The Main Event Supports UC Clermont Scholarships

More than $27,000 was raised for student scholarships during UC Clermont College’s 2018 annual fundraiser, The Main Event: Soaring for Scholarships, held April 18th at Sporty’s Academy Hangar at the Clermont County Airport.

The event, which was attended by almost 100 donors and friends of the college, featured speakers, a live auction and raffle. Scholarships are particularly crucial to first-generation college students, said Dawn Hundley, associate director of UC Clermont Student Services, who make up nearly half of UC Clermont students. Only 28 percent of adults in Clermont County hold bachelor’s degrees, said Hundley; that number is even lower in Brown and Adams counties. Hundley also shared her own experience as a nontraditional college student.

“I was a first-generation college student and single mother of two kids,” said Hundley, who later transferred to Main Campus to complete her bachelor’s degree. “I found a wonderful life at UC Clermont, and I hope our scholarships help other students do so too.”

UC Clermont has awarded more than $102,000 in donors-based scholarships to 62 students for the upcoming 2018-19 academic year, according to Hundley. During the event, two scholarship recipients shared how the awards helped them through school. Graduate Spencer St. Pierre said that UC Clermont’s affordable tuition — almost half the price of most other Ohio colleges and universities — combined with the Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra Scholarship he received allowed him to finish his business degree. While a student, St. Pierre also became an entrepreneur: He built his own automotive detailing business and became a partner on a new type of ceramic coating for cars that is now being produced in Malaysia for industrial and military use. All made possible, he said, thanks in part to the support he received from his scholarship.

“My advice to other students would be: don’t be afraid to tackle something,” St. Pierre said. “Thanks to the donors here today, I’m able to do what I’m doing now.”

Truc Vu, a Vietnam native who graduated from Western Brown High School as an international student, also shared how scholarship funding helped her achieve her higher education goals. This year, she received the Clermont Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship. “I applied to a lot of schools and received many scholarships, but it wasn’t enough,” said Vu, who also found that UC Clermont’s affordable tuition — combined with scholarship money — would allow her to pursue her degree. “Donors help us spread our wings and realize our dreams.”

In addition, the event recognized the 25th anniversary of UC Clermont’s Aviation Technology program, celebrating a quarter-century partnership between UC Clermont and Sporty’s Academy. UC Clermont Dean Jeff Bauer recognized Hal and Sandy Shevers, owners of Sporty’s Academy, for their unique role in supporting one of the top 10 pilot training programs in the United States.

"The 25th anniversary of UC Clermont's aviation program is a great example of a private/public partnership," said Bauer. "The relationship with Sporty’s Academy has helped make this program among the best in the country. We are proud to continue to offer such an opportunity to students and our community."

Sponsors for The Main Event included American Modern Insurance Group, Huhtamaki, Lykins Energy Solutions, Mercy Health East Market, Park National Bank and TQL. To learn more about scholarships at UC Clermont or to donate, visit

http://www.ucclermont.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships.html

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