Davin Whatley, a student at Northeast Texas Community College in Texas, has been named the 2021 Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
The Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholarship is presented to the Texas applicant with the highest score from Phi Theta Kappa’s spring scholarship application, which helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs.
Majoring in business administration, Whatley currently serves as Vice President for his local Phi Theta Kappa chapter. As a volunteer writer of feature stories for his college’s award-winning newspaper, his work has received an award from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. He also earned first place in an essay contest for history students and was recognized as an Outstanding Student in History by Northeast Texas Community College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences division. After earning his associate degree, Whatley plans to transfer to Texas A&M University Commerce. He would ultimately like to own a business or become an optometrist. Whatley also aspires to serve as a basketball coach within his community to help instill the values of teamwork and perseverance in others.
"I am very honored and excited to have been selected as the 2021 Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholar. I would like to thank Dr. Fulgham for all her help this past semester and her encouragement to help me join Phi Theta Kappa. I am looking forward to working with my other officers and President this next school year and seeing what we can accomplish together,” said Whatley. “Regarding my future plans, I am currently looking into optometry (no pun intended) and I am currently trying to find the best degree plan that will help me attain what I am looking to accomplish in this field. I am also considering going into ministry.”
Whatley is the sixth Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholar from NTCC. Previous winners include Haley Bucsanyi (2020), Mercedes Collins (2019), Jazmin Garcia (2018), Chesney Davis (2017), and Scott Wilhite (2015).
“It is my desire to use the leadership skills I have learned and will continue to develop in Phi Theta Kappa to the betterment of others I come in contact with and the community I will serve in. Again, I am truly grateful for this selection," said Whatley.
Dr. Mary Hood served as Texas Regional Coordinator for 18 years and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa’s Board of Directors at the time of her death in 2011. The Dr. Mary Hood Texas Region Scholarship was established in her memory, providing scholarships to Phi Theta Kappa members in Texas.
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 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more atptk.org. For more about the PTK chapter at NTCC check outhttps://www.facebook.com/alphamuchi.
