Group of people holding up a giant check for $18,000

SECU Funds Scholarships and Workforce Development at Blue Ridge

Photo: Pictured, from left, are Carla Icenhower, SECU Vice President/City Officer; Jason Chappell, Blue Ridge NCWorks Director; Dr. Scott Queen, Blue Ridge Vice President of Continuing Education; Stacy Hill, Blue Ridge NCWorks Employability Lab Instructor; Amy Singletary, Blue Ridge CTE Coordinator; and Heather Medlin, SECU Assistant Branch Manager. 

This week, representatives of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) visited Blue Ridge Community College to award generous scholarships to two students and deliver an $18,000 donation to the College. SECU’s Carla Icenhower and Heather Medlin awarded the $5,000 scholarships to students Katie Robinson and Lauren Redfem to be paid over two years. The funds may be used toward tuition, fees and books.

Blue Ridge Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development Dr. Scott Queen accepted the donation – as well as a playful, oversized, symbolic check – on behalf of the College.

“These funds will be essential to supporting Blue Ridge Community College’s workforce training in pathways leading to a credential,” Dr. Queen said.

Both Robinson and Redfem are Human Services Technology majors, and they are focusing their studies on social services and substance abuse prevention, respectively.

SECU scholarships are open to all North Carolina community college curriculum students who have filed a FAFSA, and are both North Carolina residents and high school graduates. Those who have completed a General Educational Development (GED)/Adult High School (AHS) equivalency program are also eligible.

“The support of our local credit union will no doubt go a long way toward helping both of these excellent students reach their summit here at Blue Ridge Community College,” added Dr. Queen.

Community members can learn more about SECU’s scholarship program on the credit union website.