TCC and Rotary International Work to Increase Scholarships

FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 30, 2012)

Tarrant County College, Tarrant County College Foundation and Rotary International District 5790 are collaborating to increase the amount of scholarships available to Tarrant County students.

TCC Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley and Rotary District Governor Hollis Lackey signed a Memorandum of Agreement Wednesday to encourage all Tarrant County Rotary Clubs to develop scholarship partnerships with TCC and its Foundation. Those partnerships would see each participating Rotary Club providing students a first-year scholarship to TCC, with TCC matching each student’s scholarship for the second year.

While signing the document at the Grapevine Rotary Club, Chancellor Hadley noted that Grapevine was the first Rotary Club to adopt such an agreement in 2007.

“I envision that since both TCC and Rotary International have interest in developing youth, we can work together in many ways,” said TCC Board of Trustees Member Conrad C. Heede, also a past Rotary District Governor. “By us (Rotary) giving $1,500 and TCC matching that and picking up the second year, many students who have a need will get an incredible opportunity to get a full education at no cost.”

Rotary International District 5790 includes 64 Rotary Clubs in 32 Texas counties, including 28 in Tarrant County. The Rotary District plans to encourage all Tarrant County chapters to adopt similar agreements. Scholarships are for either $1,000 or $1,500 per year. The Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club, of which Lackey is a member and former president, also has had a scholarship agreement for four years. Other chapters with agreements include Downtown Arlington, Fort Worth South, Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Mid-Cities Pacesetters.

TCCF will assist by either holding a scholarship fund for the chapters including selection of the recipient and disbursement of funds, or it may just handle the disbursement for the Rotary chapter. TCCF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization classified under

Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Governed by a volunteer board of directors since 1988, TCCF supports the comprehensive mission of TCC, providing affordable and open access to quality teaching and learning. More information about TCCF scholarships is available at www.tccd.edu/scholarships or at 817-515-5277.

Media Contact: 817-515-5212