From left, are Allyn Decker and Meg Waddell at the All USA/All Indiana awards luncheon. Photo provided.

WARSAW — Meg Waddell, a student at Ivy Tech Community College Warsaw, has been named a 2020 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

Waddell started at Ivy Tech Warsaw in 2017 as part of an Achieve Your Degree cohort with Lake City Bank. She graduated in December 2019 with an associate degree in business administration and is currently working as Vice-President, Retail Regional Manager at Lake City Bank in Warsaw.

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 were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

“When I was nominated for the All USA/All Indiana team I was in total disbelief that someone who went back to college at age 48 and graduated at 50 would even be considered,” said Waddell. “I am so incredibly honored that I cannot put it into words. I want everyone to know that your past and your story do not hold you hostage when it comes to your future. You make opportunities through hard work and surrounding yourself with the right people, but you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. I am very thankful to Lake City Bank and Ivy Tech.”

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“We are so proud of Meg’s academic achievements,” said Allyn Decker, vice-chancellor of Ivy Tech Warsaw. “Completing a college degree with excellence is never easy, and it is especially challenging for working adults. We are so pleased she chose to study with us and that we could play a part in helping her achieve an important life goal.”

The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized during the Association of Community College Trustees’ Congress in Chicago, Ill., in October.