MOC students meet, thank donors
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on April 1, 2007 2:01 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Nearly 600 students at Mount Olive College are receiving scholarship money to help cover such needs as tuition and books, with an estimated $2.4 million given out this school year.
During the college's annual scholarship banquet, recipients met and thanked the benefactors who have supported their education.
Meredith Tew, a senior psychology major from Dunn, said the close-knit community at Mount Olive College has made a world of difference in her college career. Without the financial support, however, she said she "would have missed out on many opportunities."
Junior English education major Sara Strickland of Goldsboro agreed.
"Mount Olive College is my second home. It embodies the spirit of family and love that everyone desires," she said. "Yet, at the same time we are receiving a wonderful education and getting wonderful opportunities. I would not be here without the generosity of many. I thank all who have helped make this possible for me."
Al Warrick, keynote speaker at the luncheon, spoke on the importance of reaching back and helping those in need. Quoting a familiar parable, "to whom much is given, much will be demanded," he said it is always better to give than to receive.
Endowed Scholarship supporters like Dalton and Ruby Proctor, who attended the appreciation luncheon, agreed about the importance of giving back. Mrs. Proctor, who attended the college on a scholarship, said she felt particularly compelled to lend a hand to other students.
Proctor called the endowed scholarship program "a way of telling students that we believe in them and that we care about their future."