HHS 1965
Endowed Scholarship
HHS CLASS OF 1965 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Ten years ago, at our 40th Class Reunion, Truman Irving and Julian Martinez presented the idea of creating and endowing two scholarships each year for graduating HHS seniors who were planning to continue their education at Hutchinson Community College (HCC). The goal was to: (1) raise $50,000, (2) create an endowed fund in perpetuity, and (3) award two $1,250 scholarships each year starting in 2006. The idea caught fire. In less than an hour, more than $10,000 was raised from those in attendance. Classmates made pledges, wrote checks, and/or donated cash. The generosity was amazing.
Last year, with an anonymous donation of $5,000, the goal of raising $50,000 was met and exceeded. Today we have an endowment balance with Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association (HCCEA) of $52,971.
Over the last 10 years, we have awarded $21,400 in scholarships. These scholarships have been given to HHS graduating seniors from lower income families that would struggle to provide funding for continued education. Without our scholarships, many of these students would not have gone to college.
Each spring, the Scholarship Committee of HHS Class of 1965 reviews 15-20 applications. Two recipients and two alternates are chosen. The scholarships are announced each May at the HHS Awards Assembly.
The cost of tuition, fees, and books for two semesters has increased from about $2,800 per HCC student in 2006 to almost $4,000 in 2015. Inflation will continue to drive the cost of college higher in the future. These scholarships will continue to make a difference. With more money in the Endowment Fund, scholarship awards will increase. HCCEA pays out 5.0% of our end-of-year balance in scholarships. This year, our scholarships actually increased $75 to $1,325 each because the Fund balance was $52,971.
At our 50th Class Reunion, a new 10-year goal of increasing our HHS Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund to $250,000 by the time of our 60th Reunion has been suggested. While that may seem unreachable, with the power of estate planning it may be easier than raising the first $50,000.
We have to be creative. In addition to one-time donations, five-year pledges will again be accepted. In addition, memorials to the Fund can be suggested and individual bequests to the Fund can be made by including provisions in wills and trusts. Generosity combined with estate planning can make a big difference. All contributions made to the HHS Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund c/o Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association are fully tax deductible.
To start, at our 50th Reunion we will be asking every classmate who has not contributed to this worthwhile legacy to contribute something to the Class Fund. The amount is not important. Participation and inclusion are. To date 74 classmates out of our HHS Class of 1965 class - with over 500 graduates - have participated. If you haven’t already joined in, you will have an opportunity to do so this weekend. And, if you have already contributed, your additional generosity is always welcome. Thank You!
Scholarship Committee
Bob Eckhoff Truman Irving Linda (Sollenberger) Land
Mary (Cook) Brock-Lathem John Markle Julian Martinez
Larry Morton Bruce McDaniel Linda (Nichols) Mullens
Nancy Stuckey Susan (Stuckey) Sully -deceased Jim Davis…Coordinator