Daytona Beach, FL - A Daytona State College student has been honored with the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which will cover a large portion of his expenses when he transfers to Stetson University for his bachelor's degree.
35-year-old Kenneth Brown is expected to receive his associate of arts degree from Daytona State at the college's Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 14. When Brown transfers to Stetson to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science, the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship will cover up to $40,000 a year for educational expenses.
Daytona State says the scholarship is one of 47 scholarships awarded nationwide this month to outstanding community college graduates who plan to continue the next phase of their education at a four-year university. It is the largest private scholarship in the nation for students transferring from two-year community colleges to four-year institutions that award bachelor’s degrees. Brown was selected from more than 2,500 applicants nationwide to receive the award, and he is the third recipient of the award from Daytona State in the past five years.
“(Brown) represents the best of Daytona State College,” Daytona State President Tom LoBasso says. “Here, as a non-traditional student, he was able to explore his career interests, to grow and to test his leadership skills in ways that have prepared him to move forward in his academic and career pursuits. We are proud that he chose to get his start at DSC and we wish him well.”
Brown is also a Quanta Honors program student. “He is a non-traditional student, a veteran, a husband, and father to 11 children, who academically knocks your socks off,” says Dr. Margaret Karda, chair of the Honors Program.
According to Daytona State, other students who were awarded the scholarship were Andrew Adie in 2016 and Melissa Diaz in 2015. Adie transferred to the University of Washington to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and Diaz is completing her bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Florida and plans to ultimately earn a law degree.
Cooke Scholarships fund the costs of attending college not covered by other financial aid. The scholarship also offers academic advising, stipends for internships, study abroad, and opportunities to network with other Cooke Scholars and alumni. After the recipients earn their bachelor’s degrees, each Cooke Scholar will be eligible for a scholarship to attend graduate school worth up to $50,000 a year for up to four years.
Pictured in featured photo: Brown (right) and LoBasso (left).
Photo courtesy Daytona State College.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
