WEST WINDSOR –Mercer County Community College (MCCC) sophomore Anderson Monken of Lawrenceville is New Jersey’s representative among 50 students selected nationwide as a 2013 New Century Scholar.
Sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the national community college honor society, New Century Scholars are the highest scoring community college students in each state. More than 1,800 students were nominated from more than 800 community colleges in the U.S., Canada, and seven other sovereign nations where PTK is represented.
Monken will receive a $2,000 scholarship and a plaque that will be presented during the AACP convention in San Francisco April 23, and will be recognized during a special reception at the PTK national convention in San Jose on April 5.
Monken began his career at Mercer at the age of 16, taking a single class. A Liberal Arts major concentrating in Political and Legal Systems, Monken currently carries a class load of 17 hours and serves as president of the MCCC Student Government Association. He also remains active in the Boy Scouts, having earned the level of Eagle Scout at the age of 16 and later earning the level of Gold Palm Eagle Scout.
In his winning essay, Monken said that he felt that an essential part of his college experience was giving back to the college through community service and campus fellowship.
"Most people go to college to get a degree, but I wanted to receive an education," Monken said. "Some of the best lessons I have learned have not occurred in the classroom. Mercer County Community College has the student life, education, and scholarship opportunities that I desired in college."
Dr. Patricia Donohue, president of MCCC, lauded Monken for his accomplishments and said that he serves as an inspiration to all students who begin their academic career at the community college level.
"Anderson certainly embodies the spirit we seek to instill in all our students," Donohue said. "Each student defines success in his or her own unique way, and it is up to us, as educators, to help them achieve their goals."
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MCCC student Anderson Monken of Lawrenceville, New Jersey's representative as a 2013 New Century Scholar.
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