March 13, 2008
2008 All-Washington Academic Team recognizes top students
At noon on March 20, former Gov. Gary Locke and higher education officials from around the state will assemble in Olympia at the South Puget Sound Community College campus to honor the 2008 All-Washington Academic Team, a collection of top students from Washington’s community and technical colleges.
“The All-Washington Academic Team showcases the caliber and diversity of students attending community and technical colleges in this state,” said Charles Earl, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). “Our students are not only academic achievers, they are committed, active members of their communities.”
Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared March 20 All-Washington Academic Team Day. This year, the academic team includes 55 students representing 31 of the state’s community and technical colleges. A reception follows the awards ceremony.
2008 marks the 13th year of the academic team. Students were nominated for recognition through a state program patterned after the national All-USA Academic Team, which Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, initiated. By acknowledging students who demonstrate commitment to success in the classroom and in their communities, the program brings attention to Washington’s community and technical colleges.
Contributions from KeyBank and the Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) will provide each team member with a $750 scholarship, and four-year colleges and universities from all over the state offer scholarships to attend their institutions. The top-ranked student receives the New Century Scholarship, which is worth $2,000. The second- and third-ranked students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges (TACTC). In addition, each team member is a state nominee for the All-USA Academic Team, which will be announced in April.
Along with PTK, KeyBank, NELA and TACTC, the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges and the SBCTC sponsor the All-Washington event.