MCC Scholarship Night a Celebration of Excellence
Student Gilbert Arriaga, right, recipient of a
Saunders Nursing Scholarship,
greets donor Lucille T. Saunders
at the Scholarship Recognition event
Students, parents, donors, and college staff gathered in large numbers to celebrate excellence at the annual MCC Foundation Scholarship Recognition the evening of Sept. 19.
For the 2006-2007 year, more than 400 students have been awarded MCC Institutional or Foundation scholarships. Providing funds for those scholarships are hundreds of donors who support the MCC Foundation through one-time gifts, monthly giving, endowed giving, or planned (delayed) giving.
Honored guests at this year's event were the newest members of the Foundation's President's Circle, which recognizes those who have contributed $15,000 and above in funds or assets to scholarships. This year, 12 donors were eligible to join this prestigious group: an Anonymous donor, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Watson of the Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, David and Dorothy Fornoff, Ted and Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez, Harry I. Harelik, Harwell Golf Committee, Ruth M. Laird Hix, Nino and Trudy Lamendola, Ann Pearson, Bettie J. Ray, Lucille T. Saunders, and Charles and Dorothy Turner.
Highlighting the event was the keynote address by Waco Tribune-Herald Community Relations and Marketing Director Ann Roznovsky. Roznovsky's personal story of being a struggling journalism student attending Texas Women's University in the 1950s reminded the audience of the value of scholarships.
"I personally know the magic of scholarships. Without a college scholarship, several, in fact, I would not be standing here before you this evening representing a major business in this community for which I have worked for 50 years," Roznovsky said. She also reminded students of the additional responsibility their award brings:
"Generous residents of your county are placing their money into your hands for your future. Although you need their help to get that education, no one can actually control your future except you, yourself. Now, it's your turn to live up to that responsibility, to study hard, to ask questions when you don't understand something, and to always do your best."
Scholarship Recognition truly celebrates the mission of the MCC Foundation: to encourage success and positively change the futures of students and their families. Our thanks go out to everyone who helped make the evening a memorable one.