How does an older student from another country, in this case
41-year-old Salt Lake Community College student David Godoy from Venezuela,
beat out students half his age for one of this year’s coveted Coca-Cola New
Century Scholar awards? “I never give up,” Godoy says. “I go forward with faith
and never get discouraged.”
David Godoy
Godoy was the top-scoring applicant from Utah among more than
1,700 applications nationally for one of the 2015 New Century Scholar awards,
which Godoy is collecting in Texas this weekend. Originally from Maracaibo in
the northwest tip of Venezuela, Godoy is married with four children and has his
sights set on getting a PhD someday in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
But first, he’ll earn an associate degree. “I realized that SLCC had an
excellent balance between price and education received, with several options to
choose from in the engineering area,” Godoy says. “I also had the chance to
study English as a second language before beginning my major without taking the
TOEFL (a proficiency test for non-native English speakers), and that was a huge
advantage.”
To qualify for the scholarship, Godoy needed to be a member
of the honor society Phi Theta Kappa, which this year is holding its annual
convention in San Antonio, where Godoy and other winners are being recognized
for academic achievement, leadership, service and “a response to a significant
endeavor.” Godoy, who has won three other scholarships, said the $2,000 award
is a big help. “Any help to pay for my studies in my current situation is
gladly welcome,” he says. “Because of political problems in my country, it is
very difficult to transfer funds from my country to this country. So, it was
really good to receive this good news.”
David Godoy and family
Buena, David Godoy Matasiete!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Killseven
Excellent, my friend!
ReplyDeleteMuchas Felicidades David, estamos muy orgullos de ti.
ReplyDeleteHilda
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I see David working in IT at the library all the time. As a student in my 30s, I'm glad to see another older student succeed.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you are such an inspiration to staff and students. Well done on this huge accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteProud of you sir :-)
ReplyDeleteUn placer verlo en la portada!! :)
ReplyDeleteSusana Perez
David! You are a great person! I am glad to see you up on the website for everyone to see your great smile!
ReplyDeleteThank you all. Gracias a todos!
ReplyDelete