Long Island City, NY--November 2, 2009--Kaedra Granha, a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) major, came out on a cold and damp night to attend the 2009 Donor Recognition-Scholarship Recipient Reception for one reason: to meet Tai Wang, a LaGuardia Foundation board member whose scholarship had awarded her a $1,000 gift.

When Kaedra was introduced to Ms. Wang, the young scholar beamed. “I can’t say enough thank yous,” she said. “It is so nice to know that someone is looking out for LaGuardia students like me.”

Kaedra was among 172 students in need of financial assistance who received LaGuardia Community College Foundation scholarships this fiscal year. They received scholarships established by Foundation members like Ms. Wang; America Rising Scholarships, a general scholarship that the Foundation set up and supported by faculty, staff and other donors; and endowment scholarships named in memory of faculty and staff members.

“For the College and the Foundation, this is a very important annual event that brings students together with their donors who made these scholarships possible,” E. Ramone Segree, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the LaGuardia Community College Foundation, said to the Foundation board members, student scholars, faculty and staff who attended the October 28th event.

He told the audience that since the Foundation was established seven years ago it raised $2.6 million and has given out over $700,000 in scholarships to 1,000 students. This year, the plan is to award over $300,000 in scholarships.

Scholarship, announced that White Castle was having a scholarship cookie drive. “If you donate $1 to the Foundation, weIn his remarks, John Vogt, the Foundation board chairman and founder of the White Castle will give you the biggest cookie you have ever seen,” he said.

“When we established the foundation, we thought if we raised $20,000 we would be doing well,” said President Gail O. Mellow. “I want our students to know that there are people in this community who are interested in community colleges because they want to invest in the future, and they want you to succeed.”

She then looked out to the Foundation board members and faculty and staff who have made generous contributions to the Foundation and said, “I want to honor you by showing you the products of your work.”

Three scholars, Edgar Romero, Jenny Badillo and Charles Anthony Ancrum, eloquently and poignantly explained to the donors the impact the scholarships have had on their lives.

Edgar Romero, an honor student who was elected Phi Theta Kappa’s international president, described the difficulties he encountered working full time and going to school full time. “Many times when I was on my way from work to my house, while doing some homework on the train, I wished I could work part time but I had personal expenses that had to be paid.” he said.

With the award of a Joe Shenker Scholarship, a Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship and a LaGuardia Community College Scholarship, Edgar has been able to reduce his work hours and devote more time to his studies and leadership activities.

“My story is their story,” he said referring to the majority of LaGuardia students who live complicated and demanding lives. “And our stories will continue to be possible, because we have a Foundation.”

Jenny Badillo, a single mother with a 3-year-old daughter, explained that with the $1,000 she received from the America Rising and PTK scholarships she is able to pay for books, and food and clothing for her daughter. “One thousand dollars may not mean a lot to many people, but for me it means that I can concentrate on PTK activities and volunteer as a tutor,” said the PTK president. “It has changed my life.”

Throughout the evening, student scholars met donors and thanked them for making it easier for them to fulfill their academic goals.

Robert Hobson, an America Rising Scholar and a liberal arts major who works 40 hours a week as a car dispatcher while going to school full time, approached Maria Riggs, a Foundation officer, and asked her to introduce him to his donor. Ms. Riggs pointed to the room where faculty and staff mingled with students and said, “Those are your donors. Every person in this room has helped contribute to your scholarship.”
 
Located in Long Island City, Queens in New York City, LaGuardia Community College, part of the City University of New York, is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges. Founded in 1971, the College is recognized as an innovator in educating students who are under prepared for college work and/or are not primary English speakers. A catalyst for development in western Queens and beyond, LaGuardia serves New Yorkers and immigrants from 160 countries through 50 majors and certificate programs, enabling career advancement and transfer to four-year colleges at twice the national average. Visit www.laguardia.edu  to learn more.