Gillian Receives Coca-Cola Silver Scholar Award From PTK Honor Society

04/29/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -  A Spartanburg Methodist College student has received a $1,000 award for academic performance and recognition by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Robert Gillian, 33, of Pacolet, SC, has been selected as a 2011 Coca-Cola Silver Scholar, based on scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team Competition.

SMC professor of Religious Studies Kris Pratt presents the Coca-Cola Silver Scholar award to Robert Gillian (right) during SMC's recent Awards Day

As a Silver Scholar, Gillian will receive a $1,250 stipend and a special medallion.

"I feel honored to represent Spartanburg Methodist College in the receiving of the Coca-Cola Silver Scholar award. I owe all of my success to the atmosphere of the SMC campus, but, more importantly, my gratitude goes to my wife, Brandie, and my daughter, Esmarelda," says Gilian.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes Coca-Cola Community College scholars during All-State Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremonies held in 37 states.  Student scholars also receive local recognition during ceremonies held on campus.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze scholars, and providing nearly $187,500 in stipends annually.

Gillian, a graduate of Sullivan South High School in Kingsport, TN, will receive an Associate's in Religious Studies degree from SMC on Friday, May 6.

After graduating from SMC , Gillian plans  to major in either History or Religion and to either transfer to USC Upstate or Wofford College.  

As a member of Phi Theta Kappa and in order to be nominated for the award, Gillian conducted a book drive service project during the 2010-2011 academic year, for the Spartanburg HeadStart program - from which, books are given to local schools or families unable to afford reading material for younger children.

With the help of various SMC students, faculty and administrators, Gillian's book drive in the fall 2010 semester collected more than 500 books for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.  Currently, for the spring semester, the program is close to meeting the same amount.

"I am hoping that a current freshman will take the 'reigns,' so to speak, and continue this book drive program into the next year," says Gilian.

SMC president Dr. Colleen P. Keith says that Gillian is a role model for all SMC students.

"As a non-traditional student, Robert has enriched the SMC community with his presence on the campus and in class. His desire to achieve academically was noticed by his fellow students and Robert served as an official and unofficial tutor for several classes here. His desire to give back to his community led him to spearhead a book drive and partner with Piedmont Community Actions so that young children in underserved areas could have books to take home and keep, thereby encouraging reading and early literacy. He is a very special person and I look forward to hearing all good things about him as he moves on to the next level," Dr. Keith says.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in American higher education with 1,250 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions.

More than two million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 100,000 students inducted annually.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 100th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning. 

For more information, please contact Brian Fulkerson, Director of Public Information, at (864) 587-4254 or Melissa Mayer, of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, at (601) 984-3684 or melissa.mayer@ptk.org