Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education (RCOE) held a dinner to honor recipients of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Appalachian Partnership Scholarship at the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) in Hickory, North Carolina on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.
The SECU Appalachian Partnership scholarship is a $1.76 million grant that assists students in RCOE teacher education programs offered through Distance Education. The ultimate goal is for graduates of these programs to teach in their communities.
This is the third academic year of the SECU Appalachian Partnership scholarship program. In total, the SECU has impacted over 160 of students with close to $500,000 in scholarships.
SECU Appalachian Partnership Scholarship recipients with Chancellor Everts and Provost Kruger from Appalachian and SECU Executive Director, Jama Campbell, and SECU Senior Vice-President, Mike Salzano. Photo by Heather Brandon.
The recipients of these scholarships are from the following counties: Alexander, Ashe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Rutherford, and Wilkes.
Appalachian’s Chancellor Everts, RCOE’s Dean Spooner, and Terry Rawls, executive director of educational outreach and summer programs at Appalachian, spoke about the importance of this partnership. In addition, two students shared their stories of the impact of the scholarship. The students also happened to be mother and daughter.
Chancellor Everts highlights the importance of the partnership between NC SECU and Appalachian State University as well as the opportunities scholarships allow for students to continue their education. Photo by Heather Brandon.
A Family Legacy
Mother and elementary education major, Caroline Greene, shared how receiving this scholarship has allowed her to return to school to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.
Daughter and elementary education major, Megan Greene, thanked her mother for being a great role model:
“We always joke that I am her hero, but in reality, she is mine. She has shown me that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. Though it is not easy, it can be done with diligence, hard work, and support from those around you. My mom has been my rock, telling me that if she can do it, so can I.”
“We always joke that I am her hero, but in reality, she is mine. She has shown me that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. Though it is not easy, it can be done with diligence, hard work, and support from those around you. My mom has been my rock, telling me that if she can do it, so can I.”
Mother and Daughter elementary education majors - Caroline and Megan Greene. Caroline will graduate in December 2018, and Megan will graduate in December 2019. Photo by Heather Brandon.
About the SBTDC
Founded in September 1984, North Carolina’s Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is the business and technology extension service of The University of North Carolina, which oversees the 16 constituent institutions of the University. The SBTDC is administered by North Carolina State University and operated in partnership with US Small Business Administration.
The SBTDC’s Appalachian State University-affiliated locations in Boone and Hickory are committed to helping make your business better. The Boone office serves the counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey. The Hickory office serves the counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln.
SBTDC engineering technologist and chairman of Burke County Board of Education, Randy Burns, highlighted the significance of hosting this event:
“This facility is a hub for economic development for the community, providing assistance to local businesses and industry in product development and meeting space. In the summer, we also serve close to 250 students with Future Engineers Camps, Innovation Camps, Robotics Camps and, for the first time this summer, the Builders Boot Camp where 7th to 9th graders will learn tips of the trades from the Construction industry.”
Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education (RCOE) held a dinner to honor recipients of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Appalachian Partnership Scholarship at the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) in Hickory, North Carolina on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.
