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At McDowell Technical Community College, November is quickly becoming known for a new tradition, a time for scholarship recipients to meet the donors who funded their scholarships to share stories and give thanks for the opportunities afforded by higher education.
“Our annual scholarship luncheon is a time that we pause each November for the McDowell Tech family to celebrate and give thanks for the generosity of our scholarship donors and for students to share their stories and express gratitude to the donors who have made their dream of a college education become a reality,” said Madalyn Gaito, director of development and McDowell Tech board liaison. “Many of these students face financial hardships that might otherwise prevent them from attending college, were it not for the gifts made by our donors.”
Carli Cook (center) is a nursing student at McDowell Tech who received a William Harold Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship, as well as a Wingate Cain Memorial Scholarship. At left is President J.W. Kelley and at right is Madalyn Gaito, director of development and McDowell Tech board liaison.
McDowell Tech Foundation board members were joined at the event by a group of faculty, staff and administrators in recognizing donors who have contributed to approximately 20 named scholarships, as well as a general endowed scholarship fund. These funds have allowed the college to award several dozen students with scholarships to attend college this academic year, with more expected next year as investments in endowed scholarship funds continue to grow.
Cecilia Reel, a donor and member of the Foundation’s board of directors, said it was an honor to be able to meet students who had received scholarships.
One of those students was Christopher Burleson, a recipient of a Rotary Club of Marion Foundation Endowed Scholarship. Christopher transitioned from years of working in physically-demanding jobs to a health crisis that brought him to his knees, required him to go on kidney dialysis and forced him to go on disability. Days became weeks and weeks became months as he struggled to come to terms with his illness and the limitations it seemed to place on his health, he said. Eventually, he came to realize that a whole world of possibilities was still out there waiting for him to take the first step.
Christopher Burleson, a recipient of a Rotary Club of Marion Foundation Endowed Scholarship, spoke about his experiences.
“I realized that there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish if I put my mind to it,” he said.
He decided to enroll in college at McDowell Tech, and today he is on track to complete his second degree at the college next May. In the process, he discovered the path to genuine joy, he said. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary Club of Marion for their generous support, which made it possible for me and many others like myself to pursue our dreams. Thank you all for believing in us,” he said.
Carli Cook, a nursing student at McDowell Tech, received a William Harold Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship and a Wingate Cain Memorial Scholarship. When she first graduated from high school, she enrolled at Appalachian State University. During her second year at college, her dad was diagnosed with cancer and told he had six to 12 months to live.
Cook dropped out of college to take care of him and provide financial support.
The family learned months later that he was misdiagnosed and didn’t have cancer. Her dad still has health issues that require Cook’s help and support.
The change in diagnosis allowed Cook to refocus her educational dreams, and she enrolled in nursing school at McDowell Tech.
Due to Hurricane Helene, Cook lost her job this fall, but she has been able to continue her studies through support from the Harold Smith and Wingate Cain Memorial Scholarship funds. She is on track to graduate in May. She thanked all the donors and told the group that she hopes she can be the type of person who embodies the spirit that would make Smith and Cain proud. “It has made a true difference in my life,” she said.
“On behalf of our foundation board and our board of trustees, I want to reiterate our heartfelt thanks to the many donors whose monetary gifts are enabling students all across our campus to fulfill their educational and vocational dreams,” McDowell Tech President J.W. Kelley said. “These donations are also building greater capacity in our workforce, contributing to a stronger and more vibrant economy throughout western North Carolina. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of others, particularly during the challenges we have faced post-Helene.”
For more information on the MTCC Foundation and scholarships, visit www.mcdowelltech.edu/mtcc-foundation.
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Carli Cook (center) is a nursing student at McDowell Tech who received a William Harold Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship, as well as a Wingate Cain Memorial Scholarship. At left is President J.W. Kelley and at right is Madalyn Gaito, director of development and McDowell Tech board liaison.
Christopher Burleson, a recipient of a Rotary Club of Marion Foundation Endowed Scholarship, spoke about his experiences.
