Kaitlin Benitz, right, a CSM nursing student and recipient of the Ethelmae M. Lilly Nursing Memorial Scholarship, meets Reuben Lilly Sr., left, and CSM Foundation Chair Jay Lilly, center, at the CSM Foundation Scholarship Reception in La Plata on Sept. 17.

The College of Southern Maryland celebrated the 2014-15 academic year scholarship awardees and donors on Sept. 17 during a reception at the Center for Business and Industry on the La Plata Campus. More than $300,000 in scholarships were awarded to 259 students.

CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried recognized 77 scholarship donors, who are making a difference in Southern Maryland by partnering with the CSM Foundation in keeping education affordable and accessible—which in turn, he said, enhances the health and welfare of the local economy.

“I see daily the lives that are being changed here at CSM and it is because of the support of our donors that we are able to continue our work of helping students realize their potential,” said Gottfried. “The more opportunities we present as a community for our students to succeed, the bigger impact we will make in transforming the Southern Maryland region.”

Speaking to scholarship recipients, CSM Foundation Chair Chris Rush said, “I have firsthand knowledge of the support of this community because just like you, I attended the College of Southern Maryland, Class of 1987. Today, as the chair of the Foundation and an active member of the Southern Maryland community, I see the impact of CSM. Everywhere I turn there is something CSM-related: a campus, a student, a program, an employee. That says a lot about CSM and its presence in the community, and you are now a part of this great tradition.”

Two scholarship recipients spoke at the reception, Nichole Estep of Lusby, who received the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce Annual Scholarship, and Liza Dalrymple of Prince Frederick who received the Dennis Lake Smith Memorial Art Scholarship and the Jerome A. Zanelotti, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

Estep, a nursing student, told donors that in addition to her supportive husband, mother and siblings, she is “thankful for the people who are not my family, who don’t know much about me, who I never met—until tonight—but who have also encouraged me, stood by me and believed in me: the people who create and donate to scholarships so people like me can pursue their dreams. I would personally like to thank all of you who give to the foundation for your selfless charity.”

Dalrymple returned to college to pursue a passion in art. “At this present moment, the opportunity to return to college is a joyous gift. I’m living in the moment—and enjoying the present. But I’m also living with the understanding that everything I do, every class I take, every teacher’s lecture, every art project—is shaping my future. I want to promise the donors of the scholarships that I received–I will make you proud. I promise, your generous donations are appreciated,” she said.

More than 72 percent of college students nationwide graduate with student loan debt, according to Gottfried. “This is why CSM is taking great strides to educate our students, their spouses and parents about the opportunity and wise decision to save more than $29,000 by starting here at CSM for their freshmen and sophomore years.”

Scholarships awarded for the 2014-15 academic year include:

Adjunct Faculty Scholarship
Hannah Arnold
Christina Day
Valerie Dowell
Kenneth Howard

Albert L. Elder Jr. Family Scholarship
Sean Frost

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Scholarship
Keanuu Smith-Brown

Anna Mae Ziencik Hess Memorial Scholarship
Monica Jones
Mandi Ransome

Besche Family Scholars and Mentoring Program Annual Scholarship
James Eppley
Wesley Olsen
Kenneth Parker

Bill Wood Memorial Scholarship
Annie Mendoza

Brad and Linda Gottfried Against All Odds Annual Scholarship
Ciera Gantt

Brad and Linda Gottfried Art Scholarship in Memory of Bernice Gottfried
Emma Ansell

Brock Nikolas Guerrieri Memorial Scholarship
Valerie Dowell

Bryce T. Sanders Memorial Scholarship
Christina DeNeale

C. Emmitt Woodey Theatre Scholarship
Joanna Espiritu

Calvert Chamber of Commerce Endowed Scholarship
Crystal Kirven

Calvert County Chamber of Commerce Annual Scholarship
Abreellen Brown
Stephen Dodson
Nichole Estep
Jordan Stearns

Charles County Nursing and Allied Health Programs Scholarship
Lindsey Acquaviva
Rheya Brown
James Byrnes
Rochelle Douglas
Brittany Halmon

Charles County Woman’s Club Scholarship
Toyan Bell

Charles Robert Posten Memorial Scholarship
Samuel Allen

Chiaramonte Hope Scholarship
Christina DeNeale
Crystal Kirven
Symone Matthews
Kara Merritt
Heather Santimays
Lindsey Thurman

Christopher Chinault Scholarship
Matthew Owens
Heather Santimays
Susan Wallish

Concerned Black Women of Calvert County – Women in Transition Scholarship
Ashlie Boyd

