Randolph-Macon College scholarship recipients and their donors gathered on April 15, 2018 for the annual Scholarship Banquet. The event, held in Birdsong Hall, gave students the opportunity to connect with those who have helped make their dreams of a college education a reality.

Robert Parsons Jr. ’18, recipient of The Richard T. Abernathy Scholarship; The Buddy and Ann Allen Scholarship; and The Michael G. Murphy and Rachael L. Gardner Scholarship, welcomed guests. Evelyn Archer ’19, recipient of The Abernathy-Eason Scholarship, gave the invocation.

Exceptional Opportunities
Student speakers were scholarship recipients who also participated in the college’s SURF (Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship) program.

Erin Kober ’19, a chemistry and mathematics major, spoke about her research, in which she used a metal-containing catalyst for the production of methanol.

“I am fortunate to have participated in the SURF program, which in turn gave me opportunities to present my research at national and international conferences,” says Kober, recipient of The Sabra Klein Maloney ’92 Fellowship for Women in the Sciences. “Thanks to my fellowship, my research experiences have given me an exceptional preparation for graduate school.” Kober plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry.

A behavioral neuroscience and chemistry major, Sammi Scarola ’18 shared highlights from her SURF research, which she presented in 2017 at a conference in Japan. Scarola is the recipient of The Georganne W. and Stephen P. Long Scholarship.

“My scholarship is more than financial aid—it is support from donors who believe in me,” says Scarola. “The opportunities I’ve had at RMC would not have been possible without their recognition of my dreams. I will enter medical school at Liberty University in July, and I am incredibly grateful to the Longs, my professors and Randolph-Macon College.”

Generous Donors
Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren thanked donors for their generosity.

“The scholarships that you so generously make possible reward the courage and perseverance of our incredible students, making Randolph-Macon College possible to them, where otherwise it might not be conceivable,” said Lindgren.  “We are so grateful to our generous donors for giving students the greatest gift of all, that of opportunity.”

The evening concluded with the alma mater, which was led by Emily Nicholson ’18, recipient of The H. Burnell and Mary Alleta Pannill Scholarship.

RMC’s Endowed Scholarship Program
Since RMC’s founding in 1830, alumni, parents, foundations and friends have established more than 300 endowed scholarships. Commitment to this legacy has made it possible for thousands of deserving students to benefit from a Randolph-Macon College education.

There are currently 309 recipients of endowed scholarships at Randolph-Macon, who were awarded $1,776,000 in endowed scholarship aid this academic year. RMC also boasts seven Wornom Fellows—students who are on their way to medical school and are supported through a scholarship created by the late Paul Wornom ’37.