by Samantha McClain

Editor-In-Chief

On Oct. 20, NorthWest Arkansas Community College hosted a scholarship breakfast where scholarship recipients and donors met and ate breakfast. We had breakfast at the Shewmaker Center on campus at 7:30 a.m.

Liz Anderson, Executive Director of the NWACC Foundation, started the event and talked about her experience in college. She talked about staying up late at night to study. Her father-in-law worked at a pizza place, and her mother-in-law worked at Arby’s, and they would bring her food.

Donnie Baker, treasurer of the NWACC Foundation and the board of directors, got on the stage and said that there are over 420 recipients who received financial aid for the semester.

A total of 336 scholarships, granting $385,214, were given, Treva Kennedy, associate director of advancement, said. In 2017, NWACC hosted a scholarship lunch then changed it to breakfast in 2018 and 2019, Kennedy said. In 2020, there was a virtual celebration in place of the scholarship breakfast. In the spring of 2022, another scholarship breakfast was held in March to make up for the scholarship recipients of 2021, Kennedy said.

Sammy Massri, vice president of the Student Government Association, received the Ruby B. Matthew Scholarship and gave a speech at the event. He talked about the feeling of receiving the scholarship and the importance of time management. He spoke of stepping back and looking around at those who have encouraged and helped him in his education career.

Massri is studying for a business degree and is planning to attend the University of Arkansas. “Don’t be afraid to apply for scholarships due to a degree,” Massri said.

To receive money from a scholarship donor has a different impact that is far more special because a stranger had set aside money to support another stranger, Dennis Rittle, NWACC president, said. Rittle said that scholarships are like the gas stations along the road to help the student go from point A to B, giving the students just enough to reach their destination and become successful.

Rittle said it is valuable for the college to have students be aware of scholarships and show NWACC the information they need to receive potential grants and scholarships. There are roadblocks, and some students fall into a space called “the donut hole” where the student makes enough money, but it is still financially challenging for the student to attend college, Rittle said. Rittle said that donating to the foundation will help, and there is no gift too small.