Follett Book Scholarship
In 2006, Follett, the bookstore on campus at Columbia College established a scholarship fund for evening students. In February of each year, evening students are eligible to apply for two - $500 book scholarships  and four - $250 book scholarships.

2009-2010 winners

     If I had a degree from Columbia College, the impact it would have on myfamily would be tremendous. I would be the first in my household to complete college, and I hope that this accomplishment would encourage my younger brother and cousins to do the same.
     My father did not have the opportunity to attend college and my mother completed a few semesters but decided to quit and join the work force. Despite these events, they still believe that as the generations of our family continue, each new generation should be more successful than the past one.
     A degree from Columbia College would help me make that goal a reality. I am working on a degree in counseling psychology and once that is completed, I could assist my church in starting an outreach program to reach youth and young adults within our church and in the surrounding community.
      Since the 11th grade, a group of my friends wanted to become professionals that worked with and benefited the public, primarily with health issues. We want to open up a practice that reaches out to those in need and provide them with the accessibility of getting their health and psychological needs met at one location. There are many avenues I can take professionally, whether it is to become a counselor or stay in school and earn a PhD.
      I am excited about what both of these choices have to offer and will be content with whatever choice I make because they both will enable me to complete my personal goals and help make a change in someone else’s life. -- B. Cobb, $250 scholarship winner

     A challenge can be defined in many ways and we encounter them every day and have to stand at attention when they appear. One of my greatest challenges has followed me all of my life like a bad cold; it goes away only to reappear again. It has been a thorn in my side throughout my entire education and is nothing other than mathematics. I struggled through and passed math at MTC and just wanted to come to Columbia College and earn my bachelor’s degree to be more marketable in the real world. I thought this would entail simply taking courses in my major of choice but in the heat of the summer, I faced my old childhood bully again. I was in another math course and wondered who would be the warden in this prison term.
      I wondered if this professor would be anything like the one I had in seventh grade that embarrassed me in front of the entire class as he confronted me on my struggles with fractions. I gave myself a quick pep talk reminding me that I was an adult, and no one will ever talk to me like that again. When in walked my professor, Jestine Odom. She was funny, witty, full of personality, and most importantly she knew how to teach math to the “unteachables” like me. I was determined to pass.
      That summer, I worked harder than I ever had in any other course. I studied for hours at home and at school. I stayed late and missed work when I had to. I even spent the night in the math lab working diligently on assignments and napping periodically on the cold, tiled floor. I was indeed determined to pass this course. Somewhere in between brackets and exponents, I discovered something new about myself. Not only did I want to pass the course, but I also wanted to understand and do well. I had discovered a driving force and determination that I had never tapped into. I can recall classes in which I received a C, and if I only would have used some of this stored strength, I could have gotten a B or even an A. Something had changed, and it was definitely for the better.
      I passed math that summer. I was exhausted and worn out but driven to take the strength that I found and apply it to every class that awaited me. That driving force led me to pass the second math class I signed up for and helped me obtain a spot on the dean’s list. Math is by far the most complicated subject for me. It starts with two numbers, then they need to be squared, which leads to parentheses, and then I am confused.
      However, through my struggles with this course, I found a strength that I will carry by my side beyond my courses at Columbia College and will use throughout my life.
As much as I feared math, it was a math course that has redefined my definition of “hard work,” and given me the motivation I need to succeed. -- J. Furch, $250 schoarship winner

     On September 30th 2008 I attended an Evening College information session and was told, “Regardless of whether or not you decide to come back to college, you will be the same age in four years or six years, with or without a degree.”
     Several of us struck up a conversation and we were pretty much in the same boat; we had dead-end jobs, and we were single parents facing looming economic unsettledness. We all had the same belief that when opportunity comes knocking on the door, we must embrace it and accept the challenge.I had toyed with the possibility of returning to school but always ended up asking myself the same questions and always ending up with the conclusions. How can you do this? Who will help you? You can’t afford a college degree. What are you thinking?
      Then fate intervened and I made a call to the evening department at Columbia College. From that point on, I was treated as though I already belonged, that one day I would graduate, and I began to believe that the direction of my life had already changed. Life up to that point had revolved around the needs of everyone else, and when everyone else was gone, I was still underemployed and undereducated. Fate has disguised itself in two specific moments of time and in two people in the Office of Evening Admissions that had nothing to gain by my success or failure.
     The unique combination of the events and people to whom I will always be extremely appreciative, confirmed what I already knew and they provided me with the boot ‘over the edge’ to make returning to college happen.
      I know there are people at Columbia College that believe in my success who are ready to provide a hand up when I stumble. My ladder of personal achievement and success is built by people that set the bar high, but I know I can achieve my goal through the caring and fellowship I feel on this campus. -- H. Leigh, $250 scholarship winner

