The Northwest Florida State College Foundation reports an 80 percent increase in awarded scholarships compared to five years ago.
The foundation celebrated the achievement Oct. 23 during its annual Scholars and Donors Luncheon.
The luncheon, held each fall, allows students to meet and thank their donors in person. Donors are seated with their scholars and can learn first-hand how their generosity impacts students.
Two student scholars, Cadey Moody and Colby Detwiler, spoke on behalf of the scholars attending the luncheon and provided testimonials about how donors' gifts directly help NWF State College students.
Also celebrated at this year's luncheon were the donors behind the establishment of the foundation's most recent endowments, who were recognized as inductees into the Visionary Society.
The foundation's Visionary Society program provides recognition to an elite group of donors committed to building a strong foundation for years to come through the establishment of an endowment.
The foundation's newest endowments include:
●The Lamar Conerly Honors Scholarship Endowment, established by past foundation board member Lamar Conerly
●The Marc B. Chambers Technical Theater Scholarship, established by Jim Chambers in memory of his son
●The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Ushers Scholarship, established by the Mattie Kelly Arts Center ushers. Representing the ushers at the luncheon were Mattie Kelly Arts Center director Jeanette Shires, head usher Audrey Bailey, and usher in charge of concessions Yolanda Byrd.
●The Child Care Services Scholarship, established by Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, represented by Lynn Stephens, who served as executive director of Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services for 20 years.
●The AFC/Dianne Kostelny Scholarship, established by the Association of Florida Colleges, Northwest Florida State College Chapter. Representing the AFC were chapter President Wanjiku Jackson and Scholarship Chair Kristen Last.
●The Coach Patrick Harrington by All Sports Association Scholarship, established with help of the All Sports Association to memorialize Northwest Florida State College women’s basketball coach Patrick Harrington. Representing All Sports was President Bill Kuhn, and also recognized was Coach Harrington’s wife, Lori Harrington.
●The Eileen H. Arpke Scholarship, established by Eileen H. Arpke.
Recently formed endowments recognized, but not represented, were the Janet Bullard Campbell Distinguished Chair in Teacher Education, the C.E. Fikes Scholarship, and the Mike Huckabee Endowment for the Musical Arts.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida State's awarded scholarships up 80 percent