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�鶹��ý at Geauga students are receiving support from the Geauga County Township Association, which recently held its second annual Scholarship Fundraising Breakfast.

“We currently are at 92.1 percent performance to goal to obtain endowed status,” says Chuck Walder, fiscal officer for Russell Township and vice president/treasurer for the Geauga County Township Association. “The Geauga County Township Association received $7,747 from this year's scholarship breakfast, which included the association’s 2016 contribution of $1,000. This takes into account this year’s payout of scholarships. The association has one additional $1,000 contribution due in 2017 to fulfill its commitment to funding the scholarship.

“We anticipate obtaining our endowed status in 2017,” Walder adds. “That’s good news for students.”

The scholarship is in its third year and has provided scholarship money to four Geauga County students, with two more to be awarded after June 1. Once fully endowed, the Geauga County Township Association scholarship will make scholarships available to deserving students in perpetuity.

The scholarship, administered by Kent State based on guidelines of the Geauga County Township Association’s scholarship committee, is made available to Geauga County students who are attending Kent State Geauga and Kent State’s Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg.

The Scholarship Fundraising Breakfast was emceed by Jim Dvorak, Burton Township trustee and Geauga County Township Association president.

Dvoraks’ daughter Julie Ann Porter spoke about how proud she was to be an alumna of Kent State Geauga. She credited the convenience, financial advantage and quality of education as a spring board that led to finding success in her banking career as a vice president for senior portfolio for wealth management at PNC Bank.

“The response from our donors at each annual breakfast has always been phenomenal,” Dvorak says. “I was raised hearing that each generation should strive to be a little bit better than the last. So with this event, we help the next generation defray some of the costs of college. I feel that is very important for Geauga County. The Geauga County Township Association comprises ordinary people reaching out to the community; together doing extraordinary things.”

Genesis Elliot, nursing major at Kent State Geauga, thanked all donors for their investment in higher education and gifts of support to help students achieve their academic goals and aspirations. She proudly stated that she will be a first-generation college graduate.

Also, student Diana White, a middle childhood education major, talked about the importance of finding a career of choice. She said that “scholarships mean a yes; that a group of people or an organization believes in you and cares. They believe in your dream without ever knowing you.”

The generous support of sponsors of the breakfast event was appreciated. The sponsors included Time Warner Cable Business Class, Ohio Farm Bureau, Integrity Dental Inc., Dominion, First Energy Foundation and Ohio Insurance Services.

Jarrod Tudor, dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Geauga and the Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg, thanked the Geauga County Township Association for their support for public higher education and Kent State Geauga. Tudor noted how the scholarship fund helps students realize their dreams.

Kent State Geauga has provided excellence in education for more than 50 years in Geauga County and surrounding communities, and helps to make long-term economic impact through meaningful partnerships.

Kent State Geauga welcomes opportunities to explore new partnerships. For more information, contact the Kent State Geauga Office of Institutional Advancement at 440-834-3761.