Commissioner Establishes First Emergency Services Scholarship
LUMBERTON, NC (July 2009) —
County Commissioner Jerry L. Stephens, Sr. is very passionate about his role as a leader in Robeson County and continually strives to improve the lives of those who call Robeson County home. Commissioner Stephens is also passionate about education and workforce training.
Because of Commissioner Stephens support of workforce training , students interested in seeking certification in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at Robeson Community College can apply for scholarship monies to help pay for tuition, books and supplies.
The Jerry L. Stephens, Sr. Emergency Medical Services Endowed Scholarship is for $5,000.00 and will be awarded perpetually to selected students who demonstrate a financial need.
Commissioner Stephens along with his wife, Wixie, granddaughter Chelsey, and other RCC administrative staff members, gathered in the RCC Health Sciences Building Conference Room on Monday, June 22 to announce the endowment. Commissioner Stephens expressed his appreciation to the College’s Board of Trustee Members, President Charles Chrestman and administrative staff members for their active role in enrollment growth and services provided.
“Robeson Community College is a pillar of educational excellence in our county. There is a great need for more highly-trained EMS personnel in our area, and I am honored to establish a scholarship that will benefit both students, and ultimately, the residents of Robeson County”, says Stephens.
Flora Gail Williams-Lowry, Coordinator/Instructor of Emergency Services at RCC is extremely appreciative of Commissioner Stephens’s generosity.
“Commissioner Stephens’s gift is very timely for our program. The economic crisis is having a huge negative impact on academic training programs across the state and nation. The scholarship will definitely ease the financial strain for selected students”, notes Lowry-Williams.
RCC has an impeccable reputation for quality EMS training across the State and serves over 3,000 EMS personnel and students from Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, Scotland, Bladen, Richmond counties and areas in South Carolina every year.
Ericka Jones, RCC Foundation Director, commends Commissioner Stephens for his indisputable passion in making a positive impact in the lives of others.
“I am impressed at how Commissioner Stephens maneuvers in the community and somehow manages to make an appearance at almost every event with an intended purpose to better Robeson County”, says Jones. “Scholarships are vital to the College, particularly now. It is an honor to name a Scholarship after Commissioner Stephens, who believes in the mission of RCC and the leadership teams that carriers it out”, adds Jones.
President Chrestman is pleased to see the level of interest and support from Commissioner Stephens.
“It is extremely encouraging to see business professionals like Mr. Stephens step forward and endow scholarships for the citizens of Robeson County. He is looking ahead to the future and investing where it matters most”, notes Chrestman.
Commissioner Stephens’s gift will also name a room in the Workforce Development Center Building, currently being constructed on the RCC campus.
For more information about naming rights or starting a scholarship at RCC, contact the Foundation Office at 910.272.3235.
