Leader of Promise
HCC honors student wins national scholarship
Maxwell Faytell of Northampton, an honors student and engineering major at Holyoke Community College, has been named a 2019 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar.
Faytell was one of 207 newly inducted members of the national Phi Theta Kappa honors society to receive the scholarship, which carries a monetary award of $1,000.
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 Phi Theta Kappa programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 900 applications were received.
"Max has been an active member of PTK for the last year, assisting with fundraisers and other campus related PTK events," said HCC professor Vanessa Martinez, adviser to Alpha Xi Omega, the HCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. "This is a well-deserved honor. We're very excited for him. Congratulations, Max."
Faytell was one of 33 HCC students inducted into Phi Theta Kappa on March 21. Each semester, students are invited to join when they have completed at least 15 college credits while maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
"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, make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals, and support tomorrow's leaders of the global community."
The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but also give students the opportunity to engage in society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.
"Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers," said Monica Marlowe, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. "The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn't an obstacle to achieving their academic goals."
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations. Learn more at ptk.org.
PHOTO by MICHAEL GORDON: President Christina Royal congratulates HCC engineering major Maxwell Faytell on his induction to the Phi Theta Kappa honor society in March 2019.
