2008 HEF Scholarship Reception
In an awards ceremony held at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (HEC), located in South Boston, VA, the Halifax Educational Foundation (HEF) and its sponsors awarded 8 scholarships totaling $11,250. The mission of the HEF is to enhance the educational and workforce opportunities available to the citizens of Halifax County, South Boston and South Central Virginia.
Steve Mize, chair of the Scholarship Committee opened the reception by informing the gathering that in the 5 year history of the HEF awarding scholarships, 2008 is the largest year with a total award of $11,250. Awarding scholarships ties directly to the mission of the HEF, in that without scholarships, many students would not be able to get a higher education. Working on the scholarship committee with Steve Mize are HEF board members Morris Bryant, Jay Burnett, Linda Owen, Greg Poirier, and Arthur Reynolds.
William E. Coleman, President and CEO of Tri- County Community Action Agency (TCAA), presented the TCAA scholarship awards to Willie Farley and Benjamin Wilborn. Willie is currently enrolled in the community college programs through Southern Virginia Community College (SVCC) at the HEC and is pursuing a degree in nursing. Benjamin is a member of the Halifax County High School class of 2008 and is enrolled in the Diesel Mechanic program through SVCC at the HEC. TCAA is a non- profit agency providing a variety of services to the residents of Halifax, Mecklenburg and Charlotte counties.
Will Solomon, from Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, presented the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) scholarship awards to Brian Evans and Jeffrey Owen. Brian is a member of the Halifax County High School class of 2008 and received his First Years Studies certificate from Danville Community College (DCC) along with his Advanced high school diploma at graduation. He is planning to complete the Precision Machining Technology program through DCC and obtain an associate degree in the University Parallel program through SVCC, with a bachelor’s degree as his final goal. After gaining work experience from his degrees and experience in the Precision Machining Technology program, Brian wants to teach the same program in the Community College system. Jeffrey is also a member of the Halifax County High School class of 2008. Jeffrey’s educational plans begin with achieving an associate degree from DCC in Computer Aided Drafting before pursuing a 4 year degree in Drafting at another university. He is excited and proud to be able to begin his education locally, and plans to not only complete a Drafting degree but eventually open his own company and be the head of his own drafting firm.
Chris Lumsden, CEO of Halifax Regional Hospital and a member of the State Board of Community Colleges, presented the Hope scholarship award to Kimberly Dyer. Chris explained the reason for the establishment of the Hope scholarship as honoring his parents Buford T. and Alveleta Hope Arthur Lumsden. His parents provided him, and his siblings, the support and opportunity to be reasonably successful in life, so to show appreciation and in honor of them, his family established this scholarship as a means with which to give back to the community. Kimberly is a Licensed Practical Nurse at Heritage Hall, with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. She is interested earning a BSN so she can pursue a career in Hospice Care and ultimately give back to her own community.
Steve Mize, chair of the HEF Scholarship Committee and President/CEO of Team Nurse, presented the Team Nurse scholarship award to Laci Conner. Laci is currently pursuing the LPN program at SVCC. She aspires to work in a doctor’s office or at the local hospital. She ultimately wants to get her full BSN and become a Registered Nurse.
Steve Mize also presented the Penick Estate scholarship award to Chasity Ballou. The Penick Estate scholarship was established by the daughters of the late Virginia Penick to further the mission of the HEF. Chasity Ballou is currently enrolled in the LPN program at SVCC pursuing her Practical Nursing license, with the ultimate goal of a BSN so she can be a Registered Nurse. She wants a career in Pediatric Care and would like to eventually open her own Health Care Facility.
Wayne Conner, Chair of the HEF, presented the HEF scholarship award to Wendy Hall. Wendy is a Mary Baldwin student, through the Mary Baldwin programs offered at the HEC, with goals of becoming a teacher. She wants to teach English at the middle school level or higher, with interest in a master’s degree in Special Education.
Established in 1997, the Halifax Educational Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization consisting of a 33 member board of community leaders, chief elected officials and volunteers. The Foundation operates exclusively to promote and enhance continuing educational opportunities for the citizens of the region. The vision of the Foundation has been to enhance the educational services already available through the expansion of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. Working toward its vision, the HEF raised funds in the community via private donations and a matching bond referendum for the renovation of the former Export Leaf Tobacco Warehouse, circa 1850’s, to provide academic and training space for the operations of the Center. In August 2001, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center moved from its limited location to a much larger state-of-the-art educational facility offering high quality, affordable degree and non-degree programs through both day and evening courses.
With its campus atmosphere, the higher education center is attractive to all citizens. Program offerings range from basic technology skills training through Masters Degree programs, via regional partnerships with educational, arts and workforce entities. In addition, CEU professional development programs for lawyers and programs for teacher recertification are offered. Also, the HEC serves the community with an Adult Literacy Program for over 140 people. During the summer, children enjoy the Bruce Street Kids program, an offering of fun activities, for kids from 4 to 12, based on academic subjects such as math, science, biology, visual and performance arts as well as graphic design. In addition a similar Summer Arts Institute, Experience Bruce Street, is offered for middle and high school students, with courses ranging from Photoshop and Wood Design to Garage Band and Japanese Culture. With a host of new programs coming soon, the HEC is growing by leaps and bounds and continuing to offer programs for all walks of life in this region of Virginia.
For additional information about programs at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, visit the center at 820 Bruce Street, South Boston, Virginia, or call (434)572-5440 or view the website www.SVHED.org.
For more information about the scholarships administered by the HEF, please see the HEF website http://www.svhed.org/halifaxpage.html, and follow the scholarship application link at the bottom of the page. The application deadline is April 30th annually.
