Matthews honored

PHIL CAMPBELL — Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) student Emilee Matthews is one of nine Phi Theta Kappa members selected as a 2025 Guistwhite Scholar and will receive a $5,000 scholarship for baccalaureate studies.

Winners were chosen from among 2,800 applicants nationwide, and their selection was based on academic excellence, leadership accomplishments and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs. They will also receive a commemorative medallion.

Matthews plans to finish her studies at NWSCC and work toward her ultimate goal of being a general surgeon.

“I have always wanted to pursue medicine,” said Matthews. “I believe Northwest Shoals has instilled in me the confidence I needed to pursue my dream and set me on a path to success.”

This is the second-highest scholarship offered by Phi Theta Kappa. It is named in honor of the late Margaret and Dr. Jack Guistwhite, who established the first transfer scholarship designated exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members to Florida Atlantic University in 1975.

“What Dr. Guistwhite started 50 years ago has become a transformational force in the lives of PTK members and has resulted in scholarships from 739 unique campuses for our students,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “It is fitting that

we continue to honor our students who excel in scholarship and leadership as Guistwhite Scholars in celebration of Jack and Margaret.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the first 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 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.