Alumni Success: MCC Provides Solid Foundation for New Century Transfer Scholar
MANCHESTER, Conn. (May 19, 2022) – Rupert Tawiah-Quashie, of Manchester, regards his time as a student at Manchester Community College as his launch toward success. The 2022 New Century Transfer Scholar received a $2,250 scholarship to continue to pursue his educational goals.
After qualifying for the Phi Theta Kappa All-Connecticut Team at MCC, which made him eligible to compete for this prestigious award, he transferred to Hampshire College, where he will use the funds. The scholarship program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state.
Tawiah-Quashie, who was a two-time recipient of MCC Foundation scholarship awards, credits the academic and financial support he received from the college for setting him up to succeed.
“The classes I took at MCC were as in-depth and demanding as a four-year college class,” he said. “The English classes I took solidified my writing skills and the STEM and social science classes served as a great foundation that ushered me into a concentration in mathematics, computer science and philosophy.”
He added that the student-life experience at MCC helped expand his horizons. “At MCC I found a family,” he said. “From my first English class to becoming the president of the international students club, my experience at MCC had a significant impact on my life. I had the opportunity to acquire knowledge from gifted professors, liaise with supportive staff members and study together with an amazing group of students.”
Rupert Tawiah-Quashie, flanked on the right by his sister Kendra Ntoni, and on the left, his mother Mary Ntoni at the award ceremony.
New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. More than 2,200 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country.
Tawiah-Quashie accepted his award earlier this month at the Phi Theta Kappa President’s Breakfast during the AACC Convention in New York City. He will continue his studies at Hampshire College, majoring in computer science and mathematics and minoring in philosophy. He plans ultimately to pursue a career in artificial intelligence and software engineering.
About Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Upsilon Alpha Chapter
Founded in November 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is an internationally acclaimed honor society recognizing the academic achievement of associate degree students. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among associate degree bound students. MCC’s Alpha Upsilon Alpha was founded as a chapter in May 1991 and has a proud history on campus. The Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter continues to promote scholarship, develop leadership and service and cultivate fellowship among qualified students at Manchester Community College.
