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Northeast Student Wins Prestigious
Scholarship
Up until 2008, only two winners of the prestigious Jack Kent
Cooke Scholarship had been from Alabama. This year a student
from Northeast Alabama Community College makes it three. Candice
Clark has been selected to receive this nationwide scholarship.
Candice Clark's scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation,
valued at up to $30,000 per year for 2 to 3 years, can be used
at any college or university, private or public in the United
States. When asked about her feelings of winning the
scholarship, Candice replied, “All I could think about after
Dean Niblett told me was that I am actually going to get to
continue my education instead of being forced into giving up all
of the goals that I had built up at Northeast. The application
process was extremely difficult and exacting, but it was worth
it since it will now be possible for me to continue my education
at Auburn University and then possibly transfer. I am so
thankful for all those who helped me.”
The selection process for the scholarship
is begun by a designated college representative, who at
Northeast is Tonie Niblett, Dean of Student Services. The
college may submit two students for consideration. Each student
then submits an exhaustive application including essays,
background information, and detailed letters of recommendation,
tax information, and other materials that demonstrate the
nominee’s creative ability. Then a national committee of college
professors and admissions officers rigorously evaluates each
scholarship application. Candice was the sole nominee for
Northeast.
Dean Tonie Niblett was so excited when she received the news
that she said, “All I could do was run through the Center for
College success yelling for Candice. I am so proud of her
accomplishments! I have worked with Jack Kent Cooke nominees for
several years, and I know that it is almost impossible to be
named a winner.” Dean Niblett continued, “ I had no idea that
Candice would be the only third recipient from the State of
Alabama. I am still in shock. After telling Candice, I
immediately called Dr. Campbell, President of Northeast, who was
equally surprised and pleased at the Jack Kent Cooke
announcement.”
 Candice
Clark is a Math/Physics major from Dade County High School, has
earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, and is extremely active in campus
organizations. She is a member of the NACC Jazz Band, Mu Alpha
Theta, Phi Theta Kappa, Scholar Bowl, Sigma Kappa Delta and
serves as a Presidential Host. Candice is President of Phi Theta
Kappa and an officer in Mu Alpha Theta. She also serves as a
tutor in the Beta Math Lab and in the Center for College
Success.
All fifty of the nation’s Jack Kent Cooke
Scholarship winners will meet for a conference during the
summer. During this conference, the scholarship winners will
have a chance to get to know each other and share plans for the
future. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent
foundation established in 2000 through the will of Jack Kent
Cooke. When he died in 1997, Mr. Cooke left most of his fortune
to establish the Foundation. To fulfill its mission, the
Foundation identifies and supports young people of exceptional
promise. The Foundation awards scholarship in several categories
including students at two-year and community colleges. Although
they comprise forty-five percent of all undergraduates, students
at community colleges are often overlooked for scholarships to
the nation’s most selective public and private institution.
Annually the Foundation awards only 50 to 51 scholarships
nationwide to deserving students.
The faculty, staff, and administration at Northeast would like
to congratulate Candice Clark for her achievements. NACC
President Dr. David Campbell said, “We are so happy and proud
that the third Alabama recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke
scholarship award was selected from Northeast. We feel that this
is a reflection of the caliber of education that we strive for
at Northeast.” He went on to say, Congratulations to Candice for
this very great accomplishment.”
For more information, contact Dean Niblett
niblettt@nacc.edu or
phone ext. 325. |
