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Over $170K Awarded at ������ Scholarship Convocation

“You are economic development!”

That was the resounding message delivered by Tracey Crenshaw to 130 scholarship recipients during the ������ Foundation’s annual Scholarship Convocation on Sept. 17.

Crenshaw, director of existing industries and workforce development for the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, served as the keynote speaker for the event, which drew a crowd of more than 200 students, donors and community leaders.

In her address, Crenshaw highlighted how often prospective businesses ask her where regional employers will find skilled workers.

“I can look at a room like this today and say, they’re right here,” Crenshaw told the audience. “What happens at ������ reaches far beyond this campus. The student studying here today may help a local company expand tomorrow. The person learning a technical skill may fill a critical position, and the person preparing for a new career may change the earning potential of their whole household.”

At the start of the fall semester, the ������ Foundation awarded more than $170,000 in scholarship funds. According to ������ Foundation Board President Jean Bailey, the college distributed 76 endowed scholarships and nine annual scholarships to support student success.

“To our donors, thank you for driving this momentum and investing in the future of our students,” Bailey said. “And to our scholarship recipients, congratulations! You have worked incredibly hard to reach this moment, and we are all in your corner as you take the next steps.”

������ President Dr. Greg McLeod noted that while tuition assistance is a primary goal, Foundation support reaches even further.

“Your contributions do far more than help pay for tuition,” McLeod said. “They also provide funding to purchase equipment and uniforms, pay for testing fees, and support educational field trips, internships and other hands-on experiences that prepare students to excel long after they leave.”

Recipients represent a wide array of fields, including nursing, applied engineering technology, welding, collision repair, business and more.

To learn about available opportunities or to apply, visit edgecombe.edu/scholarships and complete an ������ Foundation Scholarship Application.