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QCC Graduate Honored at All-Massachusetts Academic Team Recognition Ceremony

Contact: Karen Hutner
Office of Institutional Communications
khutner [at] qcc.mass.edu

Release Date: 
4/2/2019

WORCESTER, MA— April 2, 2019— Recent West Boylston Quinsigamond Community College graduate and Phi Theta Kappa student Ashley Forhan was honored at the State House today as a 2019 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar. Ms. Forhan is one of 50 students nationally who were named a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Selections as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar are based on scores the students earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by the Phi Theta Kappa honor Society.  Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators, and selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

“We are proud to see one of our students receive such a prestigious award,” said QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja. “Ashley has made an indelible impression on our college.”

Ms. Forhan, who graduated in December 2018, is the former QCC Food Pantry Manager and was instrumental in getting the Food Pantry and Resource Center off the ground.

“I am truly grateful to PTKQCC, and most importantly Bonnie Coleman (PTK Advisor) who’s incredibly hard work with the PTK students is what makes getting an award such as this one possible,” Ms. Forhan said. “QCC and PTK gave me the educational and leadership tools I needed to succeed at my four-year school and this award has eased the financial burden that comes along with transferring to a private school.”

Ms. Forhan recently transferred to Lasell College and is majoring in Legal Studies. She is on track to graduate next year, with the goal of attending law school.

“This award continues to prove that although I am studying at a different school, QCC will always be my home. It will always be the place where my dreams began turning into my reality,” Ms. Forhan added.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges according to Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

“We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals,” she said.

Quinsigamond Community College is the most affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.

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