Scholarship recipients and donors gathered to express gratitude and mutual appreciation at the recent Chesapeake College Annual Scholarship Luncheon.
In welcoming attendees, Chesapeake President Cliff Coppersmith said that the Annual Scholarship Luncheon is a highlight of the academic year.
“This event gives donors and recipients a chance to share their stories,” Dr. Coppersmith said. “
Already this year, more than $370,000 in scholarship aid has been awarded to 314 Chesapeake students.
Scholarship donations, Ms. Olson said, have effects far beyond the financial the gifts.
“Receiving a scholarship felt like I had someone beside me in this journey who also believed in my dream,” Ms. Olson said.
After two years at Chesapeake, Ms. Olson will transfer to the University of Maryland’s nursing program for the spring semester.
A 2010 graduate of Easton High School and a new father, scholarship recipient Aaron Turner thanked the donors for making gifts that will improve the lives of many throughout the five-county service area.
An employee in the college’s facilities department, Mr. Turner said he wanted to pursue Electrician training to further his career. As a non-credit program, Electrician training does not quality for most financial aid nor Chesapeake’s tuition remission program for employees.
Workforce training scholarship, such as the Maryland MedTech Scholarship awarded to Mr. Turner, can be used to pay for noncredit classes.
Mr. Turner will complete the Electrician program this spring.
“I’m out of my comfort zone to be up here speaking to you today,” Mr. Turner said. “It was important for me to do this. I wanted to let you know the impact that you’ve had on my life.”
Mr. Turner will complete the Electrician program this spring.
The cost of college, Mr. Turner said, is significant. Scholarships can ease the burden, he said, allowing students to focus on their coursework rather than paying for classes
Donors choose to support Chesapeake’s students for a variety of reasons.
The members of Amy’s Army wanted to honor a loved one who was committed to helping her community through her work in human services. The Chesapeake College alumna passed away in 2015 due to complications from an Arterial Venus Malformation. As social worker at Channel Marker in Easton, Amy was dedicated to helping clients on the Mid-Shore
“We wanted to honor her memory and her service by helping students,” said Heather Comegys said of the Amy Stoops Rhodes Memorial Scholarship.
Casey Hiers of Easton Shore Smiles, like many area businesspeople, depends on Chesapeake College to provide workforce training. Mr. Hiers described the challenge of finding trained candidates to fill dental assistant positions in the orthodontic practice.