July 17, 2006

Broome Community College Announces
Creation Of Presidential Honors Scholarship Program
-New Initiative Receives $350,000 Grant From Klee Foundation-

(TOWN OF DICKINSON) Broome Community College President Dr. Laurence Spraggs today announced the creation of a Presidential Honors Scholarship Program. Dr. Spraggs also announced that The Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation of Binghamton has pledged $350,000 to fund the initiative.

The Presidential Honors Scholarship program will provide high school seniors from throughout Broome County with tuition for the first year at BCC. If students maintain a 3.00 GPA average, the scholarship will continue for their second year.

”The Presidential Scholarship Program is an additional resource that gives students every opportunity possibility to receive a quality education at an affordable cost,” said BCC President Dr. Laurence Spraggs. “We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the Klee Foundation and its’ extremely generous gift, which will go a long way in making make educational opportunities more accessible for area students.”

To be eligible for the Presidential Honors Scholarship, Broome County students must graduate from the top 10% of their graduating class. Up to 25 scholarships will be presented to full-time students annually. The $350,000 grant will be paid over four years to establish an endowment for the scholarship and contribute to the start-up costs. The $350,000 grant is the largest that the Klee Foundation has ever made.

“In establishing the Conrad and Virginia Klee Scholarships at BCC with a $350,000 grant, the Foundation continues its well-established tradition of assisting Broome County residents in obtaining higher education,” said Judith Peckham, Klee Foundation Executive Director.

The Presidential Honors Scholarship will be available beginning in the 2007/2008 academic year. The Klee Foundation is the second organization to provide funds for the Presidential Honors Scholarship. The BCC Foundation received a $50,000 donation earlier from an individual who wished to remain anonymous.

Anyone interested in an application form or more information on the Presidential Honors Scholarship Program can contact BCC’s Office of Admissions at 778-5001.