Students dare to dream thanks to scholarship support
Annual awards ceremony honors 118 scholarship recipients from 32 areas of study
SEATTLE — Zachary Robertson aspires to be a medical doctor. Maryan Maie, from Somalia, hopes to work as a pharmacist.
They and many of their classmates will now have the opportunity to achieve their dreams with the help of scholarships provided through the Seattle Central Community College Foundation. This year scholarships totaling nearly $340,000 were awarded to 118 new and returning students representing 32 areas of study. A total of 135 awards were granted from 66 different scholarships. Five new scholarships were announced this year – including BECU, Nordstrom and Washington Trust Bank.
“I am proud to be a dreamer, and am grateful to you for allowing your dreams to help mine thrive,” said Zachary Robertson in his address to donors attending the Seattle Central Community College Foundation’s annual scholarship ceremony on Wednesday, October 6th.
Maie, who was discouraged against pursuing an education in her native Somalia, said, “I dare to dream of success, so that I have the ability to give back to the community of Somali women who are like me.”
“Our scholarship recipients inspire us,” said Darlene Suyematsu, executive director of the Seattle Central Community College Foundation. “Many are the first in their families to seek higher education, are recent immigrants, exhibit extraordinary leadership or have overcome incredible personal obstacles. Scholarships the Foundation provides truly make student dreams come alive with possibility and promise.”
The Foundation honored all of its 2010-2011 scholarship recipients at the Seattle Central Community College Foundation’s “Dare to Dream” Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 6 at Seattle Central’s Charles H. Mitchell Activity Center on the college campus. Attendees included scholarship recipients and their families, members of the Seattle Central Community College Foundation, and the campus community.
About Seattle Central Community College
Since it was established as the city’s first community college in 1966, Seattle Central has served the higher education and training needs of more than 500,000 students. Nearly 18,000 students each year are enrolled in unique educational opportunities including college transfer, professional-technical training, adult basic education and continuing education. Associate degree programs and a four-year degree in Applied Behavioral Science are all offered through the college.
About Seattle Central Community College Foundation
The Foundation, led by a 25 member board of trustees, is dedicated to bridging the gap between student need and available resources. Each year the Foundation, a private, 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization, supports Seattle Central students’ educational success by raising funds to support student scholarships through endowments and annual gifts, childcare assistance and college wide free tutoring.