Cincinnati State celebrates scholarships

November 20, 2009

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College recently hosted a dinner to honor scholarship recipients and say “thank you’’ to donors.

More than 200 students, family members, donors and Cincinnati State representatives attended. The event was held in the Conference Center on the third floor of the Main Building at Cincinnati State’s Clifton campus.

“This is one of my favorite events at Cincinnati State,’’ said President John Henderson. “It’s a chance not only to recognize our outstanding students, but also for them to meet some of the donors whose generosity is opening so many doors.’’

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The scholarship awards recognized Thursday were generally merit-based, or reflect guidelines established by donors. Many incorporate a need-based element as well.

Cincinnati State maintains about 50 separate scholarship funds. A number of them award grants to multiple recipients.

Although Cincinnati State offers one of the most affordable options in the region’s entire system of higher education, and it has maintained a freeze on tuition since the 2006-07 school year, it is under more pressure than ever to raise scholarship funds, according to John Dwyer, chairman of the Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Foundation.

Dwyer noted that in the recent past:

• The economic downturn has wiped out the college savings plans of many families.
• The state of Ohio has been forced to cut funding for many of the financial aid programs that help students at two-year schools.
• Enrollment at Cincinnati State has risen dramatically, and now stands at a record high. (It rose by 23.5 percent in the Early Fall term over same period a year ago, continuing a pattern seen in the Summer term. And enrollment for the Late Fall term, which opens today, is also on a record-setting pace.)

“In this economy, there are just a whole lot of people with limited resources who need the education and retraining that Cincinnati State can provide,’’ Dwyer said. “So we’re really working hard to come up with the scholarship funds that will ultimately get them into a good job.’’
In addition to gifts from outside donors, Cincinnati State raises funds for scholarships through such internal efforts as its annual golf outing and the “1 Night 12 Kitchens’’ event at the Midwest Culinary Institute.