Twenty-eight Earn Coveted DCC Foundation Scholarship
Award Covers Tuition for Top High School Graduates
Twenty-eight DCC freshmen were awarded the 2017 Charles E. and Mabel E. Conklin Scholarship for Academic Excellence. Seated in the center, front is Dr. Pamela Edington, DCC president and scholarship benefactor Charles Conklin.
October 11, 2017 – Twenty eight Dutchess Community College freshmen were formally awarded the 2017 Charles E. and Mabel E. Conklin Scholarship for Academic Excellence Oct. 9, joining family members, DCC staff and local high school guidance counselors for a luncheon on campus. When combined with the Conklin scholars who began at DCC last fall, 59 students currently are benefiting from the initiative, which is made possible by Charles Conklin of Pleasant Valley and the DCC Foundation.
The Conklin Scholarship covers up to two years of full tuition for any Dutchess County high school student who graduates in the top 10% of his or her class. DCC attracts more top 10% students from Dutchess County than does any other single college or university.
The full-tuition scholarship gives students additional resources for when they transfer to four-year schools. Conklin scholars and other high-achieving students continue on to top four-year colleges – including Cornell, RPI, Smith, Pace, NYU, Vassar, Marist and SUNY schools – after graduating from DCC.
Charles Conklin and his wife, Betty, established the scholarship in 2003; an additional gift made by the benefactor in 2015 in honor of his late wife brought the endowment to $2 million. Almost 500 students – including many local valedictorians and salutatorians – have attended the College tuition-free since the scholarship was established. In 2016, Charles Conklin was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by SUNY for the profound impact he has made on students’ lives.
Dr. Pamela Edington, Dutchess Community College president, recognized the Conklins for their vision, generosity and kindness, and congratulated the students. “As Conklin Scholars, you have distinguished yourselves as high-achievers, leaders and hard workers, and we’re delighted you’ve chosen to begin your college journey with us,” she said. “Your academic achievement in high school has opened doors to wonderful possibilities here at DCC, and I know you will continue to excel both in the classroom and as part of our vibrant campus community.”
Conklin Scholarship applications will soon be accepted for next fall. For more information call (845) 431-8015.
Names of this fall’s Conklin Scholars and the high schools from which they graduated follow.
Raymond Abreu (Dover), Lea Adams (Dover), Adriana Cardona (Ketcham), Adam Coleman (Red Hook), Dalton Demers (Dover), Sienna Engasser (Red Hook), Kevin Franklin (Poughkeepsie), Amanda Fultz (Beacon), Timothy Hafner (Stissing Mountain), Ethan Hart (Roosevelt), Audrey Haven (Ketcham), Jennifher Hernandez (Pawling), Kirstin Horn (Roosevelt), Michelle Jenks (Ketcham), Ryan Kohlmyer (Arlington), Carolyn Lee (Roosevelt), Amber McCabe (Roosevelt), Brian Panzer (Poughkeepsie), Meera Patel (Beacon), Sarah Petty (Ketcham), Daniel Roeten (Ketcham), Wyatt Self (Duane Lake Academy), Basil Taha (Arlington), Trevor Tatunczak (Poughkeepsie), Tyler Weston (Poughkeepsie), Sarah Wood (Dover), Allysia Yanez (Poughkeepsie), Kitana Zachary (Poughkeepsie).
The DCC Foundation awards approximately $400,000 in scholarships to more than 230 DCC students annually.
