Diane Payne of Waldorf, left, is the first recipient of the Nyce Annual
Scholarship. Awarded for the Fall 2014 semester, Payne is an arts and
sciences major with hopes of becoming a photographer. Nyce, who has been
the college’s photographer for 17 years, has created both a
scholarship and an endowment at CSM to help students persist and
complete college despite challenges.

For 17 years, Valerie Nyce has been on the edge of College of Southern Maryland events, quietly capturing history from behind her camera in her role as the college’s lead photography coordinator. Now, Nyce is securing a spot in CSM’s future by creating both a scholarship and an endowment to provide CSM students with the funds they need to attend the college.

“This is my way of giving back to the community, and I wanted to be
sure it was something that would help the community as a whole,” Nyce
said.

While getting to know students each semester at CSM, Nyce said she has
learned it is often difficult for them to pay for the education they
need to reach their potential in life and she wanted to help them in a
way that would last beyond her tenure at CSM.

The Nyce Annual Scholarship provides either $1,600 for an entire year
or $800 for a semester at the college to a recipient who is a resident
of Calvert, Charles or St. Mary’s County, has a high school diploma or
equivalent, is a CSM student and has at least a 2.5 grade point average.
The funds can be used for tuition, fees, books and other supplies that
might be needed for CSM courses.

“Val has been creating the image of CSM for 17 years through her
unsurpassed talents. She is someone everyone loves and appreciates,”
said CSM’s Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin. “We are
grateful for her unrelenting commitment and support of CSM and our
community.”

The first recipient of the scholarship was Diane Payne of Waldorf for
the Fall 2014 semester. An arts and sciences major with hopes of
becoming a photographer, Payne said, “It’s my honor (to be) a
recipient of the Nyce Annual Scholarship. The financial assistance will
be of great help to me in paying my educational expenses, and it will
allow me to graduate next spring.”

While attending CSM, Payne has worked as a student media assistant and
benefited from Nyce’s guidance. “She has been a mentor to me by
helping me strengthen my talents as a photographer. I truly feel I have
found my purpose in life,” Payne said. “In everything that she has
taught me, I will take that knowledge with me, and continue to capture
many memories.”

Nyce purposely kept the criteria for the scholarship broad to give
Southern Maryland residents a chance to earn it. Applicants must submit
an essay of at least 200 words that describes their academic goals and
how they have overcome a challenge. Nyce said that while the criteria
are broad, she is looking for someone who is focused on education and
will see his or her classes through to the end, even when the journey
may be difficult. Each year’s recipient will be chosen by the CSM
Foundation.

“In a way, this endowment is meant to honor my dad,” Nyce said.
“He valued education and instilled those values in me.”

Scholarships and endowments at CSM Foundation are sponsored by private
organizations, businesses and individuals.

Providing financial assistance is an important way for donors to work
with the college to develop the area’s next generation of community
leaders, nurses, engineers, truck drivers and members of the community
to enhance their skills. Many scholarships are available on an on-going
basis, however some change each semester or year.

For information on scholarships available through the CSM Foundation or
to create an endowment to support CSM students, visit
www.csmd.edu/Foundation.