PTK

HCC student receives PTK scholarship

Hagerstown Community College student Richard Scott Petty, of Hagerstown, is one of 210 Phi Theta Kappa members nationwide to be named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

Petty is a cybersecurity major and plans to transfer to the SANS Technology Institute after completing as associate degree at HCC. He recently passed the Security+ exam and is seeking to build a career in cyber threat intelligence, threat research, or malware reverse engineering.

“I am extremely grateful to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for this scholarship and other opportunities that the PTK membership has offered,” Petty said. “I plan to use the scholarship to help offset the costs of earning additional certifications, and to attend a security conference in the upcoming year.”

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 1,500 applications were received.

A total of $210,000 will be awarded this year through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, which provides multiple Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships earmarked for international students.

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org. To learn more about PTK at HCC, visit hagerstowncc.libguides.com/ptk.

(August 15, 2024)