Connie Kite Memorial Scholarship
Alexandra Knott

Exelon Generation Nuclear Engineering Technology Annual Scholarship
Brandon Cousineau
Benjamin Dunn
Robert Fennelly
Russell Kay
Emily Kerwin
David Maines
Shawn Murphy

Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust Ruth Mathes Scholarship
Erin Tayman

CSM Alumni Scholarship
Bernice Ngere

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Marrick Homes
Matthew Edgar

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by BAE
Alessia Parks

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Exelon Generation-Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
Christopher Isom

CSM Foundation Realize Your Potential Scholarship
David Callahan
Kimberly Campbell
Brittany Cobey
Jenna Courville
Meghan Crout
Kimberly Dubinsky
Andrew Hackney
Daniel Ledbetter
Lisa Parker
Stacie Prinkey
Denise Rhoads
Michael Rice
LaShawnia Wells

CSM Foundation Scholarship for Returning Adults
Lenita Balsbough
Carrie Catalan
Latrice Chase
Kenneth Howard
Doralee Kusztos
Heather Oliver
Aimee Pellegrino
Lori Rushworth
Nieda Tice
Leonard Valley

CSM Foundation Scholarship in Memory of Eric Sawchak
Maria Estevez

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Brad and Linda Gottfried
Caroline DeHaven
Erica Jones

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Calvert Memorial Hospital
Melissa Sager

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Dominion Foundation
Connor Taylor

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Maureen Cunningham and Gerry Van De Velde
Nicholas Fastnaught

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital
Kelcei McElvine

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Miles and Stockbridge, P.C.
Carly Penny

CSM Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Quality Built Homes, Inc.
Kyle Harlow

CSM Prince Frederick Campus Student Association Scholarship
Kristin Hemmer

Dennis Lake Smith Memorial Art Scholarship
Liza Dalrymple

Dr. Elvear B. Johnson Scholarship
Diondella Blanton

Dr. Nallan Ramakrishna Scholarship
Joshua MacKall
Thomas Siehl

Educational Systems Federal Credit Union Special Scholarship
Erin Brown
Aishya Devine
Diamone Hailstock-Williams
Kara Merritt
Christina Vance

Ethelmae M. Lilly Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Kaitlin Benitz

Fannie Louise Sine Henderson Scholarship
Shelly Cain
Latrice Chase
Kaitlyn Willen

Florence B. Trueman Scholarship
Christine Beatty
Kimberly Campbell
Stephen Dodson
Christopher Graham
Eric Graham
Emily Green
James Hilmer
Sarah Manning
Hunter Poore
Elijah Sanchez
Angel Shores
Keanuu Smith-Brown
Jordan Stearns
Melony Vest
Dayna Whitehouse

Gambrill Family Scholarship
Vaughn Gray

Gary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship
Carly Wedding

GRPA Scholarship
Drew Brentlinger
Clinton Garrison
Kristen Mills

Hank Willoughby Foundation Scholarship
Rheya Brown
Jasmine Cabiness
Mary Mills
Kathryn Sine
Melinda Smith
Mallory Tevis

Harland and Lula Cravat Memorial Scholarship
Aryanna Crockett
Samantha Lawler
Stacy Sharper

Helen and Henry Lawlor Scholarship
Alisha Murchison
Mandi Ransome

Helen and Mickey Todd Scholarship
Carrie Catalan
Samantha Enlow
Alexander Huber

Home Towne Real Estate Scholarship
Kaitlin Burkhart
Michael Fray
Lori Rushworth
Tricia Wood

J. Ivey Cline Memorial Scholarship
Desiree Page

Jack Love Sprague Scholarship
Lori Smith

James Mitchell Nursing Scholarship
Melissa Morgan
Jessica Weaver

Jane Hale Sypher Scholarship
Lenita Balsbough
Aimee Pellegrino
Tricia Wood

Jaye S. Ives Freedom Scholarship
Juana Davidson

Jerome A. Zanelotti Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Liza Dalrymple

Joanne Zwick Nursing Scholarship
Christine Beatty

Joseph Patak Memorial Scholarship
Christopher Conklin
Stacie Prinkey
Jeremmy Salazar

Kavetsy Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Rheya Brown

L.K. Farrall III Memorial Scholarship
Diondella Blanton
Brittany Cobey

La Plata Lions – Milton M. Somers Scholarship
Samantha Geckle
Mariah Mkandawire
Ayla Padgett
Alexis Proctor
Jennifer Street

