The Founders' Scholarship Fund for
Adult Continuing Education was established in partnership with Cecil
College in August of 2008. Funding is dependent solely on the generosity
of CCEA donors. The scholarship is awarded to an adult currently in or
returning to the workforce. Cecil College seeks those now serving or has
served in a volunteer capacity. This scholarship is awarded annually as
funds permit.
2019
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Today, on Sept. 11, 2019 I had the honor of being one of the
representatives for the CCEA at the Cecil College Annual Scholarship
Breakfast. It was during my tenure as President of the CCEA that our
scholarship partnership with Cecil College began. The CCEA also had
present Eileen Viars, the current Vice President and also a President
Emeritus and Barbara Buck, daughter of Robert “Bud” McKee, one of the
founders of The Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association.
The annual breakfast is an event which brings together donors and
recipients. It is the prime opportunity for learning more and putting
faces to where the scholarships go. We also learn the backstories of our
recipients. This year was no exception, but it was an exceptionally
great morning! We were seated with 5 students, who ranged in age and
course studies. Robert is a
1st year student who is studying Computer Science; Danielle
is a 2nd year student, married with a 4 year old daughter and
she is in the nursing program; Stephanie (our recipient) is also married
with a 24 year old son and 14 year old daughter and she is completing
her pre-requisite courses to go into nursing and lastly Andrew is an
employee of the Cecil County Board of Health, who is finishing up some
required sciences courses relating to his field. The Cecil College
representative at our table was Mary, Director of Human Resources. She
and her husband relocated to Delaware from Staten Island, NY. They have
2 children, ages 4 and 1 1/2 .
Our group was diverse, the conversation was lively. I was most impressed
with each of the students, all of whom were deeply grateful for the
financial support received-no matter the size of the dollar value. The
financial support received thru the scholarships enables them to
continue their education, to dream bigger-with less financial worry and
to know there is a whole community of people who are wishing them well!
And each of these table guests was equally interested in The CCEA.
I share this with you because I want you to know what a difference each
dollar we receive makes. The Founders Scholarship honors Bud McKee,
Dolly Brown and will eventually (but hopefully not too soon) include
Ella Luff-each key contributor to the beginnings of the CCEA and the
growing list of ministries. When you consider how you can best
distribute funds you intend to donate, please consider the CCEA and the
many ministries they oversee. If your heart is towards
education-consider designating those funds towards the Scholarship
Program.
Lastly, thank you for allowing me the honor and privilege of attending
this event each year as one of your representatives. Bud was my mentor,
this Association remains near and dear to my heart and these moments to
put faces and stories to those we seek to help-is why “this is a life
time commitment.”
Deborah Forsythe
President Emeritus
