Two Northeast Texas Community College graduates, Ryan-Rose Mendoza and Melody Mott, were named 2017 Terry Scholars and received the prestigious Terry Transfer Scholarship. Selection is based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and financial need. Recipients also must have applied and been accepted to a Terry Affiliated University within the state of Texas.
The Terry Scholarship Program was born of Howard and Nancy Terry?s desire to help young people help themselves. The Terrys believed, in the long term, that a university ? like the state it represents ? is only as good as the educated citizens it produces. Thus the Terrys determined that their most lasting contribution would be through a perpetual endowment that would provide college scholarships for students who had demonstrated the capacity to become outstanding future leaders and who needed financial assistance to achieve their goals in higher education.†Mendoza and Mott are among the most recent beneficiaries of that program.
Both Mendoza and Mott (of Mount Pleasant) were members of the Honors program at NTCC. Mendoza?s research at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History became part of the material used in Honors Northeast?s film on the Cherokee and Sam Houston.† Mott?s essay on Japanese-Texas relations went on to win both a Caldwell and Smallwood Award from the Texas State Historical Association, the only NTCC scholar to ever have that double-win. Her work appeared this past spring in the 2017 Touchstone Journal, published by the Texas State Historical Association. Both will participate in the honors programs at their chosen universities.
?Mendoza is a wonderfully ready writer with remarkable determination and Mott is a brilliant scholar who had the courage to try something completely new. I am so excited about their prospects now that the Terry and other awards will cover the costs of their matriculation at the University of Houston and Sam Houston University,? Dr. Andrew Yox, NTCC Honors Director, said.
Mendoza and Mott were named to the All Texas Academic Team and served as active officers for the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.† Mendoza served as Chapter President and Mott as Treasurer. The two of them took on leadership roles in planning and implementing chapter projects to benefit the college and community.
?Ryan-Rose and Melody proved themselves to be extremely capable leaders who tackle challenges with grit and determination. They possess a calm confidence and leadership ability, as well as innovative scholarship and academic drive, which bodes well for their future,? Dr. Melissa Fulgham, Phi Theta Kappa advisor and Honors Professor at NTCC, said.
Both were semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. While at NTCC, Mendoza received the Leader of Promise and Dr. Jerry Wesson scholarships as well as being named a Coca-Cola Silver Level Scholar. Mott received the Scotty Award for outstanding service to the college and community and was recognized in the Texas Region Hall of Honor for Outstanding Officers. Mott also served as President of the Math Club on campus and presented work at the 2016 meeting of the National Collegiate Honors Council in Seattle.
Mendoza will be a journalism major at the University of Houston. She will receive $19,700 a year for 3 years, plus an additional $5,000 stipend for the foreign exchange program for a total award of $64,100.
?I?m so incredibly thankful for the opportunity that the Terry Foundation has given me in order to help me accomplish my educational goals. Winning this scholarship is a huge honor and I?m so blessed to have been chosen to be part of the 2017 Terry Scholars team. Because of the foundation?s generosity I?ll be able to continue my collegiate journey at a Tier One research university and not have to worry about the burdens of student loans,? Mendoza said.
Mott will be a mathematics major at Sam Houston State University. She will receive $17,500 each year for 3 years, plus an additional $5,000 stipend for the foreign exchange program for a total award of $57,500.
?I?m so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to continue my journey in education and hope to one day give back to the legacy that is the Terry Foundation. The scholarship is enormous for me. The notion of simply being selected for an interview, let alone being named a recipient left me speechless. A heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders thanks to the generosity of the Terry Foundation. I look forward to upholding the reputation of the Foundation and meeting other scholars with the same academic inclination,? Mott said.
The Terry Foundation?s mission is to improve and develop the State of Texas by assisting Texas students to attend the state?s finest public universities. The Foundation hopes that these students will have a significant impact on the future leadership of the state and nation. To achieve this goal, the Foundation awards scholarships to students who meet the high standards set.
Terry Scholars are challenged to achieve their highest potential in scholarship, leadership, and service ? to their university, the State of Texas, and the world. Scholars build their own community of fellowship and mutual respect on campus and as part of the ever-expanding network of Terry Scholar Alumni. These core values serve as the pillars of the Terry Scholarship Program.
Mendoza and Mott are the third and fourth recipients of the Terry Transfer Scholarship in the history of NTCC.† Ricky Huitema was named a Terry Scholar in 2014.† Angelica Fuentes received the Terry Scholarship in 2016.
