FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 10, 2008

Contact: Lisa Kostellic
             912.260.4349
             lisa.kostellic@sgc.edu

Randolph County Resident Awarded Scholarship

     Courtney Baldwin of Cuthbert, Ga., is one of 12 Georgians who have been awarded the 2008-2009 MESA California Community College Transfer Scholarship.

     Baldwin, 19, is a Middle School Math major. He became a member of MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) at South Georgia College in February 2008. As a mathematics major and MESA member with a 3.09 grade point average, he was eligible for the annual MCCCT Scholarship. With assistance from the MESA Director, Lisa Kostellic, he applied in March and was notified on May 20 of his award.

     “We are dedicated to providing the best possible education and opportunities for our students, which is why we sought to bring a program such as MESA to our campus,” said Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC Interim President, “This is exciting news for SGC, MESA, and especially, for Courtney.”

     The scholarship, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, is awarded to rising sophomores and students transferring from their two-year college to their four-year college. It was established to assist students that are pursuing degrees in computer science, engineering, and math. This year, only 60 scholarships were awarded out of 180 applicants — 32 applicants were from Georgia.

     “I’m very thankful to receive this scholarship because it’s going to be a big help to my mother and myself,” said Baldwin, who started working at a part-time job in high school, so he could save money for college.

     Baldwin is slated to receive $12,500 that will carry him through his undergraduate education. He just completed his first year of college and is spending the summer at home with family. He will return to SGC in the fall to continue his degree and plans to transfer to VSU during the fall of 2009.

     MESA is an assistance program for students who are majoring in a calculus-based degree such as Math, Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science. It started at SGC in January.

     MESA’s focus is to establish and foster community learning among its students by providing a members’ only MESA center, study groups, workshops, and field trips. Also, members of the program receive one-on-one advising, counseling, and transfer assistance as well as help with applying for scholarships and internships.

     For more information about MESA go to the MESA Web page: http://faculty.sgc.edu/mesa/ or contact the director, 912.260.4349 or lisa.kostellic@sgc.edu.

CUTLINE: Courtney Baldwin, 2008-2009 MESA California Community College Transfer Scholarship recipient, graduated from Randolph-Clay High School in 2007 and is presently pursuing a Middle School Math degree at South Georgia College.
 

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.