College of The Albemarle’s Foundation held its annual Scholarship Luncheon recently in the John Wood Foreman Technology Center on the Elizabeth City Campus.  The luncheon provides scholarship recipients a chance to meet those who helped start and fund the scholarships that help to pay for their education.

Jennifer Wiley is working towards her Associate in Arts – Pre-major in Elementary Education degree at COA and plans to graduate next year.  Born and raised in Elizabeth City, she wants to become a kindergarten teacher in her community as a way to help shape future generations.  Jennifer received the Gaston and Beverly Small Scholarship through COA’s Foundation and also receives additional financial aid.  Jennifer said, “Without the financial assistance that I have received, I would be unable to attend college and COA’s Student Success and Enrollment Management staff really helped me figure out what program of study I wanted to enroll in.”  Jennifer noted that she enjoys the small classroom size and the one-on-one attention she receives from her instructors.  Currently, Jennifer is taking on-line classes which she has enjoyed due to the flexibility it provides her each day.  Gaston and Beverly Small decided to establish a scholarship fund at COA because of their love of education and the Elizabeth City area.  Beverly Small, a retired teacher having taught second grade and high school English, stated, “I have a passion for education and when I was teaching, I loved to see my students’ grow and learn.”  The Gaston and Beverly Small Scholarship is their way of giving back to a community they love and to continue to see students succeed in their educational goals and dreams. 

The keynote speaker for the event was William Norrell.  William holds many accomplishments having already received two degrees from COA and getting ready to complete his third degree in Business Administration.  William, a COA Student Ambassador, was recently awarded the NC Community College System Academic Excellence Award for College of The Albemarle.  Playing for the Dolphin’s baseball team for the past two years has provided him an opportunity to excel on the field and as a team captain.  William will be leaving for UNC-Chapel Hill in May – a lifelong dream that is coming true.  In his speech, William stated, “I was driven from day one to achieve the opportunity to be blessed with one of the outstanding COA scholarships.  Receiving the M.G. Morrisette, Jr. Scholarship and becoming a Student Ambassador was an incredible opportunity to share with the community how great COA truly is.” 

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