold Scholars received $1,500; Silver Scholars received $1,250 and Bronze Scholars received
$1,000. All scholars received special medallions and will be listed in USA Today this month. Some students were
also named national finalists.
The All-Alabama Academic Team Recognition Program was founded in 1995 to complement the All-USA National
Academic Team Program sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the American
Association of Community Colleges.
2010 All-Alabama Academic Team
College
Student
Student
Alabama Southern Community College
Whitney Foreman
Ava Long
Bevill State Community College
Steven Alex Carden
Elizabeth Fuqua
Bishop State Community College
Charles Eubanks
Jeffrey Lehman
Calhoun Community College
Alexandra Grimanis
Dan Kim
Central Alabama Community College
Dorothy Castleberry
Robert Pearson, Jr.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Garrett Miles
Hannah Young
Jefferson Davis Community College
James Hamric
Tyler Parker
Drake State Technical College
Whitney Ingram
Sophia Lacy
Enterprise State Community College
Shaquille Marsh
Lauren Priest
Faulkner State Community College
Irene Klopner
Rhonda Stacy
Gadsden State Community College
Hollie Mulkey
Megan Slezak
Jefferson State Community College
Jessica Hinkle
Melanie Mixon
Lawson State Community College
Lawrence Jackson
Melanie Wren
Marion Military Institute
Alexander Fhlug
William Lee
Northeast Alabama Community College
Devin Kennamer
Martha Spurgin
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Melissa Mitchell
Kolby Weaver
Reid State Technical College
Cory Tucker
Meredith Williams
Shelton State Community College
Courtney Cloud
Brittany Lee
Snead State Community College
Amanda Cochran
Suzanne Kornegay
Southern Union State Community College
Garrett Lindsey
Hannah Stockman
Trenholm State Technical College
Kari Burton
Aaron Ganey
Wallace Community College – Dothan
Peggy Fleming
Miranda Villamar
Wallace Community College – Hanceville
Andrea Hughes
Jennifer Prybyla
Wallace Community College – Selma
Leimomi Holmes
Joseph James
L.B. Wallace Community College
Mary Margarette Lawson
Jared Williams