Two SWCC students named to 2020 All-Iowa Academic Team

Southwestern Community College students Chase Miner of Leon and Ella Rutherford of Niantic, Illinois, were honored as members of the 2020 All-Iowa Academic Team during a recognition ceremony sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society March 2 at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines.

Miner, a sophomore at SWCC, is an arts and sciences transfer student with a major in pre-medicine. He has been named to the President’s List each semester; serves as the vice president of Beta Eta Nu, SWCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter; and has been the recipient of Education Foundation scholarships including the Collegiate Scholarship. Miner, who carries a 4.0 grade point average, recently received the 2020 Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion scholarship from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He was one of seven students selected internationally to receive the award. Following graduation from SWCC, Miner plans to transfer to Simpson College in Indianola.

Rutherford, a sophomore at SWCC, is an arts and sciences transfer student. She is the president of SWCC’s Beta Eta Nu chapter. During her time at SWCC, Rutherford has competed on the softball team earning honorable mention all-region honors. She was named First Team All-Academic for softball as well. In 2019, Rutherford was named a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholar. With this award, she received a $1,000 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Rutherford, who has a cumulative grade point average of 4.0, will graduate from SWCC in May. She is undecided about where she will transfer to complete her bachelor’s degree.

Phi Theta Kappa International serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students worldwide. Jody Nedley-Newcomb, sociology instructor, and Kelly Marcus, English instructor, are the advisors for SWCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter.