Honor Society Students Earn RGC Scholarships
By: Laura Nelson
Uvalde-Recent Southwest Texas Junior College graduates Ruth Yaritza Alcantar and Ryan J. Alldritt demonstrated their academic chops by achieving membership in Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society for students enrolled in two-year institutions which also earned them Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College Excellence Scholarships.
To be inducted into PTK, students must earn a 3.5 grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale) while attending full-time and then must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout their junior college career. To earn the Rio Grande College Excellence scholarship, students must be a member of PTK or similar honor organization with an overall GPA of 3.2 and must enroll at RGC with a minimum of nine hours for the fall and spring semesters. This scholarship awards students up to $2,000 per year and is renewable for those who attend a financial literacy course, take courses on their official degree plan, and maintain the specified academic standards.
This type of academic accomplishment was not on Ruth Alcantar’s radar when she began her career in higher education. The Uvalde High School graduate said, “I just wanted to pass my classes and earn my Associate’s.” In August, she will begin work at RGC on a Bachelor of Applied Science degree with an emphasis in Child Development. Ruth plays multiple instruments and sings. She shares her love of music and her faith at Templo Cristiano, and particularly enjoys leading the children of the congregation in praise and worship. She hopes to be an example to children and plans to continue working with them.
Ryan Alldritt graduated from Natalia High School with 24 dual credit hours from Southwest Texas Junior College and served as valedictorian of his class. He likes studying history and the impact it has on politics, the economy and everything else it affects. He grew up listening to his neighbor recount his experiences as a soldier in Viet Nam. In time, the young man took interest in the Middle East and what was happening there at the time. He is planning to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and his ultimate goals include a Ph.D. history and publishing his writing. Ryan has been very involved while at SWTJC. He is the lead tutor and mentor in the Student Success program and also volunteered many hours in campus activities such as orientation and campus tours.
“PTK students are some of the most intelligent, resourceful, and hard-working students in community colleges. These two students in particular are at the very top of that group. We’re very proud of them and their accomplishments,” said Randa Faseler Schell, the PTK contact advisor and Director of Student Engagement and Success at SWTJC.
The RGC Excellence scholarship offers financial awards to junior/community college student. For more information about RGC’s programs and the scholarships available, call 830.279.3004 or email rgcinfo@sulross.edu.
