They are Number One! UA Recognizes New Group of Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A select group of students at The University of Alabama, who are all “number one” in their families, were recognized as this year’s UA Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars at a luncheon held in their honor on campus this week.

Made possible by a $1 million gift to the University’s “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign, the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarships are awarded to deserving students who are the first in their families to attend college.

On hand to meet and honor the UA students at the event were: Gary Fayard, executive vice president and chief financial officer of
The Coca-Cola Company and treasurer of The Coca-Cola Foundation, who is also a UA graduate; Ingrid Saunders Jones, senior vice president and director of Global Community Connections of The Coca-Cola Company and chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation; Walker Jones, community relations director, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United; and UA President Robert E. Witt.

“The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded more than $14 million in scholarships to students who are the first in their families to attend college,” Fayard said. “We are proud to help these deserving students achieve their dreams of a college education.”

The 12 students who were recognized this week are the second group in a series of UA students who will receive $5,000 scholarships each year for four years, courtesy of the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship program.

“The Coca-Cola Foundation’s gift was the first million dollar scholarship donation the University received and it laid the groundwork for other corporate gifts that followed,” Witt said. “We hope that it will continue to motivate other businesses to follow their example by helping the best and brightest students attend The University of Alabama.”

Groups of 12 students have or will be selected as Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars in years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. A total of 48 students will receive $20,000 scholarships. The donation also includes $40,000 in scholarships for freshman prep classes and orientation.

The 2007-2008 UA Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars are:

Jeffery Lee Banks Jr. of Berry
Banks is a 2007 graduate of Northside High School where he was a member of the National Beta Club, Science Club, French Club, yearbook staff and Future Business Leaders of America chapter president. Banks was a Pulse Section contributor for The Tuscaloosa News and he plans to major in journalism through the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences.

Christina Young Bryant of Elba
Bryant is a 2007 advanced diploma graduate of Elba High School where she was the 11th grade class president, 12th grade class secretary, Key Club president, captain of the varsity cheerleaders, student council representative, president of Future Business Leaders of America, all while being on the A-Honor Roll each year of her high school career. Her volunteer work included the local hospital, nursing home, Cystic Fibrosis Association, Salvation Army, Relay for Life, Girl Scouts and the Headstart program. She will be pursuing a career in pre-med through the UA College of Arts and Sciences.

Xue-Zhi (“Alan”) Chen of Madison
Chen is a 2007 graduate of Bob Jones High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Future Business Leaders of America. He received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence, U.S. National Science Merit Award, Algebra Award, Top-10 in the Spanish Convention vocabulary competition and the Most Improved Chorus Award. He is a member of the UA Honors College and is majoring in accounting through the UA College of Commerce and Business Administration with a goal of one day attending law school.

Matthew Wade Clem of Elkmont
Clem is a 2007 advance diploma graduate of Ardmore High School while pursuing dual enrollment in history and English. He was a member of the Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Spanish Club and he played basketball at Ardmore. He was chosen as the Boy’s State representative and he was chosen by the faculty of Ardmore High School to represent the school on the First National Bank Advisory Board. He plans on majoring in accounting through C&BA.

Adrianne D. Farris of Clanton
Farris is a 2007 graduate of Thorsby High School where she was the valedictorian, a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Club, Drama Club and the Scholar Bowl Team. She has won several writing awards, including the Alabama’s Penman Leadership Essay Contest and the “To Kill a Mockingbird” Essay Contest. She was captain of the Diamond Dolls and was active in her community, volunteering at a local nursing home. She plans to study secondary English education through the Colleges of Education and Arts and Sciences.

Selena LaShea Mason of Moulton
Mason is a 2007 graduate of Lawrence County High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and was on the A-B Honor Roll throughout her high school career. She served as basketball team co-captain and made the All-Area and All-County teams in grades 9-12. She was a charter member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, and served in various leadership roles in the Spirit Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council and as Junior Civitan Club president for four years. She participated in community activities including Relay for Life and food, clothing and toy drives. Mason plans on pursuing a career in the medical field.

Sade´ J. Mays of Montgomery
Mays is a 2007 graduate of Booker T. Washington Magnet High School where she was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Fellowship of Christian Students, Thespians and the International Student Association. She was the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. local, state and regional Talent Hunt winner. She is interested in math and economics, and combined with her interest in theater and performing arts, Mays would like to one day become an international talent agent. She will be pursuing a degree in international business through the College of Commerce and Business Administration and a minor in theater arts.

Shauna R. McDaniel of Jemison
McDaniel is a 2007 graduate of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile. She received the Latin Award her sophomore and junior year and was inducted into the Latin Honor Society. She worked for the language magazine, Lingo, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, where two of her Latin poems were published. She is a member of the UA Honors College and will be pursuing a degree in the classics with a concentration in Greek, Latin and Classical Civilizations and a minor in anthropology through the College of Arts and Sciences. Her goal is to become a professor of classics one day after completing a doctorate degree.

Charles Blake Myers of Hoover
Myers is an advanced academic graduate of Hoover High School where he was a member of the Hoover High School Band and performed in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade, the 2004 Edinburgh Easter Festival in Scotland and during halftime of a nationally broadcast football game on ESPN in 2005. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and he received the 4.00 or higher GPA award for 2004 and 2005. He was also active as a percussionist in the Hunter Street Church High School Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble. He is part of the UA Honors College and plans to major in management information systems through C&BA with a minor in computer science.

Erin Linley Shirley of Winfield
Shirley is a 2007 advanced diploma graduate of Winfield City High School where she was a cheerleader, a member of the track team, Key Club, Student Council and National Honor Society. During her high school career, her cheerleading squad was a two-time winner of both the Big Apple Classic National Cheerleading Championship and the 3A State Championship. She participated in volunteer projects such as spending time in New Orleans to provide Hurricane Katrina rescue relief. She plans on majoring in hospital administration through the College of Commerce and Business Administration.

Benjamin C. Strong of Cragford
Strong is a 2007 advanced diploma graduate from Lineville High School where he was a member of the Lineville Aggie varsity football team, Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mu Alpha Theta, Class Top Ten, and the Math Team. An honor roll student, Strong served as the project co-leader of the Youthworks Mission Team Minnesota and Montana and was the junior leader of the Praise Team. He plans to study chemical engineering through the College of Engineering.

Allie Benae Thompson of Muscle Shoals
Thompson is a 2007 advanced diploma graduate of Muscle Shoals High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Scholars Bowl, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Future Business Leaders of America and the Literary Society. She has worked for the past several summers at All Seasons Greenhouse and plans on pursuing a degree in marketing through the College of Commerce and Business Administration