Home schooled and underexposed to diverse cultures, Nathan Scholl said he never noticed the community’s diversity until he became a Lone Star College–CyFair student where people of many ethnic backgrounds surrounded him.
“I am constantly reminded of the diversity around me,” Scholl wrote, describing a library scene with an Indian woman with a group of Latino, Asian and Caucasian students working on a psychology paper and later a guy with his face painted white and another sporting a Mohawk. “This college has opened my eyes to the world and has prepared me to live in it. I have learned that everyone has a story and that is what makes Cy-Fair a special place.”
Scholl shared his story of how college influenced his life when he was honored with four other students at the 11th annual Chancellor’s Breakfast Jan. 26 as a scholarship winner in the annual Lone Star College System Foundation Student Essay Contest.
In his essay titled “Lasting Influence” Scholl wrote that Cy-Fair College is the first step on the path to earning a higher education degree. Among the benefits of his community college experience he mentions is the low tuition and proximity to his home. Another benefit is small class sizes, unlike his father’s college experience who jokes that sitting with 300 students in an auditorium he had to use binoculars just to see his professors.
“My class enrollments are limited to 20 or 30 students, and I feel as if my teachers care about my learning and welcome the opportunity to work with me when I have questions,” he said.
With family and college faculty support, Scholl, who plans to transfer to Texas A&M University and pursue an aerospace engineering degree, said he has a strong focus on his studies and achieving academic excellence.
“Helping students on their path to academic success is just one of the reasons that community college’s are such an important part of the higher education system,” said Dr. Earl Campa, vice president of student success at Cy-Fair College.
Other essay winners who shared their own stories of how college influenced their lives were Alena Crosby from Lone Star College-Kingwood, Christine Cain from Lone Star College–Montgomery, Gustavo Linares from Lone Star College-North Harris and Tumi Oni from Lone Star College–Tomball.
“It is a unique opportunity for our donors to experience the sizable impact of their financial support,” said John Hooker, Lone Star College System Foundation executive director. “All five of these students have an amazing story of challenges, commitment and determination; they are thriving at our colleges. To hear them personally express about the difference our education is making in their lives is remarkable.”
The Lone Star College System Foundation was created to support the goals and values of the district by providing scholarships and specialized college resources that enhance educational quality and expand opportunities for the entire community. The foundation’s primary fund-raising event, StarGala 2007, will be held April 28.
For information about the foundation and its programs, call 832-813-6637 or visit the web site at
www.foundation.nhmccd.edu