Somerville Chapter No. 245 Order of the Eastern Star continues to support higher education with the addition of three endowed scholarships to the Blinn College Foundation.
The chapter, which was formed in 1904 and has members from Burleson and Washington counties, gifted three $15,000 endowed scholarships recently to help students graduating from high schools in those counties.
“It is a gift of loving wishes from us as members of the Order of the Eastern Star to give back to the community that supports us,” said Nickie Bilski, Worthy Matron. “The investments in our graduating students are investments in their futures as well as ours.”
Graduates from four area high schools will benefit from the endowed scholarship.
“The three scholarships continue our longtime commitment to giving scholarships to graduating seniors from Brenham, Burton, Snook, and Somerville high schools,” said Melynda Giesenschlag, Past Matron and a member of the chapter’s Scholarship Endowment Study Committee. “Through these scholarships, we hope to encourage students to further their educations and give them some assistance to make that possible.
“Education prepares students for the future and for their place in the workforce and community. Providing scholarships for graduating seniors in Washington and Burleson counties has been a longtime mission of Eastern Star members in each county.”
Endowed scholarships are available to new and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, fields of study, and experiences.
The Blinn Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is marking that anniversary with a goal of 30 new endowed scholarships. The Foundation currently provides more than 200 endowed scholarships.
“The importance of Blinn’s endowed scholarship program can’t be emphasized enough,” said Foundation Chairman Sam Sommer. “They provide opportunities for students who want to continue their educations, a chance they may not otherwise get.”
More information on funding an endowed scholarship or applying for one is available at www.blinn.edu/foundation or by calling 979-830-4017.
Giesenschlag said Somerville Chapter No. 245 will continue its support of Blinn’s education efforts.
“We look forward to working with the Blinn Foundation in the years ahead,” she said.
The Foundation is a tax-exempt organization that provides financial support for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education for Blinn students and expand educational opportunities. It also looks to heighten community awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the college and to promote excellence in education. More information is available at www.blinn.edu/foundation.
Endowed scholarships are available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Students are considered based on high academic achievement, participation in student activities, and community involvement.
