April 11, 2006 Laurel, Maryland

Students and scholarship supporters intermingled Thursday morning as Capitol College honored the contributions and dedication of donors during the 16th annual Scholarship Appreciation Breakfast.

More than 80 percent of Capitol College students rely on financial aid to help pay for their education. For the student scholars, however, receiving one of the many endowed scholarships is more than just writing a check for a few thousand dollars.

It’s a sign of confidence.

Alumnus Todd McCluney shared that sentiment with the audience of students, donors, alumni and faculty. An Avrum Gudelsky Scholar, McCluney said the value of a scholarship is often viewed simply by how much it is worth. It was years after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering that McCluney realized something else about the awards.

 “An education is something you have to earn and donors know that,” said Todd McCluney, a 1999 electrical engineering graduate. “The recognition – it was the recognition that kept me going.”

That recognition is a show of confidence in students, said McCluney, a design engineer for SAIC. Donors are saying they believe in the future success of the student, which instills self-worth and a feeling of accomplishment.

The annual Scholarship Appreciation Breakfast gives donors a chance to meet the recipients of their gifts, as well as let the college show its gratitude. During his remarks, senior Charles Hodanics said donor generosity fuels a drive in students.

“The end of the tunnel is Capitol’s focus,” said Hodanics, the current Avrum Gudelsky Scholar, majoring in computer science. “With the job guarantees, career fairs, and above all excellent classes, all of your monetary contributions to Capitol have a great return. Students in this room will become leaders of technology and business, giving back gifts to society as you do now.”

McCluney and his wife, Debbie, announced they were “putting their money where their mouth is” and established a scholarship fund. Also attending the breakfast was Norm Peterson, the father of a Capitol alumnus who died in August 2005. The family of Karl Peterson, who graduated in 1994 with a degree in electrical engineering, set up a memorial fund in his name.

“Karl’s experience at Capitol College was the high point of his life. Karl blossomed at Capitol.” Peterson said. “And some of what he did here was showing other students the way.”

Contributors to the scholarship fund at Capitol College have given more than $2 million throughout the past three decades. With more than 40 named scholarships, the college is able to provide scholarship recipients with awards ranging from $2,000 to nearly full tuition paid.