PORT ANGELES — Fifty-seven scholarships awarded by the Peninsula College Foundation are giving 44 Peninsula College students a financial boost this summer and fall for the 2014-15 academic year.
Scholarship awards totaled $82,312, an increase of nearly $20,000 over the previous year, according to Getta Rogers, foundation development manager.
Included in the award monies are a record 17 vocational scholarships, reflecting the increased market performance of vocational scholarship funds, Rogers said.
One of the vocational scholarship recipients is Matthew Frantz.
“I am trying to go to school for a better career to support my wife and 1-year-old daughter,” he said.
“When my daughter was only 3 months old, I got laid off at my old job because of lack of work. I decided to go back to school and learn a skill that is in demand,” he added.
“By receiving this money, I can go to school during summer quarter and continue with improving myself in welding.”
Frantz has been accepted into the Divers Institute of Technology in Seattle, said Eoin Doherty, welding instructor.
“This is the best underwater welding school in the country and is recognized internationally,” Doherty said.
Lindsay Marie Throop, who is pursuing a degree in nursing, was another vocational scholarship recipient.
“I was so happy to learn I’d been selected,” she said. “By awarding me this scholarship, I am able to focus on what is important: my future.”
Nicholas Hoffman, who will enter his second year in the greenbuilding/carpentry Associate of Arts program this fall, said the scholarship will allow him to continue his studies.
“I’m excited to be able to continue in this very useful program and hope to be able to help others with building projects once I graduate,” he said.
Said Rogers: “It’s wonderful to see so many deserving students receive scholarships.
“We are extremely fortunate to have scholarship donors who support students in specific areas of study or with specific needs.”
Some turned down
Rogers noted that another 34 students who applied for funding were unable to receive scholarships.
In part, this was due to a lack of funds, she said, and in part because students were ineligible based on the criteria identified in the scholarship for which they applied.
“It’s also very important for the foundation to have unrestricted funds available for students who do not fall within specific program categories or need-based areas,” Rogers said.
“We’re working hard every day to grow our scholarship funds so more students will have the advantage of a college education, and we couldn’t do it without the support of community residents who give so willingly and generously to help. We’re very grateful to them.”
To find out how to help students receive financial assistance, contact Rogers at 360-417-6400 or foundation@pencol.edu.