LaVerda Francis and Richard Blair Scholarship
Rebecca Butner
Jennifer Colosi
Christopher Graham
Sarah Manning
Seth Spangler

Louis P. Jenkins, Sr. Endowed Scholarship
Melanie Pavone
Valerie Rahill
Melissa Zelonis

Marguerite Cox Family Memorial Scholarship
Brittany Halmon
Makenzie Hooper

Marrick Properties Scholarship
Garry Knight
Ricardo McCaskill

Maurice J. McDonough Scholarship
Nicholas Bears
Michelle Collins
Sarah Kennedy
Katelyn Kimble
Ayana McWillis
Annie Mendoza
Harsh Patel
Jeremmy Salazar
Rebecca Stone
Erica Swann
Megan Tzafaroglou
Jamie Welch
Amanda Wright

McNelis Family Scholarship
Elizabeth Kennedy

McWilliams Family Endowed Scholarship
Bernice Ngere

Neale Chaney Slater Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Erin Brown

NRL Federal Credit Union – Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Strikeout Scholarship
Ryan Hardy

Nu Zeta Omega Scholarship of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Jordan Alvey
Jeanette Jacobs
Jeana Osborne

Nyce Annual Scholarship
Diane Payne

Old Line Bank Business Program Annual Scholarship
Candice Cook
James Day
Melissa Fenwick
Emily Garcia
Crystal Kirven
Daniel Ledbetter
Yaa Opoku
Corrinne Penny
Holly Settle
Megan Tzafaroglou

Oreta Stinson Memorial Engineering Scholarship
Mary Mills

Our Earth Scholarship
Mary Mills

Patty Schwier and Norma LaFleur Scholarship
Jennifer Colosi

Paul V. Fachhina Jr. Scholarship
Cody Graham

Professor Debra L. Wyvill Teacher Education Scholarship
Amanda Shrawder

Rebekah Compton Boone and Vivian Bounds Edelen Scholarship
J’Trenee Bryant

Renee Munday Math Endowed Scholarship
Lindsey Bowersox

St. Mary’s County Government Health and Medical Scholarship
Hannah Arnold
Denise Collins
Juana Davidson
Dawn Drury
Sandra Fischer
Tyler Hayden
Carlos Jelinek
Alexandra Knott
Ray Ann Lindsey
Kara Merritt
Aimee Pellegrino
Olivia Redding
Yhamira Santiago
Molly Stine
Ernestina Stone
Natasha Terry
Lindsay Truong
Margaret Williams
Tiffany Wilson
Ashley Yonek

St. Mary’s Government Endowed Scholarship
Sierra Barnes
Crystal Berry
Tiyona Gupton
Robyn Harding
Tyler Wahl
Katie Wathen

Shani-Jinaki Whipple Memorial Scholarship
Ronald Hesse

Sidney John Francis Waugh Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Richard Samrow
Antwan Vandroff

Solomons Business Association Scholarship
Jordyn Callahan

Southern Maryland Women’s League Scholarship
Lisa Scales
Dina Spence-Foreman
Lauren Young

Susan N. Behmke Legacy Scholarship
Lauralea Davis

T. N. Bowes HVAC Scholarship
Malcolm Davis

Tau Lambda Lambda Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Scholarship
Christopher Graham
Eric Graham

The Arc of Southern Maryland Communications/Media Studies Scholarship
Tracy Johnson

The Arc of Southern Maryland Nursing Scholarship
Carlos Jelinek

Thomas F. Goldsmith III Scholarship
Rheya Brown
Jennifer Street

Thomas J. Murray Memorial Scholarship
Crystal Leon

Tony Hungerford Memorial Art Scholarship
Danielle Moyers
Kortnie Moyers

Tri-County 40 et 8 Nursing Scholarship
Jennifer Street

Virginia B. Darrow Memorial CSM Nursing Scholarship
Dayna Whitehouse

Walter B. Grove II Memorial Art Scholarship
Abbie Fahnestock
Katharina Fleming
Alan Frampton

WFA Cancer Survivors and Friends Cancer Scholarship
Kimberly Dubinsky

Wigberto Martinez Jr.  Memorial Scholarship
Robert Gomez

Zonta RAVE Walk Scholarship in Memory of Gayle Cooke
Six recipients

For information on creating or donating to a scholarship, visit http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation/. To view a gallery of photos from the Sept. 17 Scholarship Reception, visit http://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/14schlarrecpt. The Sept. 17 reception was one of several ceremonies to join scholarship donors with their scholarship recipients.