Meeks Receives Oberndorf, New Century Scholarships
National Park College student Ali Meeks was recently awarded the Oberndorf Lifeline
to Completion Scholarship and the New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship for a total
of $3,250 in scholarships. She is currently completing her associate degree in nursing.
Meeks is the vice president of fellowship and fundraising for Alpha Beta Psi, NPC’s
chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).
The Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship helps Phi Theta Kappa members overcome
unanticipated financial barriers preventing the completion of their first college
credential, associate degree, or certificate. Meeks is one of seven students selected
internationally to receive the award.
The scholarship is named for its benefactors, Rosemary and Lou Oberndorf. Lou co-founded
METI, a world leader in medical education technology whose products are used in many
community colleges as well as in the world’s leading medical schools. He is a member
of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Board of Trustees. “Without a doubt, the Oberndorf
Scholarship has a tremendous impact on the lives of these hard-working, high-achieving
students, making it possible for them to complete their associate degrees,” said Dr.
Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “We are grateful
to the Oberndorf family for their commitment to helping students achieve their educational
goals. Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients!”
Meeks has also been named a 2021 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive
a $2,250 scholarship.
New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments,
leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the
classroom. Over 2,000 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses
across the country. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state.
The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation,
Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
“We congratulate Ali for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored
to partner with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and the
AACC to recognize her outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President
and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for
creating opportunities for two-year college students to succeed and for putting college
completion within reach.”
“Receiving these scholarships through PTK is such a blessing. Continuing my education
is something in which I believe in very strongly. Without the opportunity to achieve
scholarship funding, I would not be able to attend college nor further my education.
These scholarships will allow me to focus on my studies instead of paying for tuition.
Getting an education means the world to me,” said Meeks.
