The MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation held its Annual Reception for this year’s High School Seniors receiving Foundation awards on Monday afternoon, June 17, at the Lyme Art Association in Old Lyme. Over 100 students, parents, contributors and Foundation Board Members were present.
At the reception Foundation President Rowland Ballek stated that this is the 120th anniversary year for the Foundation and the 40th anniversary of the Brevillier (Lyme) portion of the fund. He also said “This is the first time since the fund was established for Lyme students in 1973 that Lyme awards will be based on the same formula as the awards given out to Old Lyme students. This is because many generous contributors helped boost the Lyme portion of the Foundation’s endowment to be in proportion with the Old Lyme fund.” He thanked supporters in the audience and the community whose contributions helped the Foundation achieve this balance and also helped the entire fund keep up with the ever increasing cost of college.
This coming academic year the Foundation expects to give out $236,050 to 78 students from Lyme and Old Lyme who are attending colleges throughout the United States. Included in these numbers are 20 students graduating this year from Lyme and Old Lyme who were awarded grants at the reception totaling $66,900 to use for the coming school year.
In the past six years the MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation has given out over $1.3 million dollars (actual number: $1,322,850) to students from Lyme and Old Lyme.
Foundation awards are based on the degree of financial assistance a student requires to meet their college expenses. If a student keeps a satisfactory grade point level they will continue to receive the same award for an additional three years of their undergraduate studies.
The Foundation presented two $500 awards at the reception; the W.E.S. Griswold Valedictorian Award to Jennifer Kowalski of Lyme who will attend Haverford College and the Willis Umberger Salutatorian Award to Maria Awwa of Old Lyme who will attend Barnard College.
The MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation has a long standing tradition of providing financial support to local students going on to further their education at colleges and universities after their high school years. Founded in 1893, the Foundation began giving direct grants to students to continue their education beyond High School in 1918, a practice that continues today.