Generosity Will Benefit Porterville College Students
Because individuals, businesses and organizations stepped forward in a big way, 26 Porterville College students will be rewarded every spring.
On Thursday officials with the college, the Porterville College Foundation and the college scholarship committee jointed announced that a drive to raise matching funds for Osher Scholarships raised $280,000.
The money, matched by more than $140,000 from the Bernard Osher foundation, will enable the college to hand out 26 $1,000 scholarships every year for many years to come.
“As you know, the price of education continues to go up and up,” said PC President Dr. Rosa Carlson. “You have made a difference in our community,” she told some of the donors who were recognized Thursday.
Richard Christenson, PC Foundation Scholarship committee chairman, said when the college was made aware of the matching money, it first embarked on a goal of adding five more Osher Scholarships. That foundation had already committed to five scholarships a year which PC has awarded the past two years.
“We thought, perhaps we could do better,” said Christenson of their original goal to raise $140,000.
The result was the $280,000 raised locally. The Osher foundation is matching every dollar with 50 cents — or an additional $140,000, making the total $420,021.
“The purpose of this event is to honor you for what you do for this institution,” said Carlson.
Those who contributed significantly were Gordon Lu, Richard and Virginia Osborne Anthropology, Austin Family, Corkins Family, Monte and Deonne Moore, John and Mary Rankin, Cornell Family, Sierra View District Hospital Foundation, American Association of University Women, Meranda Ella and Paul Merschel Memorial; Bank of the Sierra Agri-Business and Business, Christenson Law Firm, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ada Flores Warner Memorial, Konda Family, Springville Sierra Sunrise Rotary, Porterville Breakfast Rotary, Alfred Offill Family and Alyward Johnson Memorial.
Christenson painted an impressive scene for those at the announcement. “Picture, if you can, having 26 students year and year receiving $1,000.”
Carlson said the scholarships can go to returning PC students or those going on to further their education. According to Carol Bodine, administrative secretary with the Foundation, to qualify a students must have completed 24 units, be enrolled in at least six units and must qualify for a Board of Governor’s fee waiver (90 percent of students do qualify).
The college handed out 130 scholarships last spring with the total amount exceeding $100,000.
© Copyright 2011 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved. Used Here With Permission
