Chesney Davis and Brenda Godoy named Hites Scholars

Chesney Davis and Brenda Godoy, students at Northeast Texas Community College, are among ten college students named 2018 Hites Scholars. Each will receive a $7,500 scholarship for baccalaureate studies.  This is the largest scholarship Phi Theta Kappa awards to its members.

The Hites Transfer Scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa members who are preparing to transfer to a bachelor’s degree-granting college or university. Winners were selected from among 3,100 applicants nationwide for their outstanding academic achievement and rigor, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in college and community activities.

Davis is a future mechanical engineer and a Presidential Honors Scholar in Honors Northeast who also served as the District III Vice President of the Texas Region for Phi Theta Kappa. In that capacity, he planned and led the Texas Honors Institute at Schreiner University in July, the Texas Leadership Conference at Texas Lutheran University in October, and the Texas Regional Convention in Houston in March. He also received the highest marks in the state of Texas on the spring common scholarship application earning the Dr. Mary Hood Scholarship.

Godoy is a future pediatrician and also a Presidential Honors Scholar in Honors Northeast. She serves as the Vice-President of Service for the NTCC Phi Theta Kappa chapter and is President of the Bio-Chem Club. She was recently inducted into the District III Hall of Honor for the Texas Region. She has received numerous other regional, state, and national awards, including the Boe Award from the Great Plains Honors Council.

“Brenda and Chesney are both truly exceptional and inspirational students. Excellent scholars and leaders, they will go far in their chosen professions. It’s a delight to see Phi Theta Kappa recognize them in this way,” said Dr. Melissa Fulgham, lead advisor for Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

The Hites Transfer Scholarship Program is made possible by support from the Hites Family Foundation and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. The Hites Family Foundation was established by Robert Hites, an executive with RalstonPurina in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon his retirement, he became an instructor at St. Louis Community College. His brother, Ray Hites, served as President of the Hites Family Foundation and as a Trustee for the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation until his death in 2015. Ray’s wife, Jackie, now serves as a Foundation Board Trustee.

“Brenda and Chesney combine academic brilliance with a willingness to serve. We are thankful too for our friends in and out of the college who have provided poetry, poster, trip, local leadership and academic awards, and other forms of help which have further facilitated prestigious awards like this,” Andrew Yox, Honors Director, noted.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations. Learn more at ptk.org.

Brenda is the daughter of Policarpo and Esperanza Godoy of Mount Pleasant.  Chesney is the son of Brenda, and Jamie Davis of Pittsburg.