Originally published in The Oklahoman | The Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges recognized 35 outstanding two-year college students Monday at the state Capitol.

Oklahoma is one of 38 states participating in the State Academic Team Program through Phi Theta Kappa International, a two-year college student honor society. To be eligible, students must be nominated by their college president and have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

Robert Johnson, a Redlands Community College student from McLoud, was named the 2016 Oklahoma New Century Scholar. The $2,000 award recognizes the All Oklahoma Team member with the highest academic achievement.

Another 23 students were presented $1,000 tuition waiver scholarships from OACC and the various colleges. The waiver may be applied to tuition for the upcoming academic year at $500 per semester.

OACC is the organization of Oklahoma’s 14 two-year colleges.

Chancellor Glen Johnson with the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education said about 45 percent of all Oklahoma undergraduates are enrolled in community colleges.

“All of us know that our community colleges serve as a gateway toward better jobs and a better quality of life,” Johnson said.