Lone Star College-CyFair’s 2018 Donor Luncheon brought more than 100 scholarship recipients and donors together to celebrate student success, recognize donor generosity, and to share the impact of such financial support.
“This year alone, thanks to our generous donors, LSC-CyFair has awarded 215 student scholarships totaling $223,399,” said Dr. Seelpa Keshvala, LSC-CyFair President. “We truly appreciate our donors for the impact they are making in the lives of our students.”
Scholarship funds allow students to concentrate on their studies and gives them the time to fully participate in the learning opportunities at the campus, said Darcy Mingoia, whose family has established three endowment scholarships since 2003.
“The students who shared their stories at this event were simply inspiring,” she said. “Both students expressed their gratitude and will go on to further education and return to be employed in our community as accomplished and productive citizens.”
To help remove financial barriers for our students, community partners as well as college employees have established endowment scholarships that when fully funded at $15,000, provides a $1,000 annual scholarship for students. Numerous campus-specific and special scholarships are also available to students.
On behalf of students receiving a financial helping hand that allows them to focus on achieving future academic and career success, Mikayla Kracko and Kaylin Sheppard spoke about how this kind of monetary support has impacted their own journeys.
Kracko, one of this year’s LSC Foundation Board essay contest winners, began her college journey at LSC-CyFair as a Dual Credit high school student. As the last of four children to attend Lone Star College in a family where multiple medical bills are taking a toll on resources, the essay scholarship will allow Kracko to focus on her path to becoming a middle school math teacher.
“Lone Star College introduced me to community, a place where I could learn, give, and grow, while finding and pursuing my passion to teach. The community I discovered changed my life by providing me with mentors and helping me chart a course for the future, while living fiercely in the present,” said Kracko, who plans to transfer to the University of Houston-Victoria.
Sheppard received the Copperfield Church Endowment Scholarship, which is awarded to students who show Christian service and commitment to their local church. This Phi Theta Kappa and kinesiology student wanted donors to know that she will be a good steward of their generosity as she works toward become a physical therapist.
“Choosing a career in the medical field is only one way I can give back to my community in the future,” said Sheppard. “I hope to someday give of my resources to a scholarship organization to help benefit another student.”
One of LSC-CyFair’s 2,792 graduates, Sheppard will be attending the University of Texas at Tyler in the fall.
For information on establishing an endowment scholarship or other special scholarships, contact the LSC Foundation at Foundation@LoneStar.edu
Scholarship applications for spring 2019 are due Oct. 1. For information, contact scholarship advisor Tranell Milburn at 281.290.5047 or go to LoneStar.edu/scholarships-cyfair.