A recent crisp fall afternoon seemed
like the perfect day to bring together scholarship donors and recipients for a
celebration of philanthropy and accomplishment.
The annual scholarship luncheon is always
a heartwarming affair and this year was no exception with more than 180 people
- donors, students, board members and faculty taking part. The luncheon was the perfect setting for
donors and student recipients to meet each other, many for the first time.
Smiles and tears abounded as grateful scholarship students relayed the positive
impact the scholarships have had on their lives.
For the last academic year, the J. Sargeant Reynolds Educational Foundation
awarded 256 scholarships totaling more than $557,000.
Luncheon speakers included Mitch Haddon, CEO of Colonial Webb, President of the J. Sargeant Reynolds Educational Foundation and a Reynolds alumnus, Josephine Iwatsubo, a Reynolds alumnus and scholarship recipient, and Daniel Longest, a current Reynolds student and scholarship recipient.
Luncheon speakers included Mitch Haddon, CEO of Colonial Webb, President of the J. Sargeant Reynolds Educational Foundation and a Reynolds alumnus, Josephine Iwatsubo, a Reynolds alumnus and scholarship recipient, and Daniel Longest, a current Reynolds student and scholarship recipient.
Haddon told the students in the audience
that, like most of them, he worked while attending classes at Reynolds. He
noted, “Think about how hard scholarship donors have worked in their lives to
not only succeed themselves, but also be able to reach out and help you do the
same.” He added, “It is about caring for yourself, your family, friends, peers,
school staff and the community. At Colonial Webb, we refer to this as The
Courage to Care.”
Josephine Iwatsubo told the audience perseverance is the key to her success. It began with a flyer on the bathroom wall at Reynolds seeking submissions to an annual essay contest. A $5 gift card was offered for each entry. She noted, “For a college kid with no money, this seemed like a pretty good deal for me.” She entered the contest and won first place! The win boosted her self-confidence and gave her the determination to work hard for her goals. She applied for various scholarships and was awarded the Dimitri and Maggie Georgiadis award. She noted that receiving the scholarship was more than just the money. Her self-confidence and self-esteem were lifted to the point “where I understood that anything was possible to those who had the courage to pursue their goals and ambitions.” After completing her studies at Reynolds, Iwatsubo attended and graduated from the University of Virginia and published her first children’s book. She currently has a job she loves and is working on a Master’s Degree in Education.
When scholarship recipient Daniel
Longest started at Reynolds he knew he was making a huge step, not just for
himself, but as a role model for his four younger siblings. The Honors Program
at Reynolds has helped him to connect with people of similar interests and meet
students from all over the world. He noted that without scholarship donors all
of his accomplishments would have been far more difficult. “All of the students
in this room, no matter what course of study or program we’re in, are here
because of the donors in this room. Someone, other than our parents, believed
in us and sacrificed for us to be here.”
At the conclusion of the luncheon donors and
recipients paired up for pictures to commemorate the day’s festivities. For
more information about available scholarships, how to apply and important
deadlines, visit wwww.reynolds.edu/scholarships.
Watch the luncheon video here
