Cathleen Kane, a student at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ, has been named a 2022 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

“I am so proud of Cathleen for her exceptional accomplishment in being named Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar,” said President of Brookdale Community College, Dr. David M. Stout. “It is most impressive to be named to the Academic Team and even more impressive to be named as one of the top 50 PTK students in the country. What an incredible achievement!”

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges.

In addition to working on her Associate of Arts Degree in Education from Brookdale, Kane has served as vice president of Leadership, Fellowship, and Communication for Phi Theta Kappa, (PTK). She is currently chairman of Honors In Action and leading the College Project committee in renovating a room in the Bankier Library for PTK and Honors students to meet, socialize, and study.

Kane enjoys the community service projects, especially the People’s Pantry in Asbury Park, where the PTK team meet other students from other schools who work together to serve the people. This year, she also found time to be a back girl and server on the Jersey Blue’s Women’s Volleyball Team. In addition, she works as a box office associate at the Hazlet Cinema and a part-time secretary at St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, NJ, her alma mater.

“I always tell people that PTK has changed my life,” said Kane. “When I came to Brookdale, I was very shy. I didn’t know anyone. PTK put me in a position where I learned how to become a leader and talk to people. I learned how to go after goals.”

In the fall, Kane will attend Rider University, Lawrence Township, NJ, where she received an invitation to join their Honors Program. She hopes to be part of the Women’s Leadership Council and community service organization. She will major in Secondary Education with a concentration in History and a minor in Special Education.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held in Denver, Colorado, April 7-9.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

Learn more about Brookdale’s Honors Program, https://www.brookdalecc.edu/honors/.


About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.