A Santa Monica College student was recently awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the largest private-funded scholarship of its kind in the nation.
Scott Pine, who is a psychology major, was one of 73 students chosen from 769 nominees from 377 community colleges. The award comes two years after Stephen Olsen became the first student in SMC history to receive the award.
“My experiences at SMC have taught me that success is not a solo endeavor, but rather a collective effort to reach one’s goals,” Pine said.
The winners receive up to $30,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities.
“I was happy, but not surprised that Scott Pine was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship,” said SMC President Dr. Chui L. Tsang. “He is extremely focused on getting an education and he is on a mission.
“Scott is a remarkable young man who is determined, goal-oriented and has distinguished himself as an outstanding student,” Tsang said. “They couldn’t have picked a more deserving person.”
Scholarship winners are chosen for their “exceptional academic ability and achievements, financial need, persistence, leadership, and a desire to help others,” according to the Foundation, which was started in 2002.
Recipients can use the award to pay for tuition, room and board, books and required fees and can pursue any area of study.
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