By Staff
special to The Star
Sept. 10, 2003
The Meridian Community College Foundation has received a gift of $10,000 from The Riley Foundation to fund 10 scholarships.
The donation was made in honor of Alfred and Lucile Rosenbaum because The Riley Foundation felt it fitting to recognize them for their contributions to education through the years.
The Alfred and Lucile Rosenbaum scholars are:
Elizabeth Cooper, 25, is returning to school after being a stay-at-home mom to Seth, 4, and Hannah, 1. She is completing required course work leading to the associate degree nursing program. Her career goal is to become a nurse practitioner.
Lauren Goodman is a 2003 honor graduate of West Lauderdale High School, where she was a delegate to the International Science Fair and a member of the all-state choir. She is in the university transfer program and plans to major in polymer science. Goodman will perform this year with the MCC Chorus and Variations.
Sonia McClinton, 35, is married and the mother of four. She works part-time at East Mississippi State Hospital and is pursing an associate's degree in nursing. McClinton plans to continue her education through the master's level.
Jodi Hales was the 2003 valedictorian at Clarkdale Attendance Center. She was student council president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes president and a National Honor Society member. Hales will enter the physical therapist assistant program this fall.
Rhonda Kennedy, an employee for more than 25 years at the recently closed Nazareth Mills, is a sophomore in the medical office technology program. The 50-year-old is a President's List scholar and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students.
Tabitha Wilson is a 2002 honor graduate of Northeast Lauderdale High School, where she received the economics award and the Allied Health II award. A sophomore at MCC, Wilson is working toward an associate's degree in nursing and plans to pursue a career as a neonatal nurse.
Patrick Fries is a 2003 graduate of Calvary Christian School. He was student council president, played varsity basketball and was named to the Mississippi Private Association Honor Society. A university transfer program student, Fries plans a career in the music field.
Roy McKenzie, 32, is a sophomore in the associate degree nursing program. He works as a licensed practical nurse, is married, and the father of two children, 10 and 12. McKenzie plans to pursue a master's degree in nursing.
Leia Bigelow is a 2003 graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School. She is a freshman in the business and office technology program. She plans to enter the work force upon graduation from MCC.
Ronald Fairchild, 44, is married and the father of three sons, ages 18, 20 and 25. Working in sales most of his adult life, he is now pursuing a career in the medical field. Fairchild plans to complete the radiologic technology program and then specialize in nuclear medicine or radiation therapy.