Coconino Community College students Jake Zimmerman, left, and Lee Hartwig, right, have been selected to receive All-Arizona Academic Scholarships. Courtesy photos.
FLAGSTAFF — Two Coconino Community College students – Jake Zimmerman and Lee Hartwig – have been recognized for the prestigious 2021 All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship.
The scholarship offers free tuition for 60 credit hours at the recipient’s choice of one of the three state universities.
“A financial burden has been taken off my shoulders,” said Zimmerman, who has moved onto Northern Arizona University to continue his studies for a degree in Physical Therapy. “It’s an awesome feeling.”
Zimmerman, who returned to his home state of Arizona after serving in the Israeli Army as a medic, is dedicated to helping others.
“I want to help people in a hands-on fashion,” Zimmerman said. “I find great meaning in helping people.”
Hartwig, who is deep into walking his path of becoming a Nurse, is retired after a 20-year career as a U.S. Air Force mechanic. He was recently diagnosed as “disabled,” but that doesn’t diminish his desire to help others. He worried his G.I. Bill funding wouldn’t cover the entire journey to get his bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
“This cemented how I’m going to do it,” Hartwig said. “It’s an honor, without a doubt. This is a big weight off my chest.”
Zimmerman and Hartwig are members of the Beta Gamma Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. They were honored at the All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony on March 4. The event was held virtually this year.
Every year, Arizona’s community colleges nominate students to the International PTK organization, where students are judged based on a 3.50 GPA or higher, good academic standing while working toward an associate degree and involvement in campus and community volunteer work.
Judging consists of three rounds, with second and third rounds held in Washington, D.C. Scores from the national competition are used to rank the students for the team. Out of the students nominated this year, several will be named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team. They are the nation’s top community college students and receive additional financial stipends and get featured in the spring global edition of USA Today.
About Coconino Community College — CCC has served residents across 18,000 square miles of Coconino County since 1991. The College has the goal of improving the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education.
CCC provides affordable tuition and offers certificate programs and two-year associate degrees in academic and career fields. CCC also has programs that ease student transition to any of the three state universities, including the award-winning CCC2NAU.
CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the County and Tribal Lands. Instructional sites offer classes through online, in-person and Zoom video conferencing classes to meet the needs of students in rural and remote areas. Nearly 20 percent of CCC’s students are Native American learners.