Inaugural endowed Osher Reentry Scholars recognized at luncheon
The Office of Adult Students and Evening Services recently honored the inaugural recipients of the Bernard Osher Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
Last year, UNC Charlotte received a $1 million grant from the San Francisco-based Osher Foundation, which is being used as a permanent funding source to aid nontraditional students to complete their degrees. Through the Osher Reentry Scholarship Endowment, 29 undergraduates received scholarships for the fall semester.
OASES is committed to helping nontraditional students to achieve the bachelor’s degrees, said Janet Daniel, OASES director. “Thanks to the generosity of the Osher Foundation, these first Osher Reentry Scholars will be the first of many to receive the financial assistance to help them return to college and complete their dream of a bachelor’s degree.”
Students who have been away from college for several years face various obstacles, stated Daniel. “Nontraditional students often must juggle work and family responsibilities along with classes and homework. However, research has shown that the vast majority of reentry students successfully use the skills they acquire away from college to their benefit when they return.”
Robert Payne, a computer science major from Stanfield, is on track to finish his degree in May. He is among the first cohort of endowed Osher Reentry Scholars. He said such financial support served as a reminder to never give up. He plans to start a business to develop mobile applications.
Another scholarship recipient, Nellie Sarkisyan, added her appreciation for the scholarship. A mother of three, Sarkisyan transferred to UNC Charlotte this fall after starting studies at Central Piedmont Community College. She decided to pursue accounting based upon the closure of her family’s restaurant in 2010. Difficult economic times, combined with a lack of business preparation, led to the demise of the establishment. “My resume has a big gap in experience, but I will build it up during the next two years,” wrote Sarkisyan. “I want to thank the (Osher) foundation for this scholarship; it means the world to me and my family.”
The other Osher endowed scholarship recipients were Lormina Antoine, Robert Archer, Robert Bett, Jessica Delawder, Margaret Drummond, Thaddeus Forman, Daniel Hewat, Kory Jeter, Trudie Jones, Barbara Leach, Corey Masters, Darius Walker, Melissa Weikel, Wanda Williams and Charles Williamson from Charlotte; Rhonada Chambers from Newell; Monica Dyer from Concord; Melody Friday from Lincolnton; Katherine Hyde from Asheville; Michael Jarecke from Huntersville; Deena Kilgo from Waxhaw; Dawnya Little from Midland; Ivan Mendoza from Forest City; Cameron Speights from Norwood; Kathleen Sullivan from Sherrills Ford; James Todd from Harrisburg; and Brett Zaugg from Matthews.
During the luncheon, recipients and donors of 18 other OASES scholarships were acknowledged, too.
Photo: Osher Reentry Scholars who attended the luncheon.