OSUIT Student Named to All-Oklahoma Academic Team
GOLDEN KEY: OSUIT president Dr. Bob Klabenes (left) presents the 2010 Coca-Cola All-Oklahoma Community College Academic Team award certificate to Colby Checotah, an Information Technologies student from El Reno. The award was presented during the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges conference in March.
OKMULGEE, Okla. – Colby Checotah, an Information Technologies student at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, was recently named to the 2010 Coca-Cola All-Oklahoma Community College Academic Team, and earned a $1,000 scholarship for being selected as a 2010 Coca-Cola National Finalist.The All-USA/All-State Academic Teams are merit awards based on students’ accomplishments at two-year colleges, and serves to recognize Phi Theta Kappa members’ academic and leadership achievements.
Colby is active in many organizations on the OSUIT campus, including Phi Theta Kappa, Cyber Posse and the Association of Information Technologies Professionals.He is working towards earning a Bachelor of Technology in Information Assurance and Forensics, and holds a 4.0 GPA.Colby says, “I’m extremely honored to accept the scholarship and award.I will use the scholarship money to further my education at OSUIT and go on to graduate school.” He plans to graduate from OSUIT in the summer semester of 2011.In addition to maintaining his grades and participating in campus activities, Colby also works part-time for OSUIT in the Webmaster’s office, assisting in updating the Web site.
Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society for students at two-year universities.The selection as a Coca-Cola Finalist was based on scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition, which is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.Students must write an essay about their most outstanding college endeavor, and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5. In addition, applicants must provide letters of recommendation from their instructors or advisors.
Regina Foster, OSUIT science instructor and sponsor of Phi Theta Kappa who nominated Colby for the award, said he is very deserving. “Colby is an outstanding student who has excelled at OSUIT and I am pleased he has been recognized and honored for all his hard work. I feel he was an excellent choice to receive this award and he has the determination to continue his education – I’m confident he will take full advantage of the opportunities this award will provide him.”
Oklahoma is one of 35 states participating in the State Academic Teams Program. The State Academic Teams were introduced in 1994 as a way to provide scholastic recognition to community college students, while promoting excellence at two-year colleges. The State Academic Teams are a division of the Academic All-American Team for Community, Technical and Junior College Students, an international program sponsored annually by Phi Theta Kappa, USA TODAY and the American Association of Community Colleges. The All-Oklahoma Academic Team is designed to provide the same kind of recognition to the state’s two-year college scholars by saluting their academic achievement, leadership and service.
Updated 04-05-2010
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