Above: Top, from left, are Jason Shows, Perkinston Campus PTK co-adviser; Dr. Carmen Walters, executive vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success; William Overstreet, George County Center PTK adviser; Keione Mellon, Claire Lundy, Danielle Kuper, Dr. Patricia West and Teresa Wells, Jefferson Davis Campus PTK co-advisers; and John Miller, Jackson County Campus PTK adviser. Bottom, from left are Theo Cervi, Khalil Markham, Adam Dunnels, Cain Kennedy, and Taylor Johnson.

Eight Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students were honored on March 22 by the Mississippi Legislature for being named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team. One student, Adam Dunnels, of the Jefferson Davis Campus, was named to the first team, while the other students are second team.

Additionally, Dunnels was named a 2017 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. Dunnels was among 1,800 applicants with selection based on scores he earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Silver Scholar receives a $1,250 scholarship and a special medallion.

MGCCC second-team members are George County Center students Cain Kennedy and Clair Lundy; Jackson County Campus students Taylor Johnson and Danielle Kuper; and Jefferson Davis Campus student Theo Cervi; and Perkinston Campus students Khalil Markham and Keione Mellon.

Cervi was also named a Tennessee Valley Authority Scholar. The $2,250 scholarship is awarded to two Mississippi community college students annually who are eligible and nominated for the All-USA Academic Team Program and majoring in a STEM field.

During the All-Mississippi Academic Team Recognition Luncheon held at the Jackson Convention Center, the students were individually recognized for their academic accomplishments, and were presented with a legislative resolution and certificate.

Each two-year college in Mississippi may nominate two students per campus to the All-Mississippi Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.