The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, with the generous support of Medical Education Technologies, Inc. (METI) and L-3 Communications, Inc., are pleased to announce the 2011 recipients of the Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships recognize the accomplishments of students enrolled in allied health programs offered by regionally accredited community colleges. Twenty-five students received scholarships of $1,000 each.
Frank Lanza Scholars will be recognized April 9 during the Third General Session of the Phi Theta Kappa Annual Convention in Seattle. In addition, recipients will have the opportunity to meet METI Chairman Lou Oberndorf. Oberndorf was influential in establishing this scholarship in honor of his friend, Frank Lanza.
The scholarships target part-time, full-time and international students with financial need who have completed 50 percent of their course work leading toward earning an associate degree. Candidates did not have to be members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to apply. A panel of independent judges selected the recipients by application based on academic and leadership accomplishments as well as community service.
"Funding provided for these scholarships is critical to helping community colleges students meet the high cost of completing these rigorous health-related programs," said Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director, Dr. Rod A. Risley.
Most of the 2011 award recipients are enrolled in registered nursing programs and allied health fields. Community colleges educate 63 percent of allied health professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 figures, employment outlook in the health care industry has continued to increase. The largest gains were in ambulatory health care services and in nursing and residential care facilities.
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