Students attending Beaufort County Community College who receive aid through the BCCC Foundation had a chance to dine with their benefactors on March 20. The annual Legacy Luncheon brings together future nurses, auto mechanics, business owners, electrical engineers, and teachers, along with the scholarship donors, many of whom are established in or retired from those fields. The BCCC Foundation gave out $150,000 through over 160 scholarships.

This year’s speakers included President Dave Loope, agriculture student Memphis Credle-Slade, nursing instructor Dr. Millie House, electrical engineering student Jacob Hering, nurse aide student Harmony Harris, nursing student Maria Rojas and BCCC Foundation board chair Mandy Jones.

The BCCC Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization established in 1984 to provide community-based support for the college in achieving its educational and workforce development goals. Through the foundation, generous donors provide support for scholarships, institutional programs, faculty and staff development and facility improvements.

“These scholarships let us keep students in classrooms,” said Serena Sullivan, vice president of institutional advancement. “It gives them peace of mind. They can work less and study more. Their education goes from being a part-time job to being their full-time focus.”

New scholarships become available as community members work with the foundation to provide new opportunities. The foundation has recently increased its awards to students working toward short-term training credentials such as income maintenance workers or nurse aides. Two new scholarships offered this year are the Darragh Foundation and the Vidant Beaufort Health Scholarships.

Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to improve the lives of others”. Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need. This new scholarship helped 27 students earn certifications or diplomas.

The Vidant Beaufort Health Scholarship is available to qualified students from nursing, medical lab technology, nursing assistant, phlebotomy and any other curriculum or continuing education medical-related field. Five students received this scholarship.

Activities of the foundation are overseen by a 24-member board of directors comprised of civic and business leaders from BCCC’s four-county service area. The BCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. The Legacy Luncheon was sponsored for the seventh year in a row by Rod Cantrell, financial advisor at Edward Jones.

The BCCC Foundation will hold its 26th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament on May 3.

For additional information about contributing to the BCCC Foundation or applying for scholarships, contact VP of institutional advancement Serena Sullivan at 252-940-6326 or serena.sullivan@beaufortccc.edu.