     Prior to 2005, I had always dreamed about obtaining a four-year degree tobecome a certified teacher. More importantly, I wanted to be a positive role model for my sons, Henry-18, Justin-15, J’von-3, and for others. 
      I was accepted as an Evening College student and knew my life would change forever, but I did not realize that my education would have had such a remarkable impact on my sons and others around me. For four years they have witnessed me studying late at night, going to work early in the morning, and attending school at night. They have observed me earning various academic awards, but I made sure they knew that Columbia College has a very rigorous curriculum that requires me to study and work hard. 
      I decided to let my actions speak for me and four years later I’ve seen the impact of my education in many ways. Henry has taken the necessary steps to enroll in college and will graduate in June. Justin has been inducted as a South Carolina Junior Scholar. J’von is only three but loves to be read to and is trying to write his name. Because he sees me working, he wants to read or do some work too.
      I am a walking, talking, testimony of how a Columbia College education impacts those around me and I want to serve as a role model who is collaborative, competent, courageous, confident, and committed to bettering others and myself. -- E. Mack, $500 scholarship winner

     Last year, I got a little restless with my job responsibilities and decided to take on new challenges and the first new assignment I decided to tackle was to attend a corporate sponsored seminar. It was a two day seminar titled “Gateway to Leadership” and the instructor had a profound impact on me. Jose and I developed a friendship that involved intense discussions about the business world that inspired me to continue my effort towards self-improvement.
      I enrolled in the Evening College and am now a student of the liberal arts. Prior to taking, LA 101, a required class for all Columbia College students, I thought I had a good understanding of what philosophy meant; after all I considered myself a well-read person and am a self-proclaimed lifelong learner. However, I discovered that I have much to learn and I am putting forth the effort to change my way of thinking about how I perceive the world. Let me tell you that my brain is getting a good workout.
      I hope to take what I am learning to corporate America in a training role and continue the work that Jose’s class began. Thanks Columbia College. -- D. Rhodes $250 scholarship winner

     Who wants to be a millionaire? If the aforementioned question was presented to most people, the response would be an energetic “I do”.
      Let me present another question, who wants a Columbia college degree? I’m looking forward to being a proud recipient of a degree from Columbia College. Obtaining this degree will be an asset to my family and community. I am the proud father of Preston Bradlee White who was born March 27, 2007. The birth of my son magnified for me the importance of education. I accepted the fact that in order to be an active and positive partner in my son’s learning process, I needed to pursue my goal of obtaining a college degree.
      After extensive inquiry, I enrolled in Columbia College’s evening program. Because of the liberal arts approach to education, my willingness to support theatrical performances, art exhibits, and musical productions has increased and my interest in politics has been amplified.   
      There is no doubt that my community will be a benefactor of the education I have receive at Columbia College. Therefore, the impact of my education will encompass far more than just me. It will reach into my family, community, and beyond in positive ways. -- B. White, $500 scholarship winner

Jan K. Bonnette Scholarship
Women in Rural Electrification, WIRE, established a $1,000 annual scholarship in 2008 to be awarded to a female evening student that exemplifies leadership in her career and a commitment to her community.

The winner of the 2009-2010 scholarship submitted the following essay.

     Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, I was a latch key kid who was often left to fend for myself. It was only with the help of my neighborhood youth center that I was able to stay on track and graduate from high school.
      Since that time it has been my personal goal to run my own after school youth program. In 1997, I quit a job as Human Resources Director in a NYC public relations firm, took the money from my 401K, and along with the help of my family started TEEM. Teach, Enlighten, Empower, and Motivate. The goal was simple; to provide youth who were at-risk for school failure, drug use, teen pregnancy, gang involvement, and suicide with a safe environment in which they could express themselves.
      We produced shows such as Annie, Taming of the Shrew, Once on This Island, and original stage plays written by the children. This program was much more than just community theater as we focused on self-esteem, self-respect, and respect for others. TEEM transformed the lives of scores of children, but after seven years of service, I had to close the project because of health reasons.
      I moved my family to SC and started looking into the possibility of starting a program here but quickly learned that I would need a college degree. So here I am just three semesters away from completing my bachelor’s degree so I can again Teach, Enlighten, Empower, and Motivate a new generation of young people. -- C. Aldamuy

 

 

 

 

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