Chad Baisden,New Century Scholar by the Phi Theta Kappa

Chad Baisden, a nursing student at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, has been named a New Century Scholar by the Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges. The New Century Scholars Program is an extension of the All-USA Academic Team. The highest scoring student in each state in the All-USA Academic Team competition is named a New Century Scholar and receives a $2,000 stipend funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Baisden will be honored at the American Association of Community Colleges convention in Long Beach, California, April 22-24. He will represent all community college students from West Virginia at the AACC Opening Ceremonies on April 22.

"Chad Baisden is a student who typifies today's community college student. Chad had already completed a baccalaureate degree, but determined that he needed to return to Southern in order to receive the skills and training necessary to get a better paying job in a health field. We are so proud of Chad and his accomplishments. He is a model student and so deserving of this honor," stated Joanne Jaeger Tomblin, President of Southern.

Baisden currently serves as the Treasurer for the Student Nursing Association Class of 2006 where he is responsible for numerous fund raising endeavors and class finances. His community activities include being a volunteer member of the City of Logan Fire Department and the Logan County Emergency Ambulance Service Association, where he serves as a Special Technical and Rescue (S.T.A.R.) Team member.

While attending Southern, he has been employed part-time as an insurance agent, at Baisden & Associates in Logan. His wife, Nikki, is a preschool teacher employed by the Logan County Board of Education.

As a New Century Scholar, Baisden, will be featured in the American Association of Community College's College Times and Phi Theta Kappa's Golden Key News Briefs.