BCCC Foundation Awards Scholarships

The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is proud to announce the following scholarship recipients. The BCCC Foundation anticipates awarding $150,000 in scholarships during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Jerod Benson, 37, received the Dr. Gordon Hoffman Criminal Justice Scholarship. The Pinetown resident is part of the basic law enforcement training program and plans to work at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department. He attended Northside High School. Husband of Megan Benson and a father of four, Benson currently works at Gregory Poole Equipment Company. Created from the sale of land donated to the foundation by Dr. Gordon Hoffman, this scholarship is awarded to a law enforcement officer seeking to further his or her education with a degree in criminal justice. Prior to his retirement in 2003, Dr. Hoffman was the director of BCCC’s basic law enforcement training (BLET) program.

Robert Booth, 32, received the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship. The Washington resident is part of the culinary program. The son of William and Marion Booth, he attended Washington High School.Established in 2015, this scholarship is awarded to Continuing Education students seeking an industry-recognized credential. Students must demonstrate financial need and meet qualifying guidelines.

Brandon Bunch, 26, received the Coca-Cola and the James Wyatt Blanks Scholarships. The Washington resident is taking a special credit program and plans to transfer to a four-year university. He attended Washington High School and holds an Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology from BCCC. Bunch currently works as a systems administrator at BCCC. Established in 2010 with a generous gift from the Coca Cola Foundation and Coca Cola Bottling Plant in Washington, N.C., this endowment provides a scholarship for a BCCC student with at least a 2.5 GPA and is receiving no other financial aid. Thanks to this donation, the Coca Cola Bottling Plant will model good corporate citizenship in perpetuity. Established in 2005 with memorials and gifts from friends and family, the “Wyatt” Blanks scholarship is awarded annually to a student with at least a 2.5 GPA. His parents Loretta and Wayne Blanks, Sr. wanted to assist students who are working toward a 2 year degree.

Leticia Jimenez, 21, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Plymouth resident is part of the nurse aide program. Jimenez attended Manteo High School and plans to become a nurse. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Anthony Jordan, 40, received the Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy Scholarship. Jordan is the son of Beatrice Jordan of Chowan County. He is part of the Associate Degree in Nursing program, and he attended John Holmes High School. The Chowan resident plans to transfer to East Carolina University, and he currently works at Bertie Martin Regional Jail. Scholarships are awarded annually to students pursuing a career in the medical field. Qualifying students will have a 2.5 GPA or greater and must be a resident of Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell or Washington County. Student must demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to current or former employees of Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy.

Desember Mears, 24, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Chocowinity resident is part of the nurse aide program. Daughter of Shannon Owens of Chocowinity and Stephen Mears of Edenton, she currently works at Burger King as a cashier. Mears attended Perquimans County High School, and she holds a Phlebotomy Certification. She plans to work in the medical field. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Jessi Mizelle, 17, received the Foundation General Event Scholarship. The Ahoskie resident is working on her pre-nursing coursework before she gets her Associate Degree in Nursing. She attended Bertie Early College High School, and plans to work as a nurse.

Akida Spencer, 27, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Washington resident is part of the nurse aide I program. The mother of three plans to become a registered nurse. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

For more information, contact Jen Seay at 252-940-6218.