Mar 10, 2015

Grateful for those who help fund their dreams, College of the Mainland students shared their stories with donors at the COM Foundation Student and Donor Luncheon March 5.

“Without the scholarship I honestly could not be here,” said Donshaneice MeChelle Brown, who ran out of federal student aid at another college before receiving the COM Kathryn Bailey Nursing Scholarship.
 
COM Foundation awards more than 100 scholarships for tuition and textbooks per year, totaling more than $100,000, to students each year.

COM Foundation scholarships are funded by individuals and corporations. They may be a one-time donation or endowed, which means the principal of the scholarship remains invested so the scholarship can be awarded each year.

“Creating a scholarship is a win/win for students and the community,” said Mary Ann Amelang, COM Foundation Executive Director and Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “It’s more than investing in a student. It’s investing in the community. A scholarship can make the difference between a student finishing their degree and not.”
 
The BP Chemicals Scholarship assists David Rogers, a single father, in making a fresh start.
 
“I was building houses for 25 years. When you have a housing crash, you don’t know what to do. I turned to College of the Mainland,” said David Rogers. “Thank you so much, donors. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

The Mary Ann Urick Memorial Scholarship helped show Valencia Dannette Bernard, a COM Associate Degree Nursing Program student, that others believed she could succeed in higher education.
 
“I convinced myself that I was not college material,” said Bernard. “It wasn’t until I took that leap of faith applying for College of the Mainland that I realized I too was worthy of success in the world of education. The kindness and generosity of private donors have assisted me in making it possible for me to stand here today. I was given a fair chance to pursue my dreams.”
 
For more information on COM Foundation, visit www.com.edu/com-foundation or call 409-933-8508.