Recent A-B Tech graduate Donavan Lance was selected as one of 10 recipients of the Goodnight Scholars Program at NC State University. The cohort represents seven North Carolina community colleges and six NC State majors. Recipients were selected from a pool of 20 finalists who participated in an extensive application and interview process which included evaluation from NC State faculty, staff, and Goodnight Scholars Program alumni.
Lance earned his associate of science degree and was selected to be a graduation marshal in 2016. He received the award for exemplary academic achievement in mathematics at A-B Tech. He was also an active member of the Robotics Society, National Society of Leadership and Success, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In 2015, he served as a Linux Kernel contributor and Fedora Project QA team member. He plans to major in computer engineering.
“Interviewing the transfer finalists was an inspiring and humbling experience,” said Allison Medlin, director of the Goodnight Scholars Program. “The ten students selected are distinguished by both their talent and tenacity. With the education they receive at NC State, they are dedicated to benefiting not only their own lives, but the lives of their families and communities. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Goodnight Scholars community this fall!”
The Goodnight Scholars Program was established in 2008 out of the philanthropic generosity of North Carolina natives and NC State alumni Dr. Jim Goodnight, co-founder of global business analytic software leader, SAS Institute, and Mrs. Ann Goodnight, director of community relations at SAS Institute and secretary for the NC State Board of Trustees.
The Goodnight Scholars Program is targeted at North Carolina residents from low- and middle-income families who aspire to study in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or STEM education discipline at NC State. The value of the scholarship is $19,500 and is renewable for up to four years for first-year students and two years for transfer students. In addition to the scholarship, Goodnight Scholars have access to an assortment of developmental programming focused on their professional and personal growth.