WhiteSpecial to The Herald

Jordy White was among the six Jones County Junior College sophomores recently nominated for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s New Century Scholars/All-State American Team honors.
These students were selected because they maintained a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA, have taken challenging academic courses, have completed a minimum of 36 hours, are busy serving the community and college in various ways and did well in an interview with the scholarship committee.
White, of Benton, is a pre-med major.
“These are six of our best and brightest students who have high GPAs, multiple academic awards and honors, and are very actively involved in their communities,” said Dr. Laverne Ulmer, JCJC VP of Institutional Affairs and Assessment. “It was a challenge to narrow the group down to our two nominees. They are all winners and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments. Look for these students to achieve many things in their upcoming careers.”
White’s activities and honors include being a Jones Ambassador, a PTK officer, a member of the Student Government Association, Science Club, and a Charles Pickering Honors College student. Both students have made the President’s List honor roll and have earned the Letter “J” Award, while keeping a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Now the students will furiously work on writing about their volunteer efforts for the PTK selection committee.
“There is some pressure because we want to show that we are able to meet our administrators’ expectations,” said White. “This is also the centennial year for Jones so it feels like this should be the year we win everything and we hope we do.”
White spent two weeks last summer in Ghana, Africa with students from Delta State University teaching orphaned children science, math and English, and holding Bible school at night.
“The fact we could share a father’s/mothers love was important to them,” White said. “The kids need affection.”
The USA Today Academic Team program annually recognizes 60 outstanding two-year college students. First, Second, and Third Teams, each consisting of 20 members, are selected from the nominees. The 20 First Team members receive stipends of $2,500 each. All 60 members of the All- USA Academic Team and their colleges receive extensive national recognition through coverage in USA TODAY.