Cornell gets $200,000 gift for scholarships

MOUNT VERNON -- A class of 1956 alumnus has given Cornell College $200,000 to create an endowed scholarship for Kirkwood Community College students transferring to Cornell.

The donors want to remain anonymous. The scholarship will benefit Kirkwood students transferring to Cornell College who are members of Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society for  two-year colleges.

“This scholarship will provide Kirkwood students access to the extraordinary opportunities in the classroom, on the campus and around the world that are uniquely available at Cornell College,” said Peter Wilch, Cornell vice president for alumni and college advancement.

Kirkwood is one of 19 member community colleges of the League for Innovation, and holds the distinction of being  the only Iowa community college that's a member of the select group.

“We are so pleased to add this new Cornell scholarship to the many supportive choices our graduates can make for their next educational step,” said Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich.

The gift is part of Cornell's comprehensive campaign Extraordinary Opportunities: The Campaign for Cornell College. The campaign concludes on June 30.