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During the ceremony in May, which was “one of the largest in the institution’s history,” a graduate was awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the nation’s largest and most competitive for community college students.
At the ceremony, which was held at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, Larry Woodard, the chairman of Graham Stanley Advertising gave the commencement speech.
Accounting major Monica Victoria, of Valhalla, became the college’s 10th winner, which comes with a $40,000 annual award to cover tuition, living expenses, and books. As the recipient of the scholarship, Victoria is also eligible to apply for graduate school funding of up to $75,000.
“I came to the college in 2015, uncertain of who I was. I was a meek person at that time, and doubtful of my scholarly capabilities,” Victoria said. “Now I have graduated with the knowledge that I am strong, qualified, efficient, accomplished, and intelligent–qualities that have carried over into my personal life and that have had a positive effect on my position at work and even on my parenting,”
According to the college, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is “dedicated to advancing the education of students with financial need. By offering the largest scholarships, counseling, and other support services to students from 7th grade to graduate school, the Foundation is dedicated to ensuring high-performing, low-income students have the support necessary to develop their talents and excel educationally. In addition to its scholarship programs, the Foundation provides grants for innovative, high-impact initiatives that benefit such students.”
In total, the Foundation has awarded $130 million in scholarships to 1,900 students and over $80 million in grants.
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