NICC honor society students named to national Coca-Cola Academic Team three consecutive years
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Steele’s recognition follows the national Coca-Cola Academic Team honors received by Peyton Luehmann, a Dairy Science Technology and Animal Science student honored in 2024 and Maren Larsen, a Computer Science and Security student named to the team in 2023.
CALMAR, Iowa–For the third consecutive year, a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society student at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) has earned a national Coca-Cola Academic Team scholarship. This year’s recipient, David Steele, has been named a Silver Scholar by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually, recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars across the nation.
Steele, a Computer Science and Security student at the NICC Calmar campus, will graduate this May. He plans to continue his education in cybersecurity at a four-year college or university.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named to the All-Iowa Academic Team and a Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar. I'm deeply grateful to the wonderful PTK advisors at NICC,” Steele said. “I appreciate how honor societies like PTK allow students to build and practice leadership skills and attend regional conferences that provide great team-building and networking opportunities.”
Steele’s recognition follows the national Coca-Cola Academic Team honors received by Peyton Luehmann, a Dairy Science Technology and Animal Science student honored in 2024 and Maren Larsen, a Computer Science and Security student named to the team in 2023.
“David’s achievement reflects his dedication to academic excellence and leadership. Having NICC students earn Coca-Cola Academic Team honors three years in a row is a remarkable testament to the strength of our programs and student support,” said NICC Interim President David Dahms.
Additional NICC students named to the All-Iowa Academic Team this year include Kerry Oldenburger, a Social Work Transfer Major student at the Calmar campus; Jaquelyn Hochrein, an Associate of Arts student from the Peosta campus; and Mason Cigrand, a Liberal Arts/General Studies student from Peosta.
Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, also applauded the accomplishment.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Hopkins. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”
Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators, with selection based on academic achievement, leadership and community service. Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized at local and statewide ceremonies, as well as internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 3-5.
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
About Phi Theta Kappa: 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. Learn more at ptk.org.