- information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
West End Baptist Church has endowed a new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College. The newly established scholarship represents years of dedication and contributions from West End Baptist Church.
The $15,000 donation to the VGCC Foundation creates a “Presidential Merit Award” level scholarship which means that the scholarship will provide $750 a year to cover tuition, books and college fees. The scholarship will be available to students in Vance County from the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 academic year onward. Preference will be given to students who have a minimum 2.5 high school or college GPA, are enrolled in at least 9 credit hours, have membership at West End or are referred by a church member.
Students interested in applying for VGCC scholarships are encouraged to apply beginning in mid-April.
“This scholarship presents another wonderful opportunity to expand resources that will allow us to educate, inspire, and support a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success,” said Tanya S. Weary, VGCCF Executive Director.
Church treasurer Jerry Parrish and church member Bobby Van Brunt recently joined Pastor Cade M. Patterson in presenting a check to the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation. Van Brunt is both a WEBC member and former VGCC employee, and he played a major part in making the scholarship a success.
“We are proud to partner with VGCC to enable deserving students to further their education,” Van Brunt commented. “Whether the choice is technical education or foundation for a university degree, students will achieve success for themselves while becoming an asset to the community.”
West End Baptist Church will celebrate its centennial anniversary in May, and it has been at its current location on Dabney Drive since 1944. Patterson said he sees this gift as a natural extension of the church’s mission within the community.
“I’m grateful to serve this generous congregation,” said Patterson. “As a church, West End strives to love our neighbors, just as Jesus commanded us. We hope that this scholarship is a gift that will lead people to consider Christ’s incredible generosity toward us.”
The VGCC Foundation offers more than 300 endowed scholarships for VGCC students—more than any other program of its kind in North Carolina. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, and churches, as well as the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Foundation have often been used to honor a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call 252.738.3409.