Scholarship donors and recipients meet in-person at the BCCC Foundation’s Legacy Luncheon

Students attending Beaufort County Community College who receive aid through the BCCC Foundation had a chance to dine with their benefactors on March 16. This was the first Legacy Luncheon since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The luncheon brings together future nurses, medical lab technicians, business owners, electrical engineers, and nail technicians, along with the scholarship donors. The BCCC Foundation gave out over $130,000 through scholarships.

This year’s speakers included President Dr. Dave Loope, Faculty Senate President Dr. Chad Smith, medical laboratory technology student Michael Senn, and cosmetology student Anthony Ethridge.

A recurring theme was students coming back to earn new degrees either as their personal priorities had changed or the pandemic had affected their previous employment.

The BCCC Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization established in 1984 to provide community-based support for the college in achieving its educational and workforce development goals. Through the foundation, generous donors provide support for scholarships, institutional programs, faculty and staff development and facility improvements.

While the Beaufort Promise now covers tuition and fees more most students both in college credit courses and short-term credential courses, the BCCC Foundation has taken on the important role of covering textbooks and fees that would stand between a student and their education.

“Beaufort Promise has brought more new students to the college as they start or continue their education,” said Serena Sullivan, VP of Institutional Advancement. “While we are relying more on federal funds to help these students, this new influx of students needs support with text books, so the BCCC Foundation has stayed as busy as ever.”

New scholarships become available as community members work with the foundation to provide new opportunities. Three new scholarships this year include the Bob & Deborah Morlock Scholarship, the Lois Stiles Loope Memorial Scholarship, and the Robert Browning & Rowena Hollowell Cayton Scholarship.

Established in 2021 in honor of Bob and Deborah Morlock, the Bob & Deborah Morlock Scholarship supports second-year nursing students who demonstrate high academic achievement and financial need. Eligible students must be from Beaufort, Hyde, or Martin Counties. Mr. Morlock graduated from the BCCC Nursing program in 1980.

The Lois Stiles Loope Memorial Scholarship honors the mother of Dr. David Loope, sixth president of Beaufort County Community College. Mrs. Loope worked as a registered nurse for 38 years, and the scholarship in her name assists first-generation college students who enroll in either credit or non-credit health care programs.

Established in 2021 by Reverend Robert Burns Cayton and wife, Debra Rose, and Darrell Cayton, Sr. and wife, Peggy, and Carl Cayton, Sr. and wife, Annette, the Robert Browning & Rowena Hollowell Cayton Scholarship is in loving memory of Robert Browning and Rowena Hollowell Cayton. The scholarship is awarded to an agricultural degree seeking student of Beaufort County Community College who shows demonstrated financial need and academic promise. The student must exhibit and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to qualify for this scholarship.

Activities of the foundation are overseen by a 24-member board of directors comprised of civic and business leaders from BCCC’s four-county service area. The BCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. The Legacy Luncheon was sponsored for the ninth year in a row by Rod Cantrell, financial advisor at Edward Jones.

The BCCC Foundation will hold its 28^th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament on May 6.

For additional information about contributing to the BCCC Foundation or applying for scholarships, contact VP of Institutional Advancement Serena Sullivan at 252-940-6326 or serena.sullivan@beaufortccc.edu.