Of the 150 students nationwide recognized by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for exceptional academic accomplishments, three are students at LBW Community College.

Chelsea Powell of Andalusia and Sarah Elizabeth Godwin of Greenville both were selected as 2016 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholars, and Johnathn Phillips of Highland Home was selected as a Bronze Scholar.

“We are proud of the outstanding accomplishments of all these students and recognize the hard work and dedication that went into their successes,” said LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel.

The Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program recognizes 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars nationwide, providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Scholarships are $1,250 for each silver scholar, $1,000 for each bronze scholar, and all scholars receive a special medallion.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes the scholars during the All-Alabama Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremony in April.

Community college presidents are limited to no more than two nominations per campus for these awards. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for their vote of confidence in community college students by investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Their support is especially welcome during this challenging economic climate, as more and more community college students need additional resources to help them complete their degrees.”

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges, said J. Mark Davis, 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,” he said.

Phi Theta Kappa, headquartered in Jackson, Miss., is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territorial possessions and eight sovereign nations. More than 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually.