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RCC Scholarship Students and Donors Honored at Annual Reception
The Rappahannock Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. (RCC EFI) recently hosted its annual Scholarship Program and President’s Reception at the Church of the Nazarene in White Stone. Over 400 RCC students received close to $580,000 in competitive scholarships for the 23-24 academic year.
Dr. Rob Gates, President of the RCC EFI Board of Directors, kicked-off the evening by welcoming guests and talking about why this event is meaningful. “This is one of the most important dates on the Foundation’s calendar,” said Gates. “We get to be here together to celebrate you, the students receiving scholarships, and the donors.”
Students and their guests, along with members of the Local and EFI Boards, as well as scholarship donors, enjoyed a catered dinner and time to talk about the impact scholarships have on breaking down barriers to education. Following dinner, RCC President Shannon Kennedy recited this quote by leadership trainer John C. Maxwell, “Believing in people before they have proved themselves is the key to motivating people to reach their potential.” Kennedy added, “This is exactly what our scholarship donors have done by giving funds to you, our students, without even knowing you. They believe in the power of education and they believe in you.”
Last year, 112 students, who received support in their educational journey through RCC scholarships, received a degree or certificate. Kennedy also explained how partnering with donors help fund high-caliber programs to meet workforce needs. She announced RCC’s plan to construct its first new instructional building in 45 years to house a health science facility on the Warsaw campus. The 9,000 square foot space will have simulation labs, skills labs, student study rooms, and offices for nursing, EMS, diagnostic medical sonography, and other healthcare programs.
The new facility will result in a projected increase of 30% more Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates between 2025 and 2035, and a projected 125 students will graduate from the medical sonography program. RCC administers the only nursing and diagnostic medical sonography programs in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck.
Financial support for the Health Science Instruction Building will come from federal, state, and local grants, as well as support from individual donors, businesses, and private foundations.
Student speaker Hannah Mayeda who is pursuing her ADN and is a scholarship recipient, spoke about the support and care RCC nursing students receive from the faculty. “I’m a military wife and have attended other community colleges in different states but RCC has been the best experience by far. They want us to succeed,” said Mayeda. “I’m grateful to the scholarship donors. This has given me peace of mind and allowed me to spend time with my daughter to be a mom and a wife.”
Scholarship recipients stood as Dr. David Keel, RCC Dean of Student Development, read out their names and the awards that they received. The celebration ended with a thank you video from the scholarship recipients to the donors.
The 24-25 RCC scholarship application is now open until February 19, 2024.