The 7th Annual Legacy Scholarship Reception took place on Oct. 7 at Truckee Meadows Community College.
“This scholarship will help me with the next year of school and to finish my associate degree,” said Nichole, Hackney Family Scholarship recipient. “I’m a single parent. This will help me show my son that college is the right thing to do and there are people to help you.”
Ivan, awarded the Jacobs Presidential Scholarship, agrees.
“It will help me to get more opportunities, to get a better job, to help me grow as a person and become a professional,” he said.
A record number of 421 students were awarded scholarships administered by the TMCC Foundation, totaling close to $500,000, said Gretchen Sawyer, Executive Director of the TMCC Foundation.
Sawyer thanked the generous donors, her staff and about 40 volunteers who made possible the highest ever total awards at a festive 7th Annual Legacy Scholarship Reception on Oct. 7. The Reception was sponsored by AT&T Nevada and Lewis Management Corp.
Speakers at the official presentation included Karin Hilgersom, PhD, TMCC President. Her remarks were inspired during a recent meeting with two alumni who have become research scientists at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) located next door to TMCC.
“Matt completed 21 credits here before he began five years of military service, and then when he came back from the military service, he went on for a bachelor’s, master’s and now he’s a researcher,” she said. “Justin was very proud of his TMCC beginning. So both Justin and Matt, these two scientists working at a world-renowned research institution right here in Reno, started at TMCC. They are conducting really impressive work. Their goal is to reduce water consumption in the world—basically, to save the world. These are ‘superheroes of science.’”
President Hilgersom’s remarks emphasized the impact that TMCC has on students’ educational careers.
“Start here and go anywhere,” she said.
This theme was carried throughout the evening by speakers who followed Dr. Hilgersom.
TMCC Programs Represented by Awards: 60
Samantha and Stacey are two prospective health professionals who received awards.
“I’m in the Nursing Program, and the scholarship has helped me so much because books alone can cost up to $2,000—every bit of scholarship money helps,” said Samantha, recipient of the Nell J. Redfield Foundation Scholarship.
Stacey agreed. She accepted the Bretzlaff Family Scholarship at the reception.
“This scholarship has helped me with my educational bills, so that I can better pay for my children’s needs in addition to the books and supplies for the program,” she added.
Many students are entering science occupations, but numerous others are also working toward a diverse set of majors. Sawyer said that about 60 of the 80 possible TMCC degree and certificate programs were represented in the 2016-2017 awards.
Aumer is a TMCC student who received the Insurance Agents/Brokers of Nevada Scholarship at the ceremony.
“I will be graduating this Fall, so it will help me complete my education at TMCC and get my Associate of Arts Degree, Business and transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno to continue my studies in accounting and business,” he said.
Kevin, awarded the College Life Skills Edison Incentive Grant, is working toward goals in the field of technical science.
“The grant is very generous and much appreciated—it’s thoughtful,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a successful career in manufacturing and logistics after college.”
Staff and 40 Volunteers
Participants and speakers at the 7th Annual Legacy Scholarship Reception also included the following:
- Stephanie Tyler, AT&T, President, Nevada and Western Region
- Gigi Chisel, Lewis Management Corp., Vice President
- Jesse Murray, NV Energy, Director of Renewable Energy Programs
- Cheryl Cardoza, TMCC Faculty Senate, President
- Grace Tout, TMCC Classified Council, President
- Spencer Schultz, TMCC graduate and 2015-2016 SGA President
The well-attended Scholarship Reception was planned and produced by Tara Hawkins, Development Officer and Scholarship Manager, TMCC Foundation, Institutional Advancement.
For more information about scholarships, please contact the TMCC Foundation at 775-674-7648.