Lydia Myers, a Kishwaukee College alumna and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) member, has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates visionary leaders in PTK and 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.
Students are nominated by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service. As a regular volunteer, Myers has a lengthy resume of community service and leadership work.
“Throughout my years in school, I have taken every opportunity to get involved and serve,” Myers said. “Serving has opened my heart, and I consider it a proud accomplishment.”
Myers has performed hundreds of hours of service through Lions Club International, Feed My Starving Children, National Honor Society, and local churches. She also served as president of Outdoor Adventure Club and Students Against Distracted Driving, where she gained valuable leadership experience. Most recently, Myers worked with the regional food pantry Faith Acres Foundation, helping reduce food waste and meet basic nutrition needs.
Myers completed her Associate in Arts degree with an emphasis in business and graduated from Kish with honors in Fall 2022. She has transferred to the University of Colorado-Boulder to attain a bachelor's degree in business. Myers credits Kish for providing her with the opportunities to pursue her goals.
“Kishwaukee College was my key to a brighter future,” Myers said. “It gave me the opportunity to start my college degree a year early at age 17. Through this, Kish opened many doors for my future.”
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be honored in local and statewide ceremonies and recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Columbus, Ohio, April 20-22.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
Each year, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards over $3.55 million in scholarships for more than 1,400 college students. The Phi Theta Kappa honor society recognizes the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges. PTK has more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
To learn more about PTK at Kishwaukee College, visit kish.edu.
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