On Thursday afternoon, officials with the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation Board received a donation in the amount of $20,000 from the Rotary Club of Marion to create a permanent endowed scholarship fund at McDowell Tech to benefit students at the college in perpetuity. Club member Richard Berlick made the presentation, joined by Chapter President Chip Cross, who is also a faculty member in the Business Department at McDowell Tech. Thanks to a Title III Matching Grant received by the college from the U.S. Department of Education, the club’s donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar in the new fund.
In addition, Snyder Paper Corporation of Hickory has requested that their recent gift of $15,000 to the MTCC Foundation be earmarked for inclusion in the newly named Rotary Club of Marion Foundation Scholarship.
Because both gifts to the Foundation will be matched by the Title III grant, the combined value of the new scholarship fund currently stands at $70,000. Additional funds can be added to the new scholarship by either the Marion Rotary Club or any other donor who wants to contribute qualifying funds to this particular scholarship program.
“I am so excited that the Rotary Club is taking advantage of this matching opportunity to partner with the Foundation Board to create a long-term scholarship program that will benefit students for years to come,” said Walt Bagwell, Chair of the MTCC Foundation Board, who is also a Marion Rotary Club member.
Money in the MTCC Foundation’s Endowment Fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, with a portion of the annual earnings being allocated to annual scholarships. The first scholarship from the new fund will eligible for award beginning this fall and can be used to cover any items related to the cost of education, including tuition, fees and textbooks.
A scholarship selection committee will review applications and make recommendations regarding selection of recipients to the college’s financial aid director. Applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average, be a resident of McDowell County and have demonstrated financial need. Rotary Club members, their family or grandchildren will not be eligible for an award. Other award criteria will be available at the time of application for the scholarships.
“Our faculty, staff, trustees and foundation board members are deeply committed to supporting the academic endeavors of every needy and deserving student,” said Ryan Garrison, MTCC President. “We are beyond grateful to have partners like the Marion Rotary Club to come alongside us to support these efforts and make sure that we are able to make higher education opportunities available to as many students as possible, now and in the future.”
For more information about the Rotary Club of Marion Foundation Scholarship or other endowed funds, contact Madalyn Gaito, MTCC Director of Development, at 828-652-0630.
