SCHOLARSHIP

As part of the College’s annual celebration of scholarship recipients, hundreds of local leaders filled a ballroom at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord Golf Resort & Spa to recognize the impact of scholarships on the 2016 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College scholarship recipients.

“It was apparent to all those in attendance that a scholarship is the gift of education, a gift whose impact is far reaching and continues giving throughout one’s life and career,” said Dr. Kelly Propst, assistant superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools and co-chair of the 2016 luncheon.

In total, the 2016 Changing Lives Scholarship Luncheon generated an additional nearly $72,000 for future scholarship recipients, adding to the significant number of scholarships in place at the College’s Foundation.

“Students and graduates of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College remain in our community, contributing to the advancement of not only their own lives and the lives of their families, but to the betterment of our community as a whole,” said Starling Johnson, corporate sales manager at Johnson Concrete Company and co-chair of the 2016 luncheon. “The beauty of the scholarship luncheon is not only the heartwarming and altruistic nature of the event, but the impact that a scholarship has on the fabric of the larger community.”

The Changing Lives Scholarship Luncheon is a project of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation, its board of directors, the staff of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the students and the community and was sponsored by Wells Fargo.

“This event truly is a highlight of the year,” said Foundation board chair Paul Brown. “Residents of both Cabarrus and Rowan counties come together to support a worthwhile effort that has such a positive impact on the future of our region.”

Newly endowed scholarships and their donors were recognized at the luncheon for making such important contributions to the education of our students.

“We support students from all walks of life,” said Paul Brown. “Many of our scholarship recipients thought the word ‘scholarship’ meant funds reserved for high grade point averages. The Rowan-Cabarrus Foundation awards scholarships based on need and the desire to achieve.”

Giving an endowed scholarship is a key way that donors can continue to give back year after year. The interest from the endowment is used annually to fund a scholarship in perpetuity. One example of this gift was from the family of recently retired Chief Officer Carla Howell. After Carla and her sisters donated a scholarship in her mother’s memory, her family was inspired to create one in her honor as well.

The Foundation has a 24-member Board of Directors and provides funding for:

• Student assistance (scholarships, emergency funding and books)
• Institutional enhancement (capital improvements, equipment, program, and curriculum support)
• Faculty/staff (Student Impact grants and professional development), and
• New program development.