Seventy-five recipients of scholarships awarded by the Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) were recognized at a special luncheon Friday in the Cone University Center, Lucas Room.
Tina McEntire, associate provost for enrollment management, remarked that the scholarship recipients, who were adult learners who returned to college later in life, epitomized the concept of scholars.
“As more seasoned students who choose to learn, you add diversity, enthusiasm and hope to our classrooms,” said McEntire.
To the representatives of the donor organizations, McEntire expressed her appreciation for their support. “We don’t have a large scholarship base, so your donation is very important to our students. But your true gift is that of motivation for these adult learners. As scholarship recipients, they know someone believes in them, which keeps them going.”
As part of the program, three scholarship recipients – Rosemarie Chappell-Trotman, Robert Payne and Latifah Jeter – shared stories of their educational journey.
Payne, an Air Force veteran and recipient of an Osher Foundation Reentry Scholarship, talked about growing up in a single-parent household and his decision to enlist in the Air Force following 9/11. After his enlistment ended, he spent two years saving up to go to college and started taking classes at CPCC before transferring to UNC Charlotte. Currently working toward a computer science degree, Payne expressed his appreciation to the OASES staff for their encouragement and support.
Earlier this year the San Francisco-based Osher Foundation awarded OASES a $1 million endowment that will serve as a permanent funding source dedicated to help nontraditional students return to the University to complete their degrees.
Janet Daniel, OASES director, also acknowledged the late Virginia Bufkin and Carol Douglas. Long-time OASES supporters who created scholarship endowments, they passed away during the past year.
Photo (by Laurie Parker) - Students and donors who attended the special scholarship luncheon.