NOC’s Sage Wilcox Named New Century Workforce Scholar

Sage Wilcox, a student at Northern Oklahoma College, has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Wilcox is a sophomore from Crescent, Oklahoma, studying Digital Media Animation and Design at NOC Tonkawa.

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“I am so excited and honored to receive this award,” Wilcox said.  “I appreciate the sponsors of the scholarship and Northern Oklahoma College.”

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

“We congratulate Sage for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”

“Sage stands out as one of the most gifted students I’ve had the honor to teach,” said NOC Digital Media Instructor Brad Matson.  “Despite entering the DMI program with existing knowledge, she humbly embraced new methods and technical teachings, seamlessly integrating them with her prior skillset. As a result, she now possesses the expertise and talent to excel in her future pursuits.”

“We are extremely proud of Sage,” said interim president Diana Watkins. “Those of us at Northern were already aware that her talents extend far beyond our Digital Media Program where she certainly excels. It is wonderful to see those talents recognized by others as she is the only student in Oklahoma to receive this esteemed award.”

The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized in the fall.
About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world.

For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.

NOC serves nearly 4,000 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater.  Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.

For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.