Scholarship recipients thank Foundation donors for making dreams come true

February 10, 2020

Engineering Technology student Mary McCord shared her scholarship story with President Dr. Tracy D. Hall at the 2019 Foundation Holiday Reception.

Southwest Foundation donors received a heartfelt thank you from scholarship recipients at a holiday reception Dec. 4 in the Bert Bornblum Library.

Students shared their testimonials of how their scholarships helped empower them to complete their education and transform their lives. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $250,000 in general scholarships to 114 students and 175 book scholarships totaling more than $90,000. The recipients all expressed how that without the generous support of the Foundation and its donors, they might not have been able to see their dreams of a college education become a reality.

“I am so thankful that I get to stand here and tell my story,” said engineering technology student Mary McCord, who received the Dr. Greg Maksi scholarship. “When I first came to Southwest, I didn’t even have a working computer. When I received my scholarship, I was able to upgrade my computer and that helped me excel in my classes.”

President Dr. Tracy D. Hall said the Foundation reception is always one of her favorite events because it is an opportunity for the College to say thank you to donors and sponsors, and a chance for them to hear firsthand their recipient’s stories of how their contributions are impacting their lives. “We have over 9,500 students and that translates into over 9,500 stories,” Hall said. “When you donate to Southwest, you are making a difference, not just in the life of the students, but their families and their communities. We cannot thank you enough.”

Accounting student Carl Slappy, Jr. said the Foundation’s financial assistance goes way beyond just helping to buy books. It helps protect the dreams of students like himself and others who follow. “Without you all, our dreams might not exist,” Slappy said. “So please continue to donate because it inspires others like me. When you touch one of us, you touch us all.” Nathaniel Caton, a first-year non-traditional student, added that being a student is hard enough, but even tougher when you have other responsibilities and life issues to deal with at the same time. “My scholarship has supported me financially and allowed me to reach my academic goals,” Caton said. “I want to thank you all for your contributions. You do a lot.”

In addition to hearing the students’ testimonials, the Foundation honored two luminaries who have made a significant impact on the College. Drs. Charles and Patra Temple were presented with the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, and Fred Davis was honored with Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Board Member Emeritus Award for his service as a Foundation trustee.

Charles Temple was president of State Technical Institute at Memphis, the forerunner to Southwest, from 1982 until his retirement in 1995. He led the effort to develop the master plan to build a student success center, administration, academic buildings and library, and raised private money for a child care center. The Temples established the Drs. Charles and Patra Temple Endowed Scholarship after his retirement and were instrumental in bringing the Walter K. Singleton United States Marine Corps Scholarship to Southwest. Charles passed away in 2017, but his wife Patra has taken up the mantle of the Temple legacy and continues to raise money for Southwest. “Reflecting back on our own educational journey, my husband and I decided to set up a scholarship so that others will have the same types of opportunities to succeed in their academic pursuits.”

Davis was the first African American chairman of the Memphis City Council and was instrumental in establishing the College’s Book Scholarship in 2011. As of 2018, the scholarship has awarded $216,255 and has helped more than 800 students. Hall praised Davis for not only giving his time to help the College, but also for establishing the Fred L. Davis scholarship to support general student needs. “His contributions over the years have been heroic, and I am proud to have his leadership to support our cause, our students, and our city.” Foundation board president Ann Langston accepted Davis’ award on his behalf.

Langston concluded the night with an appeal to donors to continue giving because of the growing need for scholarships. Due to the increase of students with the launch of Tennessee Reconnect and Promise, the Foundation’s projected goal for 2020 is $100,000. “Thank you to all our generous benefactors. But don’t forget, we can’t quit,” Langston said. “We have our work to do. And our work to educate our students will make the future of Memphis.”

To learn more about the foundation and donate, visit https://www.southwest.tn.edu/foundation/.

Foundation board president Ann Langston accepts the Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Board Member Emeritus Award on behalf of recipient Fred Davis.

Foundation board president Ann Langston accepts the Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Board Member Emeritus Award on behalf of recipient Fred Davis.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for strategic advancement at the College System of Tennessee Cris Perkins (right) presented the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Dr. Patra Temple.

Students Carl Slappy, Jr. and Nathaniel Caton thanked donors for their generous support.

Students Carl Slappy, Jr. and Nathaniel Caton thanked donors for their generous support.

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Scholarship recipients thank Foundation donors for making dreams come true

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