A college experience does more than produce a degree; it changes lives.
Lone Star College held the 30th annual Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch Feb. 22 to recognize 16 students who earned a $1,000 scholarship for their winning entries in the Chancellor’s Essay Contest, “How My LSC Experience Has Influenced My Life.” Thanks to LSC Foundation donors, the funds will pay for tuition, books and fees for the recipients' next full-time semester.
"Lone Star College produces citizens who can compete and excel globally," said Stephen C. Head. Ph.D., LSC Chancellor. "Hearing the students' essays reminds us of our purpose, and we are proud to know that our efforts are truly changing students' lives."
At the LSC Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch, seven of the 16 recipients, who represent each college, read their essays in front of employees, donors, students and their families. They shared stories of how LSC welcomed them with open arms, guided them through the educational process, supported them during challenging times and offered resources to keep them on track.
“Lone Star College has given me a head start toward my career of being a pharmacist and relieved financial burdens because I can take prerequisite classes at a reasonable price,” said Nancy Valadez, LSC-Tomball student and Chancellor’s Essay Contest winner. "Lone Star College has inspired me to work hard to reach my goals and has provided me with a great college experience that has helped me toward achieving my career." Valadez plans to study pharmacy at the University of Houston.
Each LSC campus selected two students to receive the scholarship.
LSC-CyFair: Liam Blakeway and Casey Sorkness
LSC-Houston North: Jacqueline Gonzalez and Lauren Roesler
LSC-Kingwood: Diana Gonzalez and Lea Kelly
LSC-Montgomery: Zoey Driscoll and Cade Sellers
LSC-North Harris: Edenzil Lacle and Edsandra Lacle
LSC-Online: Olga Martinez and Mohammed Raiyan
LSC-Tomball: Sophia Morgan and Nancy Valadez
LSC-University Park: Soledad Favela and Artem Prudnikov
The LSC Chancellor's Donor Appreciation Lunch is an LSC Foundation event that not only recognizes students' successes but a way for the college to acknowledge the donors who continue to support students and LSC programs financially.
"Recipients have an opportunity to thank donors personally and show them how their financial contributions help them achieve their educational goals while at Lone Star College," said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSC Foundation Executive Director. "Support from generous benefactors continues to elevate our students who will build strong communities for the next generation."
About Lone Star College Foundation
Lone Star College Foundation impacts students' daily lives by reducing the financial barriers to a quality college education. More than 20,000 students have felt that impact, with over $18.6 million awarded in scholarships and $8.5 million in program support since the Foundation's inception in 1991.
About Lone Star College
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.