News Article

Scholarship Breakfast celebrates generosity and student success

Published on October 14, 2024

This is a collage of photographs from the Cecil College Foundation Breakfast. Photo info: The image is a collage of three smaller photographs. The top photograph shows a group of individuals seated around a table, appearing to be engaged in or observing an event. The setting is a banquet-style room with several tables covered in white cloth, plates, and glasses. People are dressed in casual to semi-formal attire, and there's a mix of attentiveness and engagement across faces. The bottom left photograph features a smiling woman with long blonde hair and glasses, seated at a table. She is wearing a denim jacket and has a name tag, with a plate of food and a drink in front of her. The bottom middle photograph depicts a woman speaking into a microphone. She has short blonde hair and is wearing glasses and a dark blazer. Behind her is a backdrop with green and white graphics and text that suggests a formal event or conference. The bottom right photograph shows a smiling woman with braided hair wearing a red blazer, seated possibly in an audience setting. She appears engaged and attentive.

NORTH EAST, Md: The Cecil College Foundation proudly hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast at the Rising Sun Banquet Hall, bringing together more than 260 donors, scholarship recipients, Cecil County officials, and College and Foundation representatives. This special event serves as a platform for scholarship donors to meet the students whose futures they are helping to shape.

Dr. Mary Way Bolt, Cecil College president, addressed attendees, emphasizing the profound impact of their contributions. “You are making a difference in the lives of these young people,” she remarked. “Look around this room at the students who are sitting with you. I encourage you to talk to them and hear their stories. You have made it possible for them to have a brighter future.”

This year, the Cecil College Foundation awarded scholarships to 365 students, totaling an impressive $501,399. Two of these scholarship recipients shared their inspiring stories with the audience.

Louis Moore, who graduated from Bohemia Manor High School unsure of his ability to attend college, is now nearing completion of his degree in the management program. Despite juggling a part-time job and classes, he has maintained an outstanding 3.75 GPA, a testament to his dedication and the support of his scholarship.

Delaney Stanley began her educational journey in high school through the dual enrollment program at Cecil College. Passionate about helping others, she is on track to graduate in the spring of 2025 with a degree in Elementary Education and plans to transfer to a four-year institution to further her studies.

In light of the increasing cost of higher education, community colleges are gaining recognition as vital solutions to the student debt crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Education, tuition at in-state, four-year colleges has surged by 133 percent since 2005, rising from an average of $5,275 to more than $12,000. Community colleges, including Cecil College, provide affordable pathways to quality education, helping students achieve their academic and career goals without the burden of overwhelming debt.

During the breakfast, the Mary A. Maloney Distinguished Service Award was presented to Phyllis R. Zeise in honor of her philanthropic contributions and extensive community service.

The event concluded with the presentation of Health Education Lift Program (HELP) Fund Awards to incoming nursing students, equipping them with essential tools for their program, including stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs. The Cecil College Foundation is actively seeking additional donors to enhance the HELP Fund and expand its support for students. To donate, please visit www.cecil.edu/donate or call 410-287-1146.

The Cecil College Foundation Board of Directors, comprising 25 community leaders, is dedicated to developing financial resources to support Cecil College students. The scholarship application for the next academic year opens on October 1 at www.cecil.edu/scholarships. Learn more today at www.cecil.edu/foundation.