Grayson College student wins Coca-Cola scholarship

Grayson College sophomore Elizabeth Taylor received a $1,000 scholarship

Elizabeth Taylor

from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as a 2014 Coca-Cola Leader of Promise Scholar. She is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members to receive the honor.

Chosen from more than 900 applications worldwide, the scholars receive scholarships of $1,000 each to further their associate degree studies. Independent judges evaluate the applications based on scholastic achievement, community service and leadership potential.
 
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are also encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Phi Theta Kappa programs.
       
 “I am extremely grateful for this wonderful gift,” Taylor said. “Because my financial burden has been reduced by this scholarship, I am able to participate in leadership roles and service projects as well as maintain a 4.0 GPA.”
         
Taylor of Denison, formerly of Whitesboro, is a nursing major at Grayson and participates in Grayson College’s Honors College. She serves as vice president of special projects for GC’s Omicron Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and is a member of the Grayson Student Association. She also traveled to Washington, D.C., this semester as a member of Grayson College’s delegation to the National Model United Nations Conference.
         
Taylor is using the scholarship to help pay her tuition and books for the spring semester. Upon graduating Grayson College, she plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, specializing in oncology.
       
 “These funds not only aid college completion, but provide students with the opportunity to engage in society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in Phi Theta Kappa.  The funds are an investment in our students,Phi Theta Kappa, and the colleges and communities we serve,” said Dr. Rod Risley, executive director and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Without a doubt, the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise program will make a tremendous impact on the lives of hard-working, high-achieving students like Elizabeth Taylor – making it possible for them to complete their associate degrees.”
         
 J. Mark Davis, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, agrees. “The foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges, and we are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students like Elizabeth to achieve their educational goals,” he said.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. Nearly 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 132,000 students inducted annually.