Collin College Students Receive National and State Awards

April 30, 2021 Eleven Collin College students were named to the 2021 All-Texas Academic Team. Three of these students were also named 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team scholars. One student received both honors and was also named a 2021 Phi Theta Kappa Guistwhite Scholar.

Selected as one of 15 Guistwhite recipients from a pool of 4,400 applicants throughout the U.S., Garrett Norwine will receive a medallion and a $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies. Guistwhite scholars are selected based on academic achievement, leadership accomplishment, and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs.

Norwine, of Allen, will also receive a $1,500 scholarship as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar. Jordan Rourke, of Plano, and Anna Seida, of Irving, were both named Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholars and will receive $1,000 scholarships.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. Sixteen students from Texas community colleges were named as Coca-Cola scholars.

Norwine is pursuing a degree in computer science and plans to earn a masters degree in the same field. Eventually, he plans to become a vulnerability assessor or security analyst. He is a former Texas Regional Officer of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and currently serves as the executive vice president of Alpha Mu Tau, Collin Colleges local PTK chapter.

Norwine said he was surprised and excited to be nominated and then selected for the awards.

These awards mean a great deal to me. I have put in a lot of work into my academics and PTK. In the middle of the busiest weeks, there were moments when I asked myself if it would all be worth it in the end. It is awards like these, these kinds of recognition for my work, that make me realize that it was worth all the extra effort.

Rourke is pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and is serving as her class secretary. She plans to continue her education at Collin College and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and ultimately become a nurse practitioner, specializing in pediatrics. She mentors Texas Online Preparatory health science high school students.

When I found out that I had won the scholarship, I was elated. I am honored to be recognized for the Coca-Cola scholarship and was pleased to receive the award, Rourke said.

Seida is pursuing an Associate Degree in Computer Science. She plans to transfer to a university to earn a bachelors degree in software engineering or program development and ultimately wants to become a manager in the computer field. She serves as the regional president for the Texas Region of PTK and has volunteered for Central Christian Church, Texas Home School Coalition, and Texana Living History Association.

I was excited when I learned I received the award, she said. This award will be a big help to me. The funds will help me pay for my higher education.

The three Collin College Coca-Cola scholars were also named 2021 All-Texas Academic Team members along with eight other Collin College students including Emily Bourassa (of McKinney), Ashley Campbell (of Anna), Bushra Tahmin (of Garland), Lauren Fernandez (of Plano), Ariel Roth (of Plano), Kelly Blankenship (of Aubrey), Allison Smith (of Richardson), and Fatemeh Salari (of Allen).

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Collin College serves more than 58,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, including new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity degrees. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visitwww.collin.edu.