The State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, has presented $5000 scholarships to Katherine (Katie) Michelle Crane of Franklin and John Daniel Hall of Murphy, two Southwestern Community College students.

Southwestern Community College students John Hall and Katie Crane receive $5000 scholarships each from State Employees Credit Union representatives Alan Salzano, left, senior vice president for the district, and David Knowland, SECU Foundation Advisory Board chairman. (click on photo to enlarge)

Crane is in the Nursing Associate Degree program and earlier earned a certificate in the SCC Certified Nursing Assistant program. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA at SCC. Crane volunteers at nursing homes where she enjoys visiting with the residents, playing games and taking them for walks.

Hall, who is in the Radiography Degree program at SCC, is one of the youngest applicants for the SECU Foundation Scholarship. He had a 3.786 GPA upon entrance to SCC, having previously completed five semesters at Tri-County Community College in Murphy in the Dual Enrollment program while in high school.

Also while in high school, Hall received a Certificate of Completion in the Nurse Aide Level I Program and is now a CNA. He is active in many community organizations such as American Red Cross blood drives, March of Dimes, Relay for Life, and Hurricane Katrina Relief. He also volunteers at local nursing homes.

The SECU scholarships were awarded based on SECU’s philosophy of “People Helping People,” recognizing the recipients’ leadership, excellence of character, integrity and community involvement. The scholarships will be used to pay for tuition and other expenses associated with their education at SCC.

SECU’ local advisory board member David Noland commented, “SECU members, via the Foundation, are continuing to display their commitment to education and to making a difference in North Carolina through the renewal of the “People Helping People” scholarship program. These scholarships help North Carolina students obtain an education through the community college system and prepare them for a successful future. As a representative of SECU’s membership, it is with great pleasure that we award these scholarships to Katie and John.”

In addition to these scholarships, the SECU Foundation has also awarded two $5000 scholarships to each of the other 57 community colleges in North Carolina for 2006. This represents a total of $580,000 in scholarship awards. SECU is funded solely by State Employees Credit Union members,

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