215 Students, 76 Scholarships, Southern Maryland Generosity
The College of Southern Maryland celebrated the 2013-14 academic year scholarship awardees and donors on Sept. 12 during a reception at the Fine Arts Center on the La Plata Campus.
The CSM scholarship program is one of the most important tools we have to help [students] fulfill their dreams, CSM Board of Trustees Chair Michael Middleton told those attending the reception. The scholarship program is about someone who you probably dont know, or probably never even heard about, let alone actually met. Its someone who believes in you and who believes that you can, and will, make a difference in this world. Your efforts helped you qualify for a scholarship and what we, the donors, want is that you remember the reason a scholarship was created for you. We want you to remember so that someday, you can help someone else achieve their dreams, Middleton said to students.
Speaking on behalf of the scholarship recipients was CSM theater major Jeremy Hunter of La Plata. Like many of my fellow students, college is a challenge financially as well as academically. Most students, like me, work several jobs to support themselves while going to school full time. These scholarships allow us to focus on classworkand for me rehearsing for a show. I dont know if you realize it or not, but when you award a scholarship, you are not only providing a financial commitment but you are also telling us that you have faith in our abilities.
This scholarship tells me that you have faith in me as a student and as an actor. And the best way to thank you for this scholarship is to show you that I am indeed worthy of it, which is exactly what I plan to do, Hunter said.
CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried recognized the individuals and organizations that provide scholarships. This evening I am honored to recognize the partners and supporters who have wisely invested in their college and its students to help keep education affordable and accessible within Southern Maryland. This in turn enhances the health and welfare of our local economy, Gottfried said.
Referencing the multiple pages listing scholarships and students who received them, Gottfried said, CSM benefits from the most generous people in Southern Maryland, who are all willing to establish scholarships so that students can afford college and finish with no or low debt. Gottfried cited statistics that indicate that 30 percent of the students who take out college loans never finish college and have nothing to show for that debt. Student loan debt is exceeding $1 trillion which is more than consumer loan and credit card debt, and that costs for higher education at four-year colleges have increased more than healthcare costs. What does that mean for our future, Gottfried asked.
CSM is taking great strides to educate students, their spouses and parents about the opportunity and wise decision to save more than $29,000 by starting college at CSM rather than a public or private university, said Gottfried.
We are your gateway to the University of Maryland, UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County), Penn State, Johns Hopkins, Towson, University of Vermont and thousands of other great colleges and universities. Our students start here and transfer to colleges in more than 40 states. And, we want students to commit to finish here, too. By earning an associates degree or certification before transferring or going into a specialized career field, students can walk away as an alum with a credential that means something for your time and money, Gottfried said.
A 1975 alumnus of CSM and chair of the CSM Foundation, Jay Lilly told scholarship recipients that he has firsthand knowledge of the support of the Southern Maryland community because, Just like you, I received my start here, too, with a scholarship years ago.
Lilly went on to graduate from CSM, and transfer to Georgetown University where he earned a bachelors degree.
The following are scholarships awarded for the 2013-14 academic year:
Adjunct Faculty Scholarship (Merit)
Hannah Arnold
Lisa Kreps
Adjunct Faculty Scholarship
Christine Beatty
Abreellen Brown
Albert L. Elder Jr. Family Memorial Scholarship
Christal Andrews
James Rhine, Jr.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter
Scholarship
Christopher Graham
Anna Mae Ziencik Hess Memorial Scholarship
James Byrnes
Lori Matsudaira
Brad and Linda Gottfried Against All Odds Annual Scholarship
Kiara Leer
Brad and Linda Gottfried Art Scholarship
Ryan Murray
Brock Nikolas Guerrieri Memorial Scholarship
Brittany Bowen
C. Emmitt Woodey Theatre Scholarship
Kenneth Waters
Calvert Chamber of Commerce Annual Scholarship
Juana Davidson
Kenneth Howard
Gregory Orr
Calvert Chamber of Commerce Endowed Scholarship
Noelle Swann
Calvert County 350th Anniversary Celebration Endowed Scholarship
Sarnair Butler
Castles and Foundations Scholarship
Jordan Alvey
Tiffani Blackwell
Helga Hertlein
Rani Irvin-Brady
Cynthia Murphy
Charles County Nursing and Allied Health Programs Scholarship
Jennifer Beard
Carrie Catalan
Melissa Morgan
Heather Santimays
Jennifer Young
Charles County Woman's Club Scholarship
Laquita Ames
Charles Robert Posten Memorial Scholarship
Florencio Torres
Chiaramonte Hope Scholarship
Jessie Adkins
Brittany Bowen
Christina DeNeale
Rochelle Douglas
Kimberlyn Grant
Henry Harris
Colleen Newsome
Demetra Rice
Lindsey Thurman
Jason Williams
Christopher Chinault Scholarship
Tara Arnold
Carrie Catalan
Coldwell Banker Jay Lilly Real Estate Scholarship for Construction Trades & Industrial Training
Eric Wheeler
Concerned Black Women of Calvert County – Women in Transition Scholarship
Valerie Dowell
Connie Kite Memorial CSM Nursing Scholarship
Valerie Dowell
Country Inn & Suites Hospitality Scholarship
Kristen Smith
Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust Ruth Mathes Scholarship
Lindsey Thurman
CSM Alumni Association Scholarship
Elizabeth LaGoy
CSM Foundation – Realize Your Potential Scholarship
Dillon Banis
Andrew Boone
Dana Brown
Jenna Courville
Wendy Currie
Erica Dispenza
Stephen Dodson
James Hawkins
Rachel Hoffman
Kellee Johnson
Kristen Keefer
LaShonna Patterson
Alisa Roberts
Danea Spriggs
Jordan Stearns
Christina Thompson
Bonnie Warring
Joseph Welch
Ashley Yonek
CSM Foundation Scholarship for Returning Adults