Press contact: Angela Try

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College student Malena Kirgan of New Holland has been named a Phi Theta Kappa 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Kirgan, a sophomore agriculture transfer major, was one of 200 students selected from 1,500 applicants based on outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential.

“Malena’s selection for this competitive award is a testament to the value of a PTK membership,” said Dr. Gillian Bauer, chapter advisor. “In addition to leadership opportunities, members of Phi Theta Kappa have access to more than $1 million in scholarships offered by the organization. Members also have access to hundreds of millions of dollars in transfer scholarships offered by more than 800 colleges and universities across the country exclusively to PTK members.”

The Leaders of Promise Scholarship is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa. The program was launched in 2001 to assist new Phi Theta Kappa members to obtain an associate degree and encourage participation in honor society programs.

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 at colleges across the U.S. Learn more at ptk.org.