By KAREN BIGHAM
Kentucky New Era

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HOPKINSVILLE -- The president of KCA Corp., who enhanced her own education at Hopkinsville Community College, has donated $100,000 to establish an endowment scholarship for GED (General Educational Development) recipients and single parents who enroll there.

Kyong Cha Anderson, CEO of KCA Corp., spoke at the college Monday morning as the scholarship endowment was announced. The Hopkinsville company's donation established the KCA Corp. Scholarship Endowment.

"Setting up this scholarship is the most proud decision. It makes a change in our community," said Anderson, who came to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Adult Education Center in 1988 to improve her English, pass the GED and then enroll in HCC.

Describing HCC as the cornerstone of the community, Anderson said everyone can contribute to that in one way or another to better the lives of those around them. She said she hoped some of the recipients would find such a way to give back.

KCA Corp., which specializes in food and dining facility services at U.S. military installations, has been funding scholarships for GED students since the early 1990s, but the $100,000 endowment creates a more permanent funding source. The income from the endowment will fund the program, allowing it to perpetuate itself.

The donation is part of the "Fulfilling the Promise" major gifts campaign currently underway at HCC. HCC's Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients, with awards made to those who have demonstrated the potential for achieving academic excellence.

"You are making a difference," HCC president Dr. Bonnie Rogers said. "You're investing in the future, not only of the college, but of its students."

Previous recipients of the scholarship spoke about the changes it has made in their lives.

"With the scholarship, I was able to do things I would never have been able to do before," said Rochelle Mendoza, an HCC nursing student and speech team member who received her GED in 2002.

Jessica Everling didn't think she would be able to go to college, but now she can fulfill her dreams as a teacher or archeologist.

"I couldn't be more grateful than I am," Everling said.

HCC Student Government president Claudine Farmer added that as a GED graduate with three children, scholarships have allowed her to accomplish her goals.

"I wanted to do better for me and my children," Farmer said. "It makes me a role model to them and that is all I ever wanted to be."

To obtain additional information or to make an investment, contact Hill Ferguson III at (270) 886-3921, ext. 6137 or via email at hill.ferguson@kctcs.edu.