Scholarship Event Connects Donors, Recipients
On September 27, more than 250 people filled the floor of Loren Walker Arena on SCC’s West Burlington campus for the 2012 SCC Foundation Scholarship Reception.
Scholarship donors, recipients, families, and SCC faculty and staff attended the event.
SCC Foundation Executive Director Becky Rump explains that while many donors play a role in selecting the winners of the 200+ annual scholarships, few ever get to meet the recipients.
“This event let the donors and the recipients connect names with faces. They actually got to meet each other. It was really neat.”
The last time SCC hosted a similar event was back in 2001. Rump says that the time is right to begin the practice again.
“It’s just a really cool thing to do. The generosity of our scholarship donors is often life-altering for our students. For some, it’s the sole reason they are in college. Having that kind of an impact on a person’s life is worth celebrating.”
In addition to the current scholarships, a handful of donors were individually recognized for their contributions. Lawrence and Marilyn Matteson established 12 scholarships of up to $2,000 each earlier this year for students who enroll in technical career programs, and SCC Trustee Moudy Nabulsi and wife Sharon Scholl Nabulsi recently leveraged their $3,000 annual gift with Chevron’s matching gift program to help non-traditional age students.
Irv and Ruth Stein were recognized for sponsoring the longest standing SCC Foundation scholarship, the Irvin M. Stein Foundation Scholarship, a full-tuition award for academic achievers pursuing a career in nursing or healthcare. Mrs. Mildred Tenglin was also recognized for her two restricted scholarships, a welding scholarship in memory of her late husband, Gunnar, and a GED scholarship in memory of her late brother, Ray Johnson.
Two SCC students shared their stories first-hand and spoke about the importance scholarships have had in helping them attain their educational goals. Drafting student Richard Shinall talked about what it meant to him that retired SCC instructor and scholarship donor LeRoy Crist believed in him. Former Fort Madison High School exchange student from Tanzania Rachel Kazungu challenged fellow recipients to take full advantage of the opportunity provided to them in part by generous donors to realize their full potential.
Click to see the photo gallery of the event.
To establish a scholarship or make gifts to SCC, click here or call 319-208-5065.
