Robert Warden, a Georgia Highlands student, named a 2012 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholar

Photo: Georgia Highlands College Students (from l-r) Matt Kendall, Robert Warden, Samuel Thompson and Galen Maret were recently honored by the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation in Atlanta.  Warden also won a bronze medal and a $1,000 scholarship.

Media release: Robert Warden, a student at Georgia Highlands College, has been named a 2012 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholar. 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 scholarships annually.

Bronze Scholars each receive a $1,000 scholarship and a special medallion. All Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Scholars will be listed in an April 23 issue of the USA TODAY newspaper.

Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges, 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 38 states. The Georgia recognition ceremony took place at the Sloppy Floyd Building in Atlanta, across the street from the state Capitol.

Three other GHC students were named to the academic team for 2012. They were Matt Kendall, Galen Maret and Samuel Thompson. Students on the All-Georgia Academic Team are required to maintain a 3.5 grade point average and to have completed 30 credit hours. Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit no more than two nominations per campus for this award. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

Georgia Highlands students comprise 12 percent of the 33-member All-Georgia Academic Team.

Warden graduates from GHC this spring, but will return to the institution this summer to complete three other associate degrees in political science, history and middle-grade education. He is a military veteran, having served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Married just out of high school, he and his wife raised their children before they both returned to school. Warden's plans are to complete his bachelor's degree at Kennesaw State University in business management.